Chapter 2 - chapter 2

DON'T GO 😭😭😔😔

A story that talks about her hidden darkness 🕳️🕳️

Chapter 2 🥹

CATHY P.O.V

The Next Morning

"Ding ding ding!" My alarm blared so loudly, it felt like it was intentionally trying to ruin my morning peace.

"Ugh… can you keep it down for once?" I groaned, dragging myself out of bed. My eyes were still heavy with sleep, but there was no time to waste. It was my first day at my new job, and being late wasn't an option.

I took a quick shower, dressed in my neatly ironed blouse and skirt—the best professional outfit I had—and stood in front of the mirror for a moment. "You've got this, Cathy," I whispered to my reflection, even though deep down I was still nervous.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard footsteps and the unmistakable voice of my landlady. My heart dropped.

"Hey, Catay… or Cathy… or whatever they call you! Where is my rent?!" she bellowed from the corridor.

Oh no. Not today. Not on my first day of work.

I turned slowly, trying to give her my most innocent smile. My landlady was known around here as Big Mama. A Nigerian woman with a voice that could shake the walls, a body size that made her presence impossible to ignore, and a reputation for never letting anyone owe her without constant reminders. Unfortunately for me, I was already two months behind on rent.

"Oh, Big Mama," I said carefully, almost pleading with my eyes. "Please, just give me a little more time. I promise I'll pay you. I just got a new job, and things are finally looking up. I'll make it up to you, I swear."

She folded her arms and gave me a sharp look. "Hmm. You sure say you go pay?" Her Nigerian accent rolled thickly off her tongue.

I didn't even understand half of what she meant, but I nodded quickly. Anything to escape right now. She huffed, gave me a side-eye, and finally walked away muttering something under her breath.

The second she disappeared, I grabbed my bag and bolted out of the building. You might be wondering why I was running like my life depended on it. Well, the truth is simple: it was my very first day at work, and showing up late would be the worst possible impression I could give.

I ran for what felt like forever—fifteen minutes straight without stopping—my legs burning and lungs on fire. By the time I finally reached the bus station, I was panting like someone who had just completed a marathon. Thankfully, I boarded just in time.

As I sank into a seat, I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh of relief. The cool morning air brushed against my face, and I silently thanked God for the cold season. If it were summer, I'd probably be drenched in sweat, smelling like a pig on my very first day of work.

With that thought, I leaned back and smiled faintly. "This is it, Cathy," I whispered to myself. "Don't mess this up."

CATHY P.O.V

On getting to my workplace, I glanced at the big clock in the lobby and my heart nearly stopped—I was two minutes late. Two minutes! On my very first day. Panic rushed through me as I quickly scanned for the closest elevator.

Most of the workers were crowding into the regular elevators, all of them buzzing with chatter, files in their hands, and badges swinging on their necks. I didn't have the patience to wait. With no other option, I slipped into the one that looked different—sleeker, quieter, almost… reserved.

The doors closed behind me, and for a moment, I tried to steady my breathing, fixing my blouse and praying I wouldn't look like a complete mess when I got to the office. But then I felt it—that piercing sensation of someone's eyes on me.

Slowly, I turned my head, and my entire body froze.

It was him.

Mr. Jasper.

My boss.

His sharp gaze locked with mine, his hands casually in his pockets as though he had been expecting me all along.

"M–Mr. Jasper?" I stammered, my voice breaking the heavy silence of the elevator.

JASPER P.O.V

"Don't you know this is my private elevator?" My tone was sharp, clipped, every word echoing in the small, confined space. I didn't even try to hide the irritation in my voice as my gaze locked on her.

Her eyes widened, lips trembling as she tried to speak. "But… Mr. Jasper, I—"

I raised a hand slightly, cutting her off before she could finish. "What?" I leaned forward, my voice dropping lower, almost a whisper but laced with authority. "Tell me… what exactly was running through your mind when you decided to step in here?"

I moved closer, deliberately shrinking the space between us. The faint click of my shoes against the marble floor of the elevator echoed louder than her shaky breaths. She immediately pressed back against the wall, her hands clutching the strap of her bag as though it were some kind of shield.

Her perfume reached me—soft, sweet, yet sharp in the silence. It was distracting, unsettling even, and for a moment I found myself staring longer than I should have. I tilted my head slightly, studying her, watching the flicker of emotions pass across her face—fear, nervousness, but also… defiance.

I smirked. "So? Go ahead. Say it. Whatever excuse you've come up with… let me hear it."

For a second, she hesitated. I thought she would crumble, stammer, or burst into apologies the way most people did around me. But then, something shifted. She straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and looked me directly in the eyes.

"Sir," she began, her voice carrying a surprising steadiness, "I'm sorry for coming in late. I missed the bus, and I… I had some personal issues to handle."

I blinked, caught off guard. Confidence. Honesty. On her very first day, no less. Most employees would have broken down with excuses, groveling, begging for forgiveness. But not her. Cathy stood there, nervous yet firm, vulnerable yet unyielding.

I let the silence drag on, studying her intently. The elevator hummed softly around us, the only sound between her words and the faint rhythm of our breathing.

"Hm." I narrowed my eyes, my voice deliberately slow, testing. "Are you sure?"

Her lips pressed together, but she didn't look away.

And damn it, something about that look stirred something in me I couldn't quite place. I was Jasper—people bowed, they crumbled, they feared me. But she… she met me.

Just as I was about to push further—to see how much more courage she could muster—the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. The spell broke instantly.

I stepped forward, not giving her a chance to breathe, let alone respond. My stride was firm, confident, every step echoing on the polished floor outside. But just before I turned the corner, I spoke, my tone calm but heavy with command.

"Meet me at my office."

I didn't bother to look back, but I knew—without even seeing her—that she was still standing frozen in that elevator, her heart racing, her mind spiraling.

And if I was being honest… mine wasn't as steady as I pretended either.

CATHY P.O.V

"Hmmm…" I breathed out heavily, pressing my hand against my chest as soon as the elevator doors closed behind him. My knees felt weak, and my heart was pounding so fast it almost hurt. Only seeing his face could make someone so scared—and yet, somehow, I had managed to stand up to him.

I couldn't believe it. Me—Cathy, the girl who had been insulted, underestimated, and called all sorts of names—had just looked my powerful boss in the eyes and spoken without trembling. For the first time in a long while, I felt… proud.

But still, I wasn't foolish enough to forget who he was. Jasper wasn't just any man—he was intimidating, commanding, the type of person who could shatter someone's career with a single word. The thought made me shiver, but I shook it off, straightened my blouse, and prepared myself for the hours ahead.

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AT MR. JASPER'S OFFICE

JASPER P.O.V

"Knock, knock." The faint sound vibrated against my office door. I didn't even lift my head from the documents in front of me.

"Who's that?" I asked curtly, my tone sharp and impatient.

"It's me, Cathy," came her voice, soft but clear. "I'm here to submit the transaction between you and Mr. Michael. Miss Grace said I should hand it over to you."

There was a certain sincerity in the way she spoke—careful, respectful, yet confident enough to be heard. For a moment, I paused, recognizing that same steadiness from earlier in the elevator.

"Okay, drop it," I said flatly, not sparing her a glance as I flipped another page.

I heard the soft click of her heels against the floor as she approached my desk, carefully placing the file down. For a moment, there was silence—too much silence. Something in the air shifted, like she wasn't in a hurry to leave.

I finally lifted my eyes, catching her watching me.

"Why are you staring at me?" I asked, my tone colder than I intended, though my eyes lingered briefly on hers.

Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she blinked rapidly. "Uh, nothing, sir. I would love to take my leave now."

I gave a small nod, signing her dismissal with a wave of my hand. She turned quickly, heading for the door, but even as she reached for the handle, I caught myself following her with my eyes.

Something about her presence lingered—an echo I couldn't quite silence.

Watch out for chapter 3

To be continued...🥹

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