Lennox froze as he stepped out of his office, his gaze slipping to his assistant, who seemed to brighten the spot that she occupied. Her smile was radiant, What was she happy about? even after how I scolded her earlier. Lennox looked over at the other workers who were all busy at their desks, except Sophia. She had earbuds on, probably listening to music. Sensing his presence, she looked up, meeting his gaze, her eyes widened as she took out the earbuds in a rush, grabbing her schedule pad. He shook his head, heading towards the elevator, not wanting to hear her say anything that he already knew about. Lennox got in before she could get a word out of her mouth.

The elevator pinged close, giving him some moment of reprieve. She rubbed him the wrong way, and he couldn't pinpoint the reason why it was that way. The business meeting turned out better than he thought it would, the investor hadn't bargained much before they agreed to his terms, but he felt like bricks were being banged on his head.

Lennox returned to his office, ignoring his assistant, but once he got in, he knew something was off. Lennox's heart almost ceased as he saw the glass of smoothie on his desk. Memories he wanted to bury forever crashed around his head, darkening his vision.

"Sophia" he yelled for her, his hands trembling as he rounded his desk, staring at the offending item. The door opened and she came in with her bright smile. It was as if she was glad that he had called for her. It twisted at something deep within him that he refused to acknowledge.

"What is this" he pointed at the drink, his jaw clenched, trying his hardest to suppress the rage that clouded his vision like a fog of smoke. Lennox wanted to smash something. His hands clenched, finding nothing but air to grab onto.

"A mixture of fruit smoothie. Your rule said no coffee, so I decided to get you this instead" she answered like it was common knowledge. Like she'd done nothing wrong.

"I told you not to serve me anything" he gritted out. "You'll obey all my rules, Sophia, if you can't then you get out of my fucking company. Don't try to think, because nothing you ever think to do for me will make me feel better, definitely not your stupid smoothie" he got out, emotions threatening to choke him as he grabbed the glass in fury. He didn't realize throwing the content at her until it trailed down her brightly colored dress. She jerked, gasping in surprise. Those eyes are on me, accusing, blaming me for everything. His hands trembled. "Get out. Get out of my office" he bellowed. She looked like she was going to cry. She rushed out of the office.

It was difficult to breathe. I hadn't meant... Hadn't meant to... To get so mad. The door slamming open sliced through his thought. His eyes snapped towards the intruder. It was Sophia. She looked furious as she approached him, stopping at the front of his desk, the only barrier between them.

"Do you think I'll quit if you treat me like this?, No Mr. Lennox, I am going to serve you with my very last strength, and when my six months is up, I'll walk out that door, and never look back, so do your fucking worst" she grabbed at the glass cup, and walked out of the office, banging the door till it almost shook on its hinges, then quietness enveloped his office, seeping through his bones, eerie In their sudden intensity. She had such determination that It silenced him, telling him to take notice. Goosebumps trailed his skin. What was wrong with her? What was wrong with me? Why did I get so mad whenever I saw her, or if she did the littlest of things? Was it because she was disrupting my life like someone I once knew, someone I tried to change for, someone I let my selfishness kill. He clenched his fist, drowning the thought before it could fester and choke him. The hurt never left. It got stronger, but Lennox would never admit it to anyone, instead, he would let everyone feel and wish they were dead. The thought was comforting, no matter how brief, or was it just wishful thinking.

*****

******

"He's such an asshole!" Andria shot out of her seat like a raging bull about to charge at its prey. "What's he going to do next, hit you across the face for checking his mails". She slammed at the desk, making the rest jump in their seats. Bianka touched her hand gently, eyeing the vicinity, Andria followed her gaze, sitting down after she took in the suddenly interested crowd that glued their eyes to their tables, desperate for gossip.

"Look, if he doesn't want you to do anything, then just sit tight and wait it out". Bianca suggested, her eyes moving towards Sana for support, but she remained quiet.

"I can't do that. You all know how crazy I get when I have nothing to do, and my guts tell me that this is some sort of test I need to pass, plus I can always sue him for assault if he lays hands on me, but I don't think he's that violent."

Andria crossed her arm, her face squeezed like she'd taken a sour lemon. "You can't sue when you're dead" she murmured under her breath.

"I'm sure it won't get to that Andria." Bianca rolled her eyes, before sighing tiredly. "Why are we stuck with such awful bosses. Mine works me like a slave. I wish I work for Mr. Lennox, God knows I won't even bother with doing anything".

Sana grimaced. "Party freak, that's my boss's middle name. He also wants his hands on everything he fancies. The only thing he hasn't asked me to do is play stripper for his business associates. What if I was married, how would my husband feel" Sana's shoulders slumped in defeat. The atmosphere felt stuffed with oppression.

"That's true" Bianca agreed, picking at her salads. "At least they pay us on time" she pointed out, earning their nods of admittance.

"And some of us get a double paycheck" Sana breathed, eyes cutting at Sophia.

"I saw that look Sana. The said double paycheck doesn't cover his rude attitude".

"Our food is getting cold, and all this depressing atmosphere is not helping me" Andria muttered, stabbing at her steak, before bringing it to her lips. She chewed happily, her eyes lightening up. "You need to taste this" she squealed, nudging at Sana's shoulders eagerly. Sana shrugged her off, but conceded, taking a bite of the steak. Her face cheered up when she focused on Sophia and Bianka.

"She's right. This is so good".

"I ain't missing out on this" Bianca got out, taking a huge bite. She moaned in satisfaction, making Sophia roll her eyes, not joining in.

"What are you going to do about Mr. Lennox," Andria asked, after moments of them just savoring the meal, plunging the atmosphere back into despondency.

"I don't know girls. I've tried to be all nice, but it's not working. It's like he's a closed off-island, nothing gets through to him". Sophia wailed, clutching at her hair.

Andria waved her fork around. "One piece of advice, don't do the smoothie thing again. You can't be changing clothes every afternoon".

"You're right about that. Maybe I'll just go early to work, finish my duties and get the hell out of his way".

"Does he live the door open? " Bianca queried, snatching at Sophia's fries.

Sophia mulled it over. His door was always closed during work hours, so what were the odds he left them open. "I think so, but he's so strung up, loves his freaking privacy, and silence thingy, that's why no one knows anything about him."

"Make sure you don't get caught snooping around. He might strangle you to death, and throw your body in the toilet" Andria sings-song when the alarm rang, signaling the end of their free hour. They quickly rushed to put their stuff away, getting up to leave.

Bianca turned to face her. "Heed Andria's advice ok, your boss might low-key be a psychopath, waiting to strike."

"Now y'all are just exaggerating everything, and making me scared".

Sana slung her bag over her shoulders. "I gotta jet, my boss might not be Mr. Lennox, but he's in his evil category. See y'all later ok," she hurried out of the cafeteria before they could say goodbye.

They all took off until Sophia stood in the middle of the emptying cafe. "Ugh. Why me?". She wailed, trudging toward the elevator, she got in, punching in the number to the top floor, which she likened to a grand-looking cage. Sophia sighed miserably. Everything felt almost too hard. I just have to hang in there for six months, make him depend on me to the point that he'd beg me not to leave, she reminded herself. She would achieve her goal, she promised herself. No matter what it took.

"Why is he so fucking agitated". Sophia murmured as she stood by Lennox's door, listening as Len paced around the office. Sophia clutched her schedule pad tighter as she waited. The door pushed open, causing her to back away. Lennox stepped out of his office, startled as he took notice of her, but then he was striding off towards the elevator. She rushed after him, almost shouting his schedule at him in a rush.

"... By noon, you have a business meeting with the men from the LC branch to plan the new strategy for producing the new batch of fabrics that would be used for the summer collection, you have your free hour by two pm for lunch and doctors appointment... " She almost stumbled into him as he halted abruptly in front of the elevator, Sophia quickly got it for him before he could, his finger coming to rest on her. He jerked away from the contact, his full glare directed at her. Lennox entered the elevator, not speaking a word to her. The door closed making Sophia swear. She ran out of the office, trudging down the stair-like her pants were on fire. She knew she wouldn't get there in time, so she jumped on the smooth rails of the stairs and then pushed forward. She slipped down the rail, almost dizzy at the speed. She reached the end, tumbling off and almost hitting her head on the wall. After steadying herself, she rushed towards the elevator, passing some of the workers and security, everyone minded their business, not sparing her a glance. The elevator pinged open. Lennox's eye widened just a fraction as he saw her standing before him. He stepped out.

"At four o'clock, you have a dinner scheduled with Mr. Vince, a friend of yours from high school... That would be all sir" she heaved a breath, her chest burning from the exertion. He stared past her without saying a word or acknowledging that she was there. Lennox walked away, leaving her to stare after him. Sophia swore, almost clawing at her face with her nails.

"Oh my God, he is such a jerk". Sophia sighed, she felt like pulling out his hair or something. She stepped into the elevator, pressing for the first floor. Her gaze darted as she took notice of Andria and her boss, walking out of the company, looking cozy as they conversed, stealing secret glances at each other before the elevator cut off her visual. "Wish he was my boss, this is so frustrating ugh".

********

CLUB

The neon lightning flashed making Andria wince as she poured drinks for her boss and his associates, she served each, forcing herself to smile. She watched her boss as he laughed, head thrown back. A real smile replaced the forced one Andria had been forcing.

Peter, one of the associates, cleared his throat, raising his glass. "A toast for more deals to come".

They all nodded, clicking glasses against the other. Markus turned to face Andria.

"Pretty Andria, how long have you been working with this awful guy," he asked, pointing at Jonathan, her boss.

Andria smiled, refilling his glass. "Two years sir, but Mr. Jonathan is not awful. He's the best".

Marcus smirked. "That's just for show", he said, then looked her over. "You're really beautiful Andria".

Andria felt Jonathan get tense beside her. "Thank you, sir, Markus, you're also really good-looking". Markus leaned towards her, but before he could say anything, Jonathan slapped his back, laughing nervously.

"Hey, back off. Don't compliment my assistant, go get yours".

Markus ignored him with a mischievous gaze directed at Andria. "Why don't you come work for me, Andria, how about a triple paycheck of whatever he pays you".

"Come work for me, I'll pay four times what Markus here wants to offer you" Peter interjected, staring intensely at Andria.

Andria cut glances at Jonathan who had his fist clenched, watching both men as if he wanted to murder them. Andria looked back at the two men who were expectantly waiting for her reply.

"I quite like my job and the amount I'm being paid, so I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline both your offers". She answered and felt Jonathan relax beside her.

"Nice try, but my assistant is faithful to her boss". His gaze fell on Andria, she smiled at him. Markus watched both of them skeptically.

"You two look like you're in a relationship, is that a good thing?" He asked, forcing Andria's gaze to snap in his direction nervously, but it was Jonathan who spoke first.

"Don't be ridiculous, I can never date an ordinary assistant, what sort of nonsense is it, I don't need any baseless rumors spreading about me Markus, besides I have my fiance waiting for me, she's studying right now, so fucking drop it ok".

"So defensive. Andria, see I told you your boss was awful. You should consider my offer" he said but Andria just kept her head bowed, as Jonathan's words sank home. Jonathan drank more wine, laughing too hard even when the joke wasn't all that funny.

*******

I will not cry, not here, or anywhere, Andria told herself, as she inhaled and exhaled deeply to get rid of the prominent pain in her chest. Andria forced herself to chin up as she drove towards the company parking lot, she didn't want the others to see her and start to ask questions. Andria found an empty spot and parked.

"That's all for today sir, should I call your driver to take you home, or do you prefer to drive yourself".

"I didn't mean what I said earlier, I'm sorry, you know that right". His voice cut through the silence, making Andria jerk to face him. Jonathan leaned towards her, reaching for her hand, but she slapped his hand off. Her eyes snapped to his, her anger getting the best of her.

"Don't touch me, I am just the ordinary assistant you can't stand to be with anyway".

His face twisted in pain. "I'm sorry Andria, but you can't say this is all my fault, you don't want the world to find out about us right, they'll gossip behind our back, say shit about us that you don't want to hear".

"Well if you truly love me, you won't be ashamed or get so defensive, or make up an imaginary fiance just to explain why you can't ever be with me" she accused, her eyes burning.

"I'm not ashamed of you".

"Of course, you'll say that, but we've been dating for a year now, and no one knows about us, not even my best friends, do you think that's healthy, how long are we going to keep this up, huh".

He took her hand soothingly, his grip tightened when she made to pull away. "Not for long, Andria, just give me a little more time".

She wrenched her hands away. "No Nathan, you've been saying that forever, at least Peter and Markus are not ashamed of me, maybe I might just consider their offer." She threatened, watching as Jonathan's gaze darkened, a muscle jerking at his temple.

"You don't mean that Andria. You love me".

"Yeah I do, but do you love me?" She asked, he was quick to reply, but she shushed him before he could speak. "Think it over before you answer that Jonathan because I don't feel that you love me at all". She pushed open the door, walking out before the broken look on his face crumbled her resolve.

Lennox scanned the menu but nothing caught his gaze, Vince waited patiently as the server fidgeted beside them. Lennox motioned the server closer, pointing at what he wanted. The server left, grateful to be out of their presence.

"You're making everyone uncomfortable with your scowling. Stop ruining a dinner we haven't even started yet".

"I'm not scowling, I'm just tense today".

A small grin tugged on Vince's lips. "Why? Did you fight with your girlfriend or what".

Lennox flinched, his gaze fixed on the champagne flute, and jaws clenched. "I think I should leave, I don't have an appetite anymore" he got out, proceeding to stand before Vince reached out to stop him. Lennox remained seated, watching Vince's features tighten as he got serious, his fingers that were clad with expensive diamond rings running through his hair in frustration.

"It's been six years Lennox, I thought you'd be better now, haven't you moved on yet?"

"We both know I can never move on, or forget about what happened six years ago, I know you haven't forgotten either..."

Vince smashed his hand on the table, whispering fiercely. "Melissa was my sister Lennox, but you're making me feel shitty all over again because I did move on, I forgave you".

Lennox's jaw set. "You didn't love her as I did, you didn't watch her die, you didn't kill her".

Vince groaned, dragging his hands through his hair frustratingly. "Neither did you god damn it? I loved Melissa, but it was an accident, an accident that no one saw coming." He seized a deep breath as he took in Lennox's unwavering mask of pain. "No matter how much I repeat this to you, it won't help would it. You need to move on Lennox, this is not healthy. No one is holding you back, Melissa isn't either".

Lennox stood up, picking up his case. Vince watched him helplessly. "I'm done here. I will never forget about Melissa, I can't move on, not when I'm a murderer. I hurt everyone close to me, so you should stay away if you want to live a long life".

"That's bullshit Lennox and you know it. You don't mean that right?"

Lennox's gaze was stoic. "I mean everything I said. Stop scheduling all these meetings, it just makes me more suffocated than I already am". Lennox gave a clipped bow, walking out of the restaurant.

Vince looked around, noticing pairs of eyes who had been watching their exchange. He sighed, burying his head into his phone.

*******

Lennox walked back home, Melissa's voice ringing in his head as he remembered their last moment together.

"Let go of me Len, let the fuck go" she screamed at him, her eyes clouding up with unshed tears. He let go reluctantly, wanting to hold onto her even if it was just a little bit. "Why are you doing this Len, haven't I tried enough. I've done all I can Len, and I'm tired of trying for you. You're just a coldhearted man, you're an empty shell who can't force yourself to feel even just a spec of love for me". Her word twisted something in Lennox's chest.

"I am not, I love you, believe me, I do. It's just because I was raised different, that's why I find it hard to show my feelings, but you know I try hard for you right".

Melissa shoved at him, raising her voice another octave. "You wouldn't have to try so hard if you love me. I can't stay with a man who has to try before he can love me" she said and made to go, but he stopped her, grabbing onto her shoulder. She whirled around, slapping him across the face. He cupped his cheek, the sting of her slap registering, as his ears rang. Melissa gave him a nasty challenging look, then walked away from their house, moving towards her car that was parked on the other side of the road. Len watched her, his heart twisting in his chest, that was until he saw the truck heading straight for her. He shouted her name, running towards her, Willing the truck to move slower. It didn't happen, Melissa turned as she heard her name, making him stagger to a stop in his steps. The truck rammed into her, the force of it lifting her above the ground, then smacked her against the tiled road. The truck accelerated, swerving as it drove off.

Melissa rolled until her back hit her parked car. Lennox snapped out of his trance, running towards her, his body trembling as he crouched down in horror. He gathered her in his arms dialing the emergency contact on his phone. His voice shook as he relayed what happened, begging them to hurry up before the phone dropped from his hand. Melissa's blood seeped into his clothes, drenching them as he cradled her head against his chest. She coughed out blood as he held her, tucking the hair sticking to her face behind her ear. A darkening bruise marred the side of her face. Lennox felt shaken, his head refusing to believe what had happened.

"Melissa, please... Don't leave me... I am so sorry, so very sorry, this is all my fault, all my fault" he felt hot tears trailing down his cheek. Melissa stared at him, eyes glazed in pain.

"This is..." She gasped, clutching at his shirt. "I'm dying, Len... You... Let this happen... Don't... Don't... Le... let me... go". Her grasp wavered, even when she tried harder to hold onto him. "Len... Lennox... You... You have to save me... Save...". Her grasp slipped, her eyes shutting, forever.

Lennox shook his head in disbelief. "Melissa... Melissa" he tapped on her cheek, looking around wildly for the ambulance that said they were on their way. "Melissa, don't do this to me, just hang in there a little ok. You'll be fine. I'll save you, I promise. Melissa" he roared, pulling her into a tight hug. "Melissa!".

The siren of the ambulance sounded distant in his ears, the world was just one hazy place after she left him. He couldn't keep his promise. He couldn't save her.

Lennox held his head wincing from the pain that came with the memory. He hated whirling sounds, or any loud noises, they made him remember. His house was always quiet, he'd replaced the once bright colors that Melissa painted the wall with darker shades. It reflected his life. An empty hollow space.

He took off his suit, loosening his tie as he sank into the sofa, staring at the immaculate house. He could see Melissa everywhere even after he'd altered the room. Her bright smile as she flaunted a new dress, the grace with which she walked in heels, her golden wavy hair that always fanned her face like a halo. He could remember how she always went out of her way to make him happy, she dressed up as a clown for him once and acted like a Disney princess another time as she put on a show for him. Her clever advice, her help with the company, her loud laugh, her beautiful twinkling eyes when she smiled. He'd changed the house but it didn't stop her from haunting him. He was responsible for her death. That guilt would never go away even if he moved across the ocean. Living in solitude was his punishment, but he wanted it that way. He deserved to live like that.