FOUR
For someone who claimed he ran a drug cartel, Melinda expected his house to look like it. Portraits of gangsters, drug lords and funky musicians is what she expected as decorations in the entire building. Instead, what she saw was floral decorations, art works at every possible place, paintings, sculptures and a very large portrait of a half naked Ajax in the hallway.
She looked around and saw everyone busy, carrying cartons, files, making calls, cleaning, reading papers. They where clad in pale yellow suits, royal blue suits, purple suits or black suit. The persons dressed in black suits were obviously body guards. She would find out what the other persons and their different suits signified. She recalled the maids were dressed in fitting dark green gowns. She looked at herself. She was dressed in a black flannel jump suit and black stilettos which surprisingly, she could walk in. She wondered what her job exactly would be. She approached the stairs and met one of the black suit guys who greeted her with a wink. "Hey Mel." She managed a smile in spite of the shock that came on her. With every passing glance from the workers, it seemed they all knew her name.
She paused for breath when she reached the last flight of stairs leading to the top floor. The floor of the stairs had transformed from Terrazzo to Marble at this juncture.The building was a three storey. After counting to ten, she continued her journey. On reaching the top floor, she paused to appreciate her environment. There were rose flowers in Terracotta vases. She looked ahead and noticed a CCTV camera hidden somewhere in the ceiling.
"For someone deadly, this is quite the environment to stay in." She murmured to herself. She approached the infamous black door. She took a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in." She heard Ajax' voice speak. She literally tip toed as she entered the 'office.' What she saw didn't look exactly like an office. Ajax was recklessly seated in a convertible. Opposite the convertible was a mini desk housing files and an unopened coffee. Adjacent the desk was a glass wall and glass door leading to the terrace where a really comfy bed was.
"Have a seat." Ajax nearly snapped. She was taking too long to appreciate the beauty of his office. Melinda looked around and saw that the only seats available were the convertible which Ajax was seated in and the office chair for the desk which was obviously for him.
"Here." He said, patting the empty space beside him. While she sauntered towards the position offered to her, he seized the opportunity to look her over. He noticed how the jumpsuit hugged her curves and how her low necked suit didn't try to hide her cleavage. He looked into her eyes. They were brown. Her lips. Soft, plump and rosy pink. He inhaled her scent as she sat down. The maids obeyed his instructions. She still smelled like Lemons.
Melinda cleared her throat. She was trying to calm her nerves that were suddenly jittery because of his dangerous proximity to her.
"I have questions." She said, passing him a side glance, as she clamped her thighs together. In his presence, she was always a mushy mess.
"Of course. They'll be answered." He replied, his eyes didn't leave her face. "You'll answer my question first Lind." He continued. Amusement flickered in his eyes. Somehow, watching her squirm tickled his fancy.
"Why did you run away from home?" He asked.
"What?!" Melinda jumped in shock. "Did the Wrights send you? Who are you?" She was taking backward steps away from him.
"So, I take it that you're an orphan who ran away from her helpers." Ajax stood up to approach her.
" I am not an orphan." She hissed in fury, taking a step back as he approached her.
"Then what are you?" He asked, approaching her still, until he had her trapped between him and the door which she frantically tried to open. Unfortunately, it was locked. She thought she heard a growl in his voice.
"Who are you? I need to know who I'm being trapped into working for." She hissed.
" What are you? I need to know who I'm about to trap into working for me." He dipped his head to hers. Their noses were touching. He was trying to challenge and intimidate her. She was switching from cowering to daring.
"I am a lost child." She gasped when his hand touched her jaw. He cocked a brow, urging her to continue. His hand didn't leave her jaw.
"I got lost as a kid. I went to play in the forest. Then I was kidnapped by some sex traffickers. I escaped from them before I attained the age when they could turn me to a sex slave. I took to the streets. The Wright family adopted me as their child but I was taken to serve them, and not be parented by them. Mr Wright was going to deflower me when I clocked twenty. I had to escape. I ran away. I found the home you just stole away from me. I clocked twenty years peacefully. I found a job then I was taken by you." She hissed. The tears she had been withholding escaped from her eyelids. His eyes softened at that.
"I guess your parents must be looking for you." He said, his eyes didn't leave hers. He released her jaw and grabbed her hand in an almost gentle way. He was trying to be mean to her, but he couldn't help himself from being gentle. For someone at that age, she really has been through hell. He led her to the convertible. He was going to let her sit, but on second thought, he motioned for her to remain standing while he relaxed on the convertible which he switched to a bed. Melinda snorted. He cocked his brows. He was expecting a nasty remark from her. She didn't utter a word. Instead she was helping herself to a gorgeous sight. Him.
Rays of light that escaped from the shutters shone on his face. She thought she imagined seeing flecks of silver in his eyes. His face was Greek perfect with dark eyebrows and lashes. He had a regal nose and a stubborn chin that looked freshly shaved. His chest was heaving gently. She noticed the soft dark curls on his chest that peeped from the neck of his sweatshirt.
"Earth to Melinda." He snapped. He noticed a hint of colour on her cheeks as she came back to reality.
"Do you think your parents are looking for you?" He asked.
" No. They probably think I am dead. It's been twelve years now yunno. I had two siblings before and after me. I don't think they'll really feel my absence. I always loved staying on my own. I love my freedom." She replied. Her eyes turned cold at the mention of freedom.
"I see." He was stroking his chin this time. He watched her shift her balance from one foot to the other. 'She is probably hatching her plan for freedom now.' He thought.
"I am twenty six years old. That's an answer to one of your questions." He said. He flashed her a grin that made her heart stop. 'Those evil dimples. Ugh!' she thought.
"I am the CEO of Reynolds wine factory. That answers the question who am I." He continued. Melinda opened her mouth in surprise. That explained the huge curvy 'R' that was inscribed and pained on the Terrazzo floor in the hallway at the ground floor. She looked at his desk and saw the golden plate bar that had Ajax.R.Smith inscribed on it.
"So, you don't run a drug cartel." She asked. She felt a weight being lifted from her shoulders when he nodded in apprehension.
"Although, I must tell you that this wine factory is an undercover for trained mercenaries who hunt drug and sex traffickers. Every single soul in this building can fight, shoot and kill. Except you." He said, standing up for effect. Melinda refused to take her usual steps away from him.
"So.. you're actually evil." She said, looking him in the face. She noticed how tall he is for the first time. He towered above her. Her head aligned with his chest.
"Have you been listening or ogling at me?" He hissed, gripping her shoulders firmly in the process.
"I don't trust you." She snapped. They were both breathing hard and fast. Hot breaths that had steams of anger.
"As my personal assistant, you will have to know how to fight. Training starts tomorrow night." He released her before stalking to his recliner.
Before she could utter a word, he motioned for her to leave.
FIVEFor hours, Melinda stayed motionless on her king sized bed. It was hers now as the P.A of Reynolds' CEO. After seven hours of staying in Reynolds' magnificent building, she realized she wasn't supposed to be a cook. Infact, her job is one she would enjoy if she didn't hate and distrust Ajax so much. Her job was just to assist Ajax and follow him anywhere he goes. Ajax was only trying to pull her strings when he had mentioned the things she thought she would be doing now. She admired the bond among the workers. They saw one another as family. She made acquaintance with Owen, the security guard who had winked at her. He was the only cool security guard that smiled a lot, an interesting black guy who grew up in Queens.She also met Jerome, another security guard stationed at the second floor where her room was. He was the one who led her to her room and gave details on how life was in the Reynolds' building. Everyone loved what they do. "You don't stay
SIXIt was easy for Ajax to resist going to Melinda's room to query her right now that he was as exasperated as he was confused. He tossed on his bed as he pondered on what to do with her. He felt like he had made a mistake by acting on his instinct and the magnetic pull he felt the first day he laid his eyes on her. Melinda's distrust for him was not just glaring but jabbing at his ego. He had wanted to protect her, but quite frankly he had wanted to claim her like how a werewolf would want to claim his soul mate no matter what. Right now, his good but selfish intentions had backfired. Melinda must have sensed the magnetic pull between them but her distrust, fear and hate for him would be blocking its path. Taking away her freedom apparently was a dumb act on his part, but the instinct to claim, provide and protect had overwhelmed him. She was meant to be his. Ajax didn't need proof. The way his heart quickened when he thought of her, when she was in his sight was a perfect sign that
SEVENMelinda stirred on her bed. The dull ache in her head and the rays of light that peeped from the shutters got her squeezing her eyes shut. A sigh escaped her lips when she felt cold ice on her forehead. "You're awake." Lucrecia whispered. The shudder in her sigh flooded Lu's face with relief.Melinda's eyes fluttered open. It took some seconds for her vision to normalize, it was blurred. When her eyes met an unfamiliar ceiling, she sat up. "Jeez, easy peasy Mel." Lucrecia gently laid her head back on the pillow."Where am I?" She asked."Your room." "Really? What changed?" Melinda asked, trying again to sit up. She observed her surrounding, clearly, she was back to the world of Reynolds."Your head. You have some loose nuts." Lucrecia replied, barely suppressing her laughter as Melinda's facial expression replicated the signature look of Voldermort of Harry Potter. "Yeah girl, you really hit it hard. You slumped in the bathroom. Seriously Mel, who sleeps under the shower? Well t
EIGHT"Where is Lu?" Lorren said as she entered her room, stealing Lois' attention from the Magazine she had her eyes fixed on."Lu had a call from Ajax. Seems like the chap needed a woman spying with him today.""The Gallows is a death trap. I advised him not to go there alone. He seems to be the Loner these days." Lorren said, pouring herself Reynolds red wine."Pfft.. not when that white haired girl is in his web." Lois replied."Melinda?". Lorren stopped sipping her wine. Lois nodded in apprehension."I don't trust that girl." Lorren said."It's your prejudice against Ajax' choice of PAs that is talking Lorren. Melinda is just confused. She's just a little girl you know.""She has something up her sleeve and I can smell it."" Ugh..not you this time. Last year it was Lu and Brent. When you ladies begin to smell rats around, it gets me unsettled. I just want to continue smiling genuinely at everyone Lorren. The whole Quinn attack on us really shook everyone. It wasn't easy getting
NINE"f**k." Ajax stumped his feet on the ground where he and Lucrecia were crouching, armed with telescopes and shot guns. They were on a spy mission."f**k..Godammit" Ajax tossed his telescope aside."Keep it down. What's wrong?" Lucrecia whisper yelled." You're gonna blow our cover." She continued ranting. Ajax wasn't listening. He was pinching the bridge of his nose and tapping his feet, an act he displays whenever he is exasperated and frustrated."Let's bounce." He started moving."Wha.."" Melinda has disappeared. I have to find her..""What the.. I'm coming with.." Lucrecia stepped into his pace."No you're not. With all due respect, I don't want you tangled up in Melinda's mess. That girl is a lot of trouble. Trouble hovers wherever she is and I don't want that trouble around you." Ajax snapped impatiently."There's something you're not telling me Ajax. How and where did you get Mel?" They were in Ajax' rolls Royce. The sound of the starting engine as he turned the ignition d
TENThe drive back to Hingham was awkwardly quiet. Ajax was having a hard time saying a word to her. He kept on gritting his teeth as he drove. He was mad angry. He didn't want to hurt her physically or emotionally just as Lucrecia had warned, given the psychological state she has been plunged to."Thank you for saving my life." She said for the umpteenth time. Silence was all she could get as his response."At least tell me sorry. I'm in pains here, my jaw hurts." She tried again.Ajax sent her a look that spoke volumes. What? Really? Right now? Leave me the hell alone. You're a handful. I could kill you. That serves you right."Okay, let's try this.. I'm sorry you almost lost your P.A." She was pulling a bunny look without trying. He almost smiled. Almost. Damn her for being pretty all the time. She slouched on the car seat in resignation. Well if he wanted to play deaf and dumb, so could she. Ajax watched her as she moved, he didn't miss the tantalizing exposure from her skirt jum
ELEVENMelinda tossed and turned on her bed. Replaying her experience with Ajax earlier that evening in her mind wasn't putting her to rest. It only made her wonder what more could have happened if one of them had dived in for the second kiss that seemed inevitable in the heat of the moment. Knowing that he was just opposite her room didn't help matters. It was like she could hear him breathing. She visualized him lying on the bed, clothed or half naked, the mass of dark curls that nestled down his chest which would be rising and falling. She imagined her fingers dancing on his chest. Shit.How could one kiss leave her wanting for more? She dismissed this as a consequence of having no romance all her life. Ajax could have had many girls before her. What difference would it make if she just added to the list? She didn't want to be another game played and won, she needed to thread carefully on this path she found herself. Clearly, it was a dangerous one. To her, guys with tattoos, no ma
TWELVE He sucked hard on his cigarette before tossing what was left of it. He released the puff of smoke through his nostrils as he crushed the cigarette with his boots. "f**k this." He muttered, punching the brick wall in the process. He was on the verge of a meltdown. "What's up man, what have you been up to?" Payne bellowed as he snuck behind him. Payne was always a loud wide animal in his crib. "Nothing.. just needed some air." He turned around to face the monster. Disgust and hate filled his guts. All he wanted to do was ram his fist on Payne's jaw and crush his bones. "Nerves? Trust me, they'll relax when you get laid. There are some girls we haven't sold..." "I'll pass...I just need to.." "You need to get laid. Trust me. You always decline when I dangle those meats in front of you. You're the only one of my men that avoids those rats." His knuckles were white now, they had been bent into tight fists since Payne showed up. How dare he call those innocent girls rats. Time