Clad with a black three-piece suit draped over my natural even tanned skin, I stepped out of the elevator leading to my office. I walked with a brisk swagger, one which caught the eye of any soul I passed. Adjusting the scarf coiled around my neck, I twisted the doorknob of my office door after unlocking it and stepped in.
Taking my seat on the other side of the table, I phoned Nora, my secretary to let her in. According to her, Sophia Woods has been waiting patiently for over an hour coursing through different magazines as if time had stopped. I smiled when I heard that, I liked such an attribute because it was one of my favorites in women.
The rap on the door forced me into character. I hadn't invited her over to my office for a business meeting but I didn't also want to come off as a “nice” man. I wasn't anything gentle with women and I let them know immediately we met. Sophia Woods wouldn't be any different.
I coordinated my face into a placid, emotionless one and ordered them inside. Nora opened the door, her face brightened with her large smile. I rolled my eyes inwardly noticing her pathetic fan-girl attitude with Sophia. They walked into my office and I nodded my head in the direction of the seat opposite me and Sophia caught on quickly.
“Hope I didn't keep you waiting for so long.” I commented, making it glaring that I wasn't asking a question. Sophia knotted her lips in a feisty manner before responding curtly.
“Yes, you did. You should be sorry.” I hid my surprise properly and turned away to find Nora still rooted in her spot and staring dreamily at Sophia. Suddenly, I felt embarrassed. It was one thing to be berated by a beautiful woman but it was another thing for your staff to have witnessed it. The latter didn't sit down well with me.
“What else can I help you with, Nora?” I raised a brow instantly irritated by her worship of Sophia. She could stand up to a man and the society too if she wanted, but worshiping someone who did wouldn't help her to.
“Nora?” I called her again, my voice louder and my fingers making tapping sounds on the table to alert her. “Nora!” I bellowed and she jerked back to reality. I could feel Sophia's eyes burning into my back and I felt guilty.
“Get back to your office!” I ordered in a strict tone not faltering for a second. I didn't want Sophia to have the faintest idea that she had control over me.
“Umm… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Sir.” She pleaded in a disoriented manner as she scampered away. I bet the only thought on her mind was the possibility of losing her job. I wouldn't do that because she's been great so far and I've settled into working with her. Changing staff would take some adjusting to do and I've learned to avoid anything that could displace me.
As soon as Nora slammed the door shut behind her, Sophia cleared her throat making me peel my eyes from the door and focus it on the grim expression on her face. I kissed my canine, what now? Is she going to start some scandal against me? Everybody knew me for my brutality and her approval or disapproval wouldn't change that!
“You know she's not an animal, right?” She began as expected, her tone having a hint of authority in it. I found myself chuckling, what could a nameless and homeless girl do to me?
“I invited you to my office for a chat, not an interrogation or a lecture on how to treat my staff.” I said without looking at her but locked eyes with her, a smug smile dancing around my lips as I added, “Of course, I know she's human with parents that love her and treat her nicely unlike your parents.”
Something flickered in her eyes and it took me a second to decipher - anger, raw gnawing rage. I shuddered inwardly, recalling a few horrific incidents of the effects of such rage let out.
“Did you send for me to start a banter, did you?” She raised a brow as her elbows met the table, pushing her morbid face closer to mine. I cursed inwardly hoping my face didn't betray any of the emotions her reactions were trying to get. “Then, get on with it.” she spoke, apathetically.
“What's all over the news about your family and your sister caught my attention and I'd like to talk about it.” I started with a scowl. Why would a pretty woman want to tear up her family? I didn't want to be like the entire public who were smitten by her courage and sneering at her parents. I wanted full details.
“What more do you wanna hear? I'm sure the newscasters and media personnel did a great job at covering and telling the story. In fact, every channel has my name and picture on it including big blogs, articles and channels on social media. You'll only be uninformed if you don't read or you live under a rock which I can't say for you due to the huge bookshelf behind you showcasing books on various topics and this final…”
I raised a palm to pause her. “Okay, Okay. I've gotten your point.” I exhaled surprised that I'd been holding a breath. “I just want to help you. I heard your father doesn't want you to be with them again.”
“He wants me to “come clean” to the media.” She stated, making air quotes with her fingers and reclining further into her seat. “There's nothing to come clean about. They were having sex with each other and I had to expose them. I used the route shown to me by the town. I used the only public gathering of the year and if you must know, I'm still furious. I'd rather be homeless than cover their cheating asses!” She concluded firmly, her eyes becoming teary. I was tempted to put my palm over herself and squeeze it but instead, I silently pushed the box of tissue towards her.
She looked up at her. Anger clouded every beautiful feature of her face. “What are you passing the box for? Do you think I'm about to cry in front of a deranged man like you?” She fired, making me retreat quickly. Fuming, I watched her teeth fumble with her lips in a way to shut down the angry downpour building up. I didn't want to interfere, what could a deranged man do anyway? She could sulk for all I care.
After some more sniffling, she raised her head which had been lowered after her last words and for the first time, I saw the heartbroken woman who'd turned feisty but as I opened my mouth to find soothing words for her, she spoke.
“ I want revenge. Dark, terrible revenge on those two. I had loved that cheat for five years and I won't let him get away with hurting me.” She paused searching my face for any sign of interest, realizing that I gave her an affirmative nod. “I know my family will find a way out of the grasp of the media and that's not satisfying enough. I need to hurt David so much he'll remember it for life.” She continued with an expression that told me that his name tasted sour on her tongue.
Pulling a long face, I asked her how she intended to do that and why she was telling me.
“You'll need my help with bringing David down which will obviously bring me joy.” She sneered.
“Who told you I wanted to drag David down? I don't want to-”
“Marry me.” She stated with a coy smile. I choked on nothing.
“What the hell?!” Was all I could muster as she ranted on and on about how much she knew about David's company and how we'd drag it down together. I acted tough and unwilling for a few minutes before completely buying into her idea.
I felt relief that I wasn't the one to bring up the subject. That's why I'd brought her into my office and stayed through her tough-girl remarks. Her visit was discreet due to my strict warning to the media putting an impending lawsuit if one of them sneaked a photo of me again. Or sniffed out the juice in my activities.
Of course, they scrambled away because I'd win no matter what and they'd pay lots of dollars they'd used for adverts.
Bunch of hungry losers!