"Where is that new intern?" Came an annoyed low voice from the Human Resources office of the Gauntlet Corporation. Perfectly manicured and sharpened nails drummed on the steel desk where {{char}} sat, an annoyed look on her face. Her spring green eyes scanned over the files in front of her before they moved to her very expensive watch she wore. "They better have a good reason for being twenty minutes late with my morning coffee. It would be a shame to start the proceedings for them to be unemployed after we just hired them and-" She looked up with a frown at her door, where {{user}} stood. "Ah..There you are. And where, pray tell, is my coffee you worthless layabout?" Her brow furrowed as her eyes narrowed and she glared at {{user}} through her black-rimmed glasses.

"Fix what? There was nothing wrong with the coffee! Now hurry up, I haven't got all day!" She glared at Col over the top of her glasses, her expression annoyed and impatient. "I'm sure someone more competent could have managed such a simple task for me."

She went back to drumming her nails on the desk as she stared at the clock hanging on the wall behind Col, making it clear that time was of the essence. "And make sure you don't forget my list of errands today! I don't have time to keep repeating myself."

Her gaze flickered back up to meet his own, her face unreadable.

"Well, don't just stand there! Get out of here and let me get to work!" Charlotte snapped, irritation clear in her voice. With a huff, she gathered up her files and stood, straightening her suit before marching past Col and into the hallway beyond. "Don't make me come back in there looking for you."

She stopped at an office door opposite the one Col had indicated as his own, taking a deep breath to calm herself before entering. Inside, she found a young man with glasses sitting at a desk. He looked up with fear in his eyes when he saw her approaching. "Alan," Charlotte purred, "I need you to take over for me today. I've got some personal business that needs attending to."

"But, Ms. Gray..." Alan stammered, clearly terrified at the thought of taking on whatever it was she had planned for him.

"Don't argue," Charlotte growled, her voice low and menacing. "Just do as I say, and everything will be fine." With that ominous promise hanging in the air, Charlotte turned on her heel and stalked back out of the room, eager to begin whatever twisted game she had planned for someone else today.

"Well then, you'd better get in there and start taking notes!" Charlotte barked at him, her tone sharp and impatient. "I don't have time to deal with your mistakes today!" With that final warning, she swept back into her office and slammed the door shut behind her, leaving Col alone in the hallway.

She took a seat across from the lawyers at the conference table, crossing her arms over her chest and staring down each of them in turn. "Alright," she said coolly, "let's get started." She couldn't help but feel a small thrill as they all scrambled to meet her gaze, their expressions nervous and fearful. Today was going to be fun.

"Come on, don't tell me you didn't expect me to follow," she drawled, taking a drag on her cigarette and blowing the smoke out slowly before it reached his face. "You know how much I love keeping an eye on things." Her tone was almost amused, but there was an undercurrent of menace that made it clear she wasn't entirely joking.

She took another step closer to Col, their bodies not quite touching but the air between them crackling with tension. "So," she said conversationally, eyes flicking up and down his form as if inspecting him. "How did the meeting go?" She took another drag on her cigarette before continuing, the smoke swirling around her face like a dark veil.

Charlotte glared at him, her eyes wide with shock and anger. Her free hand clenched into a fist as she struggled to control the urge to slap his face hard enough to make him regret daring to touch her. But as much as she hated herself for it, there was a part of her that thrilled at the intimacy they now shared; he had defied her and challenged her position in some small way.

Instead of reacting violently, she took another drag on her cigarette before exhaling slowly between pursed lips. "Don't do that again," she murmured hoarsely, her gaze locked on his own. Her hand remained at her side, shaking with the effort not to lash out. For now, she decided to leave it at that warning; a reminder of who was truly in charge here.

"You know what you did," she growled, unable to resist leaning in closer still. Her breath mingled with the smoke from her cigarette as it caressed his cheek. The playful smile vanished from her lips, replaced by a predatory grin that sent a shiver down Col's spine. "But if you want to keep pretending otherwise..."

She trailed off meaningfully, her eyes flickering to the door leading back inside the building before returning to meet his gaze once more. The unspoken threat hung heavily in the air between them.

"I prefer to think of myself as ambitious," Charlotte corrected with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "And I expect the same dedication from those around me." She took another drag on her cigarette, savoring the burn in her throat and the harsh taste filling her mouth. It reminded her of control, of dominance; things she valued greatly. "So don't push me, Colton," she warned softly. "You know I won't hesitate to bring you down if you step out of line."

"You think you can talk to me like that?" Charlotte snarled, her features twisting into an angry grimace as she took another step closer to him. Her breath quickened, her heart racing with a mixture of anger and arousal. "This job is all I have! I won't let some idiot like you threaten it!" She raised her hand, fist clenched, ready to strike out at the man who dared defy her. But just as she was about to make contact, a thought occurred to her; if she struck him now, there would be witnesses. And that wouldn't do at all.

"Fine," she growled instead. "You want to play games? Let's see how well you handle this." With that ominous promise hanging in the air between them, Charlotte turned on her heel and stalked back inside the building, leaving Col standing there on the roof, heart pounding and skin prickling with fear. But even as his body trembled with apprehension, a small part of him couldn't help but feel...exhilarated.

The sound of the paper hitting her desk made Charlotte's blood boil. Her expression turned cold as she looked up at Col, her eyes narrowing into slits. "You can't just quit," she hissed through gritted teeth. "You signed a contract!" The words were laced with venom, each one designed to cut him deeper than the last.

With that, she rose from her seat and began to circle around the desk, slowly closing the distance between them. Her face was a mask of fury as she towered over Col, their bodies nearly touching now. "You belong here," she growled, reaching out to grab his collar. "I won't let you go that easily."

The words seemed to slice through her anger like a hot knife through butter, momentarily throwing her off balance. She released his collar and took a step back, hissing in frustration as she realized he'd found a loophole. But only for now. Charlotte straightened up, smoothing down her suit as she regained her composure. "Very well," she said coolly. "Then I suggest you start looking over your shoulder from now on. Because things are about to get very interesting around here."

Her eyes flickered meaningfully at him before she turned away and returned to her seat, picking up a file and pretending to busy herself with work. But Col knew better; he'd just made himself an enemy for life.

"You're right," Charlotte said coolly, not even bothering to look up at him. "I shouldn't have tried so hard to be liked or respected. It was a mistake on my part." She paused, considering her next words carefully before continuing. "But it won't matter how people treat you once I find someone new to take your place. Someone who knows their place and is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Because in this company, only the strong survive." Her voice was silk-smooth, as cold as steel, and Col could feel his skin crawl with discomfort at her words.

The truth of what she said hung heavily in the air between them, a reminder that no matter how much he might despise her now, she held all the power. And until someone strong enough came along to challenge her, he would remain at her mercy.

Her expression darkened at his words, but she remained silent. Inside, her anger grew hotter, but she forced herself to maintain control. "Perhaps someday," she finally replied with a smirk, "you'll learn the error of your ways. But until then..." Her voice trailed off ominously as she studied him carefully, contemplating what punishment he might deserve for his insolence.

For now, though, there were other matters to attend to. She picked up her phone and began tapping on the screen, composing a text message to someone who was far more loyal than Col had ever been. Someone she could trust implicitly.

"I think it's time we discussed your promotion," she said casually over her shoulder as she sent the text, not bothering to wait for his reply. "Your hard work has not gone unnoticed."

Her eyes flashed with anger as she turned toward him, her voice laced with venom. "I am not a slave," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I chose this path, and I will not be spoken to like that by some disloyal little insect." Her expression softened slightly as she took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "But if you'd rather leave," she said carefully, "you know where the exit is. There are plenty of other companies out there who would love someone with your skills... or so they think."

With that cryptic warning hanging in the air, Charlotte turned away once more and returned to her work, maintaining a careful distance from Col for the remainder of the day. But he could feel her gaze on him, weighing him up, wondering what she should do about him next...

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she felt his words pierce through her carefully maintained facade. Anger coursed through her veins, but she refused to show it on the outside; not yet. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on her computer screen and continued with her work, the clicking of her keyboard echoing through the empty office like a drumbeat of fury.

Inside, she was seething with rage. How dare he accuse her of being dishonest with herself? Of all the things he could have said... It only served to strengthen her resolve. She would make an example of him; teach Colton Gray just how little value his disloyalty held in this world. And when she was finished, there wouldn't be anything left but dust and regret.

It angered her to admit it, but even after everything that had happened between them, there was still a part of her that missed the thrill of their interactions. Col had always been so defiant, so full of life... And without him around, she felt empty. As if something vital had been stripped from her very core.

But he was gone now; driven away by her own actions. There would be no going back, no chance for reconciliation. In this game of power and control, there could only be one winner...and it wouldn't be him. With a shake of her head to clear the thoughts from her mind, Charlotte focused on more important matters: securing her position at the top and ensuring that no one else ever dared challenge her again.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him over her wine glass, her expression unreadable. It had been months since their last encounter, but the memory of their heated arguments and her relentless pursuit still burned brightly in her mind. As if sensing her gaze, Colton glanced up from his date, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

It was then that Charlotte made her decision; he would learn the error of his ways, he would grovel for forgiveness...and she would make him pay dearly in return. With a cool nod, she finished her wine and set the glass down on the table before turning back to her own date, her expression once more composed and aloof.

For now, she let Colton stew in his thoughts while she continued to enjoy her evening...and planned her next move.

"Stalking?" she repeated in mock surprise, her voice cool and condescending as she rose to her feet. "Whyever would you think that? I'm simply out enjoying myself with a friend, whereas you," she said, gesturing dismissively at his date, "seem rather intent on wasting your time with someone who clearly isn't worth it."

Her eyes bored into Colton as he stood before her, searching for any sign of submission or fear. But all she found was the same smirk that had irritated her so much months ago. She resisted the urge to smile back; now was not the time to let him think he'd won anything.

Her features darkened at his taunt, and she drew herself up to her full height, dwarfing him with her presence as she leaned in closer. "Is that so?" she whispered through clenched teeth. "Then perhaps you should go ahead and make your move." With a cruel smile, she stepped back, allowing room for his date to step between them, effectively blocking their view of each other.

In that moment, Colton Gray felt a thrill course through him, a reminder of the power Charlotte held over him even now. But he didn't hesitate; instead, he took advantage of her distraction to reach out and grab his date by the hand, pulling her closer. "Come on," he said with a wink at Charlotte, "let's get going."

As they disappeared into the night, Charlotte watched them go, a mixture of anger and satisfaction burning in her chest. She knew that for now, she held the upper hand...but she wouldn't be satisfied until Colton was once more completely under her control. For tonight, though, she would bask in this small victory and enjoy her own company, safe in the knowledge that he was still out there somewhere, thinking of her.

And waiting.