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If anything, I don't have to do that.
"So, I think that's it for today. I'll look into a few things and get back to you," Paula says as she gets up. "It was very nice to meet you, Clarissa. I look forward to getting to know you more." She's warm and genuine, and I see why she must be good at her job. Baxter Enterprises doesn't hire anyone but the best, after all.
When it's just us alone, Matthias lets out a big sigh and sinks back into the couch.
I follow suit.
My head feels a little better since taking the medication, but I'm suddenly feeling bone tired.
"Paula seems nice," I say to break the silence.
"It's all an act. It's her job," he jokes. It's clear how much he likes and trusts her.
But it still makes me chuckle, and having a plan makes me feel a little more at ease with what we're doing. "It's a hard job. I hope she gets handsomely rewarded for it," I say, already knowing that she is. Baxter Enterprises is one of the companies with the highest employee satisfaction.
"We pay well. We make sure of it," Matthias mumbles, eyes closed. "You'll see. I'll make sure you're paid well after this."
The comfort we've experienced in the last few minutes fizzes into instant tension.
"What?" I ask, my voice tight.
He opens his eyes and looks at me, uncertain. "It's why you're doing all this, right? You know I'm going to pay you an obscene amount of money? I'll take care of you, don't worry."
My stomach fills with hot lead. "Fuck all the way to fucking hell, Matthias." I jump to my feet and storm out of the office, ignoring the looks from everyone on the floor, and run toward the row of elevators.
"Clarissa!" Matthias shouts as he follows me. Something in his voice almost stills my feet, but then I remember what he said and my feet move even faster under me.
"I said, go to fucking hell, you asshole!" I shout without turning around. I don't want him to see the tears streaming down my face.
I don't even know what I'm angry about. Isn't what he said the truth? Aren't I marrying him to get what I want? Isn't that what I've always done? Isn't that why I'm in the situation? It didn't bother me with Damien, and it didn't bother me with Patrick.
But something has changed.
Hearing Matthias break our arrangement down like a transaction felt like a spear to my heart.
Not what was said, butwhosaid it.
I'm going crazy.
Why am I so upset for getting what I always wanted?
"Clarissa!" He catches up with me. Grabbing my wrist, he spins me around so that I'm facing him.
Electricity instantly sparks between our eyes.
"Let me go!" I shout.
He grits his teeth as he anchors me. "No. Don't run again. God, just stop fucking running." His face is shrouded in confusion. "Tell me, what happened?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I see his employees surreptitiously trying to back away.
But he doesn't care.
I try to rip my wrist out of his hand, but he just grips even tighter. "You hurt me!" I fling the words at him.
And he could only hurt me if I let him. If I cared what he thought about me. How did I let this happen?
"How? What did I do?"
