Chapter Two : Devil Personified

Chapter Two : Devil Personified

The elevator door opened on the fourth floor of the condominium. Thera took a deep breath. She was just done on her session with her gay fitness instructor and was now on her way to her unit on the eighth floor.

Thera donned a pair of Adidas running shoes, Adidas white loose tee-shirt, and black leggings that hugged her firm behind and emphasized her long, shapely legs. Hers was the kind all men would want to climb and worship, according to her instructor. The bastard expected her to smile sheepishly or blush for the flattery, but she shot him a glare instead. What did he know about what real men would feel when he was not straight himself?

Not all men would fall for long, brilliant legs. She knew someone who did not. And hated him to the bones until now. For the past six months, Thera had been into kickboxing. She had only stopped going to the fitness center almost a month ago when she had to fly to London for a business trip.

She usually stayed at the fitness center for one to two hours depending on her mood. But today because she was pissed off with the three employees back at the bathroom she made use of the two hours of kickboxing – while cursing them loud multiple times.

Thera frowned as she recognized the man who would join her up to the eighth floor. Harry, the man who just stepped inside the elevator, was occupying the unit next to her. Harry’s smile widened the moment he saw her. He whistled as he stood intentionally close to her.

Thera let out an irritated sigh. She had noticed Harry’s malicious stares at her more than a couple of times. The man was divorced at thirty-eight. He was living alone. His ex-wife and two daughters were residing in the US.

Thera’s instincts told her that he could never be trusted. And she always trusted her instincts. It did not disappoint her for the last five years. So, she ordered Yumi to do a background check on him a few months ago. Of course, she must have knowledge about the people who could be her potential enemies.

“The nights are getting colder, right, Thera?”

Thera frowned. It’s the ‘ber’ month already but she could not feel the cold this brainless bastard was talking about. Thera’s gaze turned sharp when Harry stood to her a little more closely. “Dump that bastard of yours. I’m here, Thera. I swear I can make you cum and scream in ecstasy in the middle of the night—”

Thera struggled to keep her cool. Then why did his wife leave him? How dare this castrated worm talk about screaming? What did he take her for? A porn star?

“I know you’re lonely, Thera. Just as I am. Like you, I’ve been deprived for years, too,” Harry whispered, licking his own lips. He moved once again so their skin would touch. Thera knew he intended to stick the hard ‘toothpick’ between his thighs against her hips.

Gritting her teeth, Thera took a very, very deep sigh. But her smile was seductive when she turned to face him. She brought her face close to him.

“Are you sure… that I’m going to enjoy it, Harry? Hmm?” she asked, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear as she stared at him alluringly.

Harry’s smile broadened, his eyes twinkled Thera wanted to curse nonstop. The dense insect was turned on even more.

“I could not remember one single woman who I did not satisfy in bed, Thera. Let’s go to my unit. I’m going to prove to you how good I am in bed.”

Thera smiled even more sweetly. She bit her lower lip, enticing him. Harry gasped, stiffened, and closed his eyes when she held his polo shirt’s collar and let her hands made their way on his chest down to his stomach. He moaned when she blew and whispered softly in his ears.

“Why go to your unit when we can do it… here?”

THERA rolled her eyes. She was bored as fuck listening to Harry repeating the story about what happened between them earlier over and over again. Thera massaged her throbbing temple. The aged officer who was stationed at the edge of the room was fanning himself non-stop. The buttons on his uniform were almost all open. She didn't wonder though. Inside the precinct was one old and a noisy ceiling fan that caters to the whole room.

The cop faintly smiled at her when their eyes met. Something tugged inside Thera's chest. She looked away quickly. He was the same age as her father when she last saw him.

“I told you, Officer, this horrifying woman seduced me first. And when I told her I didn’t like it, she got a bit feisty and tried to hit me. No, she kicked me all over my body and punched me twice in the face. I was so afraid I’d lost all my teeth,” he told the investigator assigned to them. He shook his head in disgust. “You know this woman very well, Chief. This is not her first time here. And this is clearly not the first time she got involved in this kind of scandal. Even the janitors at our condo can prove how violent she was. I am not really going to settle, I’m sorry.”

Thera shot Harry a deadly glare. They both ended up in the precinct instead of his inviting bed. His lips were bruised and he had cotton inserted on his bleeding nostrils. Thera did not stop hitting him even when the elevator door opened and the occupants on the sixth floor tried to stop her.

She opened her mouth to cuss but decided to close it again and shut up. If only her lawyer was not gesturing at her to keep quiet, she would have already crushed this perverted bastard's balls! Irritated, Thera stood up.

“Mrs. De Marco, we're not done yet. Where are you’re going?” the investigator asked.

“You heard what that monster said, right? Let the bastard sue.”

“Thera…” It was her lawyer, trying to calm her down.

“Do what you’re supposed to do, Attorney. I paid you. Stop nagging me.”

WITH her head held high, pissed Thera walked out of the precinct. Atty. Roque followed her long stride after he had settled her bail. Thera stood beside her car. Her driver, Ringo quickly opened the door for her before occupying the driver's seat.

“Let’s go back to the condo,” she ordered sternly.

“Thera…” her lawyer who occupied the front seat protested.

“That condo is fucked up. How could there be no CCTV inside the elevator?” she said indignantly. Her face was red from annoyance.

The fifty-five-year-old lawyer sighed. He was The Palace's company lawyer, but he was there to sort out her personal issues as well.

“Of course, there is, Thera. But the video only captured mostly you, beating the poor fellow. That will only help to pressure you.”

Thera did not respond.

“Why has this have to happen now? The Palace’s anniversary is approaching, and the De Marco couple is coming to attend. This scandal will deeply affect the company's image again.”

Thera kept her mouth tightly shut but she was furious deep inside. The beating and the kicks the perverted bastard got were not enough to compensate for her ruined day. And damn, those witches at the office. They were the ones who started to ruin her day. Now it gets more messed up because of Harry the jerk!

“You should have let it go, Thera. After the anniversary, then perhaps we could-"

But Thera's tightly shut mouth opened once again. She turned to Atty. Roque with a glare. The poor man instantly fell silent.

“Let go? What do you want me to do, Attorney? I was harassed today, must I get mad tomorrow? Do I look like I’m stupid to you?”

The lawyer was speechless , guiltily, he looked away.

Thera who was still fuming turned to Ringgo. “Can’t you drive faster, Ringgo? For pity's sake, this is a van, not a funeral car!”

Scratching his nape, Ringgo obeyed and started to drive faster.

Thera folded her arms across her chest and slumped on her seat. She heard her phone rang. Laida who was sitting silently at the back of the van handed it to her.

“Thera, Secretary Eason called just now. He said Sir Sean had bought a one-way flight to the Philippines. Looks like he’ll be attending The Palace’s anniversary.”

Thera drew a deep angry breath. So, the cowardice bastard husband of hers was finally coming home. After ruining her life, will he dare to show his face to her now?