I stand still, resisting the urge to gag from the heat of his breath on the right side of my face.

He chuckles at my reaction, stretching out to his full height.

His ability to be so laid back while his son lays in a hospital bed brings my anger from this morning back to the surface.

How dare he ask me to help him get away with what he's done to Hakeem.

I struggle to contain my anger as I add cream and sugar to Zaria's coffee. I try to focus on the swirling of the light cream and the dark coffee, instead of his intense gaze.

He continues to stare at me as I look around for a lid to cover Zaria's coffee with. I notice that he's leaning against the counter right by the stack of lids. So, instead, of leaning closer to him to grab a lid, I stall by making his cup of coffee.

I stare at the dark stream of coffee as it flows out of the machine. I focus intensely on it, trying to pretend like it's only me and the coffee in the room.

The last drop creates a ripple in the steaming liquid, disrupting my focus. With both coffees done, I consider just taking Zaria's to her without a lid. He remains unbothered by my obvious discomfort.

I slide his cup of coffee to my left side, hoping he'll vacate my right and allow me to cover Zaria's cup.

"Hakeem didn't teach you about respect?" He asks. "Hand me my coffee." He commands.

The tone of his voice sends tremors down my spine, but I refuse to let him see that. I quietly pick up Zaria's coffee with my left hand and turn to walk away.

As I am stepping away, his rough hand wraps around my wrist and pulls me backward.

I yell in pain as the hot coffee splashes on my hand. My hand reflexively releases the cup, causing it to hit the floor and spill out the remainder of its contents.

"I said. Don't. Push. Me." He says through clenched teeth.

The pain from the burn fuels my previously dormant anger and yank my hand out of his grasp. Without thinking, I pick up his coffee and throw it onto him.

I am momentarily appeased by the look of shock that forms on his face as the steaming liquid hits it.

That moment is cut short as I register what I just did. I immediately turn around and run out of the room, nearly slipping on the spilled coffee. 

In a rush to escape, I almost crash into the door of the elevator. My right hand reaches out to smash the elevator button as I turn my head to see where he is.

I catch a glimpse of him using napkins to dry his face off before leaping into the elevator.

My heart pumps so quickly, it feels as if it's going to leap out of my chest.

The elevator dings to signal its arrival at the fifteenth floor. I run out and find the reception area vacant. Fear overrides my ability to think through my decisions and I let my legs lead me back to Zaria's office. I crash in, gasping for air.

"Where's my coffee?"

Her stupid coffee is the least of my concern. I think to myself as I quickly put on my coat.

"Hello? Where's my coffee??" She asks again, clearly annoyed by my silence.

"Uhhh..." I fumble. "I have a family emergency. Tell your dad I'm really sorry, but I have to go." I make up, rushing back out of the room.

I try to slow down when I notice Debbie has returned to her desk; but, my right heel slides forward, sending me plummeting to the cold marble floor.

"Roxanne!" She gasps loudly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes!" I lie. "I'm sorry, I have to leave early. M-My mom... s-she is in the hospital." I add, getting back up to my feet.

The sound of the elevator arriving paralyzes me. The memory of his cold, hard hands squeezing my neck causes my breath to catch in my throat.

I watch as he steps out of the elevator with what looks like a new cup of coffee. There is no visible sign of my outburst, which makes me question if it even happened.

"Thank you for showing me to the kitchen, Roxanne." He says, his tone confusing me and scaring me at the same time. "It's a shame that you have to go." He adds in a quieter voice.

The implied threat hangs between us like a thick cloud of smoke. It wraps around me, making me lightheaded from the lack of oxygen.

By the time I regain my breath, he is already being escorted back to Mr. Johnson's office by Debbie.

I take that as a chance to get as far away from this place as possible.

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Hi guys :)

Sorry for being a horrible person and not updating this sooner. Life has been beating me up. But, it's okay, I'm better now. I hope to update quickly and finish this story for you guys.

Thank you so much for supporting me through this! Your comments and votes keep me going ❤️

xoxo
Gaëlle

P.S. How do you guys feel about this chapter?