Chereads / Forever In Darkness / Chapter 16 - A Day Of Frustration

Chapter 16 - A Day Of Frustration

Chapter 16: A Day of Frustration

Mia stepped into the office, greeting her coworkers with a warm smile. It was a typical Monday morning, with the usual chatter and clinking of coffee cups filling the air. She made her way to her desk, dropping her bag onto the floor with a soft thud.

As she booted up her computer, she noticed Kaiden's door was closed, a clear indication that he was not to be disturbed. The others in the office seemed to be avoiding him, exchanging sympathetic glances whenever his name was mentioned.

Mia, being the new one, didn't know better. She approached Kaiden's door, knocking softly before pushing it open. "Hi, Kaiden. I was wondering if there's anything I can do to help you today."

Kaiden's head jerked up from his desk, his eyes flashing with frustration. "What do you want, Mia?" he growled, his tone sharp enough to make her take a step back.

Mia's eyes widened, but she stood her ground. "I-I just wanted to see if you needed any help. You seem... busy."

Kaiden's gaze narrowed, his jaw clenched. "I don't need your help. But since you're here, make me a cup of coffee. Black, no sugar."

Mia nodded, hurrying to the break room to make the coffee. As she waited for the brew to finish, she couldn't help but wonder what had put Kaiden in such a foul mood.

When she returned with the coffee, Kaiden barely acknowledged her, his eyes fixed on his computer screen. "Thanks. Now, I need you to go to the store and buy me a new set of markers. And make sure they're the expensive ones."

Mia's eyes widened, but she nodded, jotting down the task on her notepad. "Okay, got it. Anything else?"

Kaiden's gaze flicked up, his eyes glinting with annoyance. "Just get the markers, Mia. And don't bother me with any questions."

As the day wore on, Mia found herself running around the office, completing tasks that seemed to have no purpose. Kaiden would ask her to fetch something, only to forget about it moments later. The others in the office watched with sympathetic smiles, whispering words of encouragement whenever Mia passed by.

One of the security personnel, a gruff but kind-hearted man named Joe, shook his head as Mia rushed past. "Poor thing," he muttered to himself. "Guess it's her turn now to suffer from Kaiden's frustration."

Just as Mia was starting to feel like she was in way over her head, Kaiden's phone rang, shrill and insistent. He answered, his voice low and even, but his eyes flashing with annoyance.

As he listened to the caller, his expression darkened, his jaw clenched. Mia watched, fascinated, as Kaiden's body language changed, his posture becoming more aggressive.

Finally, he slammed down the phone, his eyes blazing with anger. "Ryder's here," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "He wants to propose a business collaboration."

Mia's eyes widened, but before she could ask any questions, Kaiden's assistant, Emily, appeared at the door. "Kaiden, Ryder is here to see you."

Kaiden's gaze narrowed, his eyes glinting with distrust. "Send him in."

As Ryder walked into the office, a charming smile spreading across his face, Kaiden's expression darkened. "What do you want, Ryder?" he growled, his tone dripping with hostility.

Ryder's smile never wavered. "I'm here to propose a business collaboration between our companies. I think we could learn a lot from each other."

Kaiden snorted, his eyes flashing with contempt. "You think I'd ever partner with you? You're only looking out for yourself, Ryder. You'd sell your own mother out if it meant getting ahead."

Ryder's smile faltered, his eyes glinting with anger. "That's not fair, Kaiden. I'm trying to help you."

Kaiden's laughter was cold and mirthless. "You're not capable of helping anyone but yourself, Ryder. And I'll never trust you."

As the tension between the two men escalated, Mia watched, fascinated, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never seen Kaiden so angry, so passionate. And she couldn't help but wonder what had caused the rift between him and his cousin.

But as Ryder's face darkened, his eyes glinting with malice, Mia felt a shiver run down her spine. This was not a man to be trifled with. And she couldn't help but wonder what would happen next.