Her Beast

Taken

His woman?

By now, the entire staff of Power media house were standing around Melinda's office, the open door granting a few of them a clear view.

I saw Blair standing in front, her eyes wide.

"Um.." I said, trying to pull myself out of his grip, but he pressed my arm further, stopping me.

"Sir..Sir, I..."

Melinda's voice broke off, her head going low.

The CEO looked at me again, squinting his eyes only slightly.

"You're coming with me."

Melinda looked up sharply, but dropped her head again as she met his eyes.

There goes all her ambitions, her exclusive interview and heck, me! I had to go too?

I looked up again, realizing just what he had said. Coming with him? Why? Where? So he could torture me for causing such a commotion?

"No," I blurted out, pushing myself away from him. "I don't want to."

At first, I had thought he looked a bit warmer, or even a bit less cold, but standing on my own and seeing him now in 3D, he looked even more frozen that I thought he did the first time I saw him. I couldn't understand how a human could look so icy, yet fleshy.

"Why? Do you have a job already?" He asked me, his eyes boring holes in mine.

I turned to Melinda. "Well..."

"I won't fire you anymore," she said quickly, blinking rapidly. At least she still had the reflex of blinking like that when she was lying. I thought she had lost every bit of humanity in her.

"I will pay in cash," he said, adjusting his stance. He was broad, yet, slim, yet worked out. It was like I was looking at a transition in one man.

"What?" Melinda asked, her voice low and polite.

"For the company. And for her. I'll pay in cash."

I felt a lump rise in my throat. This man just offered to buy Power media house and me along with it like we were some street food that naturally came together?

"I am not to be bought " I said, but he didn't even flinch, nor did he even care to look at me. It was like I hadn't said a word.

"Do you agree, or should I buy the land on which it stands instead? That way, you either give me what I want, or you lose everything you have. The ball is in your court."

Melinda looked at me, her eyes a bit teary. For the first time, she looked vulnerable, as if she was about to kick off her heels and go on her knees begging this man to spare her place and just take me. But he didn't even look like he cared about her. Hell, he didn't even look like he cared about me. All he cared about was his goal, which I had foolishly become, and he would do anything to get to it. Hurting people was just collateral damage.

"What about my staff? My job?"

"I'll do what I please."

Everyone gasped. The future was unsure for all the staff, and Melinda looked broken. I understood her struggle now. All she wanted was to rise, to be better. But then, somehow, because of my clumsiness, I have brought the predator to her doorstep, and he is going to give her no option than to give up everything she has worked so hard for. Everything she had strived for since God knows when.

I turned to him, my eyes pleading. "Please let them keep their jobs. Please let Melinda keep her position too. I beg of you."

He looked at me, his eyes bored. He looked like he didn't quite want to stress himself this way, and was staring at the sole reason why he had had to do it.

He looked down to my feet, then back up again.

"You're already not worth the money I am about to spend because of you. It's best you remain silent."

My heart dropped. I always knew this scandal would be a big problem for me, but I just realized how big it actually was. He wasn't just the predator of the Power media house, he was my predator. Somewhere in my mind, I knew I was already caught.

I bowed my head silently as a bodyguard walked in with a suitcase. He placed it on the table and touched a fingerprint scanner. It instantly opened, revealing thousand dollar bills in stacks. My jaw dropped open, just like everyone else's.

"That is a million dollars." The bodyguard said, then went to the side.

The CEO of Gems nodded his head slightly.

"How much is your company worth?"

"Less than that, I.."

"You can have it all. Think of it as charity."

He then turned to me. "Calmly allow yourself be escorted to the car."

He didn't say a word more and he turned and left, the staff that had gathered hurriedly moving away to create enough space for him.

I stood there, my mind reeling, unable to accept what had just happened and the realization of what I had done dawning on me.

I unconsciously pushed my fingers through my hair, my eyes blinking back the tears.

"It's alright, Kristine." Blair pulled me into a hug, patting my hair gently. "I am so sorry, and he just doesn't know. You're worth more than everything he owns, Kristine. Don't let his nonsense get to you. You are still that sassy friend of mine. Don't forget, okay? You're still Kristine with the big attitude."

I nodded, refusing to cry. I would just accept it as my punishment, and walk into it with my head high. Just like Melinda, I won't let him see that he hurt me. Never in a thousand years, or even more.

"Ma'am." The bodyguard he had left behind said, approaching us, his hands closed in front of him and balled to fists. I swallowed and gave Blair one last pat, then turned to Melinda. She didn't say a word, but I nodded slightly, before calmly walking away, to be taken to the beast himself.