001 Hello Oscar Wilde

Karen.

Finding a job in my town had been close to impossible. Everywhere I applied turned me down for lack of experience. How was I going to have 'experience' without being given the opportunity to work?

My rent was due and I knew the landlord would kick me out any moment. I was desperate. Being a loner most of my life isolated me from people. I didn't even have friends I could crash with until things got better for me.

I went to Jenny's cafe to have a treat. The cook there always put something aside for me to eat. He believed that showing a little kindness made the world go round. I was glad I met him. James was chubby and sweet. If it weren't for him, I would have starved to death. He had a dream of owning a fine dining restaurant one day, and I hoped for everyone's sake he realises that dream because he was a kind soul.

James and I met when I went to look for a job at Jenny's cafe and the owner turned me down. She was cruel and unreasonable. I had left the orphanage and something drew me to the place. As cruel and unreasonable as the owner was, she allowed James to feed me and the workers there were kind to me. I was still yet to understand why she refused to give me a job and I might never know why.

I headed back to my one-room apartment after eating the sandwich. I had always lived alone. Someone had dumped me at the orphanage with nothing but my name at six months old and never looked back. I never got adopted therefore, I was out by eighteen.

I sat by the window staring at the busy street. The power was out because I was unable to pay the bills. My life was a complete mess. When was luck going to finally be on my side?

It was an hour before noon. I had already lost the first interview for lack of experience, So I decided to take a long walk with hopes that I might find something. At this point, anything would do. I was desperate.

When I stepped out of my apartment, I found the quit notice posted on my door. My stomach churned with fear. I could not afford to be homeless. There was no shelter or support for homeless people in my town. I knew the moment I allowed myself to get kicked out, my life would be over.

According to the notice, I had two weeks to vacate the apartment. I began to walk frantically on the road, looking left and right for a job. I walked until I wandered to the other side of town, where the rich and powerful had their businesses.

While crossing the street, I saw a commotion on the side of the road I was crossing to, in front of the Wilde Corp. There were a bunch of people doing god-knows-what.

A limo parked with two jeeps, and a handsome man stepped out of the car. Everyone knew who he was, Oscar Wilde. His face was pasted everywhere in town. His family owned almost everything.

He wanted to go straight in, but he had to attend to the people. I didn't know what came over me when I ran to the place and began to shout at the top of my voice.

"Mr Wilde! Mr Wilde! Please give me a job. You will be saving my life. I can do anything!" I shouted several times as if my life depended on it.

Mr Wild turned in my direction, looked at me and walked into the building.

I felt like a fool. I had humiliated myself for nothing. I stood utterly embarrassed and watched as the crowd dispersed.

What the hell was I thinking? How the hell did I expect that to work? My financial situation had run me mad completely. I was soon going to be homeless and hopeless. I was angry at the world for giving me a shitty fate. Why didn't I get adopted as the other children? Why didn't my life become easy? I was 25 years old with no job, no hope, no dreams and no aspirations. I was empty and nothing.

I was about to walk away when a man in a suit approached me.

"Miss, the boss wants to see you." I looked at him, and tears began to roll down my cheeks. I had humiliated myself, and it had worked at getting Mr Wilde's attention, now I hoped that I would be able to secure a job for myself.

I was ushered into a massive office at the top of the building. Every wood piece was polished. The place was so clean, I felt I would ruin whatever I sat on, therefore I stood.

Mr Wilde walked into the office in his grey suit. If I wasn't in such a bad mess, I would have been enthralled by his appearance. His masculinity would make any woman feel safe. His eyes were enchanting. His hard face was domineering. I knew I was drooling because I saw the look on his face. I regained my senses and apologised. I greeted him then he offered me a seat.

"Your name?" he asked with a very arrogant tone that didn't bother me. People had talked down at me all my life. I was immune to that kind of treatment.

"Karen Hunter," I told him, and his eyes widened a bit.

"Are you related to Giles Hunter?" He asked, and I shook my head. I didn't know who that was, and I didn't care. I just wanted to earn money to survive.

He relaxed a bit after I had answered the question.

"Miss Hunter, why would you embarrass me like that in public?" He asked and I was surprised. I didn't remember embarrassing him. I had embarrassed myself instead, but I knew I needed to swallow my pride because of my situation. It wasn't every day I got to sit in the office of a billionaire and have a conversation with him. This was an opportunity I did not intend to miss. So I controlled myself and swallowed my pride.

"I am sorry about that. It was an impulsive action." I tried to explain and his face was blank.

"How old are you?" he asked me and I told him my age.

"What are your qualifications?" he asked, and this was where I knew I might have to kiss the opportunity goodbye because I never finished High School.

"I am yet to get my diploma Sir," I replied with little confidence and he began to laugh.

"You did all that show with no qualifications?" He asked and I tried to defend myself but he refused to let me speak. "I like your spirit and because of that, I will offer you a job as my assistant. If you are willing to do all that the job entails, then consider yourself hired," he told me and I began to weep. I had finally gotten a break.

"What does it entail sir?" I asked him.

"You are to assist me in every way possible during the day, and at night you are to attend to my needs," he stated, and I didn't know how to react to it.

"You will be given accommodation, a personal car, handsome monthly salary, medical insurance. In exchange, you can never get pregnant and you must not fall in love with me. When I get tired of you, which I will, you will get to keep everything in exchange for your silence," he stated. "If you are interested. I will have a contract drafted for you to sign," he finished and my heart sunk.

I didn't know whether or not to take it. I knew that once I leave, I won't be able to return. I knew I could never find employment good enough to sustain accommodation. My rent was due, and I was being kicked out. I had no choice.

"Bring the contract, Sir. I will sign," I told him, resigned to my fate.

"So quickly?" he asked me, surprised at my decision.

"There is nothing left out there for me. I will take your offer, sir," I said and he stood up.

"Valery will attend to you," he said, and I was ushered out of the office.

Valery seemed nice. She was a chubby blonde. She handed me a key to an apartment and an envelope of money with a debit card in it. I wondered if Mr Wilde had these things lying around ready for distribution.

"The car will be sent to your new residence," she informed me. "Go to Allen Salon, Macy will attend to you," she said with a smile.

"Why me?" I asked her.

"He has his reasons. Must have seen something in you. You are the next one," she said with a smile. "You are exactly his type." She commented eyeing me, " Don't worry, the boss tires quickly and moves on. Enjoy it while it lasts. Don't just fall in love with him. That never ends well." She said and stared off into the distance for a second, as if remembering something, then she snapped out of it and smiled at me. It was creepy and I knew I should be worried, but I was desperate. Desperation left no room for thinking.

I went into that building looking for a job, I came out as a mistress of the richest and most powerful man in my country. Was this a blessing or a curse?