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4 – Job Offer (1)
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2025-01-15 00:10:55"You said you’d do any kind of work?" The question came from Callie, Alethea’s best friend, whose mother owned a staffing agency.
"Yes. Did you get the latest update from your mom?" Alethea asked eagerly. They were deliberately talking in the kitchen in hushed voices because Alethea’s mother and younger sibling were watching TV in the living room. "I did," Callie replied, equally enthusiastic. "It’s a job with a very tempting offer, and you wouldn’t have to go abroad because the job is in the capital city. Plus, you don’t need to spend a dime on documents like work visas or anything." Callie’s tone was filled with excitement. "What kind of job?" Alethea asked, eyeing Callie suspiciously as she washed vegetables at the sink. Despite feeling exhausted after just getting home from work, cooking dinner for her family wasn’t something she could skip. If she refused, something would surely be thrown at her, and the pain from that would outweigh her fatigue. "My mom said it’s a caregiving job for someone who’s ill," Callie said as she helped Alethea slice tomatoes. "But the conditions they’ve set are a bit... unusual." "What do you mean?" "They’re looking for someone who can work 24/7 for an entire week. No days off. No cell phone. No family visits." "Are you sure this isn’t a prison?" Alethea shot Callie a sarcastic look. "No. My mom said the person who contacted her is someone she trusts," Callie replied firmly. However, Alethea frowned, her mind racing as she tried to process the peculiar conditions her friend had just shared. "Are you sure this job isn’t dangerous for me?" Alethea asked, still suspicious. "Are they good employers? And think about it—how can someone work without rest? That’s completely unreasonable, Callie. I’m human, not a robot. Even robots need downtime, let alone me." Alethea vented her frustration. "I can tolerate the no-family-visits rule because, honestly, I wouldn’t want my mom coming to my workplace. You know how she is; I’m not sure she wouldn’t make things worse for me. And I’m not a phone addict, so I wouldn’t mind not using one during work hours. But what if I need help? Or what if my family—my grandmother—needs to reach me? Those two conditions you mentioned earlier just don’t make sense." "Let me explain first," Callie said with a smile, reacting calmly to her friend’s fiery outburst. "My mom and I already discussed this with the employer. The 24/7 work condition is just a figure of speech. They’re not actually forbidding days off or banning phone usage completely. It’s more of a metaphor. You won’t be working around the clock because they’re not that crazy. What they mean is that they want you to always be available to meet the employer’s needs whenever they arise. So, you might have to wake up and do your job even in the middle of the night. They said your work would be similar to caring for a baby, except this is an adult baby." "What exactly is wrong with the employer?" "I don’t know, and my mom didn’t dare to ask," Callie replied, leaving Alethea in thoughtful silence. "As for your personal needs, they said they’d handle everything. You won’t even need to worry about washing or ironing your own clothes because they have other staff for that. And for food and healthcare, they’ll fully cover those expenses, meaning you’ll get a clean salary every month. And here’s the best part, in my opinion." "What is it? How much are they going to pay me?" Alethea asked eagerly. This was what she had been dying to know from the start. "They’re going to pay you forty thousand dollars a month," Callie said, trying to contain her excitement as she revealed the staggering number. "Just imagine, Thea, how much that is! With that kind of money, you could finally shut your mom up." She whispered this last part while shaking Alethea, who stood frozen in place. "Y-you’re serious?" Alethea stammered in disbelief, her eyes staring at Callie in confusion. Callie grinned widely and nodded enthusiastically. "That’s impossible," Alethea replied, still skeptical. "What’s impossible? Remember, your working hours are twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for an entire month. That’s why the pay is so high. They also said the rest of it is basically a weekend bonus," Callie explained. "Have you ever heard of a more incredible offer than this? Even my mom said she’d take the job herself if her health allowed it. And me? I’d do it too, but my mom said I’m not as gentle or patient as you, so hiring me would only ruin her agency’s reputation." Callie sighed, feigning frustration. "I’m not sure, Callie," Alethea said softly. "Even if the pay is tempting, the job feels suspicious." "I get it. I thought the same thing at first," Callie admitted. "That’s why I asked my mom to secure some guarantees. They said they’d draw up a contract that protects you completely. They’re even willing to pay you the full month’s salary upfront." Alethea bit her lower lip hesitantly. "You’re sure this isn’t a dangerous job?" she asked, still worried. "I’m sure, Thea. Absolutely sure. Do you want me to contact the person offering the job? My mom gave me their contact info, and the woman said I could call her if you had any doubts." Alethea thought for a moment before nodding. Callie pulled out her phone and dialed the number. "Helen Bishop," said the voice on the other end of the line, answering on the first ring. "I’m Callie Osborn, the daughter of Imelda Osborn, owner of the staffing agency," Callie responded confidently. "Ah, yes. What’s the matter? Have you found a candidate that meets our requirements?" the woman asked bluntly, skipping any pleasantries. "We have one candidate who we think is a good fit for you," Callie said, glancing at Alethea. "I’ve explained all your terms and conditions, but she still needs some reassurance. Honestly, the offer you’re making is very tempting, and the salary you’re offering is fantastic. That’s why she’s a bit hesitant—it feels almost too good to be true." A soft chuckle came from the other end of the line. "Is she with you now? I’d like to see her face," Helen said. Callie immediately switched the call to video mode.Related chapters
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 5 - Job Offer (2)
"Her name is Alethea Zorba. She’s twenty-two years old. She’s hardworking and patient," Callie explained, letting the phone’s camera capture Alethea from head to toe. "I’m confident she’d be perfect for taking care of someone who’s ill, just like you need."Alethea stayed silent as Helen switched the call back to voice mode."Does she have any actual experience caring for the sick?" the voice asked. Alethea shook her head in response."Not formally," Callie interjected. "But she’s very patient and has experience taking care of ill family members.""That’s fine. Even if she doesn’t know anything, I can train her," Helen said firmly. "Our terms may sound unreasonable, but as you know, we’re offering a fantastic salary." Her tone grew more direct. "And in addition to what your friend mentioned, we have a few extra requirements: we need someone meticulous, patient, and not overly talkative. We want someone obedient, someone who doesn’t ask too many questions or make too many demands. Rest
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 6 - Down Payment (1)
Alethea nervously wrung her fingers. She glanced at the old black suitcase sitting in one corner of Callie’s living room. As already decided—albeit reluctantly—Alethea would finally work for Helen Bishop.After her conversation in the kitchen with Callie and her mother, Alethea had been unable to sleep all night, preoccupied with countless possibilities regarding her new job. By morning, she was forced to pack while her mother kept a watchful eye, endlessly lecturing her not to cause trouble and to ensure her employer was pleased with her. Deep down, Alethea hoped that whoever her employer would be, they would be kind and refrain from any physical or verbal abuse. At the very least, she wished to move from her mother’s dictatorship to a place that felt more comfortable—mentally, if nothing else.Alethea anxiously waited in the living room, which doubled as the office of Imelda Osborn—Callie’s mother. Meanwhile, Hera paced back and forth near the doorway, visibly uneasy. It seemed the
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 7 - Job Offer (2)
Helen had mentioned Imelda, which likely meant Callie knew nothing about Hera’s sudden request. Asking her mother for clarification here would only create a scene, and Alethea couldn’t risk starting an argument in someone else’s home.And yes, hadn’t her mother already hinted at this yesterday? A new vehicle for Alethea’s father and Teon. New furniture to fill their home. And countless other items that Alethea was certain now lined her mother’s ever-growing shopping list. Yet even with all that money—money Hera would receive if Alethea signed this contract—Alethea herself wouldn’t see a single cent.“You won’t need that money because you’re not going anywhere. Remember, you’ll be working every single day without any breaks. And you’re not allowed to have a phone, which means no online shopping. As for food and other necessities, didn’t Callie mention that your employer would cover all of that?” her mother had explained with a tone of sheer delight.But was any of this fair to Alethea?
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 8 – Forgotten Information
Alethea stood in her new room—a space measuring five by four meters located at the back of the villa. The room was noticeably much larger compared to the one Hera had provided her at their house.Besides the en-suite bathroom, there was also a small kitchenette where Alethea could prepare simple meals like instant noodles or coffee.After the long journey, Helen gave Alethea some time to rest. Without bothering to unpack her modest belongings, Alethea chose to freshen up and change into more comfortable clothes before lying down on a bed that felt far more luxurious than the one at her own home.When Alethea woke up, she felt much more refreshed. The sun had yet to rise, and according to the schedule Helen had given her, she needed to meet Helen in the kitchen, fully dressed in her uniform.Alethea quickly freshened up. Per Helen's rules, she was allowed to use basic skincare products like facial moisturizer and body lotion, but anything with a strong scent, including perfume and make
Last Updated : 2025-01-23Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 9 - Always Wrong (1)
Some moments before the meeting."Are you taking me to some godforsaken land? Or are you dragging me into another world?" Sebastian asked sharply, directing his irritation at Pierre, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Why is the road this bad? Couldn’t you find a better place for me?" Sebastian complained, his head turned toward the open car window.Who knows how much time had passed—Sebastian couldn’t be certain. What he did know was that they’d been on the road for over two hours, and he was already exhausted. The bumpy road only added to his misery, shaking his body, making his head ache, and his stomach churn.The only thing Sebastian could still enjoy in this grueling trip was the scent of damp earth and the sound of rustling leaves as the breeze cooled his face.But what exactly had he expected? A breathtaking view? Of course not. He wouldn’t see it even if it were there—he was blind. Yes, blind! Sebastian cursed himself silently."You asked me to find a quiet place with co
Last Updated : 2025-01-23Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 10 – Always Wrong (2)
Unseen by Sebastian, Alethea—clad in a light green uniform—was bowing her head nervously, silently warning herself not to lift her gaze to look at her new employer, whose striking first impression had already left her in awe.Still frowning, Sebastian tilted his head slightly toward Pierre’s direction. “A woman?” he muttered, his tone laced with disdain.“You didn’t specify a gender,” Pierre responded in his usual flat tone, which only deepened Sebastian’s scowl as he questioned the assistant’s audacity. “And besides, she was the only one we could find on short notice who was willing to accept all of your... unreasonable conditions,” Pierre added in a whisper.Sebastian scoffed but refrained from further commenting. Instead, he shifted his attention back to Alethea. “Guide me,” he commanded coldly.Startled again, Alethea quickly tried to compose herself. The cold, curt demeanor Sebastian exuded was in stark contrast to his strikingly handsome appearance. It was certainly not the kind
Last Updated : 2025-01-23Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 11 – Despises Being Underestimated
"Where’s the bathroom?!" Once again, that cold, growling tone almost made Alethea’s heart leap out of her chest."S-straight ahead, Sir." Alethea stammered, then quickly explained how many steps Sebastian would need to take and where to turn."Can’t you speak without stuttering?" Sebastian said as he reached for the sink and placed his cane on it. "Do I need to ask Pierre to take you to a neurologist?" His large hand, with long fingers, pressed the faucet handle, and he began washing his hands with cold water."You’re not answering me?!" he snapped, frowning as he turned his face toward where Alethea was standing.Could he sense her presence? Did he have some kind of heat sensor to detect people? Those questions raced through Alethea’s mind as she watched Sebastian’s actions, which seemed so confident despite his blindness."N-no, Sir. I’m not stuttering." Alethea quickly responded, only to immediately regret it as her voice betrayed her with another stammer.She saw the thick, perfec
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 12 – The Game
"Go to the kitchen and finish your lunch. I’ll call you if I need you," Pierre ordered, his words met with an eager nod from Alethea. Without wasting a second, she hurriedly left the man behind.After Alethea disappeared from view, Pierre returned to the bathroom where Sebastian was still enjoying his bath. The man still rested his head on the edge of the tub, but now his eyes were closed as if he were asleep.“You picked her on purpose, didn’t you?” If Sebastian’s lips hadn’t moved, Pierre would have assumed it was the sound of the wind. “You deliberately brought me a young, naïve girl like that one,” he continued, still without opening his eyes.“We didn’t have any other choice. She was the only one available at the time,” Pierre repeated the same answer he had given Sebastian earlier.“Don’t take me for a fool, Pierre.” This time, Sebastian’s eyes opened, and his sharp, accusing gaze locked onto Pierre. If Pierre were a stranger meeting Sebastian for the first time, he might have t
Last Updated : 2025-01-26
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Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 35 – Stress and Fatigue
"Call a doctor here immediately," Sebastian ordered as he made his way to his room, noticing that Pierre had neither taken any action nor given any instructions."The nearest hospital is forty-five minutes away, Sir. And they're not your personal doctors whom you can summon whenever you want. If you want her to be examined, we'll have to take her there ourselves," Pierre replied in his usual flat tone."Then let's go now," Sebastian said, about to turn toward the door, but Pierre blocked his path."We'd still have to wait in line, and that would take a long time.""Then what do you suggest? Didn't you say she needed to be examined to find out why she fainted?" Sebastian snapped."Actually, I don't need a doctor to figure out why she fainted. But if you insist on having her checked, I already instructed Andrea to call a paramedic before telling him to take Alethea to her room," Pierre answered, still with his composed demeanor. The man was clearly much calmer than Sebastian, who couldn
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 34 – Snake
The throbbing in Alethea's head turned into dizziness, causing her vision to blur. The increasing heat of the sun and the pattern in front of her made her feel nauseous.She placed her drawing pencil down and stopped coloring. Choosing to close her book, she noticed Shareeza looking at her with a puzzled expression."What's wrong? Are you bored?" Shareeza asked, surprised.Alethea smiled and shook her head but immediately regretted it as it made her head feel like it was spinning. Shareeza observed Alethea closely, then pulled out some tissue and handed it to her."You're sweating. Are you hot?" the little girl asked, looking at the thin cardigan Alethea was wearing.Alethea wiped her forehead with the tissue Shareeza gave her, but Shareeza had misjudged. Alethea wasn't hot; she was actually feeling a chill, and the sweat on her forehead was cold sweat, not the kind from heat."I'm going to get some water. Do you want me to bring you something from the kitchen?""Can I have some juice
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 33 – I'm Just Curious
"How did you sleep last night?" Sebastian asked, trying to distract himself from thoughts of Alethea. "Did you have a bad dream?" he inquired, wanting to know.Shareeza shook her head, but since she knew her father couldn't see, she answered him aloud. "I didn't dream of anything.""Then what did you dream about last night?" Sebastian asked again."I didn't dream about anything," Shareeza replied innocently. "From now on, I won't be afraid of rain or thunder anymore," she added confidently, which made Sebastian smile."Where do you want to go today?" Sebastian asked again, curious."Nowhere," Shareeza answered casually. "There's no place to play here," she continued, enjoying her bread. Her tone wasn't bored or annoyed, and this made Sebastian frown.But Shareeza wasn't wrong. This place was really isolated. There were no stores or playgrounds. The only thing Shareeza could do was enjoy nature. Meanwhile, Sebastian didn't know what to play or where to take Shareeza, as he himself had
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 32 – Shareeza
Alethea took a deep breath, a single tear slipping down her cheek against her will. She wiped her face roughly and shouted, "Thank you!" toward Helen, who had already returned to her cooking. Then, picking up her plate, she began eating her meal.By the time the clock struck six, Alethea made her way to Shareeza's room. Taking another deep breath, she opened the door, trying to steady her emotions.No matter how much she hated Sebastian for what he had done to her, Shareeza was just an innocent child. She didn't deserve to bear the burden of her parents' mistakes."Good morning, Miss," Alethea greeted softly as she switched on the bedroom light and walked toward the bed. She placed a small, heat-resistant mug filled with warm water on the nightstand, right beside the fairy tale book she had read the night before. Then, she sat on the edge of the bed, gently running her fingers through Shareeza's hair."It's time to wake up, freshen up, and have breakfast," she said as she pulled back
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 31 - Alethea's Thoughts
Alethea woke up feeling exhausted. Every fine hair on her body stood on end. She felt feverish, her head throbbed with pain—all because she had spent hours crying under the shower last night.She sat up from her bed. It was clear she hadn't been able to sleep all night, tormented by thoughts of a future that seemed bleak."Will I ever be able to get married once I leave this place?" That was her first worry."Would any man accept me, knowing I am no longer a virgin?" That was her second."Should I deceive my future husband and pretend I'm still pure? But if he finds out, what will he do? Will he divorce me in a matter of days, thinking I'm a woman without dignity? Or should I just admit I'm a widow? But would he even believe me when I don't have a divorce certificate?"Her conservative mindset only fueled her anxieties, keeping her awake through the night. She feared the uncertainty of her own future."Can someone die just from losing their virginity?" Alethea asked herself.She wonde
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 30 - Remember
Sebastian repeated the same process on Alethea's body. He was fondling her body but this time he had freed the bonds on Alethea's hands and allowed the girl to move more freely. Although he couldn't see the expression on her face, Sebastian was certain that Alethea was already intoxicated by his touch. The virgin girl didn't even rebel when Sebastian ran his fingers over Alethea's womanly center and knew that she was already wet again.Not wanting to waste any time, Sebastian takes off his pants so he and Alethea are now both wearing nothing."S-sir..." Alethea was wide-eyed as Sebastian's cock, which she had once seen wither, was now fully erect and of a size Alethea couldn't describe."I've satisfied you, now it's your turn to satisfy me." Sebastian said and the man's hand touched his own manhood and guided it to Alethea's womanhood.Even though he couldn't see, Sebastian was sure that his male instinct could still guide him to achieve satisfaction. Sebastian realized that Alethea
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 29 - Your own fault
Alethea was still shaking her head and rebelling. Asking to be released but Sebastian was clearly not going to do her bidding."Your own fault for coming here." Sebastian whispered in Alethea's ear as he squeezed her breasts quite firmly.Alethea shook her head. Crying silently as Sebastian twisted the tops of her breasts which stiffened as if responding to his touch. "You've signed a contract with me and that means you have to do whatever I tell you to do including satisfying me on this one." Sebastian said and the man managed to slip out of the oversized T-shirt Alethea had been wearing and made it a point to tie Alethea's hands above the girl's own head."Sir, please..." Alethea pleaded with both hands tied to her own sweatshirt. She again tried to push Sebastian away but the man's head was already lowered right above her breasts.The tip of Sebastian's tongue licked her peak, making Alethea involuntarily moan softly before his warm lips hungrily sucked on her breasts."Aaahhh..."
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 28 – The Cure
Alethea nodded. "Same here, I'm also scared of thunder. That's why I don't go anywhere near it," she said playfully, making Shareeza giggle."A lot of people have died from being struck by lightning," Alethea continued seriously. "That's why if you see lightning, you have to hide.""Lightning is just as dangerous as a kidnapper. So if you see it, you need to hide right away and go inside the house. Don't run into an open field or go near a pole. Stay away from tall trees, and definitely don't go into water, like a swimming pool. You have to remember that." Alethea looked at Shareeza, waiting for her response.Shareeza nodded. "But don't hate lightning too much, because it also has its benefits.""Really? Like what?" the little girl asked curiously."Lightning can purify the air by killing germs and can also serve as a natural source of electricity," Alethea explained.Shareeza just made an "O" shape with her mouth in understanding."So, if you're inside the house, you don't need to be
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 27 – Thunderstorm
As Alethea walked toward the back area of the villa where her room was located, she saw Helen and Pierre standing there, gazing at the pitch-black sky."Sir?" Alethea called out to her employer, curious about what they were doing."Has Miss Shareeza gone to bed?" Pierre asked."Yes. About an hour ago," Alethea answered honestly."An hour ago, but you're just getting back now?" Helen glanced at her wristwatch, which she often took off while cooking."Mr. Sebastian asked me to read him a book," Alethea replied truthfully."A book?" Helen and Pierre frowned in confusion. Alethea nodded."What book did he want you to read?" Alethea mentioned the title but had forgotten the author's name. She noticed a mocking smirk on Pierre's face."What is it, Sir? Is something wrong?" Alethea asked, puzzled."No. I just remember that book. It's usually read by lonely people," Pierre said. And those who crave affection, he added silently."Do you want to rest?" Pierre asked. Alethea nodded."Go ahead, b
