Kira’s POV
Julian’s eyebrows shot up. "Seriously?"
"Things are starting to look up with Kennedy, and I don’t want to ruin it before it even has a chance to begin. This job..." I gestured vaguely toward Damien’s office, "... it was fun while it lasted, but it’s consuming everything. I can’t keep pretending to be soone I’m not, especially when it’s destroying any chance I have at a real relationship with my dream man."
"Good for you," Julian said, and he sounded genuine. "That’s a very smart decision. And while you’re at it," he continued, his expression turning concerned, "you should convince Olivia to quit too. Maxwell is putting her through hell. I’ve never seen her this stressed. Even when she was working from the office."
I nodded. "I was planning to call her after this. She needs to get out before Maxwell drives her completely insane."
"Good luck with Damien." Julian patted my shoulder. "You’re going to need it."
I returned to my position outside Damien’s door, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation.
Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed Olivia.
She picked up on the third ring. "Kira?"
"Hey. How are you doing?" I kept my voice low, professional, in case anyone walked by.
"I’m out searching for Mitchell," Olivia said, and she sounded exhausted. "Still nothing. It’s like she vanished into thin air."
My heart ached for my friend. "Maxwell is really putting you through it, isn’t he?"
"You have no idea." She laughed, but it was hollow. "I don’t even know why I’m still doing this."
"That’s actually why I called." I took a breath. "I’ve decided I’m quitting my job with Damien. Today. And I think you should quit yours too."
There was a pause. "What? Why?"
"Because things are looking up with Kennedy, and I don’t want to ruin it before it even starts. This job is consuming my entire life, and I can’t keep living this lie." I paused. "And honestly, Liv, your ntal health is at stake. You need to get away from Maxwell before he destroys you completely."
"I..." Olivia was quiet for a mont. "You’re right. God, you’re so right. I’ve been thinking the sa thing."
"So you’ll do it? You’ll quit?"
"Yes. Once I get my salary today, I’m sneaking out and leaving. Just like I originally planned."
Relief flooded through . "Thank God. I was so worried you’d gotten too tangled up in whatever twisted ga Maxwell is playing."
"No. I’m done. I’m getting out."
"Good." I straightened my shoulders. "Wish luck. I’m about to go in there and tell Damien."
"Good luck. Call after?"
"Definitely."
We ended the call, and I was about to pocket my phone when it buzzed with a text.
Eddie: It’s been a while, my love. I’ve missed you terribly. Care to et up??
I stared at the ssage, feeling my stomach twist.
Eddie. My anonymous stranger boyfriend.
Right. I needed to end that too.
This was it. End the job with Damien first, then break things off with Eddie, and finally be free to actually pursue sothing real with Kennedy.
I could do this.
I pocketed my phone, straightened my spine, and knocked on Damien’s door.
"Co in."
I entered to find Damien at his desk, reviewing docunts with that intense focus that made him so formidable in business. He looked up, one eyebrow raising slightly.
"Kyle. What is it?"
"I need to talk to you, sir."
"Then talk." He set down his pen, leaning back in his chair with that penetrating gaze that always made feel like he could see straight through my disguise.
I cleared my throat. "I’ve enjoyed working for you, Mr. Wellington. These past weeks have been... educational. But I can’t continue. I’m resigning. Effective imdiately."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Damien didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stared at with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
"Is this about this morning?" he asked finally, his voice neutral.
I felt heat flood my face. "No. Absolutely not."
"Because if you’re quitting because you saw naked..."
"It has nothing to do with that!" I said quickly, probably too quickly. "This is personal. I have... commitnts that I can no longer balance with this job."
"Commitnts." He stood, moving around the desk. "What kind of commitnts?"
"Personal ones. That’s all you need to know."
"Is it a woman?"
I nearly choked. "Excuse ?"
"A man then?" He tilted his head, studying . "Soone who doesn’t appreciate the hours you keep?"
"My personal life is not your concern, sir."
"It is when it affects your performance." He was closer now, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. "You’re my head of security, Kyle. I trust you with my life. And now you want to quit with no notice because of ’personal commitnts’?"
"I understand this is sudden..."
"Sudden?" He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "It’s unprofessional. People don’t just quit like this, Kyle. There are protocols. You’re supposed to give at least one month’s notice so we can find and train a replacent."
My heart sank. "One month?"
"Standard employnt contract. You did read it when you signed, didn’t you?"
Of course I had. And I’d conveniently forgotten that particular clause.
"I can’t wait a month," I said firmly. "I need to leave now."
"Why?" He stepped even closer, and I could sll his cologne. "What’s so urgent that you can’t fulfill your contractual obligations?"
I t his gaze steadily. "That’s my business."
"Wrong. When it affects my security, it becos my business." His jaw tightened. "Give one good reason why I should let you walk out of here today instead of holding you to your contract."
"Because I’m asking you to."
"Not good enough."
We stared at each other, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Fine," Damien said finally. "You want to leave? You can leave."
Relief flooded through . "Thank you..."
"After you accompany to New Delhi."
The relief evaporated. "What?"
"I have a three-day trip to New Delhi. It’s already been planned, and you’re listed as my security. The trip leaves tomorrow morning." His smile was sharp. "Consider it your final assignnt. Complete it, and I’ll release you from your contract with full pay and benefits. Refuse, and I’ll hold you to the full month’s notice. Your choice."
"That’s not fair..."
"Life isn’t fair, Kyle." He returned to his desk, already dismissing . "Three days. That’s all I’m asking. Then you’re free to pursue whatever ’commitnts’ are so important."
I wanted to argue. Wanted to refuse. But I knew Damien well enough to recognize when I’d lost the battle.
"Three days," I repeated.
"Three days."
"And then I’m done? Full pay?"
"You have my word."
I hesitated, thinking about Kennedy. About finally being free to be myself. About getting out of this suffocating disguise.
Three days. I could manage three days.
"Fine. I’ll do it."
"Excellent." Damien’s smile was victorious. "We leave at six AM tomorrow. Don’t be late."
I turned to leave, but his voice stopped at the door.
"Kyle?"
"Yes, sir?"
"This trip to New Delhi - it’s a high-security event. Lots of important people. Potential threats." He looked up, his eyes intense. "I need you at your absolute best. Whatever these ’personal commitnts’ are, you need to leave them here. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Because I’d hate for anything to... compromise your performance."
There was sothing in his tone that made my skin prickle with unease.
"Is there sothing specific I should be concerned about, sir?"
"Just do your job, Kyle. That’s all I ask." He returned his attention to his docunts. "You’re dismissed."
I left the office, my mind racing.
Three days in New Delhi. Alone with Damien Wellington. In close quarters.
What could possibly go wrong?
I pulled out my phone to text Olivia, but paused when I saw another ssage from Eddie.
Eddie: Please, Kira. We need to talk. It’s important.
I stared at the ssage, feeling a knot form in my stomach.
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