Chapter 3

The next day

“Charla will direct you to your chair and acquaint you with the office.” Saying those words, Charles pinged, and immediately there was a knock at the door. 

“Sir, you called me?” A grey-haired woman in a stiff business skirt and a shirt came inside. 

“Yeah, Charla, meet Aliza, she is my new secretary cum personal assistant, and Aliza, this is Charla, the head of the personal department. Charla, please acquaint her with the office and show her the desk. 

“As you say, sir...” Charla nodded, and Aliza followed her out.

Aliza looked around in awe at her new office room. The walls were painted in a grey and cream delightful combination. To one of the walls was a huge glass window where she could record the busy city life of people. In the center was a huge African wood desk with a high-profile comfortable chair attached. Aliza could never dream she would one day be an employee of a well-to-do concern like Richmond Industries.

In the center of the desk, there was an expensive laptop. Aliza’s eyes went wide in amazement. 

Charla, who was standing beside her, patted her shoulder in cheerfulness. “Here is your new smartphone. The CEO’s number is fed in it, and the others you can add yourself.” She handed her a brand new smooth mobile carton. Aliza’s eyes glittered in happiness, and she choked on her speech as she thanked Charla. Using this kind of laptop and mobile was incomprehensible for a middle-class girl like her.

Later Charla introduced Aliza to the staff, the cafeteria, and the coffee machine where she had to make coffee every day for Charles.

***

Tomorrow night is going to be a huge business deal of d****. Charles returned from his office early to Sarte — the club he owned and where most of his c****** trades were made. As soon as he entered the bar, the attendee bowed to him and forwarded Charles his usual drink. A scantily dressed dancer with glitter all over her body and breasts bulging out walked to Charles. 

“Good evening, boss. You called me?” She asked him politely.

Charles nodded after sipping the contents of the bourbon in his glass and spoke. “Tomorrow we are going to have a huge trade of C*** Laila. Tell the dancers to be ready. Nobody will be forced on sex against their willingness, and I take the responsibility of it.” His eyes were serious and sharp, looking straight at Laila. 

“You and your colleagues will be paid double what you are paid for doing overtime tomorrow, and the next day all of you can take an off. The only thing I want to be sure of is you and your team should be efficient in diverting the cops from this covenant.”

“You are the most liberal paymaster I have come across in my career, sir. We are always pleased to do the extra work because you amply fill our pockets. I will keep my team ready,” Laila answered professionally and bowed to Charles before leaving. Lighting a cigarette, Charles dialed his sister’s number. 

“Hello, princess. How is college?” He spoke cheerfully to Edith. He wasn’t happy with the information his sister delivered. Edith had joined her college late and was denied hostel admission because the rooms were full.

His innocent sister was obsessed with a manipulative rogue, and the Rodriguez family couldn’t risk her staying outside the college hostel. 

“Wait, do not call dad yet. You are still in the college campus. Am I right? Do not leave the campus until I call you again. It is late in the night and unsafe for you to go out.” Charles ruled on Edith and dialed the next most warranted number — the Dean of New York University. 

“Thank you very much, Mr. Mandela. My sister will join her classes this Monday,” Charles spoke crisply and disconnected the call.

He then called his best friend Allesandro. “Hey, man. How are you?” Charles asked his friend nipping the ash of his cigarette in the ashtray. “I have a request to you about my sister. Edith lost her hostel accomodation because of joining late. I want you to accommodate her in your home so that she will stay safe, away from that wolf and complete her education. I have already spoken to the Dean of New York University and she can continue her graduation there without a problem.” 

Charles took a sip of his drink and chatted for a few more minutes with his best friend. Later cutting the call, he exhaled a huge sigh. Edith’s matter is settled.

***

That night after she returned home, Aliza was on top of the world. Her Uncle and Stella were going to an anniversary party of one of her friends. Andrew left for his friend’s place and would stay for the night. Aliza took a relaxing bath and put on her old but comfortable nightwear. After she gets her first-month salary, she plans to buy a few dresses and official wear for the office, but till then, she has to adjust with the little she has.

She made some beef sandwiches and steamy chicken soup to go by and sat for dinner. After long years of waiting, Aliza was finally bestowed with something cheerful to happen in her life, and she cannot stop but is tickled pink. Relaxing on the sofa with her dinner plate in her lap, Aliza put on her favorite movie and started to watch it.

Not even half an hour had passed when the doorbell rang. Aliza wondered who was at the doorstep. Her uncle and aunt wouldn’t return this early from the party, and Andrew wasn’t expected before tomorrow morning. Perplexed, she went to the entrance, stared through the peephole, and the air blocked her throat, peeping at the person on the other side.

Bolting the chain, Aliza half opened the door and spoke through the gap. “Hello, Fredrick. Aunt Stella and uncle Nelson had gone to her friend’s anniversary party. You can come and meet them tomorrow,” she said to Fredrick, Stella’s brother, in an anxious voice. 

“Do not play stupid games with me. Did I tell you that I came to visit Stella? I’m here to meet you. Fucking open the door now. I am dying here in cold,” he snarled.

Aliza plastered a fake smile and opened the door intrepid. Fredrick wobbled through the entrance entering inside. His shirt was half tucked, and his huge stomach was bulging out from his low-tucked pants. A smell of cheap alcohol was leaking out from him. 

“Get me a bottle of soda,” he commanded Aliza after taking a glass from the crockery shelf.

Sitting on the sofa of the front hall, he poured himself a drink and some more in another glass. 

“Fredrick, you are already drunk. Please, stop drinking and go to bed,” Aliza told him in a shiver, gathering her last bit of courage. 

“Did I ask for your advice?” he roared at Aliza in anger. With quivering hands, Aliza placed the bottle of soda on the table.

“Come on, give me a company.” Fredrick extended the glass to Aliza. 

“I just had my dinner. I’m full,” Aliza told him in begging orbs. 

“I did not ask about your interest. I told you to drink.” 

Aliza took the glass in her cold hands. She was sweating profusely even in the coldest month of winter. Creating as much distance between them as she could, she sat on a single chair and took the glass.

“So, it is true that you’re over the moon grabbing a job at Richmond Industries? That sexy hunk, Charles Rodriguez...I heard awful things about him. He is a playboy and a manwhore. Stay away from him as much as possible.” 

Then what are you? A saint who worships women? Aliza wanted to ask, but she controlled her bursting instincts. 

“Do not build hopes that you would work too long with him. Within the next six months, we are getting married, and you will resign from that job. Is it clear?” he roared, cleaning the glass of its contents in one swoop.

“Yes...” 

Fredrick opened the chips packet he bought with him and munched on them. “I did not hear you.” 

Aliza gulped heavily. “Yes..yes, Fredrick. I will resign from the job as soon as we are married.” She restlessly played with her fingers answering him. He immediately bent forward and slapped his hand on the table, shaking the articles on it. “Damn it! It is not after marriage. It is before marriage.” He stressed the last two words. 

“Okay....okay, as you please, Fredrick.” Aliza’s face went pale with discomfort.

“Now, come on, give me a kiss.” He waved his fingers like calling a dog and patted on his lap. 

“I wish...” Aliza choked in her voice, “I wish kisses and hugs are after marriage, Fredrick.” 

The next moment he was in front of her pulling her hair. “You whore, you keep whoring around with that sexy hunk CEO, and you thought I would keep my hands folded? Come on, give me a kiss. Otherwise, I will make you resign from that idiotic job tomorrow.”

“Please, no...” Aliza pleaded. Fredrick held her neck so hard that the mark of his fingers could be seen. He pushed her to the wall, and Aliza hit her head. An instant bruise formed on her forehead. He forcefully kissed Aliza and bit her lip when she did not open her mouth for him. Blood began to ooze out of her rims. He hastily opened the first two buttons of Aliza’s top before squeezing her breast and giving her a hickey on her throat.

“No amount of concealer will help you with those marks.” Fredrick gave a sadistic smile. “Now, everyone in your office will see you as mine, including that handsome hero.” 

A disgusting look involuntarily crossed Aliza’s face. 

“Do not dare to give me that look,” he threatened, “You hate me. Isn’t it right? And now you’re going to bear the fruit of it.” He lifted her and walked to the bedroom. 

“Leave me...leave me, please,” Aliza begged.

“Next time you disobey me, you are surely going to be fucked. Give me what I want, and you will live happily. Kiss me now. Otherwise, I’m going to rape you right here.” 

Aliza raised her head and gave a trembling kiss to Fredrick. 

“That was simply amazing,” he remarked.

Little did Aliza know that was a blunder she had made.