Chapter two

Neil.

I silently woke up from this bed that I was pretty sure wasn't mine. After looking around, I concluded that this wasn’t my room. The memories from yesterday’s night flashed in the girl from the club, her drinks, me taking her house, sex. That was cool.

I took one more look at her face. Seeing her in the light, she was really beautiful. She had brunette hair that was all ragged from yesterday, her nose was well-sculptured. Her lips were pursed in cupid. As she slept, I could hear her sweet, satisfying breathing. She slept like an angel and her hands were intertwined with mine. Slowly, I loosened myself from her and jumped out of her springy bed.

I picked my trousers that lay on the floor and wore them in haste. It was better if she didn’t wake up seeing me. That was a beautiful mistake, and as sad as it was, I didn’t want it to happen to us. For her own sake.

As I put on my shoes and my jacket, I took one last look at her sleepy face. I want to feel her tongue on mine, even if it was for the last time, but I didn’t want to wake her up, so I just learned it and lightly brushed my lips on her cheek.

My stubble itched her a bit because she touched the place and gave it a little scratch then went back to bed.

Slowly, I got out of her house and walked down to my Tesla car where I drove away from her and her life. Forever.

Thankfully, I didn’t even find out what her name was.

I got home at the crack of dawn and walked into my gigantic mansion. Real estate agents claimed that my house was worth billions of dollars, which was true. I was a stinky, stinky, rich man. Everyone knew that. That girl would have if she hadn't drunk herself into a stupor, then she’d want to cling to me because of my status.

Women. I knew so much about them and how to escape from their claws, but…

I parked my cars among the fleet of cars in my garage. Amongst them were Lamborghini, rare models of Mercedes, and a lot which I hadn’t driven before. My doorman bowed in my direction when we came into contact. I nodded in his direction and walked into the house.

“Darling, I’ve been worried sick about you. Where have you been?”

Oh, I forgot to mention that. I had a girlfriend that decided to move in with me and wanted us to build a family together.

I sighed. “I was out with friends.” I knew she didn’t trust me, but she knew better than to argue. She needed me more than I needed ten times her.

“Are you tired? Isabel made breakfast, so you can have yours.” She dragged me to the room, holding me like she’d lose me any minute. That could be true, though.

“I’m fine. I’m going to take my bath and run off to work.” I turned away from her, avoiding her caress. She had a good body and a perfect, rich face, but I wasn’t drawn to her. With just a touch, that girl could make me take off my clothes, but Claudie was just neutral to me.

“Come on, honey. Do this for me.” She kissed my lips, staining them with her deep, cherry lipstick. I turned away from her.

“I’m not ready for this, Claudie. I’m running late for work.” I looked away from her, avoiding her beautiful, pleading look. Claudie was the woman that could manipulate a man with her body and face, but she couldn’t do that when I had work. Work could buy her, so I had to pick work first.

“If you insist. Fine. But there was one big diamond bracelet I saw at the jewelry store yesterday. Can I get them?”

I needed her to get off my hook. “Fine. Buy whatever you want. I need to go.”

She did a little victory dance and left me to leave in peace. I hopped in the bathroom and took a quick bath, picturing “the girl” from yesterday night. One more night with her and I’d be alright, I thought to myself. Maybe I should visit the bar to see if I’d see her again.

I put on a jacket and a pair of pants, ready for the day’s work. Claude watched me from the aside, throwing glances at me, probably seeking attention. After I was done, I kissed the top of her head and watched as her lips progressed from a tight straight line to a big wide grin.

“Have fun at work today, honey. Don’t forget our dinner date tonight.” I smiled at her, even when I was sure I was going to miss it.

I got to my workplace. It had the highest skyscraper in that state. It stood tall and bold, just like I did. I was proudly the owner of Neil Incorporated.

“Good morning, Mr. Honduras.” I received countless cower from my employees. They always shuddered when they saw me close by. They always whispered anytime I passed by. Their eyes trembled if they tried to make eye contact with them. They were afraid of me.

Fear was a good thing.         

I got into my elevator and sped up, listening to myself whistle. I needed a deal I had to close up for today, so I had to be in my office at the right time.

The receptionist was answering a call. When she saw me, she dropped the phone by the chair and turned fully to me, her ever-smiling face was as it is, and her polished teeth never seemed to close. I bet they taught them never to frown.

“Good morning, Mr. Honduras.” Her voice was as friendly as possible, but I could sense a bit of trembling in it.

Good.

“What is it?”

“You… you have fifty people you have to interview today.” When I didn’t reply, she prompted, “for the secretarial position.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Oh. You’ll let them in in two hours. I repeat, Margaret, two hours. Anything less than that, you’ll lose your job.”

Her smile faltered a bit. “Yes, Mr. Honduras.”

This time, I said the word out loud: “Good.”

I walked into my office and reclined into my armchair, resting a bit before the work started. I needed a secretary. Someone that would make me coffee, reschedule and schedule my meetings, and run errands for me. The last person I worked with retired. Gale, what a sweet woman, but she had to leave because she was clocking sixty. I needed a secretary like Gale, but someone younger.

Filling up a document, I heard a knock on my door. I raised my wristwatch and checked the time if Megan kept to my timing.

“Come in, Margaret.” My voice was harder at work. It had an edge that kept everyone on edge.

She shrewdly walked in. “Sir, it’s time. Should I let them in?”

I gave hand signals to her to let them in. She left.

After another thirty seconds, I heard a knock. “Come in.”

A woman walked in. Her hair was packed loose in a wavy style. A no for me. Her skirt was way above the knee level. Another no. I didn’t even give her the chance to be interviewed. I shouted to Margaret who introduced the women. “Next!”

The next woman looked like she was in her late fifties. I yelled to Margaret. “I asked for a younger woman, Margaret. Next!”

A younger woman walked inside. Her physical attire was something I preferred. She had dark hair like me and she was beautiful. Two important things on my list.

“Sit.” My voice was as stern and cold as the air in my room.

She nervously sat in the opposite chair, facing me. She clutched her bag tightly, squeezing it even.

“What’s your name?”

“Kayla. Kayla McFee.”

I nodded. “Great. Now. Why do you want to be a secretary?”

She stuttered too many times and cleared her throat after every stutter. “I… it is my dream to go to college and I want to save up for it. I want to make use of the saved-up money to cater for my college fees. To be a doctor, maybe.”

I liked her dream, but she was supposed to pitch to me the reason she wanted me to give her this job. She didn’t say anything about how it could benefit me.

I go for a last take. “What offers can you render me?”

She smiled. “I can do whatever you want, Mr. Honduras. Whatever.”

I wanted to smile at her and give her the job, but not just yet. I loved a little bit of suspense. “Kayla, my receptionist will get back to you. You likely got the job.”

I could see the beam of happiness that erupted from her face. She stood up, curtsied, and left.

“One more person left, Mr. Honduras,” Margaret said from outside.

“Let her in.”

In less than a second, my expression changed from neutrality to sheer shock. When she entered the office, her brunette locks cascaded the whole place. I knew I’d seen her somewhere. It was the girl I had a one-night stand with yesterday. The girl I wanted to see again. The girl had hazel eyes. It was her.

Dressed in pumps and a plain, short, dark skirt, she could be mistaken for a strikingly beautiful model. When she saw me, her jaw dropped in surprise, and it seemed like she was embarrassed as her cheek blush scarlet.

I loved the shock on her face; it amused me. I deepened my smirk, revealing my dimples. A smirk that intensified her. The only thing that left my mouth was:

“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?”

And, oh my, she was drop-dead gorgeous.