4. I WANT YOU

Everything in the large suite screamed luxury from the sofa to the curtain, down to the smallest cup. It was as if everything was made for a royal member who must have paid a fortune to have them gotten for his own special use.

As if he was reading my mind, he bragged loudly as he walked towards the sofa. “This is the only suite on the topmost floor and it was built for me only.”

I sneered. “Must be nice to be rich”, rolling my eyes as I stood afar.

He came back from the bedside with two glasses and a wine which he placed on the table before beckoning me.

“Are you going to stay there all night?”

What does he mean by all night? I am only here to accept the offer, so why is he bringing out wines and glasses?

“All night?” I summoned the courage to ask, clasping my fingers in front of my short gown.

“You were planning to inform me that you would accept the offer and then rush out?”

I almost nodded at his words but quickly realized that would not be the best option, it would be better not to provoke him the wrong way before he assigned the job to me. The main reason I took the job was money, but I also thought about how he wouldn’t be around the office so I would have no issues with him.

His palm waved a “Come closer” in the air and I dragged my feet closer, my chest beating loudly against its ribcage.

A tiny smile appeared on his full lips as I approached him and that made me shudder for a reason. “Where went your ego? You were so confident earlier” he jeered and I almost lost my stepping.

“Well…” I tried talking but he cut me short.

“How about some drinks as we talk?” he proposed.

My mind sent the signal that it was not a good idea, but that was not the time to listen because my mind wouldn’t be the one to feed me after all.

With a thick voice, I responded “Sure! A glass wouldn’t kill me after all” my shoulders high in the sky once again.

I should have known that the small smile that danced on his lips was a signal that I was about to enter his trap. He didn’t utter a word and poured me a glass which I downed halfway thanks to the stupid nervousness that overwhelmed me.

“You said you are up for the offer?” he finally broke the silence and I looked up to his face.

Fuck! He was hot as hell. I didn’t check well earlier, he was smoking hot and handsome. His face was sculptured! I never knew Stanley was such a hot guy when we dated back then. I only dated him in the first place because he was the richest guy and I wanted the flex even though I was not after his money, but I got to fall for his beauty. I am sure I would have fallen for everything about him now if only he hadn’t done what he did back then.

If I should put that into consideration, I shouldn’t be sitting here in the same room with him talking about working for his company, but since life is a motherfucker who doesn’t put senses into how it operates sometimes, I was forced to be in a position where I would be begging for my life in the hands of my enemy.

“Yes, I got here before the day was over, so I guess the offer was still valid at my arrival time” I almost argued, my voice sounding like a plea.

Silence followed, he didn’t react but only took his wine and stared at me for a while before standing up to face the huge window behind him. It was then I realized that the city could be seen from that angle, the lights coming from all the corners made a marvelous sight. I couldn’t help but gasp at its beauty.

“When I am here, I feel like I can see the entire world. The feeling of standing on top of the world passes through my body and I make sure to enjoy every teensy weensy bit of it, because why not? I worked my ass up here. I realized that even though I was born with the spoon already, nothing was still free, I had to prove it”, he suddenly started and I paid rapt attention.

I had joined him at the magnificent view because I couldn’t let the mesmerizing night view slip off without enjoying it to the max.

He suddenly turned to face me and I also looked at him to see why he was staring at me, only for him to start approaching me. I staggered back as he closed in on me till my legs hit something hard which made me fall on the bed unexpectedly.

I was still struggling for balance when he leant over me. Shock ran through my body as every sinful thought of the world flushed into my brain. What was he getting at? Am I getting rap*d in exchange for a job right now?

“What… what are.. I mean why are you.. what are you doing?” I kept stuttering. I hated myself at that point.

I couldn’t even speak properly, so how sure am I that I will be able to fight for my life? I was still trying to think when his hot breath roamed around my neck, it was hot! My body twitched as it continued, every inch was making my body hotter, I was melting away.

His voice suddenly went bass as he said “Pearl, do you know what I want in exchange?”

My head shook on its own. I mean, how was I supposed to think straight in that situation?

A scoff escaped his slightly parted mouth as he traced my eyebrows with his slender but long finger, making a tingling sensation sizzle through my weak self.

“Come on, you walked in on your own to a room occupied by a guy who is also your ex and are you still pretending?” he brought his mouth closer to my ear and my heartbeat rose up in multiple folds.

“I want you” he declared, and I froze.

****

The huge skyscraper in front of me got me asking myself if I was dreaming or not. Never in my life did I ever think of working in such a standard company, but there I was in my powdered blue shirt and black pants, ready to resume work.

Guilt washed over me as I took the first step into the building, it felt as if I was where I didn’t belong. I had to pause for a while to look at the busy atmosphere, people were running around to get one or two things done.

“Everyone is trying to prove their worth, I guess I have to prove mine too” I muttered, closed my eyes and took a deep breath before walking to the reception where I would be directed to my destination.

One of the HR employees took me to the right place and immediately called the attention of the other employees in order to introduce me.

“So everyone, welcome the chief editor for team one” she announced, and I wasn’t expecting the reaction I got.

Everyone glanced at me for a second and resumed their work without uttering a word, not even a damn clap. What the hell is going on?

“Your table is over there, everything you need will be delivered to you by the end of the day. I wish you a wonderful stay at our company”, the HR employee said to me, and left me on my own.

“Wonderful, stay on my feet. Who welcomes their chief editor this way?” I mumbled, strutting to my seat.

It was safe to call the space a dumpsite. Whoever used the seat previously must have been a glorified pig, because what the hell was the heap of dirt doing on the desk? Nevertheless, I didn’t hesitate to clean everything out and arrange my items before taking my seat.

I was still trying to get the hang of things when someone suddenly barged in and everyone stood on their feet with immediate attention. The confusion made me stand a little later than others as I wondered what caused the sudden uniform standing.

It was the presence of Stanley.

Before I could even blink, one of the employees sitting directly opposite to my table who had been fixated on her screen and making some annoying noise from her bubble gum rushed to welcome him with a broad smile, almost smearing her excess lipstick.

“Sir, I thought your vacation started today” she stated, her hands neatly positioned in front of her skirt.

“What an eye service” I rolled my eyes.

His hands slid into his pockets as he smiled and shifted his gaze to me. “I changed my mind” he answered, and walked towards a room at the end of the room before suddenly stopping.

“Ah! Miss Petals, see me in my office right away” he commanded, his lips curling into a smirk.

I sighed “What is it this time around?” before running along with immediate effect.