Chapter 15 The day had taken an unexpected turn, leaving me more frustrated than I could have imagined. I followed Stanley into the office, and the moment he saw me, his facial expression darkened with his brows furrowed."Go back and knock on the door properly," he ordered, his voice dripping with authority. I glanced between Stanley and the closed office door, baffled about who he was addressing. Stanley's raised eyebrows, making it clear—he meant me."But, it wasn't me who opened the door," I protested, my frustration evident."Do as you have been told, Ms. Williams, quit being stubborn," Stanley said.I sighed, Mr. Arrogance was at it again, this time with a new command. I complained inwardly and then took steps back until I was out of the room, knocked once, and waited for a response, which never came. So, I proceeded to enter."Did I ask you to come in?" His icy words met me as I stepped inside."Go back, and this time, wait for my reply," he ordered. I obeyed, knocking again,
Chapter 16**Andre's POV:**After Ms. Williams left, I thought about where to put Stanley. Ms. Williams was going to be working for me, and the office was already crowded.I recalled how Stanley got his job as my assistant. Five years ago, he came to the company for another job but was denied the position after the interview. I was having a bad day, but I saw how good he was at helping me organize my stuff, so I hired him as my assistant.I knew he wanted a better job, so now was the time. I waited for him to come back to the office before telling him the good news.He looked weary as he walked in, fixing the documents from today's presentation on the shelf before coming to stand in front of me and give reports. "Sir, I extended the meeting date with the investors. We have more time to finish the project, and also, you have a meeting with the governor relating to the demolition on Friday.""Ok," I said. He had always been good at his job, and I didn't know why I was replacing him with
Chapter 17Vanessa's POV:I slinked out of the boardroom, feeling like I'd just been put through a meat grinder. The humiliation from the presentation was still fresh, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of incompetence that had settled over me like a dark cloud. Why couldn't I do anything right? I asked myself and then remembered that I have never worked in a place like this and then thought of how not to be harsh with myself by reminding myself that nothing here was my fault; he's just doing all this to torture me for ruining his car.Back in the office, I sat on the white plush sofa in the room, my mind reeling from the mocking faces I'd seen in the board room a while ago. I couldn't help but wonder if I could survive working here. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, Stanley, the boss's ever-watchful assistant, appeared in the office with a scowl on his face."Ms. Williams, You wasted a lot of the boss' time today, do you know how much he hates tardiness?" Stanley s
WARNING ⚠️⚠️⚠️ This chapter contains drug use.Chapter 18Vanessa's POV:I held the shirt in my hands, frustration bubbling inside me. How did I end up in this situation? First, I gave a poor and embarrassing presentation, leaving me anxious about facing the judgmental boardroom. Then, my clumsiness led to me spilling coffee on his white shirt. It seemed like everything I did only made things worse.Gosh, how did I end up working here? I complained, stumping my foot on the floor while ruffling my hair.I needed to find a way to remove the coffee stain from that expensive white shirt without a trace. I took a deep breath and turned to Stanley, who observed the situation with a neutral expression. "Hey, do you have any suggestions on how to remove the stain?" I asked, hoping he could offer some insight to salvage the situation.Stanley sighed and approached the boss's desk, rifling through some files before selecting a few and leaving. He was quite an arrogant individual, seemingly unca
Chapter 19Andre's POV:In the dimly lit, luxurious car, I gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled fury. My frustration with Vanessa's refusal to accompany me spilled over, and I angrily slammed my hand onto the horn, the noise cutting through the stillness of the street.I then called on the secretary to cancel my remaining schedule for the day as I was going back home. Not necessarily back home, but to a place where I can cool my mind and then think of ways to silence the little imp. For real this time. I couldn't shake the thought of what she'd done as I drove. The anger and irritation gnawed at me, and, in my fit of rage, I hit the steering wheel again. The horn blared, giving voice to my simmering anger. Vanessa was pushing my limits, and it was time for her to learn a lesson.As I continued driving, I suddenly felt something wet under my nose. I touched it, only to find my hand smeared with red stain, blood. Cursing my misfortune for not having rested properly before rece
Caution: This chapter isn't meant to criticize the police or give a bad impression about them. The work is solely fictitious. Enjoy.Chapter 20 Vanessa's POV:"How do you like my weekend gift, Pompom?" His voice sounded excited over the phone. This was all his doing. Victor didn't know him at all; they'd never met before, yet he chose to punish my brother."You're quiet; got nothing to say?" He asked, and I stayed silent because I couldn't figure out my feelings."I warned you, Ms. Williams, but you thought I was joking and went to the police to report me, just to prove how courageous you can be." He tsked pitifully. "Let's see how they help you get out of this mess.""Why are you doing this?" I asked, "Please, just let my brother go. He doesn't know anything. You can do whatever you want with me.""Why? Does going to jail bring back old memories?" He chuckled. He wanted Victor to experience going to jail again."Sir, my mother will go crazy if she hears about this. Please, release h
Chapter 21Andre's POV:On Thursday morning, I sat in my chair, reading reports from the previous month. I also signed a few papers that required my approval. It was then that Stanley knocked on the door."Sir, there's a lady outside causing a small commotion about meeting you.""Send her away," I replied nonchalantly, tapping my pen on the desk as I studied the paper."We tried sending her away as we noticed she isn't someone you'd know, based on her appearance butt she has refused.""Do you know who she is?" "I don't know; I'll go outside and check again," Stanley said, quickly leaving the room. I got up from my seat, went to the window, and lowered the blind to see for myself who it was. It was a young lady who looked quite ordinary, and I doubted I'd seen her before. I usually didn't do business with people of her standing. A few moments later, Stanley returned."Sir, she claims she's a friend of Ms. Williams and she has something to speak with you about." I thought for a while,
Chapter 22Vanessa's POV:"I want to resign," I said sternly."What do you think my response will be?" he asked nonchalantly, briefly glancing between the road and me until he found a suitable spot to park the car by the side of the road."Huh?" I asked, a little confused at his reply, did he not take me seriously? I truly want to get away from him and I need him to let go."Let me guess, you're following a script, right? I should know my part of the dialogue to play along. Do you think you can quit on me?" He chuckled, tilting his head to the side."I supposed you didn't read the contract you signed, Vanessa Williams. Do a review of it once you get home. There's a clause that has the penalty you'll receive if you decide to quit halfway through paying back my money. I guess you enjoyed your stay in prison so much that you want to relive that experience."His eyes moved to the undone belt and he hissed, "There's hardly anything you can do right." He moved too close to me without notic
Chapter 44"Shhh... It's morning," she whispered, blinking dramatically. "And if I don't prepare, that jerk is going to punish me by making me redo all the work, Claire.""What's Claire?" He twitched."Don't ask that." She fanned him off, wobbling. "You know him. The jerk with the Ferrari."Andre’s lips pressed together. "Jerk with the Ferrari?" That was what she thought of him?"I just want to work, but he won't let me. Maybe we should strangle him for real this time, Claire." She clapped her hands, giggling, hopping in place.Andre had had enough.He grabbed her and pulled her with him onto the bed."C'mon, to bed now." His voice was firm.For once, she didn’t fight him.She was too tired.Her eyelids fluttered shut, her breathing evening out as sleep finally claimed her.Andre was about to switch off the lamp when something caught his attention.Her lips.Pouted, soft, slightly parted.For a while, he noticed just how beautiful she looked tonight. Maybe it was the makeup, maybe it
Chapter 43Vanessa stirred in Andre's arms as he carried her to his room on the top floor. Her fingers clutched weakly at his shirt, and she mumbled his name, her voice barely coherent."Stay still," he instructed, setting her down on the bed.She giggled, her words slurred. "You're so bossy."Andre sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever they had given her was making her loopy. She wouldn't stop squirming, her clumsy attempts to assist herself is only making things worse."Williams, lie down," he said firmly."But I don't want to," she pouted, her lips forming a stubborn curve."Too bad," he muttered, gently pressing her back against the pillows.For a brief moment, her expression softened. Her gaze locked onto his, filled with such raw vulnerability that it caught him off guard."Why are you so mean to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.Andre froze. He hadn't expected that, but he answered anyway, "I don't know.""Do you hate me?" she continued, her eyes glistening w
Chapter 42While speaking with the guest, Andre’s instincts flared like a warning siren. Something felt off. He scanned the crowd, searching for Vanessa. She wasn’t at the bar front where he’d last seen her, and a knot of unease tightened in his chest. He spotted Louisa slipping back into the ballroom, her expression far too smug. His eyes narrowed. She was up to something. He returned to the guest and excused himself with a small smile. "I'll be back." “Where is Vanessa?” he demanded, striding toward Louisa. Louisa feigned surprise. “What's that?” "My assistant isn't where I left her. Where is she?" She frowned at him. "How should I know? She's a grown up and very sly, she could've gone anywhere. And secondly, I can't be seen with someone who humiliated me in front of the crowd." Andre’s jaw clenched. He didn’t believe her for a second, but he had nothing against her. "Forget it, it's no use speaking with you," he said, turned, and stormed off to begin a search for her.
Chapter 41Andre's POV:The sound of glasses clinking and muffled laughter echoed from the party hall, but my focus wasn’t on the party. I had one thing in mind, and that was finding Louisa. I knew exactly what she was trying to do, and I wasn’t going to let her get away with it this time.I found her near the balcony, mingling with a group of socialites. Her laugh was too loud, her gestures exaggerated. When she saw me approach, her smile faltered.“Louisa,” I said sharply, and her friends immediately fell silent. “I need to speak with you. Now.”"I'm busy," she hesitated, her eyes darting to her friends for support, but they quickly excused themselves. Smart move.“What is it, Andre?” she asked, feigning innocence.I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Why did you do it?”“Do what?” she replied in a light voice, still feigning ignorance, and it fueled my anger. "You fucking know what I'm talking about. Why did you have to humiliate her? A maid's dress, really?"Her lips curled into a
Chapter 40Vanessa's POV:"Where is the dress I sent you?" Mr. Garcia asked again, his tone sharp and unyielding.My heart stuttered. He sent me a dress? No—this had to be some kind of mistake. All I’d received was this plain waitress uniform.I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. “That’s what was delivered to me,” I whispered, my voice trembling.Mr. Garcia’s expression flickered—confusion, irritation, and something else I couldn’t decipher.Louisa’s mocking laughter echoed in my mind, her smug expression flashing before me. It didn’t take much to piece it together—she had to be behind this. But why? What had I done to deserve this? I might have slapped Mr. Garcia and broken his car, which landed me a job here, but what had I done to her? I didn’t even know her.Realizing I might have misunderstood him, I tried to speak, “I—”He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath before turning back to me with his sharp, piercing gaze. I was still trying to wipe
Chapter 39Vanessa's POVI stared at the pretty, luxurious box resting on my bed, its pristine wrapping mocking me. A sigh escaped my lips, the kind that came from the pit of your stomach when you knew nothing good was coming. The note taped to the top read: "YOU MUST ATTEND." It was spelled in capital letters to show how serious he was.The words felt like a direct jab, one of his endless tactics to remind me of my place. It didn’t matter what I wore, how I presented myself, or how much effort I put into the tasks he gave me—Andre Garcia always found a way to make me feel like a fool.For a moment, I debated whether I should even open it. My fingers hesitated over the lid before finally giving in. Inside was a folded uniform, its crisp white and black lines a clear signal of what my role at the event would be: a waitress.I clenched my jaw to keep the wave of anger at bay. This wasn’t just about making me work at a party; it was about humiliation. He could’ve sent someone else to do
Chapter 38Vanessa's POV:The evening’s charity event had reached its crescendo, and exhaustion tugged at every fiber of my being. My feet, stuffed into the torturous heels Claire had insisted I wear, ached so badly that I could feel blisters forming. Every step of mine was a reminder of how I had allowed fashion to trump comfort—a decision I would regret for hours.I limped toward the matrons' office to grab a few documents when Mr. Garcia appeared from around the corner, his sharp eyes scanning me. His usual cold expression softened, if only slightly.“You look like you’re in pain,” he remarked, the gentleness in his tone catching me off guard.I forced a smile, wincing as I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “It’s nothing serious, just these heels. They’re killing me,” I admitted, figuring it wouldn’t hurt to share.Without a word, he took the files from my hands and gestured for me to sit down on one of the chairs lining the hallway. He left before I could protest, and
Chapter 37*Nostalgia*Vanessa's POVI ran my hands down my dress for what felt like the tenth time today, smoothing out invisible creases while my feet ached from these cursed heels. I didn’t know what had possessed me to wear this outfit. Maybe it was because of Mia's mocking comment this morning about how I'd look “too plain” for the event. I didn’t want to stand out, but something inside me felt the need to prove myself—even if it was just for today.Now, I was starting to regret it.Everything was chaotic, as usual, and I had been juggling errands since sunrise. When Mr. Garcia summoned me with his typical sharp tone this morning, I knew the day would be anything but smooth. I should’ve known better than to hope he’d give me even a hint of appreciation for my efforts.The man was a walking storm.At the orphanage, while sorting the gifts for the children, I heard him approach. The moment his voice cut through the air, I stiffened, my shoulders tensing instinctively. I’d gotten us
Chapter 36*Caught Off Guard*Andre's POV:I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie and admiring the sharp lines of my suit. It was perfect, as usual. Every detail was in place, and I felt the usual surge of power and control that came with my position. But inside, I was a mess. The morning had been chaotic, with me barking orders left and right. Vanessa had been running non-stop, handling my countless errands as always.Today was the annual charity event at the orphanage, a big family affair that every member of my family had to attend. The place was buzzing with activity. My friend Ethan was here, representing his family’s company, and a few of my father’s associates were also around.While the orphanage manager spoke to me, I couldn’t help but glance at Vanessa. She looked different today, almost glowing in the sunlight. She wore a beige patterned thigh length dress, with a touch of makeup, and her hair was neatly clipped to the top of her head. Something about her appearan