The Alpha's Secret Human Sugar Baby - Chapter 26: Chapter 26
You are reading The Alpha's Secret Human Sugar Baby, Chapter 26: Chapter 26. Read more chapters of The Alpha's Secret Human Sugar Baby.
Aurora’s POV
I stumble back to my desk, sitting down as quickly as possible so I don’t fall.
The way they talked about me, like I am an object for trade, is disgusting. What’s worse is that Jackson, the man who I thought had loved me, is leading the charge. After hearing him talk, I know he’s the one spreading the rumors.
Who else would have the knowledge and hatred of me to do that? These people don’t know me. They didn’t see me with Thorne in Jackson’s yard the night Jackson locked me up.
Jackson did. Him and Ivy.
The entire interaction comes back to my mind, and I drop my head into my hands. How had I forgotten that they knew I slept with Thorne?
It’s no wonder Ivy is suspicious. They may not know about the contract, but they clearly know something is up, and they’re not scared to voice their thoughts and lies. I rub at my arms, that dirty and cheap feeling coming back. It makes me want to go take a scalding hot shower.
The guilt rolls in my stomach, making me feel uneasy. What else is Jackson telling people? What else will happen to me because of the lies and filth he’s spreading?
I chew on my bottom lip, worry mixing with the nausea. I thought everything would be fine once I paid the debts, but even though I slept with Thorne for a good reason, I still feel like I’ve done something wrong. Honestly, I don’t think I should have to feel guilty, but I do.
Getting mixed up with Thorne was my decision, and now, I can’t help but think I should have found another way to deal with my situation. I shouldn’t have let myself get into this mess, especially when I have no way of saving myself.
Though, there’s one thing I can think of.
If I can find another job, I wouldn’t have to deal with people gossiping about me and making me feel like dirt. It would also get me away from Jackson, who clearly feels nothing but hate and disgust toward me.
It hurts, realizing that he not only used me but that he also dislikes me so much that he’s fine with dragging my name through the mud.
Sighing, I pull my keyboard closer to me and open up a blank document on the computer. I only have one option.
My fingers move slowly as I type. I carefully write out my thoughts and feelings in a non-accusatory way, knowing that Thorne won’t be happy with my decision. Or will he? This way, he can find a better assistant than me, and he won’t have to deal with me at work.
I don’t know how this will affect our contract, but I don’t let that stop me from finishing up. The printer quickly spits out my letter, and I fold it, sliding it into an envelope. My hands shake as I stand and walk over to his office door.
They continue shaking as I knock. Why am I shaking, and why am I hesitating? This is the best course of action for everyone.
“Come in,” Thorne’s strong voice calls.
Swallowing my hesitancy, I push the door open and walk into the office. I have to do this. I won’t work somewhere I feel unsafe.
Thorne doesn’t look up from his computer as I stop in front of his desk. In fact, he doesn’t look up until I slide my resignation letter across his desk. The bold black words on the envelope clearly state my intent, so I don’t say anything.
I have every intention of not violating our contract, but I can’t stay here while I do that.
“What is this?” He asks, finally looking at the envelope. His brow rises as he picks it up and opens it, pulling the letter out. I watch silently as he reads the letter.
“You plan to quit?” Thorne asks, looking at me now. “Why?”
“I don’t think it’s good for us to work together. The rumors—”
He sighs and drops the letter to his desk. “I don’t care about rumors, Aurora. You agreed to work for me, and you will fulfill that agreement,” he states firmly. “I thought you were smarter than this.”
I bristle at his accusatory tone, and a bit of confusion and anger prick at my mind.
“I just don’t want everything thinking we’re sleeping together so I can gain power and wealth,” I tell him, repeating what I wrote in the letter.
“We are sleeping together, and you did do it for money.”
He says it so plainly, like he’s reading the weather forecast. Does he really not understand how this feels? I study him. Of course, he doesn’t. He’s probably never had to demean himself because he’s rich.
Well, I don’t have that privilege.
“Y-Yes, but I don’t want to be looked at and treated like I’m a whore,” I say, trying to stay calm. “I’m not.”
“No, you’re not,” Thorne says, his eyes narrowing on me. “You’re a smart woman who did what she had to do to survive. Are you going to let rude and absurd claims make you feel inferior?”
His words make me feel a little better, and I wish it were that easy. I can’t just ignore what other people say and do like he does. Nor do I have the power to stop them when they come for me.
Pushing the confusion away, I speak, “I can’t stay here if I’m going to be bullied and attacked when I’m away from you.”
Thorne is on his feet, around the desk and looking me over before I can blink.
“Attacked? Did someone touch you?”
“I… I’m fine,” I stutter, and he growls. “I just don’t want to feel unsafe here. I don’t like feeling like everyone is watching me with ill intent all the time.”
He studies me for a moment, giving me a look that says we’ll be talking about this soon, before he sighs and nods. For a second, I feel like he’s going to agree to let me resign, but then he pulls me toward the door.
“Come with me.”
“What?”
He releases my hand as we exit his office, and he calls for everyone to gather. I’m not sure how so many people heard him, but in moments, we’re surrounded by people.
“Starting today, Aurora will be entering into her probationary period,” he announces. Whispers break out around the room, only silenced when Thorne cuts a glare at the crowd and continues, “Now that I am not in dire needs of an assistant, I will be holding her to the same standards as everyone else in the company. If there is any issue, she will be delt with according to the rules of the company. I want to hear no more lies being spread about underhanded hiring unless you would like to come speak with me personally. Is that understood?”
The entire room goes silent, and heat flames my cheeks.
“You’re dismissed.”
I watch everyone go back to work, my heart thundering in my chest at the realization of what just happened. Thorne undoubtedly just made matters worse with his announcement.
I stumble back to my desk, sitting down as quickly as possible so I don’t fall.
The way they talked about me, like I am an object for trade, is disgusting. What’s worse is that Jackson, the man who I thought had loved me, is leading the charge. After hearing him talk, I know he’s the one spreading the rumors.
Who else would have the knowledge and hatred of me to do that? These people don’t know me. They didn’t see me with Thorne in Jackson’s yard the night Jackson locked me up.
Jackson did. Him and Ivy.
The entire interaction comes back to my mind, and I drop my head into my hands. How had I forgotten that they knew I slept with Thorne?
It’s no wonder Ivy is suspicious. They may not know about the contract, but they clearly know something is up, and they’re not scared to voice their thoughts and lies. I rub at my arms, that dirty and cheap feeling coming back. It makes me want to go take a scalding hot shower.
The guilt rolls in my stomach, making me feel uneasy. What else is Jackson telling people? What else will happen to me because of the lies and filth he’s spreading?
I chew on my bottom lip, worry mixing with the nausea. I thought everything would be fine once I paid the debts, but even though I slept with Thorne for a good reason, I still feel like I’ve done something wrong. Honestly, I don’t think I should have to feel guilty, but I do.
Getting mixed up with Thorne was my decision, and now, I can’t help but think I should have found another way to deal with my situation. I shouldn’t have let myself get into this mess, especially when I have no way of saving myself.
Though, there’s one thing I can think of.
If I can find another job, I wouldn’t have to deal with people gossiping about me and making me feel like dirt. It would also get me away from Jackson, who clearly feels nothing but hate and disgust toward me.
It hurts, realizing that he not only used me but that he also dislikes me so much that he’s fine with dragging my name through the mud.
Sighing, I pull my keyboard closer to me and open up a blank document on the computer. I only have one option.
My fingers move slowly as I type. I carefully write out my thoughts and feelings in a non-accusatory way, knowing that Thorne won’t be happy with my decision. Or will he? This way, he can find a better assistant than me, and he won’t have to deal with me at work.
I don’t know how this will affect our contract, but I don’t let that stop me from finishing up. The printer quickly spits out my letter, and I fold it, sliding it into an envelope. My hands shake as I stand and walk over to his office door.
They continue shaking as I knock. Why am I shaking, and why am I hesitating? This is the best course of action for everyone.
“Come in,” Thorne’s strong voice calls.
Swallowing my hesitancy, I push the door open and walk into the office. I have to do this. I won’t work somewhere I feel unsafe.
Thorne doesn’t look up from his computer as I stop in front of his desk. In fact, he doesn’t look up until I slide my resignation letter across his desk. The bold black words on the envelope clearly state my intent, so I don’t say anything.
I have every intention of not violating our contract, but I can’t stay here while I do that.
“What is this?” He asks, finally looking at the envelope. His brow rises as he picks it up and opens it, pulling the letter out. I watch silently as he reads the letter.
“You plan to quit?” Thorne asks, looking at me now. “Why?”
“I don’t think it’s good for us to work together. The rumors—”
He sighs and drops the letter to his desk. “I don’t care about rumors, Aurora. You agreed to work for me, and you will fulfill that agreement,” he states firmly. “I thought you were smarter than this.”
I bristle at his accusatory tone, and a bit of confusion and anger prick at my mind.
“I just don’t want everything thinking we’re sleeping together so I can gain power and wealth,” I tell him, repeating what I wrote in the letter.
“We are sleeping together, and you did do it for money.”
He says it so plainly, like he’s reading the weather forecast. Does he really not understand how this feels? I study him. Of course, he doesn’t. He’s probably never had to demean himself because he’s rich.
Well, I don’t have that privilege.
“Y-Yes, but I don’t want to be looked at and treated like I’m a whore,” I say, trying to stay calm. “I’m not.”
“No, you’re not,” Thorne says, his eyes narrowing on me. “You’re a smart woman who did what she had to do to survive. Are you going to let rude and absurd claims make you feel inferior?”
His words make me feel a little better, and I wish it were that easy. I can’t just ignore what other people say and do like he does. Nor do I have the power to stop them when they come for me.
Pushing the confusion away, I speak, “I can’t stay here if I’m going to be bullied and attacked when I’m away from you.”
Thorne is on his feet, around the desk and looking me over before I can blink.
“Attacked? Did someone touch you?”
“I… I’m fine,” I stutter, and he growls. “I just don’t want to feel unsafe here. I don’t like feeling like everyone is watching me with ill intent all the time.”
He studies me for a moment, giving me a look that says we’ll be talking about this soon, before he sighs and nods. For a second, I feel like he’s going to agree to let me resign, but then he pulls me toward the door.
“Come with me.”
“What?”
He releases my hand as we exit his office, and he calls for everyone to gather. I’m not sure how so many people heard him, but in moments, we’re surrounded by people.
“Starting today, Aurora will be entering into her probationary period,” he announces. Whispers break out around the room, only silenced when Thorne cuts a glare at the crowd and continues, “Now that I am not in dire needs of an assistant, I will be holding her to the same standards as everyone else in the company. If there is any issue, she will be delt with according to the rules of the company. I want to hear no more lies being spread about underhanded hiring unless you would like to come speak with me personally. Is that understood?”
The entire room goes silent, and heat flames my cheeks.
“You’re dismissed.”
I watch everyone go back to work, my heart thundering in my chest at the realization of what just happened. Thorne undoubtedly just made matters worse with his announcement.
End of The Alpha's Secret Human Sugar Baby Chapter 26. Continue reading Chapter 27 or return to The Alpha's Secret Human Sugar Baby book page.