03

I woke up to a terrible headache that threatened to blow my brain off. My hands flew to my head, afraid that it might fall off if I moved too much. I hissed at the aches that attacked my body as I tried to move, freezing at the spot at the restriction around my waist.

I gulped with a racing heart and looked down. My heart lept out of my chest the moment I was met with the sight of a man with his arm around my waist. He had long curly black hair that was sitting in wild messy waves and long lashes that framed his lids. My breaths were knocked out of my chest when I leaned closer to get a better view of his face.

He had high cheekbones and a pointed nose that led to slightly thick pale red lips. His thick brows held a natural arch. I could only stare in awe and surprise. How could such a handsome creature exist? He looked adorable as he slept, with his hair grazing his cheeks. I was tempted to reach down and tuck away the invasive strands but withheld myself. Something about him struck me as familiar but I couldn't exactly place my hand on it 

My mind suddenly snapped back to reality upon recollection of my interview today. Muttering a chain of curse words, I managed to wiggle myself out of his hold, praying silently that he wouldn't awaken. I scooted out of the bed, I hissed at the sharp pain that attacked my pelvis. I was beyond sore, it felt like I had ceaselessly gotten rammed by a truck last night.

Blushing at the hazy memories of last night, I casted the sleeping young man a final glance before leaving the bed. I almost found myself collapsing on the bed at the ache in-between my legs but managed to ignore it. I began gently gathering my clothes, almost screaming when I saw my panties in pieces.

What was I going to wear now? I wasn't open to the idea of flying commando but I had no choice. I hastily began wearing my clothes, fighting back tears whenever the ache in-between my legs became unbearable. 

I ran my fingers through my hair, searching frantically from my purse. I probably had a ton of missed calls and messages from Serena. I found my purse and picked it up, immediately fishing out my phone.

I gulped when I found a lot of missed calls from Serena as well as messages and a message from the lawyer who had apparently left me a few missed calls. I casted a quick glance at the time and let out a sigh of relief; I had two more hours till my interview.

I found a mirror waddled towards it for a quick glance. I nearly had a heart attack when I was met with my reflection. My jaw dropped in shock and I couldn't help looking back for a quick look at the man lying asleep on the bed.

What the hell fucking happened last night? I was well aware of my lack of physical touch while in prison but what on earth had I done with this man last night for me to end up looking like I had been mailed by animals last night? I had dark purple hickies and red marks from his hard grip last night, scattered all over my body. How on earth was I going to be able to hide this and look presentable for my interview?

Choosing not to give my appearance much thought, I rushed out of the room and flew down the flight of stairs. Ignoring the eyes on me, I dashed out of the building and hailed the next cab I found.

The ride home was quick and I hopped out of the taxi, paid him off and ran to the door. A worried Serena opened the door but I paid her no attention because I rushed upstairs to get ready. She didn't need to say it but her widened eyes upon my appearance really said everything I had in mind.

After cleaning myself up, I left the bathroom to find a black skirt and wine coloured chiffon shirt and a makeup bag laid on the bed for me. I figured Serena must have laid it out for me while I was in the bathroom.

I got dressed and stared at myself in the mirror, impressed with my outfit. I grabbed the foundation from the makeup bag and began covering the hickies on my neck. Once I was done and satisfied with the cover up, I did a soft makeup on my face.

I put my hair in a high ponytail and stared at my reflection in satisfaction. I grabbed my black bag and the documents I had left on my nightstand, doused myself with perfume and turned in the mirror. I looked professional and after a minute of pep talking to myself, turned to leave.

I waved Serena goodbye and rushed outside to hail a cab. I found one and got in after informing the aged driver of my destination. Half an hour later I was in front of the tall building that had SDC written in bold gold letters on the body.

I paid the taxi driver and turned to face the building. Summoning my confidence, I took bold steps in my black flats, into the building. The interior inside was mind-blowing. The tiles shone and the intricate arrangement of antiques had me sucking in a breath. Expensive looking paintings were strategically laid around on the walls.

I found the reception and walked down to it. A young woman dressed in a black shirt looked up, her lips were coated in red lipstick and her smokey eyes narrowed as she stared me down.

“Can I help you?” Her tone was strict and her eyes reverted to the bright screen she had been previously working on.

“I'm Theodore Theodore and I was scheduled for an interview today?” I was trying my best not to be intimidated by her charisma and brusque nature. 

“Hmm.” She squinted her eyes at me before returning to the computer, “hold on, let me confir–Oh… you applied for the position of project manager?”

“Yes.”

“Go down the hall, take a left and use the elevator by your right. You're going to the twelfth floor. Once you get there, make a quick right… you'll find a door, you're to wait in that office till you're called.” I nodded in understanding and she continued, “the boss will be the one conducting the interview today as our hiring manager is absent today.”

“Thank you.” I nodded at her and followed the direction of her hand.

I walked down the hallway, admiring the paintings hung around. I found the elevator and got in. I was thirty minutes early and I was grateful for it. Since the boss himself was going to be the one hiring, I didn't need any chance for a screw up. 

The elevator finger and I got out. I took right and found the big door that she informed me off. I let myself into the room and was greeted with the sight of three other people. A blonde man looked at me while the two females sitting beside him looked away.

I perched on a seat closest to the door and began waiting. An announcement came from an intercom once it was eight on the dot, commencing the beginning of the interview. The blonde guy was called in first while I sat silently praying to be hired.

The voice came from the intercom again and I was called in next. I grabbed my bag and file and stepped out of the room only to be welcome by a woman dressed in a fitted pants suit. She led down a hallway to a big black mahogany door and whispered good luck to me.

I summoned my courage and knocked on the door and almost immediately a husky voice ushered me in. I gently turned the knob and let myself in. I was met with the sight of a large room that had a wide table set in the middle. Files were arranged on the table with a laptop seated in the middle. A placard sat at a corner of the table and it read ‘CEO. Artemis Demonté'.

Two leather swivel chairs sat in front of the table and opposite it was a man with curly black hair Permed to the back. His hair sat on his shoulders as he sat buried in his work. His face never lifted from the company as he remained furiously typing. A black blazer was hung on the chair he was sitting on.

A black sofa was situated at a corner of the room and so was a water dispenser. A widespread television hung on the wall beside the sofa, a glass coffee table sat in front of it with a half-eaten bagel and a mug of half-gone coffee, resting on it. A large glass mural was hung on a wall and a black fancy looking wall-clock was found on a wall beside it.

A floor-to-ceiling window encased the room with black Venetian sheets rolled up. I heard the mild clearing of a throat and snapped out of my mini daze. I cleared my throat and looked up, almost having a heart-attack at the sight that beheld me. Sitting in front of me with his sleeves rolled up his wrists was the man I had woken up beside earlier today.

His dark hazel eyes peered at me with such intensity that had my body freezing. Getting a better look at him, he was extremely handsome with his clean shaven chin. His jawline was defined and his lips were pressed into a thin line. I took a step back and his eyes darkened. Never would I have imagined that the man I had slept with would turn out to be the boss of the company I was applying to.

Scratch that, that wasn't the only reason I was petrified. Without the influence of alcohol, I was able to recollect why she had struck me as oddly familiar. The man leaned into the seat was not only the boss of SDC but Fred Demonté's younger brother.

“Hello, Mrs Demonté, I've been waiting for you.”

My heart thudded in my chest, breathing had become almost impossible. I felt so cursed, why was I always getting caught up in awkward situations. Judging by the mischievous curl of his lips, it was obvious that he was well aware of my current situation and was trying to have his fun. He tilted his head at me, studying me like a predator, his prey. 

 Artemis, who was my ex-husband's step-brother, has always had a thing for me. He was an illegitimate child that was only a Demonté by name but had his heart captured by I because I was the only one who didn't treat him like he was trash. He was in love with me and had confessed to me a few times 

I was married to Fred so I always turned him down but he never relented. He wanted me and never ceased to let me in on it whenever he had a chance. He wasn't a rightful Demonté, only a product of an affair their mother had, so he wasn't granted a chance at inheriting anything from his father, unlike his elder brother Fred.

Both brothers were very different. While Artemis had long charcoal black hair, Fred had dark chocolate locks that he preferred trimmed short. Their personalities were as different as their distinctive features. I have heard of the accomplishments of Artemis at the very age of twenty-four and they were enough to proclaim him a better businessman.

 He was smarter, more intuitive and a master of risks and minor recklessness. He climbed the ladder to success due to his business prowess. I had read articles on SDC and none of them said anything about him owning it so my shock was justified. It only made me wonder about the things he further owned.

Both brothers have always been in competition. Fred wasn't happy with the fact that his bastard brother was quickly climbing the ladder of the business world, gaining enough recognition to dominate. Artemis on the other hand, always had a deep rooted hatred for Fred. He wanted everything he had because he always felt Fred was never deserving of them. 

Five years ago, Artemis had offered to testify against Fred at the court hearing but I had refused his offer. Thinking back to it now, I was merely inches away from calling myself a blatant fool. I refused every single offer of his that would help the case rule against Fred.

Now here I was, at the mercy of the one man I had always refused. Drawing a deep breath I looked at me with resignation lining my orbs. He could read my thoughts, the accomplished look on his face said it. I had no reason to refuse him now nor did I have any reason not to ally with him.

Wearing my confidence, I gently cat-walked to him, making sure to sway my hips. Once I was standing in front of his table, I rested my hands on the shiny surface and leaned down to his eye level, “it's Miss Theodore Malum now, Artemis.”

The smirk on his lips grew as he watched my eyes flash dangerously. I was a scorned woman out for revenge, the perfect thing he needed against Fred. I knew behind his intense desire to ruin Fred was a drive to do anything for me. I didn't need to make my desire for revenge obvious, he could read it through my gaze and his resolve to help me was unspoken.

With Artemis by my side, it was a signed deal that Fred was going down and it wouldn't take long.