Carmilla wanted to kill her damned boss. She wanted to torture Joshua and then kill him slowly for what he was making her endure.

She watched as the woman he called a business associate flaunted her assets at him and flirted with him shamelessly.

And the woman was freaking married too! What kind of man did that make him? A world-class player for sure.

What kind of woman does that make her? She inwardly thought before her hard gaze settled on Misses Ferry, or as he so callously called her, Catherine.

Catherine, feeling the animosity coming from her, no doubt, arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow at her and then said in her nasally voice, "Is there something wrong?"

"No," was Carmilla's clipped answer, before she added, "Misses Ferry."

"Good. Good," she said obviously faking her good humored voice, "Then you wouldn't mind bringing me a coffee, would you?"

Carmilla's face turned scarlet in suppressed anger and obvious embarrassment.

"I do mind," she heard herself mutter. "Last time I checked I was not your errand boy."

"What was that? I didn't catch your sentence."

Now the woman was obviously pushing her luck. And Carmilla wanted to gauge out her eyes and rip her heart out, almost as if she believed she was starring in one of the supernatural movies she often watched.

Good god, I’m not this violent woman! What’s happening to me? She thought as she tried to make her face relax.

"She was saying how do you want it?" Came Joshua's even-toned input.

Carmilla glared at him, mildly hearing the woman tell her she wanted it with some cream and two sugars.

"Right away," she muttered before leaving the office, resisting the urge to slam the door behind her.

That just wouldn't do.

Who did she think she was to order her that way? She was not her boss! But then again, why did Joshua stick up for the woman? Hell, why wouldn't he stick up for a woman he has known for years as a business associate, possibly more, and take his secretary's side?

She leaned her head against the brewing machine and let out a heavy sigh.

Merely seconds later, she was started by the feel of two strong arms holding her from behind. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest, trying to make its way out of her ribcage and her breath came out in short gasps.

She was about to fight when she recognized Joshua's intoxicating perfume.

Trying to steel her heart against his advances, she said in a strong voice without turning around, "What do you want, Mr. King?"

"I don't care for the woman," he informed her, his breath fanning her neck, making her shiver.

Carmilla gulped down, anticipating his next words. But none came. He just held her to his chest, and she relaxed in his embrace despite her best efforts not to, founding solace in the simple knowledge that he didn't like Catherine and that he cared enough about her to inform her of the fact.

He placed a soft kiss on her head and then was on his nonchalant way back to his office.

Carmilla felt tears sting her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. It was absurdly silly to be moved to tears by a single sentence and two sweet gestures.

Have you fallen for the man, Carmilla Lenoir? It's only been three weeks since you started working for him. She admonished herself.

A sentence came to her mind, answering the unvoiced question: I am doomed.