Chương 6: Chapter 6 - Secret Out

As Carissa struggled with the oppressive heat outside, wiping off the beads of sweat on her forehead with the back of her palm, David and George approached. David's eyes coldly scrutinized her, and a derisive smirk played on his lips.

"Well, well, looks like our diligent P. A is enjoying the sunshine. George, isn't she doing a splendid job?" David remarked sarcastically.

George, sensing the tension, hesitated but played along. "Absolutely, sir. She's embracing the outdoor working environment."

Carissa forced a weak smile, trying to endure the humiliation. "I'm just following your orders, sir."

David chuckled, the condescension evident in his tone. "I must say, Miss Draven, you're adapting quite well. Maybe we should consider relocating your desk permanently to the great outdoors."

Carissa bit her lip, holding back the words threatening to escape. She felt a mix of frustration and anger but chose not to escalate the situation.

"George, let's go," David instructed, dismissing her presence as if she were inconsequential.

Carissa clenched her fists, watching them leave. The warmth of the sun turned into a burning reminder of her vulnerability in the harsh corporate world, under David's relentless scrutiny.

Walking up to his car, David grabbed a bottle of water and turned to face Carissa who was standing a bit far off.

"You care?" He asked, not actually staring at her. A smile parted Carissa's lips as she nodded.

"Yes. "She walked up to them and was about to take the water but he retorted.

"I wasn't actually talking to you but George." He turned to George and forced him to take the bottle despite not being tasty.

"Are you alright, Miss Draven?" George took the opportunity and asked the minute David entered the car.

Carissa nodded.

"Go and attend the other meeting on my behalf since it's not that essential," David ordered George.

"Okay, sir." George bowed and left. Then he shifted his gaze to Carissa who kept standing.

He got out of the back seat and asked, "Aren't you entering the car?"

"Oh. I can take a taxi back to the company."

He eyed her, causing her to enter the car before he goes over to the driver's seat.

As he drove, he noticed Carissa staring at him and it got him restless, causing him to caution her.

"Will you quit staring at me, Miss Draven?"

"Uh?"

He glanced at her and sneered, "I noticed you starting so don't deny it."

She lowered her head. "I'm sorry. Sir."

"Stop being annoyingly sorry and just keep your eyes off me before I do away with it," he threatened and increased the speed of the car, causing her to gasp In astonishment. She became more contemplative.

While he went on driving, the atmosphere remained tense. Carissa couldn't shake off the feeling that David was intentionally making her first day miserable. She hesitated but finally spoke up.

"Is there something I've done wrong, sir?" Carissa asked cautiously.

David didn't respond immediately. Instead, he kept his focus on the road. After a moment, he let out a scoff.

"Wrong? Well, let's see... you disrupted my peaceful routine by appearing in my office unexpectedly, and now you're here, disrupting my day further," he stated bluntly.

Carissa winced at the directness of his words. "I didn't mean to disrupt, sir. I was just following your instructions."

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Don't play innocent. You knew exactly what you were doing. You always knew how to manipulate situations, didn't you?"

"I didn't intend to manipulate anything. I just wanted to start my job," she defended herself.

He chuckled in a strange manner. "You're always intentional about everything, aren't you?" He ogled at her.

"I just want to know. Are you deliberately being mean to me or what?"

He gave no response for some seconds as he took a turn. "Me?"

She looked away and sighed deeply as if relieving herself. "David. I mean…sir David," she corrected herself. "Can we talk?"

He said nothing and she took it as a response to go on.

"If it's about our past then…" she became speechless as he suddenly laughed.

David inhaled, shaking his head. "Look, whatever happened between us in the past is irrelevant here. This is a professional setting, and I expect you to act accordingly. No fucking emotional dramas."

Carissa felt a lump forming in her throat. The wounds from their shared history were being ripped open anew, and she struggled to keep her composure.

"Understood, sir," she replied quietly, avoiding eye contact.

As they neared the company, David broke the silence. "Remember, this is a workplace, not a personal playground. You're here to work, not to revisit old memories. Keep it professional, or things will get more unpleasant for you."

Carissa nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Later in the evening, Carissa arrived home and her devasteness didn't go unnoticed by her parents.

"You don't look good, dear," Lennon observed.

"What happened to you? Your skin looks tan too," Joyce chipped.

"Mom, did you stay out while the sun was scorching earlier today?" Angelina asked, looking up at Carissa.

Carissa offered her a smile and shook her head. "I'm perfectly fine. I only have a lot to do today."

They accepted her explanation and went on eating till Joyce broke the silence with excitement.

"You're going to be earning a massive thirty thousand dollars now and we're literally going to start living a good life again after so many years." She squeaked.

Carissa dropped her spoon and said with hesitation, "My salary is actually going to be just ten thousand dollars and it's going to be enough for us."

Joyce's eyes widened."What?" she glanced at Lennon who was surprised. "What do you mean by 'it's going to be enough?' What about your brother, Duncan?"

Carissa grunted, losing her control, "He can do fine by himself if he really wants to other than ripping off from me."

Carissa's revelation about her reduced salary left her family in shock, and her frustration with Duncan surfaced. Joyce couldn't conceal her disappointment.

"Ten thousand dollars? Why would they pay you so little?" Lennon questioned, bewildered.

Carissa sighed, trying to find the right words. "It's the reality of the situation. I wasn't in a position to negotiate."

"Your brother will have to pull his own weight," Lennon declared and Joyce's excitement deflated. "You can't be responsible for him forever."

"I agree," Joyce reluctantly said. "We will manage with what we have."

"Yes, we have to," Lennon added, supportive of Carissa's decision.

As the evening progressed, Carissa struggled to mask her disappointment. Angelina, sensing her mother's unease, asked softly, "Mom, is something bothering you?"

Carissa mustered a smile. "It's just been a long day. Let's focus on the positives."

Daisy's unexpected visit brought a cheerful vibe to the house. As she paced in Carissa's room while Carissa prepared to take a shower, Daisy couldn't help but inquire, "So, how's the mysterious CEO? I bet he's a charm."

Carissa, hesitant about the truth, decided to keep up the façade. "He's just like any other boss, Daisy. Nothing extraordinary."

Daisy winked. "Well, the mystery adds to the intrigue."

Carissa tried to change the subject, not wanting to delve into her complicated relationship with David.

"Look, he's nothing special…"

"Lies," Daisy snapped and went on babbling. "You're not telling me anything interesting and it's pissing me off, Carissa. Ugh!"

As Daisy went on talking, unaware of Carissa's moodiness, Carissa harshly stopped her.

"Stop it, Daisy, I had a horrible day!" She yelled, holding her head. She couldn't keep it together any longer so she laid bare her troubles. "First, I got a query from my god-damned boss, a salary deduction, and then an undeserving ill-treatment."

Daisy's eyes spark with irritation and provocation. "What the heck? Who the hell is your fucking boss…?"

"David," the name slipped out of Carissa's tongue.

"Who? David?" Daisy slowly looked away as she tried to recall. She gasped and flicked a gaze to Carissa. "You mean David? Your…"

"Yeah. The same David," Carissa cut in, not wanting her to complete her statement.

"He is the CEO of Mallory International Company. My boss."

Daisy's hand flew to her mouth as she staggered back, unable to believe her ears.

Daisy's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wait, are you serious? The CEO of Mallory International Company is David. Your David? The same one you used to...?"

Carissa nodded reluctantly, confirming Daisy's realization. "Yes, it is him. The past has a way of coming back to haunt me, doesn't it, Daisy?"

Daisy's excitement transformed into a mixture of shock and concern. "Oh, my goodness! That's intense. How did you...?"

Carissa interrupted, "I didn't know it was him when I applied for the job. It's been years, and I thought... I didn't recognize him at first."

Daisy's face contorted with a blend of sympathy and frustration. "That explains the mood now."

"Yeah, sorry." Carissa sighed, running her fingers through her hair.

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