Chapter-7

Onika's POV...

He opened the door at the very first knock, as if was waiting just on the other side. He was wearing a grey t-shirt and black trousers, his hair unsettled.  As if windblown, or may be he had raked his hands through them numerous times.

His eyes met mine, looking at me intently. Calculating. Thinking. Assessing. Taking in my disarrayed self. I could feel a bit of something like concern take over his features, in the way his eyes softened, his forehead furrowing ever so slightly.

He finally spoke, his voice a bit thicker than usual, "Jesus, Onika what happend to you, you are looking a complete mess are you all right? Have you been crying?"

"I-I-m-my-Ale." I was not able to form any coherent word. It was like my windpipe was completely plugged. I can't even breath properly. Even the thought of loosing Alex was like a stab to my gut. I couldn't control the tears rolling down my cheeks anymore.

"Relax, sweetheart. Just relax come inside why don't we sit and talk" he said softly, gesturing me to come inside.

He made me sit on a couch and bought a glass of water for me.

"Drink it and compose yourself first. Then we will talk." Saying that he sat on the couch beside me.

I gulped the whole glass in one go, feeling a bit better. And took three, four deep breaths, to calm my nerves.

"Now, tell me what is the matter." He asked.

"Sir, Al-Alex is in the hospital, to save his life the Doctor is saying he must undergo a brain surgery and I have to pay the amount within 24 hours or else he may die." My voice shook badly, I don't even know if my voice is comprehensible or not.

He came closer to me and caught my chin in his hand and started whipping my tears with his thumb tenderly. Almost lovingly.

"How much?"

"55 thousand dollars." I said looking down. I know it's a big amount of money to ask from a person I have always shoved away.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise and said " that's a generous amount of money, as the CEO of the company I can lend you 10 or 12 thousand dollers but--"

"I know, Sir. As my Boss you are not under any obligation to lend me the money. I-I am asking for a personal favour, but I promise I will work hard and pay back all your money. But please don't say no, I urgently need money. I am begging, please." I said desperately, helplessness. Swallowing my pride. Burying it deep within.

He looked at me, something bitter crossing through his eyes, something scary, the change was as sudden as the blink of an eye. Did I say something that offended him?

He arched a brow and said, "Personal favour? I don't think we have such a friendly relationship to ask for personal favours, or do we, Miss Onika?" His voice was taunting.

I closed my eyes. This is the time he chose to get back at me for not acknowledging his advances. I bit back a sob and said, " Please, I am sorry if I had hurt you in the past, I-I never mean to."

His eyes softened a bit, but the hostility was still there. No one spoke anything for the next few beats. I never felt so helpless ever before, not even with Agustin, with him it was just me who had to suffer. Today it's about Alex.

"How far are you ready to go for the money."

I felt my heart turn in my chest and drop at the bottom of my gut. I have heard those same words before. Exactly same.

"How far are you ready to go for the money."  Agustin tugged at my hair painful.

"You just played me for money. I was just you ticket to get you the luxurious life you always wanted, isn't it, you cheating whore. Answer me." He seethed like a raging bull, his hold on my hair tightening.

I shook my head to focus on the present. I was an idiot if I hoped Theodore will be any different.

I looked at him and answered, "Anything."

"Anything?" He repeated, his eyes challenging. I wanted to do nothing more than for the earth to take me in.

"Yes, Sir. Anything. Wh-at do you want?" I asked, my voice wavering, praying against all odds that it's not what my mind is thinking.

"You." he said without hesitation.

"What do you mean by that." I asked in a decisively calm voice, though from inside I was anything but calm.

I clearly know what he wants but I can't believe this is happening to me. After running away from Agustin I thought nothing bad can here henceforth, apparently I was wrong.

I balled my hands at my sides and waited for his response.

"Do you want me to spell it out loud--" he shoot one of his eyebrows up in mock disbelief. "-- then so be it. I. Want. You. To. Sleep. With. Me." Each and every word punctuated by an exasperated pause.

My heart beat quickened in dread. I looked at his face closely for the first time. Noticing his Sharp features. Wondering why someone like him will force a woman to sleep with him. 

His eyes held an unreadable emotion, I couldn't quite place my head around it but, something close to uncertainty. Something told me if I try I can crack through him. So, I tried for one more time, trying to control my emotions first to prevent my voice from cracking.

"Why are you doing this to me please, there must be some other way I can't do this please don't make me do this." His lips parted a bit, as if in an attempt to say something. But he closed them shut without uttering a word. 

His eyes looked at me calculatingly.

"I am not forcing you into this Onika,  you can walk out of here. I won't stop you."

My lower lip trembled in helplessness. "You know I can't do that!" I accused.

His eyes softened a bit so I thought I should try a bit harder and said, "you can have any girl you want then why force somebody." Oh no I guess this was a wrong move. His eyes suddenly started throwing ignited arrows at me.

"Yes I can have any girl but not the only one I want, the irony. I have wanted you since I have first laid my eyes on you. Countless times I have tried to approach you but you don't as much as look at me. Why is that? Why can't you like me? This doesn't have to be like this it can be pleasurable for both of us. I will keep you happy you won't have to worry ever about money all you have to do is say yes." He said in desperation, almost pleadingly as if he want to see me happy or want my approval.

"That's how you see it. You think sleeping with you can be pleasurable on contrary even the thought of it make me feel-- look Theodore, I don't know how to put it, but I just don't see you that way--" I stopped mid way as I saw the lethal glint in his eyes.

"I am not good enough for you? Is that the right word? " his eyes were fully red as if ready to murder. This made me cower in fear. He suddenly lifted me off the couch with his hand on my arm in a death grip. 

"There is the door you can get out of here. I was just trying to help you. But I guess it was my fault. I was just presenting you a deal if its not acceptable to you, you can very well get out of here before I loose my control and do something harsh." He pointed his finger towards the door, indicating the deal is off.

I froze in my place just realising what I have done. I screwed the only chance I had. 

I had just thrown my last hope of saving Alex out of the window.

"I will do it."

"But I have changed my mind. I am not doing it. OUT." He seethed in a cold detached voice.

"Please, I am sorry. Give me one last chance, please." A lone tear escaped my eye, Theodore's eyes tracing it as it descended down my cheek.

His Adam's apple moving up and down.

"Are you sure, I don't want you changing your decision after I have gone too far, if you know what I mean. I don't want to take a cold shower in case you back out again." He waited for my answer with narrowed eyes.

"Yes I am sure I won't take it back."I said with determination knowing that I don't have any other choice. If this is what it takes to save Alex then so be it there is no backing off now.