Chapter 10
Kitana watched as Tanin left the office with her usual graceful composure. Despite the earlier chaos, Tanin's serene smile remained intact, as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you, Tanin," Kitana said softly, her voice tinged with shame and gratitude.
Tanin turned back briefly, her smile widening. "You're my sister, Kitana. Of course, I'll stand up for you. That's what family is for." With that, she walked out, leaving Kitana alone with her thoughts.
As the door clicked shut, Kitana felt a heavy weight settle in her chest. She wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole. Her plan to impress Damian had backfired spectacularly, and instead of gaining his respect, she had made herself look incompetent.
She clenched her fists, biting her lip to suppress the scream of frustration building inside her.
"How did it come to this?" she muttered.
Now, instead of standing out, she was working under Tanin, the very person she secretly resented. Kitana envied her sister's position as High Luna and how effortlessly she commanded admiration.
She doesn't deserve it, Kitana thought bitterly. I'll prove to everyone, especially Damian, that she's not as perfect as they think.
Her dark thoughts were interrupted as a few employees entered the computer department. They sat down at their workstations, their eyes flickering toward her with disdain.
"She thinks she can just use High Luna Tanin to cover for her mistakes," one whispered to another, not bothering to lower their voice.
Kitana's cheeks burned with humiliation. The whispers grew louder, and though no one addressed her directly, the message was clear. They didn't trust her, and worse, they saw her as someone leeching off Tanin's goodwill.
Kitana sat down at her desk, determined to block out the negativity. But no matter how hard she tried, the stares and murmurs chipped away at her confidence.
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DAMIAN'S OFFICE
Damian stormed into his office, his frustration palpable. He slammed the door shut behind him, his mind replaying the chaos Kitana had caused.
He couldn't understand why Tanin kept protecting her. It was obvious Kitana was using her sister's kindness as a shield, yet Tanin seemed blind to it.
He threw his laptop onto the desk and sat down heavily in his chair, rubbing his temples.
"She's too soft," he muttered to himself. "Too trusting."
The door opened without a knock, and Tanin walked in, her presence as calming as a gentle breeze.
"Husband," she called, her voice sweet and playful.
Damian didn't look up, his expression hard. He picked up a stack of papers and pretended to immerse himself in work.
Tanin raised an eyebrow at his behavior. She walked closer, placing her hands on his desk and leaning slightly toward him. "Are you ignoring me, Damian?"
He still didn't respond, flipping a page unnecessarily.
"Damian," she called again, her tone now tinged with impatience. "I know you're upset about Kitana, but—"
He slammed the papers down, finally looking up at her with a piercing glare.
"She's using you, Tanin," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Why can't you see that?"
Tanin blinked, surprised by his intensity. "She's my sister, Damian. She needs help, and as her family, it's my duty to support her. She just needs time to adjust."
"Time to adjust?" Damian repeated, incredulous. "She almost cost the company millions today. This isn't a charity, Tanin. It's a business."
"And she'll get better," Tanin insisted, her voice unwavering. "She just needs the opportunity to prove herself."
Damian leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "I'm not going to let her drag this company down because of your misplaced sense of loyalty."
Tanin's eyes narrowed slightly, and a mischievous glint appeared in them. "What would Dowager Amelia say if she heard you were denying her granddaughter a chance to succeed?"
The mention of his mother made Damian sit up straighter. He knew the Dowager held immense influence in his life and Tanin wasn't afraid to use it to her advantage.
"You wouldn't," he said, his tone daring her to test him.
Tanin tilted her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Wouldn't I?"
For a moment, they stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. Finally, Damian let out an exasperated sigh and threw his hands up.
"Fine," he said, his voice laced with irritation. "Have it your way. But if she messes up again, I won't hesitate to ban her. Not even the Dowager will change my mind."
Tanin's expression softened, and she smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Damian. I knew you'd see reason."
He shook his head, muttering something under his breath as he returned to his work.
Tanin stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You'll see, Damian. Kitana just needs a little guidance, and I'll make sure she doesn't cause any more trouble."
"I hope you're right," he said, his voice heavy with skepticism.
Tanin leaned down and kissed his cheek. "You'll see," she whispered before leaving the office, her steps light and confident.
As the door closed behind her, Damian leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He didn't trust Kitana, but more than that, he didn't like how easily Tanin manipulated situations to her advantage.
"She's too cunning for her own good," he muttered, though a small part of him couldn't help but admire her tenacity.
For now, he decided to let things play out, but he silently vowed to keep a close eye on Kitana—and Tanin.
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Tanin walked back to the computer department, her steps graceful yet purposeful. The employees who had initially dismissed her presence now whispered among themselves, their tones a mix of awe and curiosity. She ignored them, her expression calm and unreadable.
One of the junior employees, a young woman named Leila, approached her hesitantly. "High Luna, I've been asked to escort you to your new office," she said nervously, avoiding direct eye contact.
Tanin raised an eyebrow, surprised but not entirely unpleased. "My own office?" she asked, her voice tinged with intrigue.
Leila nodded quickly. "Yes, it's upstairs, just adjacent to the executive offices. Damian—uh, the Lycan—ordered it to be prepared for you."
Tanin's lips curved into a small smile. "Lead the way."
The short journey to her new office was accompanied by hushed whispers from the employees they passed. Tanin maintained her composure, her head held high. When they arrived, Leila opened the door to reveal a spacious, elegantly designed office.
The room was bathed in natural light from the large windows, with sleek furniture and state-of-the-art technology adorning the space. A desk sat at the center, its surface gleaming, and a plush chair awaited her.
Leila gestured inside. "This is your office, High Luna. If you need anything, please let me know."
"Thank you, Leila," Tanin said warmly.
As Leila left, Tanin stepped inside and took a moment to admire the space. She walked to the desk, running her fingers lightly over its polished surface, and smiled to herself.
I'm changing my past, she thought, the resolve in her heart strengthening. No one will overlook or underestimate me again.
She settled into the chair, the leather soft and comfortable against her back, and exhaled deeply. This office was more than just a workspace; it was a symbol of her growing influence and independence.
As she began to arrange the few items on her desk, a knock on the door pulled her attention.
"Come in," she called, her tone curious yet composed.
The door opened to reveal Damian, his towering figure filling the doorway. He stepped inside, his presence as commanding as ever.
"Damian," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Did you miss me so much that you couldn't wait and had to come see me right after I left your office?"
He ignored her playful remark, closing the door behind him. His eyes were serious, and his expression was unreadable.
Tanin tilted her head, studying him. "What's the matter?"
Damian crossed his arms, leaning casually against the edge of her desk. "When did you become a computer genius?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.