PROLOGUE

I watched in horror as the plastic cup of coffee flew out of my hands. I knew where it was headed but I hoped that by some miracle, it would land somewhere else. Sadly, it didn't.

“Oh my goodness!"

My boss yelled as she sprung to her feet. The unpleasant surprise on her face slowly turned to disgust when she realized I was responsible. She turned to me with the scariest eyes I had ever seen.

“I'm so sorry ma'am."

I scrambled for the box of paper towels seated on her desk, quickly pulling out two of them and rushing to her. The brown liquid was already soaking her grey coloured jumpsuit and spreading fast.

“Do not come close to me!"

She yelled, simultaneously snatching the paper towels from me. I halted and lowered my head. I couldn't dare to look at her, no one in the office could.

“I'm really so sorry ma'am. I don't know how I tripped and the cup slipped off my fingers.”

I mumbled hurriedly. My intestines were in a knot and I felt sick to my stomach. If only the ground could open up and take me in.

“Get your things, and get out of my office."

My head snapped up in shock immediately I heard her words. I was expecting some kind of punishment but I would never have imagined that losing my job was it.

“I never want to see your face at my company ever again."

She gave me a stern look indicating she was convinced that was what she wanted, but I couldn't leave. I couldn't lose my job. I immediately fell to my knees with tears that I didn't know were even there.

“Please ma'am, it took me so long to get this job. I would be thrown out into the streets if I leave.”

Through my teary eyes, I could see how unfazed she was by my actions, which didn't surprise me in the slightest. She was a cold woman, feared by everyone in the building.

“I said leave, Raya."

She hissed and turned her back to me. Tears continued to roll down my cheeks uncontrollably. There was no way I was about to lose mine and Anna’s only means of survival.

“I'll do anything!"

I blurted out in desperation. The thought of my sister, Anna dying in the hospital, scared me way more than being homeless. She was the only family I had left.

“I'll do anything ma'am, just please let me keep my job."

I lowered my head and continued to sob quietly, hoping that she would have a change of heart.

“You're as desperate as a pig that hasn't been fed for days."

I looked up when I heard her demeaning tone. I didn't care whatever she called me, or however she treated me, all I wanted was to keep my job.

She continued to stare at me in silence. By now I had stopped sobbing, quietly sniffing as I awaited judgement. “Alright," I heard her say.

I instantly looked up with a faint smile. The moment my eyes met hers, the sickening feeling in the bottom of my stomach grew worse. She had a sinister grin, glaring at me with piercing eyes.

“You want to keep your job?" she asked again. I nodded repeatedly, anxious to hear what she was going to say.

“I'm going to give you four months to seduce my husband and get him to sleep with you."

My jaw immediately dropped but I was quick to recover it. I didn't know which shocked me more, her casual tone or the quagmire request she was asking of me. I watched the grin on her lips grow bigger.

“You'll do anything won't you?"

She asked again, maintaining the calm tone. She walked casually to her chair, sitting behind her big desk full of paperwork.

“Ye… yes.”

I mumbled hesitantly, resting my eyes on her, dreading the next words that would come out of her mouth.

"So then you'll do what I just said or you'll lose your job.”

She took a piece of paper and a pen, and began scribbling some words onto it.

“Deliver yourself to this address on Monday morning, exactly a week from today, if you decide to do it,” she slid the paper across from her. "But if you don't, never show your face here again or I'll have you beaten up."

I scrambled to my feet and walked to her table, taking the small piece of paper she handed out to me. It was her address. I know this because I had earlier delivered some packages to her doorstep. I also knew she meant what she said about having me beat up. She had done it before.

“Now get out."

She spat. I turned and started slowly making my way out of her office. “One more thing Raya," I heard her say.

I quietly turned to meet her glaring eyes. "If anyone hears of our little agreement, I will make sure you regret it.” women were supposed to be warm, loving creatures, but this woman, she was evil personified.

Too stunned to speak, I silently nodded my head, turning around to leave. “Tell June to get in here,” her unfriendly tone echoed in the air again.

“I need some change of clothes.”

She mumbled irritatedly just before I walked out the door. I looked at the piece of paper in my hands once again and let out a small sigh. This had to be a very bad dream.