Lisa stared her self at her mirror, her mind flew, it flew to ecstasy, she wondered if everything would have been different if her mother was alive, if things would be different if her father wasn't the manipulative human he was, what father would not be bothered by his daughter being raped, was she adopted, all these questions ran through her mind, "thinking will not solve anything" she said to her self and sat down on her desk and began working, she could not stop working even tho it deprived her sleep, she needed to focus her energy on something else, she was never going to Marry john, she'd rather the tape was released, she acknowledged within her self, here life had always been ruined growing up with her dad and his conniving wife and kids what more was there to ruin. She looked at the screen of the system trying so hard to concentrate but it was difficult, something felt odd, she was too perturbed. Lisa stared at the screen, the light from it painting her face in cold blue. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unmoving. Something was off an itch beneath the skin, a heaviness in the air. She felt as though the walls were leaning in, slowly pressing her, cornering her. She drew in a long breath, held it, and exhaled through her nose, her chest felt tight. A faint creak echoed from beyond her room. It could've been the house settling, her jaw clenched, she realized she was being hypervigilant, as though every sound, every movement, every glance around her was magnified like her mind refused to rest, always braced for the next betrayal." She shook her head as though that would fling the memory away the night her father stood still, unmoved, as she sobbed, bloodied and broken. The way Veronica had whispered, "Don't disgrace this family," like she was the villain, They did not seem affected by what John did. Lisa blinked and typed something into her screen, then backspaced all of it. She was spiraling, again. She reached for the small silver chain on her neck the last gift from her mother and clutched it tightly in her palm. "Focus, Lisa, Focus." She whispered to her self. But the more she tried to drown herself in work, the more her body betrayed her. Her hands trembled slightly, her eyes burned with tears lingering but she wasn't going to cry.
Eventually she noticed that staring at her system wouldn't help especially with the fact that she was discombobulated
Eventually, Lisa lay on her bed, her body sinking into the mattress as though it could finally admit its exhaustion. She reached for her silk eye mask and pulled it over her eyes. Darkness settled in, quiet and complete. She let out a slow breath and closed her lips around a silent prayer. She hoped that sleep, calm and uninterrupted, would find her. She longed to drift into a place where thoughts could no longer chase her. She only wanted rest, even if it came without dreams. Somehow, she managed to fall asleep. By morning, her body had rested, but her eyes told another story. She stood before the mirror and noticed the dark circles beneath them, subtle but revealing. Without pause, she slipped into her usual routine, mechanical, quiet. After her shower, she sat at her vanity and carefully applied her makeup, layering it just enough to mask the fatigue that clung to her face. Once satisfied with what she saw, she rose, gathered her things, and left for the office.
The meeting with Michael still awaited her an unavoidable engagement that lingered at the back of her mind like a shadow she couldn't quite shake. For now, she remained seated in her office, trying to focus her attention on the tasks that still demanded her presence. Her fingers moved with measured precision over the documents on her desk, though her mind occasionally drifted, pulled by the weight of the inevitable conversation ahead and the one she had with her dad, the night before. Time passed quietly, the stillness only broken by the faint ticking of the wall clock. Then, a soft knock echoed through the room polite, almost cautious. She glanced toward the door just as it creaked open, and Talia stepped inside with a calm, deliberate grace, gently closing the door behind her as though careful not to disturb the delicate air that hung in the room. "How are you doing today Lisa?" Talia questioned with concern written all over her face "I'm fine" she said forcing a smile, even a forced smile from her still looked as perfect as ever, "I know that's not true..... either way the meeting is about to start Mr.Bardin's here..... will you be fine" she asks pouting "stop being a worrywart and pick up this files" lisa responded gently setting up a different document on her desk. Eventually, she stood, smoothed the front of her outfit, and left the office with a composed air, though something in her chest felt tightly drawn. The hallway stretched ahead, quiet and cold, yet she walked with purpose, refusing to allow her thoughts to crumble into worry. When she reached the meeting room, she paused briefly at the door, then pushed it open with quiet confidence with talia quietly tagging along.
Michael was already inside, seated at the head of the table, his attention momentarily fixed on something before him. But the moment she stepped in, his eyes lifted and settled on her. There was a slight shift in his gaze not overt, not dramatic but enough to suggest he noticed something was off. His eyes lingered on her a second too long, and though his expression remained composed, it was clear he was observing her beyond the surface. She took her seat without a word, placing her documents before her, and gave a subtle nod. Michael returned it, his gaze briefly narrowing, as if trying to read what she wasn't saying. Still, neither of them addressed it. The meeting began. They discussed figures, projections, necessary adjustments. She held her own, speaking with the calm authority, Michael, while watchful, remained professional. His comments were measured, his tone neutral, though every so often, he glanced at her with something unspoken resting just beneath his calm exterior curiosity, perhaps even concern. By the time the meeting neared its end, the tension that had quietly threatened to build had dissipated into a manageable silence. Just as Michael began to summarize the final points and she prepared to gather her notes, the door suddenly burst open with a force that disrupted the stillness, John. He stormed into the room, his presence loud even before he spoke. His face was set with something between accusation and agitation, and his eyes scanned the room until they landed squarely on Lisa. Michael rose slightly on his chair, his jaw tightening. "John, this isn't the time". But John had already begun, his voice sharp and direct, dragging whatever restraint was left into the open. The calm professionalism of the meeting cracked, replaced by something heavier, messier. Lisa sat still for a moment, her posture unmoved, but her eyes fierce and unreadable met John's without flinching. The room, once controlled and composed, now felt electric with tension. And whatever peace had briefly settled was shattered in an instant, and then Michael's voice broke it
"Do you have any idea what you're doing" his voice sent shiver down everyone's spine it was so cold and dangerous like it was more of a threat than a question. The silence that followed Michael's words was almost violent. " I'm here to speak to my fiance I don't care about whatever childish games you're playing here. John responded without composure.
Lisa slowly rose from her seat, her expression carefully composed, betraying nothing of the chaos that had just been unleashed. Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she stepped away from the table without a single word. The room was still humming with the weight of Michael's voice, his threat lingering like the scent of smoke after a fire. John tried to speak again, but Lisa didn't spare him a glance. She walked out with the same calm she had walked in with head high, spine straight yet something in her steps hinted at an exhaustion buried deep. The corridor outside felt colder. Talia, who had been watching and panicking nearby, looked up sharply, her brows furrowed in concern, but Lisa only gave her a short nod as she continued to her office. Once inside, she shut the door behind her, Talia had rushed to call security, knowing John well enough to realize this wasn't the end. The space, usually a place of retreat and power, suddenly felt invaded. Her thoughts barely had time to settle when the door flung open without a knock, It was John.
"You're going to marry me, Lisa," he said, voice low and tight, trying to control the rage that trembled at the edges. "You don't have a choice. You think this little drama in the boardroom means anything? If you don't agree..." She turned to face him fully now, arms crossed, gaze hard. "John," she said, her voice cool and deliberate, "you're wasting your breath." But he stepped closer. "Your father promised he gave me his word." She didn't flinch. "I'm not property. And your wordplay won't hold me hostage." He opened his mouth to fire back, but then. Michael walked in. Uninvited, Unapologetic, Like he owned the entire floor. He didn't even glance at John. Instead, he settled into the chair across from Lisa's desk, legs crossed, completely at ease, as though this was his scheduled appointment and not an intrusion. Lisa blinked. "Mr. Bardin??" she said slowly, eyebrows raised, "the meeting ended.....What exactly are you still doing here?" Only then did he acknowledge John, who was now vibrating with restrained fury. Michael smiled, lazy and unbothered. "Just here to make something clear," he said casually. "Lisa's not marrying you. Because she's dating me. And I wouldn't let her throw her life away on a scum like you." Lisa's eyes widened out of shock "I am??" She questioned but Michael only smiled. It was like pouring acid on open skin. John surged forward, face red with disbelief and rage. "You bastard....."
Michael didn't move. He didn't even stand. He just tilted his head slightly, as if daring John to take one more step. The confidence, the icy calm it made something in John falter. And then security arrived, two men in dark uniforms stepped in silently, having clearly been summoned in advance. John looked around, realizing what was happening, and shouted, "You'll regret this! Both of you I'll leak your video lisa I promise you the world will see you" Michael finally rose to his feet, still relaxed. "I doubt it." John tried to resist, but it was futile. The guards escorted him out like a storm being sealed behind a door. His shouts faded into the hallway.