ELARA POV
I was instantly in a panic, waiting for him to begin his so-called story.
"I haven't really told you much about myself, and I think today you get to have a private interview with the actual Mr. George," he said in a very quiet tone.
I could tell he was already trying to brew up some lies to make me believe everything he said and continue taunting Kael in the form of getting information for him, which they would clearly state was the only way to help humanity. A very convenient excuse.
I still sat there in a panic, not knowing where exactly all this was going.
"I have a sick dad, a sick billionaire who has a will assigned to only one person, no name stated, until he sees results from all three of his sons."
"And it turns out he gave me the biggest part of the company, made me the CEO in charge of almost 60% of the shares. But I have to get something from Kael."
"Kael has been in my custody for more than a year, and my dad is not going to place my name in that will if I don't get what he wants. You have to work harder," he said and immediately gave me a wide smile.
"A very short and quick story, right?" he said. Now he was done pretending to be serious.
I was utterly shocked, not knowing what to say, not even knowing where to begin. I did not have the right words to explain myself.
"I never said I wasn't going to continue the experiment," I said to him, trying to keep my voice straight and professional.
"And I also never said you were not going on with the experiment. What I am trying to make clear to you at this point is that you need to do something."
"I need to see results, and I am seeing none. I saw what happened in the lab. It was shown to me directly by Raya, and she told me you were able to get a kiss from that beast. He's softened toward you, like he likes you. Do something important with it," he said as I stood up immediately.
"No, sir, I can't do something important with such a situation."
"If he kissed me, it's because he wanted to, because he knows I don't hate him. But making me pretend otherwise? I would rather lose my job than fake something like that. I don't even know what to call him," I said, trying to sound as calm as I could, even though deep within me I was screaming and feeling so frustrated.
"You don't know what to call him? You can call him a human; after all, he only shows you his human form. Do you know what he shows us? His beast form, all the time."
"That is why the guards are always on alert, ready for anything he does. That is the only reason why we realized he had a soft spot for you. Because even though you are always there trying to make him feel frustrated, he never shows you his beast form. Isn't that more than enough proof?" he said to me angrily as I bowed my head.
"I am sorry. I don't know what you want me to do, and I really need this job because I worked for years, and all my aim was to work here, and I have so many things to prove. But I can't have anything to do with a beast," I said, preparing myself to walk out.
"I won't force you to do anything. I give you 24 hours. Think about it and come back. You do know how our company works, right? I'm sure the board members told you before, but I don't mind telling you again," he said as I turned to him instantly.
"Don't worry, I'll listen to whatever you have to say in the next 24 hours. At least give me a chance to think about my life before I step into a mess I might not be able to walk out of," I said and then left.
I stood in front of the door, clutching my chest tightly as I could clearly hear the sound of my own heartbeat thumping loudly. I couldn't believe I had actually turned down his offer. I was being so stupid.
I decided to stay calm and not make it seem so obvious that I was scared as I walked toward Raya, who was waiting for me at the corner.
"So how did it go?" she said as I shrugged.
"I am not going to tempt that poor man in there," I said, and she laughed.
"Who said you had to tempt him? All you have to do is make that beast love you," she said, making me stop in my tracks.
"Why do you keep calling him a beast? Stop it. He is not a beast. He is just like every one of us. You keep calling him that, and it's not right," I said angrily as she scoffed.
"If you don't want him to be called that, if you want him to be set free, then let him give you the information you need."
"You don't know how important this is to the CEO. I'm sure he has finally explained why he wants you to do this job as fast as you can. So you have to do it. You don't have a choice. And please, I don't plan on losing my job either," she said, leaving me alone in the passage.
I walked slowly back to my locker and saw Marcus having a discussion with a few of his team members.
What could they possibly be talking about? Why do I even care? Their lives couldn't be as bad as mine, because nothing is right in my own life. I have to carry out a secret experiment on someone so innocent.
At first, I stood in front of my locker, utterly speechless, lost. But slowly, I found myself walking back toward the lab. I was going back to Kael.
I opened the door to see him seated. His hands still chained, of course. Everywhere was still well guarded. I stood in front of him, trying to bite back the tears, the decision, the choice they had given me. I couldn't cry, but I knew I was going to break down if I stared at him one more second.
"What happened?" he muttered.
That was all it took for me to break down.