"Dad, I'm home!" Wang Xia's loud voice echoed through the villa, her tone carrying a brightness as if the turmoil from earlier had been nothing more than a passing shadow of imagination.
"Princess," her father, Wang Qiang, called out as he descended the stairs with a wide smile. His face looked younger than his years as if happiness itself made him glow.
Wang Xia rushed forward and gave her father a light hug, resting in his familiar comfort for a brief moment before they both sat down together on the couch in the spacious living room. She placed her handbag aside and turned to him with curious eyes.
"How have you been?" she asked, leaning closer while relaxing into the cushions.
"I'm very fine," Wang Qiang replied warmly. His eyes softened as he looked at her, "And you, my princess?"
Wang Xia sighed deeply, her lips pursing slightly as she gazed at him with an accusing stare.
"You already know," she said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of things left unspoken.
Wang Qiang let out a long sigh, leaning back against the couch. After a pause, he spoke slowly, "That Tang boy is the only one whom I believe is capable enough to handle you."
Wang Xia frowned instantly, her brows pulling together. "To handle me?" she asked, her voice sharp with disbelief.
Her father nodded calmly and added, "He took over his family business when he was just twenty-two years old, and since then it has risen very fast. Tell me, who else could be more eligible to train my daughter? You'll be taking over my company once I'm gone."
The words struck her heart in an uncomfortable way. She parted her lips, her brows furrowing tightly as she repeated, "Gone? Gone to where?"
Wang Qiang chuckled lightly, brushing off her concern with a casual wave of his hand. "I know you're tired. Why don't you go freshen up first? Dinner will be ready when you're done."
Wang Xia hesitated, wanting to press further, but the heaviness in her body reminded her of how worn out she felt. She decided to let the topic slide for now.
"Alright," she said softly, rising from the couch. Without another word, she climbed the stairs and disappeared into her room.
*****
The weekend passed as quickly as it had come. For Wang Xia, it felt like sand slipping through her fingers no matter how much she wanted to hold on. She wished she could freeze time and make it remain weekend forever. Or better yet, rush through the days so that the two months and one week would end in a blink. She always hated Mondays, and truthfully, all the other days of the week as well.
This morning, she had forced herself to wake up early and had arrived at the office right on time. She told herself firmly that her boss would not have a reason to ruin her day today. She had made up her mind to avoid him at all costs throughout the week. It was the only way she could preserve her peace of mind and the fragile state of her heart.
But as fate would have it, things rarely went the way she wished.
The moment she reached her desk, even before she could sit down, Secretary Wu approached her. His face carried no kind of apologetic look, and his eyes spelled trouble.
Wang Xia almost blurted out, "Please don't," but she held herself back. She silently prayed that the words she feared would not come out of his mouth.
But no matter how much she chanted internally, Secretary Wu finally said the dreaded words. "Mr. Tang would like to speak to you."
Wang Xia collapsed into her chair dramatically, letting her forehead fall against the cool surface of the desk. She screamed internally, wailing in despair, wishing someone could help her commit murder her boss and get away with it. But after the moment of silent suffering, she straightened herself, dropped her handbag onto the desk, and forced her legs to carry her toward the boss' office.
She knocked once. This time, his voice came immediately. Faster than she wanted.
What? Didn't he usually make her knock at least twice, sometimes even three times, before he lazily allowed her in? What was going on today?
Wang Xia composed her face carefully before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
As usual, the ruthless, cold, unfeeling and petty man sat behind his desk, his expression serious as his fingers moved over the keyboard of his laptop.
Wang Xia gritted her teeth, forcing her voice into a respectful tone as she said, "You called for me, Mr. Tang."
At the sound of her words, Tang Jun stopped what he was doing. Slowly, he raised his eyes and looked at her.
Wang Xia's throat went dry. She swallowed hard, telling herself this was different. Today, he actually paid attention to her.
But before the flicker of warmth in her chest could spread, his next words came, mercilessly making her heart bleed.
"I didn't take you to be one of those weak daddy's girls," he said coldly. "What did you tell your father? That I mistreat you? That I make you run unimportant errands?"
The words stabbed at her pride. Wang Xia clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself into silence.
But her silence only seemed to irritate him more. Tang Jun rose from his chair and walked around the desk until he stood directly in front of her.
"Why don't you open your mouth and speak now?" he demanded, his voice low. "Or do you want to run again?"
Wang Xia remained silent still, her eyes lowered to the floor. Her teeth sank into her lip as she took in each of his words. It wasn't that she didn't know how to refute him or stand up for herself. She did. But experience had taught her that fighting back would only make the matter worse. She knew Tang Jun far too well. Too well, actually.
Tang Jun gazed at her, his jaw tightening as frustration flickered in his eyes. His teeth clenched before he finally spoke again, his tone final.
"From today, you'll take over the position of my assistant."
The words hit Wang Xia like a slap. She snapped her head up and stared at him, her eyes wide. "Why?" she asked confused.
Tang Jun chuckled, the sound deep and mocking. "I thought you went mute, but it seems not." He paused deliberately, his eyes locking onto hers as he continued, "Anyways, you being my assistant will make it easier for me to carry out your father's request. I'll have Secretary Wu send over what you'll be handling from now on."