3. Kicked out

Sun rays slipped into the room through the slightly parted curtains and fell directly on his face. He hissed in his sleep before stirring.

It was a few minutes after six in the morning. He had worked late into the night and went to bed at half past midnight. That was his usual nature. Anytime he was stressed or bothered, he overworked to take his mind off the issue and it usually worked out for him. Even on sleeping late, he never woke up late, that was how he was trained.

He took off his sleeping mask, wore his flip-flops that lay on the floor beside the bed, and made his way to the bathroom. He took a quick brush and made his way downstairs to start his day. His morning was always pre-planned. Wake up by six, take a short run, work out for forty-five minutes and be in the office by eight.

He sighed as he walked past the dining area. He had forgotten to turn off the music. He grabbed his phone from the table and made his way out.

Fifty-eight minutes past seven, his BMW convertible pulled up at the large premises of his company. The building was a huge six-floor building with different sections that housed the different departments of the company. He stepped out of his car looking smart in a designer-tailored blue suit and made his way inside, nodding to the greetings of his staff. He took his personal elevator and made his way up to his office which was located on the fifth floor.

“Send a copy of my schedule for today to my email, I will check it out later.” he ordered his secretary after she had greeted him.

“Yes sir.” She replied and walked back into her office. She was a young lady of twenty-eight and has been working as his secretary for two years now and was perfect in her work.

Jack walked into his office and picked up his cup of steaming brown coffee from the table. It was the number one rule he had made to his staff, especially his secretary. His cup of coffee should be on his table before 8:00 AM and he took it very seriously. The last time his secretary had forgotten to get his coffee, he took out ten perfect from her salary.

“Lisa.” He called out enough for his secretary whose office was just outside his' to hear.

“Yes sir.” She responded, rushing into his office. He doesn't always call for her except when he had an important meeting or file to attend to.

“What time is this?” he asked calmly and she looked at her watch before responding. “Fifteen minutes past nine, sir”

“What time did I come to the office today?” He asked again calmly.

“7:59 AM” she replied, wondering what the problem was before she looked at his table and it clicked in her brain.

“I'm sorry sir.” She bowed, trying to apologize but he cut her off.

“I made my rules clear. Fifteen percent off your salary this month.” He stated in a tone of finality. She tried pleading but he didn't budge.

That was more than a year ago and since then, she has made sure to keep it bookmarked.

…

He finished drinking the coffee and kept the empty cup in the trash can. He set his briefcase containing some documents on the table, took off his suit, and sat on his executive chair. Few seconds later, a notification popped up on his laptop in front of him. He opened it and it was a mail from his secretary.

“Meeting which the finance department – 10:00 AM

Meeting with Zack holdings – 12:00 PM

Financial audit with the Investors – 2:00 PM”

The first half of the year was fast coming to an end and it was a rule in the company to hold a meeting with his investors where they would discuss the financial position of the company.

…

Karen woke up in the morning, as early as thirty minutes past five to prepare for work, then, it hit her. She had no work to go. She fell back on her bed crying as she reminisced on the event that had occurred. Her boss had been pestering her for a sexual relationship for some months now and she had been refusing all his attempts. He got frustrated and promised to make her pay. She was supposed to get a big gig to interview the billionaire businessman, Jack Antonio for their business magazine, but he sacked her. He made her choose between a sexual relationship with him or her job and she made the decision to stick to her morals.

“I should have accepted him.” She wept, burying her face in her pillow.

“But he's old enough to be your father.” Her mind yelled back at her. She screamed into the pillow as she continued crying. Her life would be ruined if she doesn't get a new job.

Her mind went back to the interview she was to conduct. She was the most qualified to host him. After graduating from college two years ago with a second-class degree in journalism, the company had offered her employment and she accepted. Her work was going on fine until he was promoted to be the head of her department and since then, it has been hell for her. She was one of the best staff the firm had so when she and others heard that she was sacked for inappropriate conduct, she was marveled. She immediately went to lay a complaint.

“Sir, I just received this letter and it states that I'm sacked.” She stated like she was explaining to a kid and he smirked evilly at her.

“Oh, is that so?” he mocked, looking down at her with an evil smile.

“What did I do to deserve this?” she almost screamed in tears while he sat back on his chair, enjoying the sight in front of him.

“I told you I was going to make you pay, didn't i?” he questioned with the same evil smile on his face. She raised her head and looked at him in disgust.

“You are a disgusting old fool.” She seethed and he laughed before his expression turned serious.

“But, I can give you one last chance.”He stated with a smug smile showing off his ugly dentition. “Accept my terms and I will rescind your sack.” He added with finality.

“Fuck you!” she yelled at him, showing him her middle finger and storming out of the office. She was one fierce woman.

.

That was five days ago and today, she wished she didn't say all that. After she was sacked she had spent the following evenings at the bar close to her home. She would go there to drink and maybe cry. She was good with her alcohol so she never got drunk, but she never noticed that she had caught the attention of no other person than Jack Antonio.