**What else could possibly go wrong?**

Aileen couldn’t believe what she had just done. She had done exactly what her boss had warned her not to do a thousand times—and on top of that, she’d had the nerve to *shush* the owner of the company.

*“Oh, Aileen… why are you like this?”* she thought, bringing a hand to her forehead, fully aware that her temper—though impossible to control—always managed to get her into trouble.

Gab, her lifelong friend, had always told her that her sharp tongue would one day be her downfall. And here she was again, standing in the middle of yet another disaster. Since childhood, Aileen had been impulsive, never thinking about the consequences. Now, with Dominic clearly unwilling to reconsider his decision to fire her, she found herself, once again, a victim of her own character.

Heart pounding, Aileen pushed open Dominic’s office door and shut it firmly behind her, making sure no one else could hear. His eyes met hers instantly—cold and calculating. He was furious, and there was no way to ignore it.

“Would you care to explain why you fired me?” she asked, her voice firm, though she had no idea where that courage had come from. Arms crossed, she braced herself for whatever would come next.

Dominic stared at her in disbelief.

“Excuse me?” he replied, his tone laced with astonishment at her boldness.

“I asked why you fired me,” she repeated, even firmer this time, her voice challenging. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Dominic blinked, stunned by what he was hearing. He stepped closer, frowning.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, genuinely taken aback. “Do you really want me to say it?”

“Yes,” Aileen answered, locking eyes with him, clearly ready to face him head-on.

“You called me crazy and told me to shut up,” he reminded her, his words slicing through the air. “Isn’t that reason enough?”

Aileen held his gaze, refusing to back down.

“No, it isn’t,” she said confidently. “Besides, *you* started it, and I simply reacted.”

“So now you’re blaming *me*?” Dominic asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

“Of course I am,” she replied without hesitation. “If you had kept quiet, I wouldn’t have had to raise my voice. See what happens when you don’t listen to others?”

Dominic was speechless. No one had ever spoken to him like this—especially not someone he had just fired.

“This is unbelievable,” he muttered, still stunned. “You know, I honestly don’t understand how you lasted four years here. Now get out of my office.”

“Or what?” Aileen shot back with a defiant smile. “You’ll fire me?”

“No. I already did,” Dominic said, his voice soaked in condescension.

“You’re such a—”

“Careful with what you say, Aileen,” Krubscabia interrupted, her voice heavy with warning, as if trying to protect her from herself.

“Let her finish, go on,” Dominic encouraged with a mocking smile, clearly enjoying the show and curious to see how far Aileen would go.

“Enough, Dominic,” Krubscabia snapped, her tone suddenly sharp. “You’re provoking her. Sweetheart, I know you’re angry, but this isn’t going to solve anything.”

Aileen clenched her jaw, the anger boiling up her throat. The injustice of it all consumed her, but there was nothing she could do.

“This isn’t fair,” she said, her voice trembling—not just with rage, but also with sadness.

“I know,” Krubscabia replied, her tone calm but firm. “But it’s better to leave things as they are. I promise I’ll help you find another job. I know several companies that would be lucky to have you. For now, just go home and breathe a little.”

Aileen lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of defeat on her shoulders. But deep inside, something refused to give in. Something wouldn’t let her surrender just yet.

“But...” Her voice caught in her throat.

“Out,” Dominic cut her off, his tone dry and authoritative. “Unless you want me to blacklist you so no other company will take you.” His threat hung in the air—sharp and cruel. “Go to HR and collect your severance.”

Stunned, Aileen stared at him, caught between disbelief and anger. But she knew arguing wouldn’t change anything. The day had already been exhausting enough.

She held her breath, repeating silently to herself: *“Breathe, Aileen. Don’t let them break you.”*

She stepped toward the door, heart racing—but before she walked out, she couldn’t help but turn back to him. She looked at Dominic with a burning intensity, as if trying to say everything with a single glance.

“You know what, sir?” she said, her voice steady. “Who would’ve thought that with such a pretty face, you’d turn out to be such an... asshole.”

She flashed a biting smile, leaving him completely speechless as the door slammed shut behind her, echoing like a final note of defiance.

As she stormed down the hallway, muttered curses were her only company—words only she could hear, but somehow they soothed the storm still raging inside her.

Dominic, meanwhile, stood frozen, watching her leave. No one had *ever* confronted him like that. No one had *ever* dared speak to him that way. And somehow, the fire in Aileen’s eyes had left him... disoriented. Speechless. Uncertain.

His sister, who had witnessed the entire exchange, watched him silently for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

“It’s not funny,” Dominic said, though his disbelief was written all over his face.

“Sorry, little brother,” she chuckled, still trying to catch her breath. “It’s just... she managed to compliment and insult you at the same time. I didn’t even know that was possible.”

Dominic gave her a look, irritation flickering across his features.

“She’s insane. Completely unhinged,” he said, trying to convince himself the situation made no sense.

“I know,” she replied, still smiling. “So... are you thinking of reconsidering her dismissal?”

He shook his head, stubborn as ever.

“No.”

His sister sighed, teasingly, and stepped closer.

“Dominic, I’m getting married in a couple of months and heading off on my honeymoon. You’ll need an assistant. She was supposed to be my replacement, remember?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll find someone else,” he replied, though his voice didn’t sound nearly as confident as before.

“You’re so stubborn,” she laughed. “See you tonight.”

Meanwhile, Aileen, still furious and trying to process everything, marched down the hall toward the HR office. Cris, like a shadow, followed close behind, her curiosity growing by the second. Who was this man that had caused such a reaction in Aileen?

“Come on, girl, talk to me. What’s he like?” Cris asked with a mischievous grin.

Aileen glanced at her, exhausted, feeling the anger start to fade, leaving only emptiness behind.

“I just got fired, and you’re asking *that*?” she replied, sighing heavily with weariness and resignation.

“Come on, Aileen,” Cris insisted. “Just tell me something! What do you think of him?”

“I’m not saying a word. Now leave me alone,” she said—not rudely, but with the desperate need for peace.

At that moment, Rayan, the HR manager, called from the office.

“Miss Aileen, come in,” he said, his voice polite, though to Aileen it sounded empty.

A few minutes later, Rayan hung up the phone without noticing it hadn’t been properly placed back on the receiver. Dominic’s voice, still connected, trickled through. Neither Rayan nor Aileen realized the small mishap—but Dominic, from his office, heard every word.

Unbeknownst to Aileen, fate—always unpredictable—was already writing the next chapter of her story.