Share
Unlimited access
Hiro gazed at Aya and me trying to greet each covering our mutual hostility. I kept wondering if he knew that I wasn't Aya's favorite to begin with, and now I could feel her expression, each time she glanced at me, was getting colder with every second I stood by Hiro. Was it jealousy? Could it be, that she wanted him all for herself and now, some “bimbo” showed up trying to steal someone who was precious to her? Or maybe she simply didn't want him disturbed and unable to focus on their mutual goal? Whatever her reason was, she found me a nuisance.
“I want Ana to have unlimited access to TK,” Hiro dropped the bomb.
Aya looked at him, stunned. She stood silently for a while, trying to comprehend Hiro's words.
“You must be joking, right?” she replied suddenly, irritated.
“I mean it,” Hiro stated firmly.
She looked at him, like she was hoping to read the truth from his eyes, then took a deep breath and gl
Related chapters
Embracing the Devil Bait
“Could… could you repeat what have you said just now?” I hoped to hear some clarification, or correction of Hiro's previous words.“You once asked me, if there was anything you can do for me… Well, I found you an opportunity,” he smirked.I still had no idea what was Hiro thinking, but I already saw millions of flashing warning signs saying, “Danger ahead!” and I truly felt I should pay attention to those this time. I couldn't tell what did he want me to do exactly, but there was one thing that my writer's brain already assumed…“Are you going to use me as a bait?!” I prayed that he would deny it.“Oh, don't like it when you say it so harshly… but yes,” he smiled wickedly.I felt I had to sit down before I collapse I walked few steps forward and already felt that my knees were weak, I fell on a sofa. Hiro sat right beside me and stroked my head.“I
Embracing the Devil First lesson
The next day I woke up restless, but somehow, I naively felt needed, and that became my main motivation to face my doubts and fears. I went down, the car was already there waiting for me. It was the first time I went to TK alone… Well, the driver took me there, but he didn't count.My hands and knees were shaking, my hearted pounded like I was about to have a heart attack, and I was unable to take a deeper breath. Hiro gave me a precise instruction how to enter the company on my own, but I still hoped there would be someone familiar to help me get there. I looked around with pleading eyes. There were few people inside the reception, and few going to the elevators, but none of them seemed to be going down… below floor level 0.Hiro told me to take the first elevator on the left, and that I would better wait, so that I would go there alone. I passed that elevator two times pretending that I was waiting for someone. That felt pathetic.“Of cours
Embracing the Devil Ready to change
When I went back from TK I made myself a huge mug of strong coffee and started to memorize as many people and their data as possible. Obviously, I knew this wouldn't be ease. I had to come up with a system that would help me remember. After some thinking I figured that I should use one thing that I was certain of, and that was writer's creativity. I decided to stick to associations, so I could match some facts about those people… in the stupider way the better.“Ginger-hair Elliot Walton, purchasing department… He reminds me of a squirrel gathering nuts… I would call him Mr. Squirrel. Then we have… Harvey Brown, Nolan Fortin's deputy, sniper… He looks unpleasant… sneaky… a sneaky-sniper… I will call him Mr. Sneaky-Lizard!” I used my imagination to the fullest.Soon I created my very own imaginary zoo… I had pointy, short haired engineer - Ms. Hedgehog, 6.6 feet tall Mr. Giraffe from IT, and a bi
Embracing the Devil Art of manipulation...
I had never thought that Melisa's lesson would include… shopping. It was tiring, but it was fun. I felt kind of awkward about using the company's money to buy me clothes, but Melisa explained that she would use it as the expenses from her department's budget… whatever it meant. I still felt like I was spending my boyfriend's money, but the anger inside me made state that even if he was against it, he deserved it as a punishment for not letting me know he was leaving!The clothes Melisa chose for me were… surprisingly innocent. They were extremely classy, expensive but innocent. I felt comfortable in that girly style, without deep necklines, nor short miniskirts, yet it didn't exactly matched my idea of a villainess, or was my imagination too shallow?Our next stop turned out to be more exhausting… We went to Melisa's ballet studio, so I could practice my posture and walk. It was dreadful! It was much worse than my first training with Jay! I
Embracing the Devil Last lesson
The more Melisa taught me the more I felt how pathetic I was before. I realized how many times I was being manipulated by others. They all implanted so many anxieties in me that I was happy with the minimum of interest and comfort they gave me later. Sending mixed signals, the game of push and pull… I knew how that works, because I was a constant victim of those tricks!The things that Hiro did with me were no different… my only hope was that he didn't do all of them on purpose, and that maybe some part of his words weren't fake. Now, I wasn't sure of anything, but it all had one good point – My affection for Hiro was not blind anymore…“Remember, Ana that we all manipulate others… Children use their cry to get a candy. Low level employees praise their bosses to get the higher position. The more you know about the mechanism of manipulation the easier is defend yourself against it,” Melisa declared.She was right&hell
Embracing the Devil An introduction...
I didn't know how long we kissed, but my coffee was cold when we finished, I decided to make a new one, and another one for Hiro. In the meantime, he sat on the sofa and kept grinning at me, resembling a good and loving boyfriend, like the time when he was gone and left without saying a word had never happened.“I was mad at you… No, I'm still mad at you for your silence… again. I'm mad at you for not telling me what exactly was your plan about…” I summoned up my courage to say at least that.“It was urgent… it really was. Besides, I only told Melisa, and I knew she would tell you right away,” he explained.“Still… a whole week without a word. I know you are busy… but…”“Did you miss me?” he interrupted me, “I missed you like crazy. I wanted to be with you as soon as I could…” he sounded his words in a deep, alluring tone.I gave up o
Embracing the Devil The battle
Marcus suddenly got up and smirked at me in strangely disturbing way. I froze, but quickly noticed that fortunately, he didn't come near me. He decided to come to Hiro instead, and then took him away to talk. As soon as Hiro walked out the room few people came to “welcome me” in TK.“Nice to meet you, Miss Anastasia,” some brown-haired woman pulled out her hand to greet me carrying a disgustingly fake smile.I remembered that her name was Natasha Elber, a level 3 deputy manager from a purchasing department. I also remembered she was coming from a wealthy family. She got the position mainly because her father was one of the early company's investors… that would explain her arrogance.“Nice to meet you, Miss…?” I pretended that I didn't know her name.“Natasha,” she replied, suggesting to call her by name.I guessed that she decided to act “friendly” towards me, but her i
Embracing the Devil My office
Hiro stared at Marcus. On the surface he seemed to be composed, but I noticed that something in his eyes became darker. He walked to me, and took my hand, the one Marcus grabbed earlier. He held it and examined my wrist, then he looked at Marcus.“If you touch her hand again, I will break your arm,” he stated without changing the composed tone of his voice.Marcus stared back at him curiously and smirked a little hesitantly. It looked like he was quite surprised with Hiro's reaction. Hiro glared at him more intensively.“If you touch any other part of her body, I will break your neck… friend,” he sneered with the most terrifying expression I had seen on his face.Any traces of a smile disappeared from Marcus's face, he sat silently gazing at Hiro in cold disbelieve. Hiro kept his glare at him for couple more seconds, then he gently grabbed my hand pulling me up from my seat.“Let's go,” he commanded, leadi
Latest chapter
- Embracing the Devil The miracle
- Embracing the Devil Revenge
- Embracing the Devil Counting votes...
- Embracing the Devil The meeting
- Embracing the Devil Another step closer...
- Embracing the Devil Congratulations!
- Embracing the Devil Our date...
- Embracing the Devil Declaration
- Embracing the Devil Disclosure
