The ant and the giant

"Tell me, Mr. Karmichael what is it that you are looking for collaborating with Renal?" Anai'ya asked the man across from her.

"Simply looking to build some bridges Ms. DeMari. If we work together we could run the tech industry. Don't you think?" Mr. Karmichael asked, his small beady black eyes sparkled behind his rimless glasses. Greed and lust clouded his senses as he stared at the beautiful woman before him.

"Is that so?" She asked, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. She could feel his lustful gaze on her body.

'Disgusting pig,' she thought.

"Of course. With your expertise and genius cybernetic advancements and my knowledge of marketing, we could topple the big ones like Microsoft and Google. What do you think?" He chuckled revealing a set of yellowing teeth.

"What makes you think I need your help to achieve this Mr. Karmichael?" She sneered.

The man narrowed his eyes at her response. Clicking his tongue he leaned forward, a menacing stare fixed itself on her face.

"You're but a new lamb in a slaughterhouse your company is a baby in a world full of giants and without me, you'll remain so." His tone was condescending and full of arrogance. He assumed she didn't know what was good for her. She was on his chopping block, he would slice her up in whichever way he pleased.

Anai'ya laughed. Such hubris. How hilarious.

"We can be partners CEO DeMari or we can be enemies. I hope you choose the former." He said, pushing up his glasses.

"Is that a threat?" She asked with her eyes on the contract in front of her. Her voice was mild, revealing nothing.

"If that's what you take it as." He responded confidently. In his mind, the deal was as good as sealed. With his reputation and resources who would dare to turn him down?

However, he would soon find out that his existence was that of a mere ant in front of a true giant.

Uncrossing her legs, Anai'ya stood up and walked around her desk to stand in front of him. A small smile danced on her red lips. As she leaned forward the cave of her cleavage came into view making the man salivate at the sight. But before he could submerge himself into his fantasies a soft hand grasped his neck with considerable force.

His eyes bulged out as he struggled to catch his breath. He stared at the woman in front of him, fear, surprise, and disbelief flashed across his face.

"Threatening me in my territory. How brave of you." She snarled increasing the force of her hand. She watched as he struggled to breathe and clawed at her hand in desperation.

"You may be Joseph Karmichael the man others fear but to me you are nothing. Your reputation, your company, your family background mean nothing to me" She said grabbing one of his hands and twisting it to hear the sounds of his bones cracking one after another.

The man howled in pain, his face was as white as paper, his eyes rolling back. He had no energy to fight her off filling him with despair. What kind of monster had he provoked?

"I will give you one warning Joseph. Do not test me again because next time the bones that will crack will be the ones keeping your head attached to your body. Understand?" She said lightly.

A vicious dark aura emanated from her body making her look like a demon in his eyes. A bone-chilling fear crept into his body making him truly afraid for the first time in his life.

Unable to respond properly he merely nodded. The hand grasping his neck lifted letting air back into his lungs.

"Now scram." She said indifferently as she used a wipe to clean her hands, the disgust in her eyes made it seem like she had just stuffed her hand in the dirt.

The man scrambled to his feet and dashed for the door. His heart beating frantically wishing to be as far away from this woman as possible. Gone was the arrogant man from before leaving only a coward running for his life. Any hope for collaboration was thrown out the window.

'Pathetic,' she thought.

Sitting back in her leather chair her mind wandered off. The contemplative look on her face had a trace of helplessness as she thought of the man residing in her home at this moment.

Ever since he had come back he had stayed in her home, making her want to stay in her office as late as possible. The awkwardness between them was too much to bear. Every time she looked into his eyes her heart was plagued with regret and longing. There was too much water under the bridge making it impossible for a reconciliation.

The one chance she had at love was thwarted by her hand. She was her own worst enemy.

Sighing she stood up and walked towards the floor to ceiling window facing the heart of the city. New York City was beautiful at night. Hundreds of lights glittering against the night sky illuminating the stars up above. A city full of life even at night time, it was amazing. She loved it here, she didn't feel the fear of darkness while being surrounded by the light. A subconscious smile emerged on her face.