Viktor's POV
By the time I reached my office again, I found more files stacked on my desk.
More evidence.
Layla was painted boldly more on each new piece of evidence.
Shortly my secretary rushed into my office with a scary speed.
"Sir, have you seen the release?"
Before I could say a word she grabbed the television remote and tuned it.
There. My worst fear.
The press had caught wind of the situation.
I tried everything.
My breath was shaking.
no matter the number of calls I made or cash I was ready to throw away to bury it, Layla's name and face was splashed all over and my firm's name was the headlines.
It unlocked a type of fury I've left untouched for years.
For the first time in many years I was so afraid and terrified of something I couldn't control.
It was safe to say I was losing my mind.
I called an emergency board meeting at mid-night.
They all assembled, sitting around the long mahogany table, their faces half-lit by the chandeliers, waiting for me to break the ice.
I sure did.
"Who the hell took it to the press?" I barked. My voice cracked through the silence.
Murmurs erupted. They shook their heads and spoke to themselves. No one admitted.
"You all sat here the other time, speaking of having the company's Interest at heart. And now, you betray this organization by taking this firm to ruins..."
Harold cleared his throat and spoke."Mr. Douglas, your emotions are everywhere and —"
"Shut up!" My hand slammed the desk so hard that the glasses rattled. " I built this company, brick by brick, alone. I gave you all the power you have in society, all because of this firm and now you repay me by stabbing me in the back?"
Protest filled the room. But I wasn't ready to listen to what anyone would say. "All of you, I shall send the legal documents backing this to your respective doorsteps. For now, this board is dissolved effective immediately. Now get the hell out of my sight."
I saw the chairs screech back one after the other.
I stood fearless as they filed out one by one. Some threw daggers at me through their eyes, others whispered under their breath... I didn't care.
Anyone could burn for all I cared.
I stood until I was sure they were all gone then I walked out slowly like one who is recovering from a deadly hangover. Then I got startled by a figure at the door.
Chloe...
She pushed me back into the boardroom and slipped in closing the door softly behind her. I watched her guts.
I refused to speak. She leaned against the door and crossed her arms. She curled her lips into a sly smile.
"What are you doing here at this time of the night?" I spoke finally in a dominating tone.
"You really know how to put on a show, Viktor."
She walked past me slowly. I watched her as she bent over my desk. Then she pulled a bottle of liquid and two glasses out.
"How did that get there? And when?" I asked in a mix of surprise and shock.
Something about the mid-night Chloe I was in the room with wasn't sitting right.
She didn't give me a single look or response, she went ahead to pour the drink instead.
I ignored the tremor in my head and took a glass from her. I gulped it in speed.
"Relax... it's all yours. The night is all yours too." She winked.
Chloe sauntered closer, her heels clicked against the floor until she was right behind me. "Look how you handled the board like they were nothing. You were ruthless. But that's why I've always admired you." She said , then stuck her tongue in my ear.
I yanked her off immediately.
"Get out, Chloe." I said flatly.
Chloe didn't move. Instead, she slid her hand down my arm, slowly and deliberately. "Why waste your energy on a woman who's dragging your reputation through the mud? When you could have loyalty. Like the one standing beside you now..."
I gritted my teeth. "Chloe—"
She didn't let me talk, she pressed herself against me and I could feel her lips grazing my ear once more. "Let's have a deal..."
I had enough. I spun her around and grabbed her by the shoulders. I shoved her back so hard that she crashed against the edge of the desk. Lamp tipped over and paper scattered.
She gasped in shock.
"This is a game to you?!" I raged. "I don't care what you're up to, but this should never repeat itself or you're out of this firm,for good."
Chloe steadied herself but still wore a mocking smile that cut dangerously through the pain. "You started a fire in your life the moment you married that woman and you are about to get burned after tonight. You're just too blind to see."
Her words cut deep into me but I hid it from showing.
"If I have to tell you to leave one more time, you won't even need to submit a resignation letter."
She straightened her blouse and brushed off her skirt then headed to the door. But she didn't leave without dropping a deadly line. "You just successfully made yourself more enemies tonight. You should look out." She said softly and shut the door behind her.
That night, nothing made sense again. A fear I had never imagined crept into me.
I slept off in the office. The hollow beating of my heart against my ribs made it the most uncomfortable night..
***
By morning, I woke up with endless calls, news alerts, articles, and social media feeds.
Layla's face was everywhere.
The tags were deadly... but what was more deadly was the haunting memories of her eyes from the previous day.
That was it. I couldn't hold it in any more.
I picked up my phone and dialed the commissioner.
"Reynolds, It's Viktor Douglas, " I said with a steel tone. "I want Layla Douglas released immediately with all charges dropped."
"Hold on..." He responded.
There was a pause on the other end.
"Mr Douglas, your wife was bailed two hours ago."
Silence.