The Man in Black

Terrified and trembling bodies watched their Boss who unlike them was composed and relaxed. Her fingers clutched the newspaper tightly while her chocolate hues were fixated on the headline of the day which shocked the whole of America.

“Ryan Wills, President of Wills Corporation passed away last night in a tragic fire accident.”

Sara watched how Evelyn skimmed over the article calmly unlike her who was nervous as a cat. Her hands had turned cold. And it wasn’t because of the air conditioner but because of the fear of the woman sitting in front of her.

Sara was the one who had handed that box filled with explosives to Ryan and once she exited the building, there was a huge explosion. She remained frozen on the spot unless the screams and cries rang in her ears. But instead of checking up on the situation, her legs automatically took her to her car as she hurriedly left the scene.

Joseph, the CFO of Maria Estates, on the other hand, was patiently waiting for his Boss’s verdict on the incident. Last night, he and his team were successful in convincing the employees of Wills Corporation after Evelyn’s abrupt exit from the party. They also adeptly handled the media and exited the building with proud grins adorning their faces. But Joseph has never expected that his day would start with such bone-chilling news that would shake the entire business industry.

Ryan was a very powerful name in Australia and his loss was devastating to his native land and also to the business world. People were expressing their grief and paying tributaries to the tycoon but his fans were demanding an official statement from the American government as they were suspecting that his demise was a murder, not an accident.

“We don’t have any hand in it.”

Evelyn finally broke the ice and put the paper down on the table.

“It was an accident. The fire started due to an electrical fault. Unfortunately, Ryan was present near the electrical room when the fire started. He didn’t get time to escape and ended up being devoured by the huge flames. I deeply express my grief for his loss but at the same time, we need to make this clear to the world that it has nothing to do with us. None of the employees of Maria Estates were present when that devastating explosion took place and to remind you, we were guests not organizers of the party. So, there is no way we could be suspected. We will pay our condolences to him and I will be the one addressing the press so you don’t have to worry about it. Just forget about it and carry on with the work.”

She explained to them in a professional tone. Her words brought a smile of relief to Joseph’s face. Sara also exhaled and closed her eyes. She felt as if a boulder has been lifted off her shoulders.

Joseph then stood up and grabbed the newspaper before bowing to Evelyn, “I will take care of the rest, Boss.”

Evelyn gave him a stiff nod before shifting her eyes to the girl who was galloping large ounces of air. She seemed too relaxed as if the cops were about to nab her only for starting the fire.

Noticing a heated gaze on her, Sara opened her eyes only to turn stiff as a board. Evelyn was looking straight at her. Resting her elbows on the armrest, she had her fingers steepled while her eyes were set on Sara, analyzing her silently.

Sara instantly cast her eyes down. Her dread resurfaced and she couldn’t help but shiver.

Evelyn cocked a brow at her bizarre behavior, “What’s the matter with you?”

Sara failed to answer that. She strived to open her mouth but the seam of her lips got pasted together. It was as if her body was also not cooperating.

“Sara, let’s go,” Joseph spoke in a hushed tone when he noticed the tension between them.

Sara couldn’t be more thankful to him. Bobbing her head, she got to her heels and bowed 90 degrees to Evelyn.

“Ma’am, I think we should first do a security check or get a heads-up of the current situation before visiting Wills Corporation. Barging in there could be parlous.” Joseph clipped.

Evelyn looked at him and after contemplating for a minute and then telegraphed her consent with a curt nod.

Without dallying further, Joseph immediately turned his heels and headed to the door with Sara following his trail. Twisting the knob, Joseph headed outside while closing the door behind him quietly.

Sara sprinted but by the time she reached there, the door got locked. She then grabbed the knob and tried to open it but failed to open it. Her brows furrowed. The knob rattled as she started twisting and turning it vigorously.

Sara started to perspire, her breath turned erratic and her heart started hammering in her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” She couldn’t muster the courage to turn around and face the woman who sealed the door on purpose.

“You don’t possess the strength to break it so I would suggest you save your breath. Cause you have a lot to answer me, Sara”

Her deep and brusque voice reverberated through the cold walls making her flinch. Having no choice, Sara turned around at a snail’s pace. Her heart was in her throat and her eyes were glued to the ground.

The first thing that came into her sight was Evelyn’s shiny black toe pumps. Startled, she stumbled back as she was too engrossed in fiddling with the knob that she failed to hear Evelyn who was approaching her from behind, like a predator.

Her mouth turned dry when her blurry eyes met with her icy ones. They were boring holes in her face and Sara wasn’t too naive to understand that Evelyn had figured out the reason behind her apprehension.

“M-Ma’am, I-”

“Who gave you the gift?”

Her straightforward question caught her off-guard.

Gulping, she looked down unable to meet her eyes, and forced herself to come up with a suitable answer.

“I-I.. I just delivered the gift that Joseph gave me-”

*Smack*

Before she could complete her justification, her head was turned to the right.

Sara was too stunned to react but soon tears filled her eyes when she felt her cheek on fire. Her lips wobbled as she palmed her throbbing cheek and looked at Evelyn in fear.

“I a-am s-saying the truth.”

“Shut up” Evelyn cut her off with a growl. Towering over her, she gripped her hair and tugged it harshly. Sara let out a shrill cry.

“Stop playing around Sara. Just tell me for whom are you working and I will let this matter slide.” She hollered.

Sara quickly clutched her hands, “I am telling Ma’am but please let me go. I beg you.” She spoke and burst into loud sobs.

Evelyn clenched her jaw. Leaving her hair, she grabbed her right forearm and dragged her to the middle of the room. Sara tripped on the carpet and was about to land face first but balanced herself on her palms. Quivering, she lifted her teary eyes and found Evelyn standing in front of her with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Start speaking”

She spoke gruffly while glaring at her slouched form.

Biting her lips, Sara blinked away her tears and gulped the heavy lump that was formed in her throat.

“I-I am sorry Ma’am but I am saying the truth. I did give Ryan the same gift which Joseph had given to me. Once our team left, I went back to my car to take the gift but I swear Ma’am, I had no idea that there were bombs in it. I think someone swapped the boxes when I was watching our team departing from the hotel. I am not working for anyone-”

“But I did tell you to be watchful, didn’t I?” Evelyn cut her off with a low sneer making her quickly seal her lips.

“I had sent this gift to Joseph and told him to hand this over to you. You’re my personal assistant so on my behalf it was your duty to send my apologies to Ryan with this gift. Joseph did tell me that he had specially sent this message of mine to you that you wouldn’t leave that gift alone considering the gravity of the situation. Ryan was already a pain in the ass and I knew something dangerous was on the horizon so I fucking told my staff to stay on their toes the whole time.” Evelyn continued chiding her.

Sara lowered her head as she ran out of words. Evelyn was right though, she did remind her numerous times to be careful unless she leaves that building.

Sara grunted when Evelyn grabbed her right shoulder and hauled her forward. Moaning in pain, she scrunched her brows and looked up but all the blood got drained off her face when her eyes met with her red-rimmed ones.

“Because of your recklessness, my company got into trouble. Your one fucking stupidity put Maria Estates under the radar of suspicion. I have told you multiple times that I don’t forgive people who dare to ruin my empire’s image.” Evelyn screamed in her face.

Sara was regretting hard. Why the hell she lost her focus and ended up doing something so unforgivable? If only she had been careful, things wouldn’t have turned out this bad for Maria Estates. She knew well that Evelyn prioritized her company over her life and didn’t hesitate to claim the lives of people who dare mess with her.

Sara squeezed her eyes as she readily accepted her mistake. Very few people from Ryan’s cohort survived the deadly explosion as they were lucky enough to get help on time. But that came as bad news for Evelyn because they were the ones who linked her name with his accident.

The accusations, however, lacked evidence so the cops dismissed them right away but the rumors spread in the city like wildfires. Evelyn knew that she will be interrogated unless Wills Corporation releases an official statement as to what led to their CEO’s unfortunate demise.

But again, all this was engendered because of her secretary’s immaturity. And Evelyn couldn’t condone it.

Griping her collar, Evelyn forced Sara to crane her neck up and look into her eyes, “What led you to stray?”

Her question left Sara staggered. Cold beads of sweat adorned her forehead as she stared into her chocolate hues that demanded an answer.

She quickly joined her hands, “I am sorry Ma’am, I don’t know who did that.”

Sara wanted the earth to open and swallow her alive. No way, she would be able to answer her that. She would be damned if she told her what exactly tempted her to take such a silly step.

She continued pleading hoping her heart would melt but the ground was snatched beneath her feet when Evelyn flashed her a smirk.

“The guts you have is commendable. I caught you multiple times staring in a particular direction so don’t shove me lies. Admit it and I’ll reduce your punishment.” Evelyn gritted and cupped her chin, digging her nails into her skin.

Sara turned pale as a sheet. She couldn’t believe that Evelyn was scrutinizing her actions from afar when she herself was having a hard time dealing with that fucking asshole.

She fell into her own trap. Sara knew well by now that there was no way out instead of confessing. Evelyn’s raged expression had made clear to her that she didn’t believe any of her cock and bull story.

Straightening her spine, she moved back and began speaking.

“There was someone at the party who was continuously staring at me. Initially, I tried to avoid it but eventually melted in his dark eyes. They were so exquisite. The man was too perfect to be ignored. His sturdy and masculine figure was draped in an impeccable black Armani suit. I couldn’t see his face in the dark which was a shame so I decided to meet him once the party ends. He was too handsome for someone like me and noticing his nonstop stares erupted butterflies in my stomach. He was trying to make a move and I gladly accepted it.” Sara halted and gently placed a rogue strand of hair behind her left ear. Her cheeks were glowing red.

Evelyn rolled her eyes at her flushed face, “So, you went to approach him?”

Sara chewed her lips before giving a hesitant nod, “Forgive me Ma’am but your sudden exit from the party spilled water on my one chance to meet my dream man. I was in tears but I didn’t want to let go of this golden opportunity. So, after Joseph and the rest left, I stayed back and went to look for him.” She spoke and then looked at Evelyn.

“I had seen nothing apart from his black Armani suit and the silver earrings in his left ear so searching for him was a bit difficult. That’s why after keeping the gift in the car, I immediately headed to the hall as that’s where I have seen him last but to my surprise, I collided with him in the parking lot. Maybe he didn’t hear me approaching as he quickly climbed in his black Maserati. Screaming, I ran to him but he rounded the car and drove away at a breakneck speed. I was too shocked and heartbroken.” Sara whimpered and let the tears fall freely.

Evelyn huffed a loud sigh completely fed up with her dramas. “Come to the point fast”, she spat and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Sara wiped her tears with the back of her hands and slowly tried collecting her crumbled state, “After that, I went back to my car, took the gift, and gave it to Ryan.”

“THAT’S IT!!” Evelyn finally exploded, “YOU FUCKING MADE ME WAIT TO HEAR THIS RIDICULOUS SOB STORY OF YOURS? DOES THAT MAN HAVE A HAND IN THIS ACCIDENT OR NOT?”

Sara flinched at her outburst but quickly composed herself. Mustering up some courage, she looked at Evelyn who was glowering at her, “I don’t know Ma’am whether he was involved or not but I think I misunderstood his gestures. He looked in a hurry when he was leaving the party.”

Her words caught her attention. Evelyn threw her a quizzical look, “Why? Wasn’t he staring at you on purpose?”

She frowned noticing her disquiet face. Sara was having trouble answering that but again she had no choice. Moistening her chapped lips with her tongue, she lifted her swollen eyes and finally professed.

“It wasn’t me Ma’am, it was you. That man was stalking you the whole time.”