CHAPTER 3

I laughed softly when I heard what he said. I saw how his stares changed from being serious into a dagger-like one. He doesn’t have any rights to call me as his or even owning me as his property. That’s absurd!

"No one owned me, Sir. No one." I pushed him as I said that. I quickly fix my blouse and skirt. I turned my back and started staring at the shiny door of the elevator.

"No one? Are you sure, my Persephone?" I felt his cold hand touch my waist. I am forcing myself not to close my eyes because of the sensation of his touch.

"Stop calling me Persephone. I-I have my name." I rolled my eyes in the air and looked at my own reflection. What’s wrong with you, Devyn? Just breath!

"Then .. Miss Devyn." My hair on my neck started standing up when I felt his hot breath finally touching my bare skin.

I faced him discreetly so that I can release myself from his touch. I look him at the eyes and harshly grab his hands to remove it from my body. I want to know why he's doing this to me?

"W-What do you need, Sir?" I looked at his eyes with courage and bravery. At the first place, why should I be scared of him? This is basically harassment in the workplace.

His mesmerizing eyes that seems so deep, I feel like I am hypnotized. It has the color of the ash and somewhat it's sparkling while looking at me.

"You. I need you." his deep, husky voice echoed inside the elevator. I can’t even comprehend what’s he’s saying. Why does he need me?

*Ting*

He pulled my hand and walk out of the elevator. I look inside of it and I asked myself how did he get in there? I was the only one there before, right? And he rode the other one. What the h*ck is happening?

"W-Wait. How did you get to the elevator I was riding in? You’re not there when I got in." I can feel his hand tightening his grip on my pulse as if stopping himself from spilling the answer to my question.

"Rhea, cancel the rest of my appointments for today." He coldly commanded the woman sitting behind the desk which was located at the opposite direction of the large wooden double door of his office.

"Y-Yes, Sir Hades." I raised an eyebrow when I heard her say that in a flirtatious way, I scoffed because of that.

She even lowered her neckline and raised her skirt higher then stopped in front of Sir Hades. The latter ignored him and just walked straight up until he passed. Because of that, his secretary got angry and just returned to her position from before.

"S-Sir Hades?" I softly called his name as if I can commit a sin— I mean a mistake. His name is really demonic. Demonly handsome.

Shut up, filthy brain!

"What?" He replied angrily while frowning. What’s his problem? He’s the one who pulled me here then he’s angry now? Are you even sane, Hades?

He sat on his swivel chair and stared at me intently. I stood in front of him as if I went back in time and I saw my younger self applying for a position on his company.

"Can I leave now? I'm already fired, right? So I'm leaving." I said while staring into his eyes. I can’t understand why his eyes are staring at me even from the start. What does he really need?

There's something in there that seems like he already knows me. As if he really needed something from me. What is that, Hades? What do you need?

"No." He gave me a stern command and continue staring at me. This is illegal. I can even report him to police right here, right now.

"You know. If you're going to apply some tricky and flirty moves to me. Don't. It's better if your secretary just replaces m-" I played with my heels while looking at them.

I was stunned when I lifted my head and he disappeared from the swivel chair he was sitting on. I looked around while asking myself where did he went? He was ther—

"Flirty?" I feel goosebumps running down on my spine when I heard him whispered on my ear. My heart almost dropped when I heard him.

"What are you doing there?" I manage not to stutter then finally face him. Is he playing with me? Do I look like a toy for him? He’s a certified playboy.

"Checking my Persephone." he looked at me from my head down to my toe. I am really restraining myself from punching this guy. He’s a pervert! He’s walkeing closer to me as I continue to step backwards.

"Are you kidding me?" I saw the drawing of a playful smile on his lips.

"Do I look like playing, honey?" I almost got mad at myself when I felt the end of his desk sticking to my hip.

He pinned me into his table, putting his hands beside me, trapping me. I can smell his strong perfume that lingers on my nose.

"Please let me go .." I don't know where it came from and it suddenly came out of my mouth.

"Are you scared of me? That's why you're begging? What's with the sudden mood change, my Persephone?" he grabbed the escaping strands of my hair then pinned them to my ear.

"Why should I be afraid of you? I don't know you, do I? So as long as I'm kind to you, let me go." I smiled at him as I looked across his face.

"Are you sure you don't know me?" he cupped my chin and look at my lips, as if memorizing every details of it.

"Y-Yes. That's why, I'm leaving." I tried to remove his hand from my side but he was stiff and seemed to be teasing me.

*Tententenenen tentenen tentennententennenen tenten*

"Nice ringtone. Mr. Bean." I heard him chuckle softly as he stepped backwards, letting me answer my phone.

"Mind your own business." I rolled my eyes and took the phone out of my sling bag. I answered my phone after looking on the caller id.

Calling 638-***

This is the landline at my apartment. What’s the problem this time? Fortunately, I am always leaving my number on the top of my table. Because I know that Mak-mak will eventually need it.

"Hel-" My greetings were cut off even before I can say it completely. I heard him sobbing from the other line. What happened? Why is he crying?

"Devyn…" his voice is trembling as if he’s scared of something or should I say from someone. I automatically got worried for the kid.

"Hey! Mak-mak! Get out of there! Why are you there again huh? I told you not to go to Devyn, right?!" I heard an angry voice from the phone. My heart is telling me to move and get to Mak-mak as soon as possible. He needs me.

"Is that your mother?" I couldn't be bothered anymore so I immediately prepared to leave. I'll go to him and I shouldn’t let anything happen to him anymore.

"Yes, ate." He stammered while calling me “Ate” which means older sister in Filipino. My heart almost broke when I felt his fear, I am sure he’s afraid to be beaten up again. No kid wants to be beaten up by their own parents.

"Don't worry. Ate is going there, okay? I'm going. Wait for me, Mak. Is it clear? Don't open the door until I say my name okay?" I no longer waited for his answer and dropped the call. I was about to run out of Hades' office when he touched my wrist.

"Please! Please! Not now, Hades. Please." I begged as tears welled up at the corners of my eyes.

"I won't hurt you, Persephone. Let's go."