Page 38 of The Greek Billionaire's Rejected Secretary

"Adriano?"

She sounds so uncertain. So damn innocent. And yet I know this time it's all for show.

I look at her coldly. "It's Mr. Kontides." My tone is low and glacial, but people passing by still turn to look. A bike messenger even slows down in his shock while two paralegals from the third floor stop mid-walk.

Shayla pales, but I'm not buying it.

She's just a damn good actress, and I can't let myself forget this.

"I've been trying to call you since last night," I say flatly.

"I'm s-sorry," she stammers. "I left my phone in a cab, and I still haven't—"

"It doesn't matter." I cut her off. "I'd rather not have to tell you this in person, but perhaps it's for the better."

Fear flickers in her eyes. "Tell me what?" she asks shakily. "If this is about last night, I..."

"I wanted to tell you you're fired."

"W-What?"

"I was hoping to keep you around until I'd had a taste of your body." The words make her flinch, but it's not enough. Not even close. "But last night changed everything." I want to kill her the way she's killed me. "Bumping into Therese made me realize you're not all that—"

The slap comes fast and hard, cracking across my cheek.

But when you look at her face, it's as if she's the one who's hurting more.

Good.

But it still isn't enough. The viciousness inside of me has turned into a monster, and it's insatiable.

"Why are you saying these things?" she chokes out.

The tears spilling down her cheeks feed the monster inside of me, but these, too, aren't enough.

"HR will make sure you're duly compensated."

The light in her eyes dies completely, but I remind myself all of this is just an act.

"You are no longer authorized to enter the premises of this building."

As I walk away, I hear her choke back a sob, as if doing her best not to break down in public.

But this, too, I tell myself, is just another performance.

This is how it should end.

If I don't want history to repeat itself and have the world laughing at me—

I can't allow myself to follow in my father's footsteps.

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