The Defiance novel

---- Everyone sat. The department heads listened attentively to what the reports presented. The conference was smooth. It was done quickly since minimal problems had been encountered and the next conference was set next month to see the improvement and status of improving the companies' marketing strategies. I wished for it to be a long discussion though. I didn't want to go back to the office and be alone with my boss. Though he hadn't done anything...

yet, I just can't stay there while he was trying to figure out what was wrong. Well, that was what I was feeling. I could almost sense this from him. I wondered if this was what they call as connection. "Miss Alice, stay", he commanded when attempted to leave my seat beside him. Everybody almost emptied the room and those who heard the boss abruptly stopped and looked at us. Some of them held pity on their eyes and some held confusion.

"Do you need anything else for this minutes and discussed matters, Sir?", I asked him. My eyes drifted on the way he gripped his pen tightly against his palm. Suddenly , the tension inside the room felt heavier . The air was colder or was it just my imagination. The room, too, was empty aside from us. ---- Me standing holding a notebook , a pen and folders . Him, sitting, holding his pen but the way he gazed at me made me hold my breath even tighter. I could smell danger.

"Drop the 'Sir'", his words barely came out through his gritted teeth. "But, Sir-" "One more sir and I would find better ways to correct that mouth of yours, Alice", he slowly stood towering over me. "Look at me", he commanded . I bit my lower lip to stop them from trembling. I was vulnerable right now. I was emotional and if this would continue, I would probably burst out and explode. I couldn't and shouldn't. "Seth-" "Please at least look at me when you say my name", his fists were clenched.

He was almost pleading. "T can't" I was surprised at how honest my words were. "Why?", he was breathless trying to understand the situation. "Please, let's just work peacefully ", I tried escaping ---- him, taking hurried steps away from him. It was me again running away from him since he came back. And just like all those scenes I've read and watched from romantic movies, a firm hand stopped me earlier than my escape. "Did you cry?", his tone was almost accusing.

I shook my head trying to deny it all. "you cried. Why? Did something happen?" he squeezed my arm lightly and my heart throbbed harder. The pain of the reality I couldn't deny myself was too much. I shook my head again and again. "Al-", he tugged my hand but stopped when he managed to get me to face him. "You're crying. Why? Please tell me, Alice", I shook my head again. My tears were hot on my skin and I couldn't form any word to disagree with what he sees.

When I was about to open my mouth to speak, he pulled me harder and covered me on his warm embrace which brought me another wave of a reminder how I missed him and hate him and love him and everything else. Why do I have to love this man?