Chapter 9

Weeks had passed, I somehow survived living with him.  I didn't have a hard time because he would always came home late.  He was always in an out of town meeting so we hardly see each other anymore.  I somehow missed talking to him.  That's how it is when you live in a big house, you could have anything you wanted but still feel lonely.  Sometimes I think that maybe he was avoiding me or maybe he regrets that he choses me?

"Hey, sister!"  Romeo shouted at me in confusion. "Goodness! Why are you being called upstairs again?!"

My mood seemed to lighten because after a few weeks Mr. Esqueza and I will meet again. I looked up to joke around because Romeo was immediately tense when he called me.

"And you even got the nerves to joke, huh?  I don't know if you can still joke about that when you face Mr.  Moody-Monster-Boss-Esqueza. The man just came back from another vacation! It maybe turned out wrong!"

Yes, he still doesn't know that I married Mr.  Esqueza.  I don't want to tell my friends and decide without his approval.  So when he asked me where I lived I said I found a cheap and too small apartment that he and Rose wouldn't fit in.

"How bad is it?"  I asked a bit worried.

"Sis! Almost everyone he's calling doesn't have work anymore! He fired them! There's a lot of people crying upstairs! So go! Maybe you'll be next!"

The lunatic even pushed me. My friend is also sweet, yeah? He wanted me to be fired too. What could have happened that he was not seem to be in the mood?

Before I went up, I first placed our wedding ring to my ring finger because he might notice and makes him angry. I didn't want to do things that would make him angry.

As soon as I set foot on the floor of his department, many people were crying.

"I don't know where I'm going to get my son's tuition right now!"

"My wife is going to give birth and I got robbed last night. Why is it like this, Ma'am Mira?"

"Christmas is coming, I can't even surprise my parents."

I was stunned because Romeo's news is real, it looks like our boss's in a bad mood now.  He could see every little mistake you made.  I can't help but feel sorry for them but I can't do anything, I'm just a follower.

"He's asking for me, Mira?"  I told his assistant.

She just raised her brow and continued talking to the employees.  I made my way to his glass door, I knocked first before entering.  I saw a female talking to him, maybe one of the employee's too.

"Get out, Sas. I don't want to see you here."

The woman stopped walking and looked at me.  Her eyes were red with tears but she also went straight out after telling me, "you're next."

I cleared my throat.  "S-sir?"

"You too. Get out."

He didn't even look at me but he's asking me out immediately.  This man also messes up from time to time.  I shut the door behind me and didn't bother to move.

"I said get the fuck ---"

He was stunned when our eyes met.  Oh how I'd missed his face. I wished I could see him more... Just a moment later, he looked down and started reading again, shutting his emotions.

"Sit, Iris," he ordered without looking.

I ran quickly to the chair.  I also know that he doesn't want to be kept waiting. "Now what, sir?"  I asked after a few seconds.

"They're coming," he casually said, still eyes on the paper.

"Huh?"

"I said they are coming. Are you that slow?"  he snapped.

I was offended.  This is the first time he talked to me like that.  Why is he stressing so badly?  What is happening?

"Hello? I have no idea who you're talking about. I'm not Madam Auring's fortune teller..." I lowered my voice when he looked at me.  "... sir?"

Shit! What happened to my mouth?  My brain didn't even think.  Mr. Esqueza raised his eyebrow. I know he didn't like the tone of my speech.

"Are you raising your voice at me?"

I will sew my mouth starting tomorrow!

"Absolutely not, sir. I'm just explaining my point. I've been a bit deaf lately."

"You want me to believe that, Ms. Villafuente?"

"I'm sorry, sir. I won't do it again," I said humbly.

He placed the paper down and stood up.  He went to my back.  Gosh.  I could smell his perfume.  He put his hand on the other side of my seat.  He lowered down his face to my ear.  My hair would almost stand on end at what he was doing.

"You're forgetting who I am, Iris. What am I to you?"  he whispered to my ear.

My body stiffed, trying to focus.  "My boss, sir. And also my husband."

"But you are in my office. Basically I am your what?"

"Boss ..." I answered quietly.

With his mouth so close to my ear, I feel like he's kissing it.  I bit my lip harder.

"What you did is against my rules, Mrs. Esqueza ..."

My heart beat faster.  I was holding my chest when he said Mrs. Esqueza.  It was the first time he called me that and even recognized me as his wife.  Oh my god.  This man was really unpredictable.  I can't figure out what he really wants to happen.

One day he would showered me with attentions then the next day he would ignore me like I didn't exist.

"I didn't know, sir. I'm really sorry. I'm just trying to reason out. Maybe my emotions also on its peak because we haven't seen each other for a few days."

"Miss me?"  he asked.

I turned to my side and our faces met.  It was so close that one wrong move we could literally kiss.  I was having a hard time breathing already.

"One lie is equivalent to one punishment ..." he threatened.  "That's my rule. Now close your eyes and answer me. Did you miss me, Mrs. Esqueza?"

My cheeks warmed at his voice and at his question.  Plus, he called me again Mrs.  Esqueza.  "Yes, sir. I do ..." I whispered.

"As I've missed you ..."

He suddenly grabbed my hair and slowly curled it onto his hand like a rope.  I was out of breath already.  I could feel the air he was blowing.  I felt like I'm about to passed out.  I'm not used to this, especially when it comes to him.

"We have to practice acting like this infront of my family, Mrs. Esqueza. You have to get use to it ..."

I seem to be deafened by the pounding of my chest.  He tightened his grip on my hair.  Before I knew it, he was infront of me.  I opened my eyes, he lowered himself so I could look into his.

"And we can be like this when my sister is watching, do you agree?"  he pecked a kiss on my neck.  "Because she's the most annoying person in my family. She will notice when someone's doing this for a show."

My body reacts too fast.  I could feel the andrenaline rushed throughout my body.  Never in my life someone made me feel this way as much as he did.

"M-Mr. Esqueza..." My voice almost begging, turning it to a moan.

"We have to be as synchronize as possible. Don't decide for yourself because everything you do will reflect me. I own you, Iris. Don't forget about that."

"Never, sir..."

He released his hand through my hair and pulled me upright.  I gathered my strength not to shake.  Because my knees have no strength in what he is doing.

"Now, if I tell you to close your eyes again, close it.  If I tell you not to move, don't. "

I was slowly being hypnotized with his words.  So even I don't want to do what he just said.  My eyes close automatically.

His hands went back to my neck.  His thumb was massaging my throat.  His hands went up and up until they reached the back of my head again.

"I wonder if you're thinking of me the past weeks we're not togethe ..." he said.  "And you still smell as good as ever, huh?"

"I am, but I can't do anything but wait for you and your command."

Suddenly I was swallowed up by what I felt.  His voice was so close to my ears again.  He was almost kissing my ear, seducing me to give in.  What is it, Mr.  Esqueza?  Why are you suddenly seducing me?  We haven't seen each other for a few weeks but why did his treatment suddenly change?

I could smell his breath.  Damn.  It smelled like fresh mint.  If he kisses me, I'd definitely go for it without a doubt.  Some nights I dreamed and thought about him.  I wouldn't mind turning that dream into reality.

His hands wrapped around my waist.  His body pushed me on his desk, so I sat there.  Still eyes closed, his lips made way on my jawline.  He was breathing heavily while doing it.

I opened my mouth then I felt his soft lips against mine.  It was my first time tasting him.  He was so gentle and calm, giving me a time to respond.  When I did, I could feel him smiling.  He snaked his hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him.

It wasn't my first kiss but I felt like I was crawling and turning softly. Because it's his lips.  He slipped his tongue onto mine then our kiss went deeper.  I tried to follow his lead and matched his energy.  It was like we were both hungry for it and as if waited many years for this to happen.

I could no longer restrain my hand from gripping his neck.  But he stopped the moment I pulled him closer.

"You're not a good follower, Iris," he told me, still forehead against mine.

"How are you able to control yourself just for the sake of your rules and pride?"  I asked breathlessly.

"Tons of practice made me master it," he said.  "You have to be a good follower in order to get what you want, Iris."

I laughed.  "I don't know why you have to follow what you really want. Sometimes in life we ​​have to go for it even if it turns out to be something than we imagined."

Mr. Esqueza moved away a little.  "But not for me. It won't work for me. I know exactly what I want so I don't settle for less. Either you change yourself for me or I'll leave you there."

I held on to the end of the desk.  "Like you fired your employees because you're not in the mood today?"

"They made a mistake. There are days I don't tolerate such thing."

"You're just stressing too much because your family is coming. They don't deserve that, Mr. Esqueza."

He raised an eyebrow at me.  "Are you arguing with me?"

"No, I'm just making a point here. I just feel sorry for them, sir. We're all going through something. I believe that people should be given second chances as long as they learn from their mistakes."

Mr. Esqueza laughed. I guess I'll get use to it, how his mood changes. He returned to his seat.  I also went down to his desk and sat in front of it.

"What are you now, their lawyer?"  he asked as he types on his laptop.

"If I am, will you let me tell them they still have work?"

He looked at me.  "Only if you did a good acting tomorrow," he said.  "I sent you an email about my family's background and profile. Study it or even memorize it if you still have time."

It was as if cold water had been poured on me.  "They arrived tomorrow?"

"Yes, and I want you to prepare yourself at 7:00 PM, we will have our dinner there. Wear something presentable. If you want a make-up artist and hair stylist, let me know."

"No need. I can do it myself," I told him.  "Can I back out?"  I'm nervous. I want to see what he sent in my email right away so I can prepare right away.

"Answer my question first."

"What?"

"You like it?"

I blushed.  Is there anyone who doesn't want to be kissed?  I just remember, my knee was weakening immediately.  What if it happens again?  Oh shit, Iris!  Stop fantasizing him!

He smirked.  "Your face says it all. It answered my question."

I blinked and stood up then left his office.  It seems that his mood has also changed.  Good then.  Maybe no one will be fired anymore.  The people he fired were still in the waiting area, the only thing I didn't see was the woman earlier.

"Is today your last day too?"  they asked me.

"No, he asked me to tell you to give you another chance as long as you don't repeat your mistake, you're all good," I told them.

His assistant looked at me irritatingly.  She maybe knew something.  I gave her a sweet smile as I walked into the elevator.  Everyone was smiling because of the good news I said.  I just leaned on the back of the elevator while waiting for it to open on my floor department.

So this was it, the start of my acting career.  I needed to give my best to this acting 101. Or else, he would cancel our deal.