Unemployed and out of options.

After removing her helmet, she wearily lay down on her side, only to be swiftly overcome by a throbbing headache that made her cry. But her wails made it only worse. She crawled on all fours, took a few painkillers and passed out on the floor.

 Distant noise woke her up. Her alarm. She springs up to run to work, sore all over, but then laughed nervously and stood up to eat that protein brick she prepared up front. It tasted like mud compared to that steak she ate yesterday, but it got at least some nutrients. 

As she glanced at her phone, her eyes widened in surprise. She had 12 missed calls, 8 unread emails, and a staggering count of over 40 messages awaiting her attention.

In summary, Dean switched back and forth from "How could you lie to me like this" to "But you said you liked me". It stopped around 4 in the morning, she dared to assume he is sleeping now. 

Her landlady also replied.

She agreed with depleting the deposit. It will be possible to fill the unit right away so there won't be any additional fees and the 1/2 of her deposit should be released from the official building savings account in 5 working days. She even apologized that she is not able to send it faster.

Anna felt such an immense sense of relief that she took a deep breath, almost on the verge of tears. With only 7 days to find something super cheap, she might be forced to crash at some plug in cell with half of her deposit. That could be dangerous.

Then some spams and this one is a message from the work's accountant, asking her when she will be able to come and sign a resignation. 

Dean probably won't be able to work today, he must have a horrible hangover - she realized and quickly called her, to let her know she will be there within an hour. 

After quickly getting ready, she arrived just on time. Strangely, she felt a sense of happiness - losing her job meant being free from a troublesome boss who had bringed her to the edge of depression.

She thoroughly went through each document, reading them before signing them one by one.

"Good luck Anna, I will write a recommendation letter for you in the next 5 work – days," Her ex colleague smiled, but froze in the middle of a sentence with eyes glued on the door.

Anna's heart leaped in her chest as she glanced behind her shoulder, only to be met with a wave of terror.

There, behind the glass door, stood Dean, his eyes tired and dark, but there was something unsettlingly unfamiliar about his distant gaze.

As she turned back, she asked for confirmation if she had completed all the necessary paperwork before hastily rising from her seat, her eagerness to leave evident in her movements.

"I hope everything will work out well for you, we will send you the last paycheck on the usual date. Take good care of yourself and stop by sometime, I guess everyone wants to say their farewell," She shook her hand and sat back behind her desk.

Anna tried so hard not to cringe when she opened the door and reached out to shake his hand.

"Thank you again for this opportunity, sir. I learnt so much during the years I worked for this company, really. It was nice to get to know you all," She then leaned closer and whispered "How dare you call me on my personal number, you creep?"

He squeezed her hand tighter, to assure she couldn't get away and lowered his head "I found a new position for you. That chick on my dick. There is no salary, but I'll spoon-feed you caviar and truffle every time I'm done with you," Struggling to keep his anger at bay, he whispered through gritted teeth.

Fatigue and frustration had taken their toll on him, making it difficult to remain calm.

"I'm sorry sir, I have to pass. I have already told you I have my eyes on a better offer already," She shook her head a bit, still being trapped in his firm grip.

Terrified of potential consequences, the accountant hastily seized a handful of random documents, hastily excusing herself before leaving through the wide-open doorway of her office.

Anna pulled him into the office and let the door close, so no one else could hear them.

"I have already said that I don't want to spend any more time with you. And you know I'm not certified to have sex, right? It's just not an option for me. Don't you ever talk about it in front of me again. It's humiliating,"

"No - please wait. I don't know why I said that. I wanted to apologize, but I had no idea I'd see you so soon, it just came out before I could think it through," Dean let out a loud sigh and let go of her sore hand.

"I don't need your apology, I need a new dress since I'll never wear the one you drooled at,"

"And panties," He murmured quietly "Let me take you shopping then. You can pick whatever you find to your liking and I'll - "

"Just give me some cash. I'll buy a new dress on my own, there is no need to see each other for such trivial matters," Anna replied and stepped out of his reach.

"Let me take you out for dinner, then. Tonight. As an apology. For everything. And then, I'll pay for your dress," Dean said again, trying his best not to show his anger. How dare she make demands? But he was desperate to keep her around.

"Pay for my ruined dress first. I'll buy a new one and only after that, you might ask me out again," She said and even before she finished, he held a few bank-notes in front of her face. It was nearly double of her monthly wage.

She succumbed to the temptation of his bribe, shoved it in her pocket and looked up to him again, feeling like a horrible person for being this easily manipulated.

However, deep down, she was aware that for such a large sum of money, she would be willing to do far more than to keep him entertained for a single evening.

"Just text me the address and time. You obviously have my personal number, I'll be there," She muttered, with a string of guilt wrapping around her heart. Money. Why is everything about money? All her problems could be gone, just with the right amount.

He nodded and allowed her to maneuver around him, as she stepped out of the office. Surprisingly, instead of immediately departing, she lingered for nearly half an hour, bidding farewell and heartfelt goodbyes to her colleagues.

She smiled and laughed quietly so as not to disturb others.

She went above and beyond by assisting the girl he hired in her position, helping her organize samples, providing guidance on intern responsibilities, as well as offering valuable tips for improving sample sorting efficiency.

He watched her from the safety of his office, with his hand in his pocket, touching her panties again.

Dean quickly picked a new restaurant and sent her the address, with "18:00, tonight,"

He watched how she checked her phone and quickly hid it in pocket again.

Why the fuck is he so obsessed with that lying whore? Nah, not a hoe, he had to remind himself. She is not a woman suited for this kind of stuff.

But. There are still so many things they can do even if - NO, not at work you stupid asshole.

She was long gone anyway.