That morning, Stephanie received a call to come to Ms. Gonzales' office. She looked down, fearing the repercussions, and cast a quick glance at the other interns who were standing next to her.

And they were worried about her.

But they’re too scared to defend Stephanie in front of Big Mama. All they could do is make a fist bump in the air and whisper, “Fighting” or “Don’t mind it too much, Stephanie.”

Stephanie frowned, knowing that she would have a “nice day.” She was standing in front of her supervisor’s table, threading her fingers.

“Look at what you’ve done, Stephanie!” Ms. Gonzales’s eyes widened, glowering, looking frantic.

As she turned to face Stephanie, she grabbed the folders on her table and slapped them on her. “I’ve never been so humiliated in my professional life, in my years of working for The Sandoval Group until you came along.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Gonzales.”

“Sorry?” She pulled herself to Stephanie and pointed her index finger at her. “In the last thirty days, you’ve been under supervision. There was never an intern who did this to me until I have you, Ms. Stephanie Reyes.”

“I’m truly sorry for what happened yesterday. I didn’t mean to leave the office the whole day…without…any reason.” Stephanie almost stuttered, tilting her head and avoiding the piercing gaze, while trying to explain the events to Ms. Gonzales.

However, the stocky woman’s eyes widened in anger. Her face was flushed in an attempt to refuse to hit her with the folder she has on hand.

“Do you have any idea how outrageous your mistake was?”

Stephanie shook her head. “No, ma’am.”

“I was summoned upstairs and made to sit in front of Mr. Sandoval and the board due to your tardiness in submitting the report the other day and your absence yesterday,” she paused as her eyes have turned bloodshot and teary, “In the years I spent working for this company, I never once had to experience that kind of treatment.”

That had Stephanie thinking.

She wondered what Titan might have told her that made her so angry and felt so humiliated. “What did the CEO tell you?”

“What do you think, Stephanie?” Ms. Gonzales sputtered. “Do you believe I was being praised in a flattering way? No! Being on the hot seat in front of the senior executives was humiliating until you,” she paused and hit Stephanie with the folders she has on hand and hit her once more.

Stephanie raised her arms in defense.

Ms. Gonzales continued, “You arrived and started working here. You weren't supposed to come here. You and I shouldn't have collaborated. You have ruined my reputation within this organization. Stephanie Reyes, you destroyed me!”

Ms. Gonzales drew herself up as she prepared to strike Stephanie a final time when she noticed Titan snatching the folders away.

His arm was raised to protect himself from being struck as his gaze darkened.

He cocked an eyebrow as he grabbed one of the folders from Ms. Gonzales and sighed in frustration. His hands were on his waist.

The other folders fell on the floor. The sheets were scattered on the floor.

While Stephanie was standing behind her boss, the other interns were keeping an eye on her. “Are you okay, Steph?” one of them asked.

She nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay,” she said in a whisper, checking her bruised arms.

What she was more worried about was the fate of two interesting people in front of her.

What will happen to Ms. Gonzalez?

How will this idiot decide on her fate in this company?

“What do you think you’re doing, Ms. Gonzales?” Titan asked in a loud, cold baritone that the staff outside the office paused from what they were doing.

Simon was observing what was happening at the door frame when Stephanie turned her head to look at him. 

Then, she peered through Titan to see Ms. Gonzales stuck in place as she turned to face Titan's back.

“Mr. Sandoval, I--” Big Mama moved a short distance toward Titan while raising her arms in submission. Her brows were creased, and her eyes were hazy. She was trembling from terror.

“I have heard and seen enough of you, Ms. Gonzales,” Titan interjected, glowering. His eyes widened, revealing his sunset-colored eyes.

Stephanie thought about that gaze.

That recognizable Titan was noted for being piercingly angry and menacing.

And this time, he was furious.

The more Ms. Gonzales tried to articulate herself, the more defeated she felt. She swallowed and glanced at him, not caring how humiliating the situation was for her.

She straightened herself, pulled her parched lips together, and attempted to relax. She worked up the confidence to lift her head and turn to face him.

“Mr. Sandoval, I've been with this company longer than you have. Since your father ran the business, I have been employed here. I have spent more time here than with my children during my whole adult life. For the benefit of our business and The Sandoval Group, I gave my life. And this is only the first error I've ever made. I apologize for this mistake.”

Stephanie put her palms against her chest as she started to sob slowly. She got to her feet and peered at Titan's back, wondering and fretting about what he might say next.

Titan flicked his head. “You’ll stay here, Ms. Gonzales. But…” he paused and looked at Stephanie, grabbing her hand behind, leaving Stephanie, Simon, and the interns surprised.

He pulled me to stand closer to him which made their eyes widen. “I’ll take Ms. Stephanie Reyes with me. She’ll be working for me as my new intern.”

Ms. Gonzales' eyes also widened, and she struggled to gather her thoughts.

She arched her eyebrows in surprise at the sudden turn of events, acting as though Titan wouldn't make that choice. She thought what he did just now was odd.

Despite her wandering mind, she nodded. “Yes, Mr. Sandoval. Thank you,” she almost stuttered in response.

“Starting today, I’ll be her new supervisor. She’ll train under my wing. Got that?”

“Yes, Mr. Sandoval. I understand.” Ms. Gonzales was frantic about hearing the news. “Thank you.”

Titan, who was still in shock over what had happened, turned his head to gaze at Stephanie. Instead of saying a word, he arched his eyebrows and cracked a small smile.

Stephanie scoffed, still flabbergasted about what he just did.

Titan snatched Stephanie's hand and hurried out before she could respond, passing everyone, even Simon.

As Ms. Gonzales watched Titan and Stephanie leave her office, she shook with relief at having to keep her job.

She placed her palm against her desk while leaning her buttocks against it. Her legs shook and grew weaker.

After everyone had left, Ms. Gonzales began to cry as she stared at the old photograph of her estranged family. Her husband and two children. A boy and a girl. It was on display behind her desk and was placed behind her on a shelf.

Tears continued to dampen her face as she continued looking at them. “Thank you so much, Sir Titan.” She grabbed a handkerchief and wiped her tears. “Thank you.”

She stood up while sighing softly out of frustration as she dragged herself up and stared out her windows in an effort to relax.

She cleared her throat, grinned in appreciation, and then shook her head in shame at what she had just done.

She blinked, nodded, and turned to face her desk, returning to her work as if nothing had happened.