Control

Riele's POV

I woke up the next day to the sound of my annoying alarm clock ringing violently in my ears. It was officially 6 am. I covered myself with the duvet in frustration but the sound was consistent and disturbing, so I got up and backhanded it. But the deed had been done. I yawned, stretching my limbs. I went into my closet and came out with my jogging outfit in my hands. 

I stripped my clothes off before entering the toilet then emptied my bladder. I got my brush and paste then began to brush my teeth. Once done, I washed my body and came out of the toilet with my bathrobe on. I put on a green sports bra with matching leggings, grabbed my phone, turned it on and took out my earbuds.

I got out of the house, locked it and tucked the keys in my pockets. I plugged my earbuds back in, played a song on my phone then kept the phone in my pockets before setting out on a run. It was nice to get out and receive some air.

Most people would say go to a beach to relax or something but I say otherwise, I would rather run. I mean the feeling of the air, kissing your face, the sound of blood pumping to your heart circulating your body and back, the singing birds chirping happily, just enjoying their freedom, the air that blows whenever few cars pass by, is not something you would experience on a normal day.

It was all refreshing for me and I loved it. I sighed happily, I've always been inside all my life. My mom never allowed me out of the house except to school or when she wanted to take me out and that rarely happened. I got a little taste of freedom while my dad was still with us. 

Tears filled my eyes, I miss my dad. I never had the time to visit him even though my sister, Karla, frequently came to tell me he's fine, but I still felt like I had to check upon him. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. What's gone is gone, I blinked back the tears.

 After at least 30 minutes, I came back home drenched in sweat. I went back to my room, grabbed some clothes for work then laid them out on the bed.

I took a quick shower, applied my lotion then put on the clothes I had laid down which was nothing but a plain white shirt with a plain black skirt accompanied by a pair of black heels.

"Now for my hair." I muttered. 'This is gonna be tricky'. My hair gets messy after it has been washed. It was a surprise how I could put it in a bun earlier. 

I combed through it, there were a few knots here and there but I conquered them. I left my hair down to dry then went downstairs but had to go back up since I had left my phone there. 

Once I made sure that my phone was in my bag, I picked up my car key where I laid it last night beside the fruit bowl. I picked a strawberry from the bowl, chewed on it before exiting the house.

I got to my company, halting in front of the gates as one of my security men came up to me "Morning." I nodded at him.

"Morning ma'am." the security man, John, said. He opened the gates and I drove in, parking in the parking lot before jumping out of my car.

 I got to the reception "Good morning." I said. "Good morning." I repeated, clearing my throat to gain her attention but she focused mainly on her phone as her perfectly manicured nails typed furiously on the phone screen. "Alice?" I tried again, only this time I called her by her name.

"What-" she stopped mid-sentence as her eyes finally met mine. I raised up my brows as she tried fixing herself, her green eyes widen in shock.

I shook my head in displeasure "Meet me in my office exactly at noon, OK?" I asked.

"Y-Yes, alright" she replied, panicking. I smirked before walking over to the elevator. Pressing the button on the elevator, it dinged before the doors opened, allowing me access into it. Once I got in, I pushed the button to the last floor where my office was situated. The elevator rang, signalling that I had reached my destination.

The doors opened as I got out. Stephanie, my secretary, was already on her seat, ready for the day, looking nice as usual in her black fitted skirt and wine shirt with black heels.

I smiled "Good morning" I said, watching as her attention shifted towards me in a second.

"Good Morning, Ms Downs" she said. Her eyes glinting 

I nodded before walking over to the translucent glass door at the other side of the room, which led to my office. Just as I was about to enter, I thought of something. "Before I forget, could you get me a box?" I asked her.

"What for?" she asked tilting her head with her brows furrowed in confusion.

"You'll see quite soon, just get it for me." Her curiosity was untamed.

"Alright" she said. I winked at her before entering my office, and as expected, my table was piled with tons of paperwork.

I sat down and stared at it for some minute.

 "Let's get down to business, shall we?"