Ch. 20 - Dependent Flower

On the elevator ride up Marlin assessed herself in the wall's reflection. Her face had sunken since she walked in and she debated on pressing the button to go back down. That bed Sebastian had made her was seeming especially comfortable right now.

Marlin's eyes met a vase of flowers when the doors opened. Her fingers wrapped around it and plucked one before she even stepped out of the elevator. The sunflower was soft and bright; Marlin's focus never leaving it as she walked to the meeting room. The room was cold again, but John was already waiting for her. His hand covered his mouth, but his eyebrows gave away the angry expression that was hidden.

"You had time to go flower picking?"

Marlin sat down far away from him again,' they were wilting anyway,' she caressed the yellow petals.

John stood up abruptly, sending his chair back to hit the wall. Marlin started and sat straight up as John's aggressively marched to her. "I'm not happy Marlin. You want to know why I'm not happy?" He ended his question with his face inches from hers.

Marlin's fingers stopped on the petal," I suggest you back up."

He laughed in her face before gripping her chin in a death grip. His other hand ripped the flower from her hold and brought it to her face to crush it. When he let go the pieces fell back onto her lap. Each petal landed daintily against her legs. "I noticed you hadn't been making any videos, so I sent some men to go check on you. It seems like you found a new employer. A more intimate bitch status....' he laughed,' because that's all you'll ever be. A bitch. Let's get one thing straight though: you're my bitch. I. OWN. YOU."

He shook her head when she didn't reply to stunned into silence. A fire began to lick at her hands as something snapped inside of her when his nails embedded into her scalp.

Her knuckles popped as they met with his jaw. A sickening crack echoed through the room as he landed on the floor. "Listen here you little prick. I belong to no one! If you dare lay a hand on me again, I will see to it that you end up with multiple fists up your ass! Be happy that I just dislocated your jaw."

John spat out blood with wide eyes as Marlin turned on her heel and left. Anger still radiating inside of her she took the stairs back to Damien's floor. She didn't stop marching to his office despite the weird looks she was getting. She flung open his door and he spun around from where he was looking out the window. "Marlin?"

She huffed before grabbing his tie and pulling him close. "I am just as capable as everyone else!"

Damien gave her an incredulous look," what?"

She tightened her grip and growled," it doesn't matter that I am a little. I am just as strong and able to be independent as anyone else! I require no man or daddy to protect me! I've been doing it my whole fucking life and I've survived just fine!" Marlin was out of breath by the end because of her rage. She expected Damien to call her crazy and yell for security, but he only brought a hand up to her cheek. He cupped it softly and smiled reassuringly at her.

"I believe you little one. Never in my mind did I doubt that you could be independent,' he wiped her bottom lip, which she had been biting, and pulled away blood,' but perhaps you should try to understand that being dependent isn't always a weakness. Till then I don't know how you'll ever find a balance between your two spaces."

Marlin pulled away, an ache pounding in her forehead. She didn't say anything as she walked out and back to the elevator; this time going to the exit.

Damien watched her walk away before pulling out his phone. He called his bodyguard who picked up on the first ring. "There is a girl walking out. She has like dirty blonde hair and she's not in any sort of business attire. I want you to follow her and make sure she gets home safe. Then find out anything you can about her and get back to me."

"Yes, sir."

Damien smirked and ended the call. He looked back out the window, happy that Marlin had come back.