Chapter 10: Gift

THE young woman walked slowly as they approached the library that served as Edwin's office. She noticed James staring at her as he stood guarding the entrance. His eyes widened when he recognized her. Jennifer was expecting that reaction because she didn’t tell him about her plan. She knew he would be against it.

"Get inside." Dino commanded the woman again before turning to James and smirking. He could clearly see the shock on his face when he recognized the woman with him.

Jenny simply motioned to him. She gave him an assurance that she would not fail. And that everything will be fine.

"Happy birthday, Boss." Dino greeted his boss when they entered the room.

All eyes of Edwin's companions were focused on the newcomers, particularly on the woman who grabbed attention with her beautiful and curvy body.

"Who is with you?" the man asked after glancing at the woman head-to-toes.

"My gift to you, Boss. Hope you like it." Dino said confidently.

James secretly clenched his fist in anger as he watched and listened. He didn't like how everyone looked at his friend. If they were in a different situation, he might have picked her up and taken her home. He also wanted to scold her because he wasn't informed about how she got into the group. But when he remembered yesterday, he figured out that was how she met Dino. He was really impressed with her quick tactics, but he still didn't like what she did. Nevertheless, he was just a friend and he was there to help her revenge.

But the hatred in Jenny's heart was even greater. The face of the man who masterminded the murder of her parents was still clear in her mind. She wanted to crush him and let him taste the pain she had to experience since she was orphaned. But she had to hold back and not let her anger ruin everything. Her mind became a criminal, but she had not yet lost faith in God to stain her hands with the blood of her enemy.

"You made a good choice. You know my weakness very well." Edwin smirked as he praised Dino.

"I'm glad you liked it, Boss!" Dino turned to the men around. "What else are you staring at there? Get out so they can enjoy themselves!"

Everyone in the room laughed except James, who was grimly staring at the two.

"Boss, enjoy!" Dino said before leaving. He even winked at the woman to give her courage for her first day of work.

Jenny simply turned to James and again assured him that nothing bad would happen to her. She could read the worry in his eyes. If she would just say to get her out of that risky situation, he would do so without hesitation. She felt guilty for surprising him and not telling him about her new plan. But she would think about that later. What she had to deal with first was how to gain Edwin’s trust.

"Come on, Young Lady. Sit here next to me." Edwin's tone was gentle and serious.

She restrained herself from showing even an ounce of her hatred to him. She wanted to stab or strangle him, but she held back. "Happy birthday, Sir."

"Thank you, don't be shy."

She moved slightly closer to Edwin and whispered to him with a moan, "Do you want us to start ascending to heaven?"

Edwin laughed because of the woman's vulgarity and she didn't even beat around the bush. "No, no!" He shook his head.

"Why not?" She pulled down her sleeve, exposing her shoulder. "It's a waste of Dino's effort if you refuse the gift." she asked incredulously, but she was secretly praying that he wouldn't say yes to her seduction.

Edwin stared at the woman. "You are young and beautiful. Why did you choose this line of work?"

She pulled back her lowered sleeve and made a sad face. "My mom used to work in the cabaret, so I've been raised in this kind of lifestyle. She is currently sick. So I really need the money."

"It's a pity if you'll just be with different men." Edwin said and he understood the woman's situation. She won his sympathy, even though they only met today.

"Sir, it's my job to make Adam's race happy." She said seductively.

"I can use you in other ways." Edwin quickly came up with a good plan that will need the woman's service.

Jenny noticed the forming of a demonic grin on the face of her most hated enemy. "What do you mean?"

"I am old. And unbeknownst to everyone, I no longer have the ability to pleasure a woman." He did not hesitate to tell her his secret. To make her understand why he refused the delicious dish she wanted to serve in front of him.

Jenny was surprised by what she heard, but she secretly rejoiced. God heard her prayer to keep her away from the worldly desires of the man. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"You know, I'm good at studying people. The first time I looked at you, you immediately got my heart and attention." Edwin's honest answer. He knew that kind of work was dangerous. So he can easily trick her and make her obey everything he wanted in exchange for money.

Jenny laughed. "Your judgement is precise, Sir." She held out her hand. "Kailani Marquez, at your service." She confidently introduced herself using her new name.

"Edwin Samonte," he shook hands with her. "Just stay by my side and follow everything I say, then you will live a comfortable life."

"Can you please translate into our mother tongue?" She asked after shaking hands with him.

He laughed out loud and was entertained by Kailani. "I really like you. It seems like we'll get along."

"Wouldn't your wife be jealous of me if we're always together, Sir?"

"She is paralyzed and worthless, so you don't have to worry. Anyway, just call me Edwin."

"Okay, Sir… I mean, Edwin." Jenny smiled sweetly at him.

"Sounds good." Edwin smiled ear-to-ear.

Jenny just smiled. Destiny was kind to her now because the situation was on her side. It's easier for her to manipulate everything.

"I want you to act like a respectable woman. You should also change your clothing style according to the job you will be entering."

Jenny didn't ask regarding what he wanted her to do. She kept in mind his instructions on how to act in front of other people when they're together.

.....

"IT LOOKS like your dad has a new mistress."

Yazed looked at his friend. They were currently inside the Garcias’ company to formally announce his position as CEO.

"Another lowly woman. Look." Dexter whispered to him.

His gaze turned to where Dexter was pointing, to someone walking beside his father. The woman was looking down, so he couldn't see her face. She was busy searching something in her bag.

"Is everything ready?" Edwin asked his son and his friend as he neared them.

"Yes, Dad." Yazed replied while not taking his eyes off the woman who was still looking down.

"Is everyone there for the meeting?" Edwin asked his son again.

"Yes. They are already waiting inside." It was Dexter who answered his friend's father.

Jenny sighed after seeing the object she had been looking for inside the bag. She could feel someone's intense stare at her since earlier, but she didn't bother to look up. As she finally looked up, she locked eyes with the man whose face was familiar. Her eyes widened as she remembered where they first met. He was the man she wished to never to see again. But this time, her prayer was not heard. But her expression immediately changed when she remembered the situation.

"Have we met before?" Yazed asked the woman.

"H-Huh? Uh, not yet. I just saw you for the first time." Jenny denied and was relieved because the man didn't seem sure whether they had met before.

The make-up of the woman he met before was thick, but that face was still in his mind that didn't let him sleep for several nights. "Yeah. I think I mistook you as someone else I know or have met." He turned to his father. "Let's get in, Dad."

Jenny stared at the father-and-son. And Dexter saw her sharp stare at the two.

"There's something strange about her." Dexter whispered to himself. He just shook his head and followed to enter the conference room.

Inside the conference room, Dexter's gaze was fixed on the woman standing in a corner as she held some of the folders. She listened intently to the speaker in front, Yazed and his father. But he could see in her eyes the strange gleam as if she hated the person she was watching.

Even though Yazed was busy speaking, his eyes caught sight of how his friend was staring at his father's woman. When he got back to his seat, he could see the woman's face up close.

"She looks familiar," said Dexter, who was just next to Yazed in the seat.

"I remember her!" Yazed's eyes narrowed as he remembered the woman he brought to the hotel last week.

Dexter turned to him and gave him a questioning look.

"She's the woman we helped at the bar."

Dexter looked back at the woman who was now busy writing. She was sitting next to Edwin. Yazed was right and he just remembered that event. But before that, he had a different idea of ​​why her face was so familiar to him. But he could not remember where and who she was.

"That bitch! I'm sure she's known me before and she has no good intentions in approaching me!" Yazed gritted his teeth as he glared at the woman who boldly met his gaze.