Her hesitant footsteps echoed softly on the polished marble floor, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the office. With each measured step, her unease grew, manifesting as a knot in the pit of her stomach. The weight of anticipation bore down on her as she approached the imposing office doors, towering like sentinels at the end of the corridor.
As she approached the imposing double doors adorned with intricate paintings depicting fearsome Japanese ogres, anxiety washed over her. The significance of this meeting, where she assumed her fate in the company would be determined, loomed large in her mind, filling her with a sense of vulnerability. The office door magnified her insignificance, reminding her of the power dynamics.
Her trembling hand instinctively reached for her collar, seeking solace in its familiar touch. Yet, no amount of fidgeting could calm the rising apprehension that threatened to engulf her. It was as if a phantom hand had encircled her throat, its grip tightening with every passing moment. The sensation of suffocation gnawed at her, constricting her breath as she struggled to find respite from the encroaching anxiety.
Time seemed to stretch as if the universe conspired to prolong her torment. The seconds ticked by with excruciating slowness, each laden with uncertainty and trepidation. And then, with a bone-chilling rumble, one of the doors groaned open, its movement grating against her already frayed nerves. Tension surged through her, electrifying her senses and leaving her trembling in anticipation of what lay beyond that narrow, ominous gap.
"Come in, Maria." A voice boomed from within, sending chills down her spine. The words hung in the air, heavy with an ominous weight.
"Yes, sir." Maria stammered, her voice trembling with nervousness. She hesitantly approached the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
Summoning her courage, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. What awaited her on the other side was beyond her worst nightmares. Six towering bodyguards stood in formation, their imposing presence casting a shadow over the room. Their cold gazes fixated upon her, their machine guns ominously pointed in her direction. The room was tense with an air of danger; each breath she took was laced with uncertainty.
In the far corner of the room, an older man dressed in pristine white garb stood, his back turned towards her. He appeared calm and composed, seemingly engrossed in examining a humble hanging plant. Maria's breath caught in her throat as the realization dawned upon her—this man held her fate in his hands.
"So, I hear you have been very busy today," the man spoke, his voice devoid of warmth or mercy. He continued to caress the plant lovingly, his words slicing through the silence, leaving an indelible mark on Maria's consciousness. Her heart raced, a symphony of fear and anticipation echoing within her chest.
"Tell me, honestly, are you serving this corporation in the best possible way?" His question hung in the air, laden with an unspoken threat. Maria's mind raced, searching for the right words to appease him, to secure her safety in this dangerous dance of power.
With a determined calmness, she mustered from the depths of her being, Maria replied, "I believe I am, with the knowledge I hold. Yes, sir, I do." Her voice quivered ever so slightly, betraying her underlying fear. Knowing that every word she spoke, every action she took, would be scrutinized under the unforgiving gaze of the man before her.
Suddenly, the atmosphere grew even more suffocating. Two of the bodyguards audibly cocked their weapons, their intentions clear. Maria's pulse quickened, her palms slick with sweat. The weight of their actions bore down on her, permeating the room with an electrifying tension.
"Maria, are you adamant?" The man's voice dripped with bone-chilling iciness as he moved from plant to plant; his gaze never met hers. He seemed more interested in the foliage than the life in the balance.
Summoning every ounce of courage within her, Maria managed to muster a response. "Yes, I am, sir!" Her voice wavered, fear constricting her throat like a vice. She knew that her survival in this treacherous world depended on projecting an image of strength, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
And then it happened—a distinct sound of a gun being cocked reverberated through the room, its menacing echo amplifying Maria's terror. Maria's heart skipped a beat as the cold metal of a barrel pressed against the back of her skull, a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. In that moment, her fears of her fragility materialized before her eyes.
Her widened eyes betrayed her terror as the total weight of the situation crashed upon her. The realization that her life hung by a thread engulfed her in a paralyzing grip of fear. Every fiber of her being screamed for escape, but her body left her unanswered.
"Answer me this," the boss's voice pierced the air, filled with disappointment and fury. "Did I say you could go and take over a corporation belonging to the Toge group?"
Maria replied barely above a whisper, silent tears streaming down her face, makeup smudged in disarray. The weight of her emotions threatened to suffocate her. "No, sir, you didn't. I... I thought strengthening our position in the market was for the greater good. I thought I was acting in the best interest of the corporation."
A chilling silence settled over the room, broken only by Maria's quivering breaths. The man in white turned slowly, his gaze finally meeting hers. The boss's words had unleashed a storm of consequences, threatening to engulf them all. Yet, in an unexpected twist, his tone softened.
"Well, because of you, I just spent the last few hours stopping an all-out war with them," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of grudging admiration. "But I like your attitude. Please, come and sit with me, my dear. I'll have them put on some tea." With a flick, he commanded the guards to lower their weapons and motioned for Maria to join him.
Trembling, Maria cautiously approached the seat, her mind reeling with relief and apprehension.