Breathe, Tessa. Just breathe! I mentally murmur to myself for the fifth time.

Calming myself down doesn't seem to work no matter how much I try, but there is no choice for me either.

We are seated in front of these opulent affluent men in the boardroom. Their eyes are blinking at us like we are aliens as Jerol prepares to inaugurate the meeting. I can tell they are afraid of their boss, but they are angry as much and more confused with my presence too.

"Greetings, gentlemen!" Jerol's voice echoes in the room, summoning everyone's attention.

A faint chorus echoes in the room in response to his greetings.

"First,...