The words Lilah told her boss had been a clock on the wall of her mind. Ticking closer, day and night. Monday came earlier than expected.

'Asher is such an annoying boss, but I won't resign. Not today.' She got up from bed to prepare for the office before her mum came in, asking questions.

After getting dressed in a white-turtle-neck shirt and black-fitted pants, Lilah piled up her hair in a fancy hairdo and went to the living room to kiss her parents goodbye. She took a taxi, making sure she got to Sure West before 8:00 A.M.

Sitting on her chair, Lilah placed her black handbag on her desk and found a brown envelope. Her eyes furrowed at it, wondering what it was all about. Could it be the payment for the trip she didn't make?

Lilah tore its edge, taking out the letter, it read.

211 Lincoln Street,
Roseville CA,
95678 United States.

Dear Lilah,

We are incredibly sorry to let you know that your term of service at Sure West Communications has ended immediately. The reason behind this dismissal is that you have violated the employee's code of conduct, section 3. You left us with no choice but to end your employment right here.

We have given one month to you till July 4th, 2022, to vacate the office. In case you can't do this, we will pack your things, and you have to straight away leave the premises. We appreciate your work till now in our organization. We wish we could keep you on the team.

Signed by: Chiefs of Staff
Mr. John Boris.

Tears filled the space in Lilah's coal-lined eyes, the letter dropped to the floor. Her posture drooped as she fell back to her black-lathered chair. Lilah placed a hand over her head. Her nose flared with difficult breaths.

"No, it can't be... Asher can't do this to me!" A solemn tear rolled down her cheek; Lilah's body looked calm compared to how puzzled her mind was.

Her shoulder slumped while she buried both eyes into the reels of her hands. Lilah stood up at once, picking up the letter and going to face him.

'How dare he write me a termination letter after humiliating me like that on Friday?!' She stormed to his door, but it was locked. Aggressively shaking the doorknob, she realized he wasn't there.

She took her phone and dialled his contact. Again and again, as usual, there was no reply.

"Why on earth does he even have a phone?" she cursed under the thickened breath with a hand on her head.

"Hello, is everything alright?" A familiar voice asked from behind.

Lilah turned around and saw Eliana. She quickly wiped off the tears, but her black mascara washed off her baby-blue eyes.

"Oh, Elie... I saw this on my desk this morning." She resisted the tears with another sniff.

Eliana collected it from her, reading through the letter with curious eyes.

"What? How is this even possible? What happened on Friday? You told me he got a replacement... What was it about?"

"I lied to cover up, Elie!" Lilah confessed, amidst her cracking voice. "He sent me out of his car! He told me that I was incompetent to go with him."

"And why would he do that? I think you have to meet him. Settle your differences and please, don't break up like this." Eliana pulled her into a tight hug. Lilah could no longer hold the heartbreak. As she fell onto Eliana's shoulder in a dishevelled heap, her grief poured out in a flood of painful tears.

"It's okay, Lee. Just calm down." Eliana placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as worry clouded her hazel eyes. "I'm sure he would reconsider."

Lilah gently pulled out of the embrace with her eyelid lowered under her furrowed brows.

Eliana handed her a hanky and held her friend's trembling hands closely. "Have you seen him this morning?"

"I do not know where Asher is!"She told her.

"I saw him entering the conference room just now. I think he's having a meeting with some customers." Eliana explained. "You should wait, okay? Let's go to my office."

Eliana's voice pleaded as she tried to calm her down. Gasping in the air from her watery mouth down her dried throat.

Lilah followed Eliana to her office, as she took a seat. Eliana gave her a glass of water, making sure she drank it all, and stopped crying, at least. She also handed her a piece of wipes to wipe out her makeup.

Lilah's trembling palms wiped out the beads of sweat hanging on her forehead as she waited. A striking pain thundered through her head as she held onto it. Gulping down the stone, bitter anger in her throat, it felt awkward to face Asher again after Friday's argument. It was the first time she had exchanged words with him, but this dismissal letter was the least expected.

Once she calmed down, Lilah checked on him again. Walking out of her friend's office, Asher pushed the elevator open, stepped out, and walked directly into his office. He glanced forward as usual as if she wasn't even there.

'Why? Is he still angry at me?' A voice laced in her thoughts as she walked after him. Gently tapping on his transparent office door, not to crack it open with her superpower.

"Come in." He offered.

Lilah stepped into his office, closing the door behind her.

"Good morning, sir." She greeted, even though that claimed her dignity.

Lilah raised her slightly swollen eyes at him. Asher focused his dark eyes on the papers in front of him while he paid her deaf ears.

"You didn't come to stare at me this morning, did you?" He asked, still concentrating on the papers.

He reminded Lilah why she had come.

"I got this letter from the head of staff this morning." her voice came low and painfully hoarse.

"What is it?"

"It's a dismissal letter, sir."

"So, why are you here? What part of it didn't you understand?"

"I don't deserve this. What did I do wrong?" Her shaky voice objected.

Asher heaved out a heavy breath, finally raising his gaze at her. He knew he wouldn't consider Lilah. His thick eyebrows pulled up as he watched her, head to toe. Instead of replying, he just stared at her with disgust. Feeling Asher's gaze on her, another sigh escaped Lilah's lips as she gazed downwards. As if he'd done something great and she was unappreciative. Although Lilah kept her gaze on the ground because of his devil stare. She needed her job back.

"Why are you doing this to me, sir?"

"I don't owe you an explanation, young lady."

"Excuse me, sir?" She asked, confused.

"What do you expect? That I treat you differently because you're Asena's sister? That I give you special care because you charmed your way into my bed when I was on wolfsbane? I don't want to see you anymore, Lilah. I don't want to hurt you either. You're fired!" He blurted.

"I'm fired?" She questioned, more tears clouding her eyes. Lilah exhaled shakily, with hope in her heart. "But this is unfair!"

"You wanted to resign, didn't you? I made things easier for you, yet, instead of being grateful, you complain!" He stormed with so much hate in his voice.

"You know what?" Asher nodded in disappointment. "You are unfair! Do not make me repeat myself, you heard me. I can't have someone like you around, so just leave, already!"

"But you can't just push me away because of one night's mistake." Lilah's shaky voice crackled out the words. "We were both drunk and you knew it! I told you I would tell no one about this, so why are you doing this to me?"

"I don't trust you! Now, leave my office before I call the security!"

Hot tears spilt over the side of her eyes, making her vision blur. The floor reeled before her as she wiped it off. Asher turned back to the papers. She stood there, watching him. The bell ringing in her head gave a dreadful feeling that something terrible would happen. She took a deep breath before walking out of his office.

Lilah wanted to beg him to reconsider, but it was of no use. Asher would never believe her. She's not his mate, and it's not as if she wants to be.

Lilah was on the verge of tears when she stormed into her office. She entered her office, with her back slammed against the door. Breaking down in tears about how to park up.

'How would I tell mum and dad about this? How would I explain?' Lilah asked herself, gazing at the empty ceiling as she slowly buried her head between her legs. Gut-wrenching sobs tore through her chest as she choked on the running tears.

Later, Lilah packed up her stuff and cleaned up the place. She made sure she well arranged everything, just like the first day she got a job at Sure West. Getting another job wasn't a problem, Lilah knew.

She shouldered her handbag and held a box of books, dragging her lazy legs out of the building. Lilah was on the last floor when Eliana caught the back view of her. She hurried to her with a hopeful heart.

"How did it go?" Eliana asked, walking up to her.

Lilah sighed, looking downward before responding. "I don't know... Not great."

"What's wrong? Did Mr. Rhys object?"

"He fired me. I just want to go home. I don't know what's wrong with me, Elie. I just want to crawl under my blanket and cry. I have no energy to continue this... I don't have a bone to save myself."

Eliana held her in a warm embrace again. "I'll miss you, Lilah, but I'll always keep in touch. I'll check on you within the week." She promised.

"Okay, thank you."

"Don't think too much about it. I'm sure he will come around." Eliana assured in a calm tone.

"Sure. Bye now." Lilah faked a smile and walked out of the building. She stopped by a taxi and zoomed off onto the busy road.