17: Your Truly

Elara's POV

‘I'm beautiful and smart… I'm priceless.’

I recited the mantra in my head over and over again. Sitting on the soft plush chair in the fully air-conditioned lobby, I was the last person in the line of ladies waiting to be interviewed. 

Lately, Marco was always on the run, either sorting something out, or barking into his phone, or cussing out and drowning bottles of expensive liquors. When he left this morning with Lorenzo, while they ranted about some missing funds, I left home, not to escape, but to job hunt. 

‘Make do with your magic.’ 

Lady Lucia's vague words came harder. I wasn't sure what she meant, but I was here anyway to find out. 

“Martha,” the receptionist's voice sounded. “This way, please.” 

One by one, the ladies and gentlemen that came to for the same job placement, were called to be interviewed. 

Even though I dropped out of my school and the course my parents had pioneered, I took online classes and had qualifications on account and finances. Hopefully, that would count for something. 

“Lilian.” She signaled for me to walk down for my interview. 

I faked a smile and clutched my files of documents bearing my fake name. Taking the direction she gave, I entered a grand office with well-polished furniture. The finishing was top-notch, with each abstract painting telling a story. 

“Welcome to our company,” the manager smiled. He was young and lively and looked as clean as his money. “I assume you're here for the job of an accountant.”

I nodded. “You're right, sir Roberts.” I did a brief research on him. “I…”

The door opened and a younger man walked in. He excused himself and leaned to whisper into Robert's ear. He pulled his chair backward and walked out of the office, leaving me by myself. 

Blinking multiple times, I tried to fathom what just happened. With each passing time, the situation stared at me in the face, mocked me even... I was alone, in a freaking strange office!

This was unusual, like a ‘about to be set up’ kind of unusual. What manager leaves a stranger in his office? 

Staring at the fine wall clock with golden peacock feathers, I monitored the time. Ten minutes passed, and Robert was still not back. 

‘Elara, you should leave.’ 

Not acting on my fear-impacted instinct, I counted up to twenty. When he was still not back, I got up and walked out. 

The hallway was quiet like a graveyard. Oddly, the receptionist wasn't on the desk. The busy staff that once littered the place were gone. 

Goosebumps crept along my bare skin. I was dressed in a cooperate nude short sleeve, with palazzo trousers and mini-heels. To kiss my figure to perfection, my hair was neatly styled for the smart role I was here for. 

I was now in the lobby. Not even a soul was seen lurking around. 

‘Leave, NOW!!!’ 

The strong words were all I registered. Succumbing to my fears, I bolted for the automatic glass door, but it didn't open for me to exit. Tapping nervously on the buttons, it was like the place was shut down. 

‘Dear heavens.’ 

I shut my eyes momentarily and murmured strings of prayers. ‘What the hell have I gotten myself into?!’

Backing away from the door, I found my legs walking around the lobby. I settled for the option of using the elevator. Perhaps they were in a private meeting, maybe not. 

After what seemed like thirty minutes of touring the whole building and sweating in the well-conditioned room, I was standing in front of a door that read: CEO. 

Once. Twice. I knocked. 

With the sound of my knock echoing in the quiet hallway, I pushed the door. Unlike the others, it opened. 

My heart flew out the window and I grabbed the knob to shut it back when a familiar figure caught my attention. 

Huge muscles in a tightly fitted grey turtleneck sleeve, pencil designer pants, with fine black hair carelessly tossed about. Despite his back facing me, there was only one man I've met in my lifetime who was shaped this perfectly, like the demi-god he was.

Marco. 

But what the hell was he doing here? And in the CEO’s office?! Had he murdered the poor man as well? 

Slowly shutting the door like I never saw anyone, I stopped midway. 

“You're not that invisible.” He groaned, muscles stretched beneath the tight fabric. When he turned to me, he had a glass of liquor in hand. “Why do you go around causing trouble, Elara?” 

When he called my name, he meant business. I walked in and shut the door behind me. “The question should be, why do you go about wreaking havoc?” 

He tsked and set his glass on the neatly arranged table. “If you obey the rules, there won't be a problem.”

Who was supposed to be here? What problem had he created? “What did you do to them?” 

“Elara, for the last time, what are you doing here?” He sounded angry. He always was. 

“Since you're into everyone's business, you should also know I'm here for a job.”

This caused him to burst into laughter, his deep tone echoed in the big space. 

“Because?” He snorted. “Let me guess, you want to appear sophisticated?” He demonstrated with his fingers. “Are you trying to impress me, lady?” 

My cheeks turned red. “You're one delusional man.”

His countenance darkened. “You should be careful with your tone, lady.” He hissed. “I thought you already have a job, your little demon is already a handful, you're to obey me and warm my bed, I guess you need more jobs.” 

“I'm more than a bed warmer, Don Marco.” I clutched my files to myself, both angry and scared. I was treading on dangerous ground. 

“Hmm… a baby maker?”

“No!” I mumbled, going wild with white rage. “Don’t put words in my mouth.”

Surprisingly, he smiled. “I never intended to, except my tongue was pushing it in.” The dirty smirk lingered. "Or... what would you like me to put in?"

Argh! I looked aside, flushed. 

“Well, since you're not paying me any penny, I have to fend for myself.”

He pushed the king-sized armchair aside and walked out, coming in my direction. “I feed you and your kid, and tend to you both, what more do you need?”

Nothing came to mind. Lady Lucia had left me high and dry. 

“And coming to my company to make peanuts barely worth wiping Birdie's ass, is wild.”

His company???!!!

“We leave this minute, don't push your luck, busy bee.”

*** *** 

Francesca took sick leave earlier today, so the household had to adjust, with the newly appointed staff filling in her duties. 

I felt a bit of relief, not having anyone ring out the schedule to my ears or remind me of bathing like I was a child. 

After putting Violet to bed in my usual fashion, I had a warm bath, this time, not in the special bathroom upstairs. Marco wasn't in the room, he walked out to heaven knows where. 

The night gown the maid had picked out for me earlier, laid pretty on the hanger. It was a red skimpy dress. The silk fabric was quite light. 

It clung to my skin, hanging dearly to my breasts and showing off the round swell of my nipples. With beads of water still laced to my skin, the pressed area soaked, giving off the most details of my breasts and leaving barely anything to the imagination. 

My straight legs and thick thighs were bare, my flawless white skin perfectly complimented the red dress. 

Staring at the provocative image of myself in the mirror, the words of Lady Lucia echoed, louder than they should, stirring me in a new direction I never would have imagined, especially not for a walking danger like Marco. 

But right now, laced with his poison, and desperate to have a glimpse of his river, a weird smile crossed my lips… 

‘You're not buying the idea… ELARA!!!’