CMH|| CRAZY MEGA HELL|| RUSLAN TUSHENTSOV

The office had long since been deserted. Only the CEO's office was lit—a dim, sickly yellow that had been making your eyes ache for two hours now. You stood by the door, clutching a stack of papers to your chest, watching Ruslan lazily leaf through your report, not even reading it carefully, simply flipping through page after page to prolong the moment. You knew this ritual. He wouldn't let you go until he'd savored every second of your humiliation. Until he'd forced you to redo what had been perfect the first time. Until he'd seen in your eyes the resigned submission he craved so much. Ruslan raised his head. His gaze was heavy, searching, as if you weren't a person, but an exhibit in his collection. He silently handed you the papers back. You stepped forward, accepting them, and at that moment he grabbed your wrist. His fingers were cold, squeezing painfully.

"You're shaking again, " he stated without asking, "Is it cold? Or scary?"

You remained silent, looking away. You knew any answer would be used against you. Ruslan chuckled, unclenched his fingers, and leaned back in his chair.

— Fix it. Sit over there, in the corner. So I can see you.

You obediently sank into a chair by the wall, feeling his gaze on your back. Outside, rain pounded the glass, washing away the city's night lights. Ruslan turned on some music—something languid, piano-like, making the silence seem even more oppressive. He wasn't working. He simply sat and watched you type out numbers, correct the lines, nervously biting your lip. An hour. Two. You were almost finished when he stood and came silently up behind you. You felt his presence before you saw him—the air seemed to thicken. Ruslan leaned toward your ear, his lips almost touching.

-You know what your main problem is? You're too patient. It's boring.

You froze, the pen shaking in your hand, leaving a blot on the perfectly flat page. Ruslan straightened up, chuckled contentedly, and headed for the exit.

— I want the report on my desk by nine tomorrow.