CHAPTER THREE

" Finally this cursed day is over" I said as I made my way into the house exhausted.

I didn't see Mr handsome throughout the day so I came to the conclusion that he must have left while I was at the pharmacy, I hope it's not because of me

"I was told you left the office about two hours ago, so why are you just coming back now" came my uncle, he didn't look happy. I guess this just goes to confirm he's been keeping tabs on me

"I stopped to get drugs" it's not as if he cared

"I have a project for you, you will be in charge of future interactions with Gustav's international" he said like that was a small thing

" what! "

"Yes, you've always wanted to take on bigger projects so this deal is an opportunity for you to prove yourself, if you do it well, you get promoted and get your own office like your siblings" he said ever so casually

When did he become this generous, what is he up to now? Gone are the days when I would have believed him

"Sure why not" I needed to be calm if I was ever going to find out

"you must get the contract no matter what, it is very important to the company"

Gustav's international is no small work but I know I can make it work, when Dad was around I handled way more than this.

"Oh and one more thing, you will work on it on your own"

I knew it was not going to be that easy "Fine" I answered, if he keeps his words then I will be one step away from my plans. I need to know more than I know now

I had taken time to go through the files he gave me, even did my own research just in case it was a trap but everything looked legit, maybe I was just overthinking things. Everything is still fresh and he is the good guy so he wouldn't want to ruin it just yet

I went with the vice president of the company and his assistant to go through the proposal with Gustav's international and I wondered why he added the vice president after saying I was to work alone.

Mr Gustavo walked into the room while I was presenting the business plan, when I was done he just kept quiet and I couldn't help but ask myself if I had effed up

"Miss Richardson right?" He asked

"Yes sir" I answered

" Hmmmm, I have heard a lot about you and you sure did not disappoint. You are one brilliant girl....Mr Onay" he turned to the vice president ".....with such a brilliant girl what else do I need you for, she understands the business so you don't need to babysit her.

From now on she should be the only one I like to see, she is to report to me directly". He took a sip of water and continued "I hate when superiors take credit from subs"

" Sure sure that can be arranged" answered the vice president, I looked at him still not understanding his presence in the first place probably to spy for my uncle

"That will be all for today, we will let you know if there is any complaints about the plan" Mr Gustavo says before leaving.

Two days later his secretary texted an address to me asking to meet up. It was somewhere I was familiar with and many people go to for business dinners, It was also a bit far from the office.

Looking at the time I realized that I will definitely be late if I insist on finishing the work on my desk. So I hurried to the address but was led to another part of the restaurant by the staff, a private room.

Okay this is not what I had in mind but I'm not going to chicken out

"Miss Richardson, glad you could make it" he said already sipping on a glass of red wine

"Of course sir thank you for inviting me I got your message and I was quite worried I hope all is well"

" Yes, just a few here and there but first we eat. I already ordered so I hope you like steak" he asked

" Errm sure" I answered

Just then the waiter brought in the food and we ate in silence. It was really fine dining if you ask me and the meals were delicious, while having dessert he started handing out personal info that I had no business knowing about, I thought maybe the wine loosened his tongue

"What about you do you have many friends" he asked

" Not really I have a few but that's it"

" You don't seem like you get out more, what about boyfriend surely a beautiful girl like you has one"

" No, I wish to focus more on my career for now''

"Hmmm that's good, that's really good and boys your age will not understand, that's why you need a real man to take care of you"

I don't understand why he cares about my love life so much but at the same time he hasn't said or done anything wrong

"You see Miss Richardson, I like you very much you are quite talented and I would like to know more about you"

" Well sir with the contract between our companies I believe you will get to know me better" I responded with a smile "Now about those issues you had with the plan" I said trying to stir the conversation to a safer topic

"Well I think we can skip the whole formalities and go right to the signing Miss Richardson"

" Really? that's good, so when can we sign the contract Sir" I asked

" Well darling that is what I am trying to do here, be mine and we sign the agreement"

" Excuse me sir you must have gotten the wrong impression, that's not what I meant"

" Are you sure, I think your Uncle thinks otherwise"

Hearing that my heart fell, I should have known something was up, how could he sell me out like that. I need an exit strategy that will not backfire and why do I feel tired and sleepy all of a sudden

I decided to try reasoning with him again " Mr Gustavo, you are a highly respected man surely you understand that I am not aware of this arrangement, so how about we just...." Without letting me finish

" Now now darling there's no need fighting this, any moment now and you will be too tired to go home then you will see how a real man takes care of a lady"

Sh*t! sh*t!! sh*t!!, he drugged me. when and how, f**k!!! how did I not notice it.

"Damn you Gregory Richardson" I cussed my uncle in my head willing myself to remain calm I can't panic now or I won't be able to think "Can I at least use the bathroom sir'" I asked and from nowhere came two huge men

"You can go but my guys will have to escort you, I wouldn't want you to fall because of fatigue, or....you can just wait until we get home your choice" he said with a stupid grin on his face

"I rather go now I don't think I can hold it any longer" I grabbed my purse and headed out with the men following closely behind.

Okay this is my only chance but how do I escape now cause I was starting to get really dizzy what the hell did he give me

I went into the restroom and pretended to do something, I reached into my bag to get my phone to call someone and realized I had no one to call but thankfully found my home made pepper spray thank God!!!!! what were the odds of that happening.

Next is to where to run to. The normal exit route was a no go area as his men were there and the window was also out as the restaurant was on the third floor

I searched my already hazy memory to see if there was any other escape while wondering if this was it? Is this my fate, was my family destined for bad luck?

Even if it is I won't let it come to pass but the thing is, If I get back to that private room there will be no hope of escaping him. whatever I have to do has to be now!

I kept pinching myself continuously hoping it will keep me awake, I remembered another door that looked different from others, it could be an office or storage room or luckily an escape route

It could also be none of those and even worse than Gustavo but I don't have another choice and I will be damned if I go down without a fight

It's just few more steps to get to the door it was located at a vantage point. There are two turns to get to the restroom from Gustavo's room and the door is in-between the first and second so they will not see it coming if I act fast enough

Summoning my remaining strength at just three steps to the turn, I turned and sprayed with no mercy, then ran into the room and closed the doors unfortunately I couldn't find a lock and it was just another room a bit different from that of Gustavo's

It doesn't matter I have to find somewhere to hide before they find me as I could already hear heavy footsteps approaching, they probably heard the commotion.

The place was dark so it took a while for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, I turned the other corner of the room only to come face to face to the nuzzle of a gun

" I'm fucked" I thought

"Who sent you?" came a deep angry voice like I had disturbed his peace

"Please help me, I'm just looking for somewhere to hide there are people chasing me, please don't shoot" I dropped to my knees

I heard footsteps before I saw the men give way for someone and then "little bloom are you sure you want my help, I am quite expensive you know" he said in the most alluring voice to ever exist

I crawled back towards the door instinctively once I realized what I had gotten myself into. By now the adrenaline rush had died down a bit and the drug was in full effect I could barely keep my eyes open

"Oh no Peaches, it's too late for that"

" I AM REALLY F**KED!!!!!!!!" was the last thought in my head before it all went black