A Ruthless Bargain

Chapter 16

Amelia.

I got a mail. I got a mail! I got a mail from one of the companies.

I sprinted from where I sat to the counter where Iris was. She paused typing into the desktop when she saw me, she was still making her research on other companies I could apply on.

Yesterday, we had sent my resumé to countless companies and overworked ourselves till late at night. I had to text Dominic to pick me up later than usual which he did and I got back home to an empty house still.

Iris was still looking at me, demanding answers.

''I got a mail.'' I squealed, showing her my broken phone.

She got down from her seat immediately, a smile evident on her lips. ''Let me see.''

I handed the phone to her, my hand shaking nervously while she read through the contract.

''It's from a very big company.'' She paused, her eyes glinting with pride and unshed tears. ''And you can start working whenever you feel like.'' Iris read.

''That's the terms of the contract.''

I leaned back against the wall, trying to steady myself from the waves of emotions that was about to overcrowd my nerves.

''You did it.'' Iris whispered softly, hugging me like a sister would do.

I sniffled, my nose already pink. ''No, we did it.''

We stayed in each other's embrace like that until Iris pulled back slowly. ''When do you plan to start working?''

The more she said it, the more it felt like burdens lifted off my shoulders. No more little wages, even though I would miss the bookstore and most importantly, her!.

''How much is the pay?'' I asked carefully.

She read through the contract and shook her head again. ''You would find out when you get there.''

''There's no time to waste,'' I said. ''I would go there now.''

Iris looked at me like I had grown two heads, ''Now, are you sure about this?''

''Yes.'' I breathed out.

If I dared to let it off for a day, I was scared I would wake up from this dream and I did not want to.

Iris scanned through the address in the mail and scribbled it on a piece of paper for me. Next, we headed to the boutique down the alley to get an outfit.

Something corporate, that would show I was professional at least and fit for whatever position.

I settled on a pair of perfectly tailored loose black trousers and paired it with a light blue long sleeved shirt. We went back to the store after I paid with my savings.

The only money I had and was planning to use for the debt. It wasn't even up to one percent of what Mateo owed, but to me, it was something.

I was finally getting a better job and I was sure I could pay off the debt in eight months.

Iris helped me into the outfit and styled my hair into a perfect bun before handing me one of her old black heels which I would never be grateful enough for.

The moment we were done, Iris escorted me down the alley.

''Don't be nervous okay. Look them straight in the eyes and respond to every question even if you feel like you're not getting it together.'' She paused to look me dead in the eyes. ''Confidence Amelia, confidence.''

I nodded, unsure of how to thank her enough for always standing by me even on days I didn't have it together. Like when Auntie Rita sent me packing or when I told her about the contract and now a job.

''Here,'' she handed me several pieces of candy.

''Chew slowly and allow yourself to savour every taste, it will calm your nerves.''

I took it from her and placed them in my pants pocket before flagging a cab.

''Cross Empire.'' I said to the driver and slid in.

Iris stood there, waving her hands until I could no longer see her from the rear view mirror.

Cross Empire. The name sounded all too familiar but I couldn't place where I had heard it from or something similar.

I shrugged it off and unwrapped one of the candies Iris handed to me. I refuse to look nervous.

The car drove round the city, past tall houses, past trees, past the city and finally stopped at a skyscraper building. It was so tall I had to look up again to confirm if I was in the right place.

Cross Empire was boldly inscribed at the entrance, so visible it made the knots in my stomach uneasy.

I paid the driver and stepped down but my pulse kept beating harder.

I inhaled a slow breath of air into my lungs and exhaled before walking over to the entrance, my heels clicking against the concrete floor leading to the entrance.

I stepped in, cold air slapped me across the cheeks. It felt like I had stepped into comfort, the air conditioners working their way to cool every one's nerves including mine.

''Excuse me?'' I said politely to the receptionist.

She glanced up at me, scrunching her eyes. ''Do you have an appointment with Mr.Cross?''

My nervousness came back in waves as I tried to steady my trembling fingers without making it visible.

''No...Uh...but''

She cut me off abruptly, ''Come back tomorrow then, he is quite busy.''

She didn't even wait for me to state that I got a job contract and I was here for an interview if there was one because it was clearly stated in the contract that I could start working anytime.

She raised her brows at me, clearly asking what I was still doing in her presence. I turned around to walk out but a voice called my name and my heels stopped right in their tracks.

''Amelia.''

The voice was dangerously familiar but again, I didn't hear it often.

I turned to the voice and my face was drained of it's colour.

Dominic. What was he doing here? Does he work here and for who? Does Lucien work here too?

No, he would not. I pushed past the thoughts and plastered a fake smile which he noticed but feigned ignorance.

''What a pleasant surprise?'' I said while still smiling.

He scanned me from head to toe and nodded in what felt like approval. Then he parted his lips to speak, ''This way.'' He gestured.

I stood there, looking confused and same did the receptionist and a few people, for reasons I could not place somewhere.

''You applied for a job right?'' it was more of a statement rather than a question.

I nodded, dumbfounded.

''Let's go then, I'll take you to the place.''

This was the longest Dominic had spoken to me and it was really disturbing. I kept whispering prayers silently, praying and hoping his boss wasn't who I thought he was.

We went through an elevator, the silence between us sharper than any blade. We arrived at the last floor and he gestured to a door down the hallway.

''When you arrive, knock and step in.'' That was the only thing he said before he disappeared to the other hallway.

I stood there, nervous as hell and Iris's words kept repeating in my head. ''Confidence Amelia, confidence.''

I braced myself for whatever was to come and walked towards the door. Little did I know that pushing that door was going to shatter me.

''CEO of Cross Empires.'' Was boldly inscribed on the door.

I knocked once, and pushed the door open like Dominic had instructed. A soft gasp escaped me as I saw what was before me.

Hot tears brimmed in my eyes as I tried to force myself to look back and turn around but I just stood there frozen.

Lucien. His head was thrown back in pleasure while he pushed the head of whoever was kneeling beside him further into his c**k as he groaned.

The lady slurped and gagged, licking and teasing while he just kept pushing her head further in. I stepped back, my heels clicking softly.

The lady turned at the sound and her face morphed into a wider smile. She had tears in her eyes, but unlike mine, they were those of pleasure.

She licked his release off her lips with her tongue and sneered at me, ''Look who we have here, our contract wife.''

That sentence, it shattered me completely, putting me in my place.

I glanced up to meet Lucien but his eyes said nothing and his expression remained the same. ''You may have a seat.'' He pointed at the couch.

Have a seat? When I just witnessed what was happening.

My head started spinning and I felt dizzy but I kept my head high up and sat on the couch. I pinned my gaze to the floor, until I heard him let out a satisfying groan.

He had let it all out in her mouth.

I was disgusted by everything that was going on but I would not lose this job or turn back just because I was put in my place. If anything, it fuelled me into getting the job, clearing off the debt and walking out of his life forever.

.

After what felt like fifteen minutes of him and Stephanie walking into someplace I assumed was a bathroom in his office, he came back.

I could sniff his scent, feel his gaze, his towering height hovering above me before he lowered himself on the couch opposite mine.

''Miss Amelia Nightshade.''

Oh my God. His voice, I had missed it for days without even knowing.

''Yes,'' I breathed out after gathering my voice.

He studied me before letting out everything in one sentence. ''You are hired,'' he paused, studying my expression.

Just like that? No interview? But I dared not to question him if I truly wanted to leave his life for good.

''From tomorrow, you check in as my personal assistant. You resume work by 8am and leave by 9pm, your pay is thirty million dollars per month for as long as you work. Do you have any objections?''

Objections? I was trying so hard to process being a personal assistant and the pay nearly had me choking out the candy I chewed earlier.

I did the math myself. That was enough for me to pay him in three months and save up for an apartment. I could leave the country too if I wanted to.

''I accept.'' Was all I said.

''Good girl,'' he breathed out.