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 gray-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 she is Charla, the head of the personnel 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 gray 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.

On the center of the desk was an Apple Laptop placed. Aliza's eyes went wide in amazement. Charla who was standing beside her patted her shoulder in cheerfulness. "Here is your new Apple mobile. The CEO's number is already fed in this and the others you can add depending on your choice." She handed her a brand new smooth mobile carton. Aliza's eyes glittered in happiness and choked on her speech as she thanked Charla. Using an Apple 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 drug business deal. Charles returned from his office early to Sarte - the club he owned and where most of his cocaine trades are done. No sooner than he entered the bar, the bartender 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 Coke Laila. Tell the dancers to be ready. Nobody will be forced into sex against their will and I take responsibility for 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 a day off. The only thing I want to be sure of is that 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 taking her to leave. Lighting a cigarette Charles dialed his sister's number. "Hello Princess, how is college?" He spoke cheerfully to Edith. With the information, his sister delivered he wasn't happy. 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 on the college campus. Am I right? Do not leave the campus until I call you again. It is late at 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 for you about my sister. Edith lost her hostel accommodation because of joining late. I want you to accommodate her in your home so that she will stay safe away from that wolf and also 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 relaxed 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 on N*****x and started to watch it.

Not even half an hour has passed. It was nine at night 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 and 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 answered 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 in trepidation. 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 relax in 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 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 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 the worst 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 brought 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 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 will keep my hands folded? Come on, kiss me, otherwise, I will make you resign from that idiotic job tomorrow itself."

"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 gives a sadistic smile. "Now everyone in your office will see you as mine, including that handsome hero." A disgusting look involuntarily crossed Aliza's features. "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 made.