The humiliation hits fast, heat prickling beneath my skin like I’ve been caught doing something wrong.
What a fucking bitch. How dare she speak to me like that?
I want to tell her to fuck the hell off, but my God do I hold my tongue.
I just hate that small part of me already worries she might be right.
“Now, do as you’re told and do your actual job,” she snaps. “Or, like I said, don’t bother coming back next week.”
I’m so stunned I don’t know where to look or what to say.
“Since when do we speak to employees like that?” The voice is firm and familiar.
One I’ve been dreaming about.
Helen goes still, her back stiff as a board.
I turn to see Levi walking into the room, his eyes locked on her.
His shirt sleeves are rolled up his arms, and his jaw is tight with quiet authority.
“Oh—hi, Levi. I didn’t see you there.” Helen’s voice shifts, trying to sound welcoming.
“Clearly,” he shoots back. “What’s going on here?”
“Piper’s a temp. She doesn’t know the ways of the company.”
“It sounded like she was making an offer to help.”
“I’m the manager. I don’t need her help like that,” Helen says.
“Okay. Then that’s all you needed to say.” His voice hardens. “Disrespect her again, and you’re gone. Is that clear?”
Helen pales and her eyes widen with deep shock.
I’m shocked, too, that Levi would make such a threat. And for me?
It’s enough to make my head spin, but so is the triumph that surges through me as I take in the defeat on Helen’s perfect face.
I shouldn’t enjoy it this much. But after the hell she’s giving me, I really, really do.
“Do you hear me, Helen?” Levi asks again.
“Yes. Sure. I hear you,” she replies, though she shoots me another nasty look.
Levi turns his attention to me. “Can I have a word, Miss Andrews?”
It’s strange to hear him call me that. He’s never even called me by my first name.
He’s only ever called me Butterfly.
“Sure,” I reply.
He walks out first, and I follow.
Helen’s gaze burns into my back with every step I take, but I ignore it.
I follow Levi into the indoor garden, where we’re completely alone.
