Chapter 4 Protect

OLIVIA'S POV. I got to work the next day to see a changed atmosphere. It seemed like I had been away for months, when I only missed a day. After signing in for the day, I walked to the Sales department office to see Serena and get my files from her. On getting there, I found her station empty. Except for the computer on the table, there was nothing else there. Serena herself was not there. I suspected that she had been moved to another department. I turned to the others there and some of them looked away, as if they were trying to pass a message through their eyes. I walked to Harper's table. Harper was one of the few people I spoke to. She knew everything about Damien and I. "Olivia, good thing you are here." She said as soon as I got to her table. "What is going on? Where is Serena Thorne?" I asked. She clapped her hands in a sarcastic manner, and I knew I was in for some hot gist. "She has been moved to the Marketing department." She announced. "Wow. How so?" I asked. "She is not so impressive. You should have seen the boss yesterday. He was all over her.", She said. "Wow, you're so smart, wow, I'm quite impressed." She said in a mock voice, mimicking Damien's accent and I laughed. "This is not funny, Olivia. She is trying to take your place. Serena is a ticking time bomb." Harper said. "You've worked here for a long time, so you should know that there are some things you shouldn't say. Remember, you should only listen to the boss. Stop gossiping behind their backs. Whatever they do is none of our business. I only wanted to know Serena's whereabouts." I said and Harper gave me a look of pity. She didn't say anything for a while, as she stared at me. I know she felt bad for me, but what could I do? I can't make decisions for a grown ass man. He should do whatever he felt was right. "I'm worried about you, Olivia. Everyone knows there is something wrong about your relationship with the boss. Even if you try to hide it, the boss isn't making the slightest effort. Infact, he is the one blowing it up.", Harper said and stretched forward to hold my hands in hers. "Olivia, I have been waiting for good news. Every staff here has been waiting for good news. But, instead of getting a good news, all we can see is the boss acting so shamelessly around that girl." Harper said and I withdrew my hands. "Harper, please. I don't really care what he does anymore. And you all should stop hoping for good news. Things doesn't always go as planned." I said with a small smile and she sighed. "I have your files with me. Serena gave them to me before she left." Harper said. She opened her drawer and brought out the files which she handed over to me. "Thank you, Harper." I said and got up to go, but she called me back. "Olivia." She said and I sat down again. "Please, don't blame me for talking too much on this matter. Won't you have other thoughts?" She asked. "What can I think? He gives me a high salary, so I'll just do my parts well. Why should I interfere with things that have nothing to do with me? He has made his decision and I will make mine as well. I don't want to talk about this anymore. Thank you for your concern, Harper." I said and quickly walked away before she tried to call me back again. I walked back to my office and kept my files on the table. I ran my fingers through my hair in anger. Who did Serena think she was? Why had Damien changed all of a sudden? Why did he move her to another department? I was pretty sure moving her meant she was also getting a raise. Why was she so lucky? Few hours later, I return to the Sales department to pass a Sales format I had just drafted. Damien walked in few minutes later, I thought he was there for something else, but he was there for me. "Olivia, what is this?" He asked in a loud voice and I turned to him. What was he talking about? "I don't understand sir." I said. "Oh, you don't understand? What is this nonsense about telling the new trainee to do your job? It is your job for a reason! Do you share your pay with her?" He asked and I kept mute. "Answer me!" He yelled and the whole building shook. "No sir, I don't." I answered. He had left the door wide open, so I was sure everyone could hear us and I hope Serena was happy. "This should be the last time it happens. This should be the last time you would take unapproved breaks too. The next time you do so, I promise you will lose your job and I am not joking. Work on those files, I won't accept what was done by a trainee. And for now, I will be cancelling your bonus. Till you learn how to work diligently, there would be no bonus for you." He said and stormed out, leaving me utterly speechless. I could feel the tears struggling to come out, but I tried to hold it in. I gave Harper the sales format and went to the bathroom to let the tears out. Why was this happening to me? After about ten minutes of releasing the water works in my eyes, I felt better and returned to my office to work on the files again. It seemed I was going to be staying at work longer than expected, due to accumulated work. At least, it would help take my mind off Damien and Serena. I finally got home by 4am, and I was exhausted. Damien was sitting on the couch, with his phone in his hands, and he had a stupid smile on his face. I could tell he was texting Serena. "Hey, Damien." I said, but he ignored me. I didn't say anything to him. I went to the bedroom to change and take a shower. When I returned thirty minutes later, he was still on the couch. "Damien, I need to talk to you." I said softly. "Olivia, please not now." He said, waving me off. I lost my patience immediately and slammed my hands on the table, startling him. "Damien! I demand to talk to you." I said. My voice was trembling, but it worked. He kept his phone and my eyes caught sight of his wallpaper. It was a photo of Serena. "What do you want to talk about?" He asked. "You know what I want to talk about, Damien." I fumed. "What have I done to you that you treat me so badly? We have been together, like this for years, and because of Serena, your attitude towards me just changed? Damien, I am not asking for your love. All I want from you is respect. Respect the fact that I have been here for you, respect the fact that I have made sacrifices for you. I know I made a mistake by letting her do my job, and I take full responsibility for that. But cancelling my bonus in front of everyone was going too far, Damien. What happened to talking to me in private? Why did you have to embarrass me in front of everyone?" I asked. Tears were trickling down my face again. "Why are you throwing a tantrum over something so little?" He asked and I gasped. "Little? You call that little? Damien, do you want her to take my position?" I asked him. "I'm glad you found out on time. So teach her properly, I'm sure she would do better than you." He said with a smirk. "Damien, did I ever mean something to you?" I asked him weakly. "You are my secretary, that is something." He said and I stood, dumbstruck. Because of the tensed air around us, Damien knew that nothing was going to happen between us, so he took his leave. The door slam brought me back to life and I crumbled to the floor in self pity….