The Billionaire Boss' Dilemma

-...while they admired the pretty roses, I watched the thorns Twenty-five years ago The piercing sound from an alarm clock shattered the fragile silence that had enveloped the room. She had been invited over to an exotic family dinner party that was hosted by the Xanthes. A family with a long history of aristocrats and dark secrets. The huge mahogany door opened up, and someone walked in slamming the door behind him as he entered. “You need to leave right now, Amber,” said Francis as he rubbed his hands furiously against his hair. „He can't do this to us, Alfred. He can't marry that peasant girl ,” an angry voice said. It was coming from the hallway. What was going on? She thought to herself. He grabbed her arms, and pulled her along with him; his grip tightened against her wrist as he pushed her into the master bedroom. A king-sized bed sat at the center of the room. The bed clothings were straightened out in such a way that made it look as though they had been ironed and measured out at every end. Across the room, there was a lamp on a study table. The room smelt like burnt cigarettes. Even this room looks intimidating, she said to herself . The walls were painted gold. Papers were scattered everywhere, like a thief had come around, searching for an important document . She bent to reach for a paper, then a hard kick to her stomach took her out of her trance. She felt her knees get weak, as she fell down; her arms wrapped around the little bump in her tummy. “Leave right now!” He yelled, bringing her back to reality. This was the man that said he loved her, the same guy she chose to follow after her parents forced her to choose between them. She chose him and got kicked out of her home, but he had promised her the world. “Francis!” She cried out in excruciating pain. She could feel the beads of sweat dancing on her forehead. As she struggled to get up. He walked past her, pushing her aside. Suddenly he began packing her clothings into her box. “You had to do this to me. I wasn't ready for this, you know. You're to blame for this. Why did you get pregnant?” He yelled. His eyes coloured with rage. What's happening?, a voice screamed in fright inside her. “Please don't do this to me, Francis. This is our child!” Amber pleaded. She stood and watched in horror as he got into a fit of rage on hearing her mention their child. He grabbed the flower vase; she had gifted him on their last anniversary, and smashed it on the floor. She felt her heart hitting against the walls of her chest. Is this fear or pain? She asked herself as she came crashing down. A hand stretched out to her, as she lay before the fireplace. “It's time you leave, Amber. I've put a lot of cash in your box for you and the child. I'll send some later. As long as you promise to leave my life for good. I want nothing to do with this child, so don't call her mine,” he said in a broken voice. Who are you? Francis Xanthes She grabbed onto his legs and began weeping. She looked up at his face, and saw a glimpse of pain in his eyes. Suddenly, his expression changed from sadness to rage. He kicked her off, throwing her halfway across the room . Ouch She cried out as she felt the broken pieces of glass buried themselves deep within her right arm. In retaliation, she grabbed the roses and hurled them towards his direction, but they landed on the fireplace instead. She was weak. He stood there for a while and watched her. His mockery laughter echoing in the room. He walked over and picked over her limp body. Is this really the end? My body won't move, she said to herself. “You have lost a lot of blood, Amber, so stop fighting this,” he responded as though he had the power to read her thoughts. „Everything here seems to have power over you,“ said another voice in her head. She paused halfway to that huge mahogany door, she had once admired; her vision was now poor due to the net of blood that had dried over her eyelids. “ Francis,” she called but there was no reply. “ I saw your sadness when you smiled. I watched the tears that you had hidden away. You taught me how to dance, as I taught you how to laugh; but I should have watched out for your heart. I watched your eyes for so long. I forgot to pray for your soul. For you are a beautiful man, but your heart is as cold as ice and wicked, your soul is empty and lost. You're not Adams’ spawn but Lucifers’. I hope I never see you again,“ she continued. Slap. He hit her again and spat on her; pushing her luggage into her hands, he opened the door to send her away. She took in deep breaths and raised her head high. Tears washed away her blood stained face, as she began to make her way down the hallway towards the grand parlor. A place she knew would be filled with wolves in sheep's clothings, ready to bare their teeth. The room was filled with people. „Look around, you were never going to fit in or belong here and you know it,“ said that annoying voice in her head. She didn't argue this time, the voice was right. She looked around and watched as Francis waved and smiled at the guests they had invited. She watched as his mother didn't hide her disapproval of her, as she laughed and whispered some words to the group of ladies that were seated with her. Their sneering and snickering filled the hall; soon enough all eyes were on her. A young lady walked up to her and guided her to a less crowded area in the hall. She gave her a warm smile, reassuring her that she was not alone. “Don't mind them, they're all trying to get in Madam Rosé ’s good book,” said the blond young lady. “Amelia!What are you doing with her?” Francis roared, as he pulled Amelia away from Amber. “I thought she's a guest, Francis,” Amelia said in defense, as she gave Amber a questioning glance. A snap of his fingers and the home security came running in. “She's not a guest, my love. She's overstayed her welcome and now she must leave,” responded Francis as he signaled for the security to take her away. “You said you loved me, Francis!” Amber screamed at the top of her lungs. She struggled to catch her breath as the security grabbed her and began pushing her out of the house. Quickly,she grabbed a lamp post and attacked a guard. “Poor people are always desperate. She even seduced him, just to carry his child. I'm sure once she's paid well, she will abort the baby,” said a voice from the crowd. “What!” Amelia cried out. “It's fine babe I will handle this,” said Francis, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Amelia raised her hands to show off a ring,but it was just no ordinary ring. It was glorious and shining. “Know your place,” cried Amelia as she emptied her wine glass on Amber's already ripped dress. She could feel her heart racing again. Her blood felt like boiling oil. She leaped on Amelia and began attacking her. Slap “Don't you ever get close to my fiance again,” warned Francis. He grabbed her luggage and threw it out the door. Her clothings scattered everywhere. He ran towards her in rage and lifted her off her feet. “Please,” pleaded Amber. There was no response. “Leave my life,” said Francis as he threw her off his shoulders. „My head or my baby. If I hit the ground it can't be good, my legs are weak already,” she thought to myself. With her arms around her protruding tummy, her head hit against the solid ground. A high pitched ringing in her ear was all she could hear. Her vision blurred with tears and blood. A sudden dizzy feeling overwhelmed her and she was losing consciousness. “Take her to the hospital and leave her there. Pay some money to the doctor. Just want her out of my life,” said a voice from the blurred image at the door. A voice she would never forget. It made her skin itch.