"This is nuts cracking!" shouted Ioan while kicking the air. Portia was sitting on her chair with her arms crossed. It was unbelievable that such a man could be a contestant between two women. She did not like any of them, but still, that man was a lowly cockroach.

She was willing to tolerate his stupidity just because he was a pawn in her hands; for the sake of her plan, he was a vital pawn to shake the stage.

"Calm down," she sighs, but he does not listen and continues throwing tantrums, ignoring her attempts to call him repeatedly. She snaps at that moment, takes a breath in, and shuts a full palm on the desk before her, making Ioan jump, scared.

He stood there, looking at her with widened eyes. She was now grumping at him, or, as he thought, it felt like facing a black snake hissing. 

"Sit, and shut up!" It was a clear and cold command. He obeyed without even blinking or thinking twice. Just a lump on the throat blocked his speech.

Portia was still there, glaring at him without uttering a word. Then she elegantly pulled back her long black hair, smooth as silk. Her brown eyes were fierce, and a red nuance could almost be seen sparkling because of the direct light upon them.

He was stunned every time he looked at her figure. She was like a majestic black snake illuminated by the sun while immersed in the jungle's depths.

Ioan felt intimidated under Portia's scrutinizing gaze. Her presence at that moment made him feel small, like a mouse cornered by a predator. 

"Ahem," he coughed to try dissipating the tension, but it was unsuccessful. She remained majestic as she looked at him, giving him the impression she was studying him as her prey.

Portia knew controlling Ioan was essential to her plan; she needed him to perform his role without realizing her web manipulations, leaving him no chance. He was blind and failed to recognize that every interaction and decision was carefully crafted to keep him in check. 

"Do you have something else to say?" she asked, nervously tipping her blue-painted nails on the desk.

He looked around and saw some of his colleagues look in his direction. That office was made of glass, so many curious people were paying attention to them.

Ioan took a breath and replied through gritted teeth, "I'm sorry." 

Portias's grin widened. "Good," she said, twitching slowly her neck, her voice steady and assertive. "Just remember to stay focused." She continued, "We can't afford you to lose your head, not now."

"You're right; I let my emotions sway me," continued Ioan. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. I won't let it happen again," he said, his voice firm. I understand how important this is." Portia nodded, her gaze never leaving his. "Good," she replied, her tone resolute and unyielding. Now, shall we return to our work?"

She looked at him while exiting her office. He knew he had to stay focused, no matter how much Portia's methods grated on him. The stakes were too high to falter now.

They were unaware that someone else besides the others in the office had observed their conversation. Even if she couldn't hear what they were discussing, she sensed something was wrong and decided to inform her superior, Helena.

--

"Are you sure?" asked Helena.

"The secretary nodded her head and left to continue her job.

"It seems they started to move." Helena was sure that Ioan was scheming to do something, and Portia was an advocate. But what was their scheme?

--

Portia's phone was now ringing; it was a call from Irina, she swaggeringly answered.

The woman was just talking about how hot the manager was. Her eyes were already set on Stephan, a young, tall, strong, and, more importantly, "rich" man. At this point, she had forgotten entirely about Ioan.

"What about that man?" Portia asked, amused, but the silence that followed her question was deafening.

"I will deal with that man also; we have some 'affairs' pending," said Irina, trying to change the topic.

"Alright, I'll see you at the same place, at the same time, tonight," said Portia, closing the call.

"She hung up on me." Irina was baffled while Tara looked at her and sighed. She had to work correctly, yet she was somehow fooling around.

Finally, the day was ending. Tara was tired. On that day, she felt like working for two for a whole week, but Stephan arrived when she thought she could go home.

"You seem unwell," said him, looking at her tired face.

"I'm just a bit tired, sir," she continued caressing her neck, feeling Irina's envious look on her back. She had to stay put, yet she only wanted to go and flirt with that handsome man. 

"Can you make me an iced coffee?" he asked with puppy-like eyes, which made her laugh. "Of course, sir. "  everyone doted with eyes could see that they had something of a special bond.