BILLIONAIRE'S REDEMPTION

Sandra POV I looked at the stack of bills on the kitchen table, my head hitting from the stress. One more notice that is long overdue. One more indication that I was barely getting by. “Sandra, honey, are you okay?” My mother’s faint voice shouted out from her bedroom, breaking through my thoughts. Her illness had taken a toll on us both, mentally and financially. I had to do anything to get us out of this hole. I called back, pretending to have a smile that she couldn't see, “I'm fine, Mom.” “Just calculating the expenses." In desperation, I opened my laptop and looked for job advertisements. My present employment as a waitress was barely enough to cover the rent, let alone her medical expenditures. It felt unattainable, but I desired something more. Who would employ me? I was scrolling through the never-ending listings when I came across one that stopped me cold. "A role as a secretary at Edward Enterprises." I blinked and went back over the text. Edward Business Enterprises? It was one of the city's most influential corporations. Moses Edward, the CEO, had a reputation for being a cunning businessman who could transform anything into gold with a glance. I whispered, "There's no way they'd hire someone like me." My background was modest at best. I'm not from a wealthy or well-known family. However, something changed inside me as I sat there, the weight of everything I was dealing with bearing down on me. I couldn’t afford to be terrified anymore. My fingers were shaking when I opened the application form and started to fill it out. I said to myself, "Here goes nothing," as I hit submit. Entering Edward Enterprises' marble foyer was like entering another universe. The floors shone, and everyone in the room was dressed in elegant clothes. Their eyes were focused, and their steps deliberate. Suddenly feeling extremely small, I tugged uncomfortably at the hem of my thrift store blouse. I told myself, "You can do this, Sandra," but my heart was thumping hard in my chest. I introduced myself at the front desk. "Hi, I'm Sandra Robert, here for the secretary interview." With nary a glance up, the receptionist was putting something into her computer. "Please have a seat. We'll give you a call soon." I nodded, taking a seat in the corner, and attempting to relax. This was my chance. I didn't know what to do if I made a mistake with this. This employment was more than necessary for me. The doors to a big glass office opened, and a man came out just as I was getting comfortable. I recognized him right away as Moses Edward. He didn’t look good in the pictures. I was taken aback by his height, broad shoulders, and commanding presence that seemed to fill the entire room. He directed his aide with brief directions while he was glued to his phone, not even looking my way. I felt a shiver run down my spine when I heard his powerful, deep voice. I squeezed my fists and said, “So that's him.” Without a doubt, he was frightening, but I refused to let it bother me. “Miss Robert?” The voice of a woman shocked me. The receptionist was waving me forward when I looked up. "You are to interview in room three. Kindly proceed there immediately. I took a deep breath, got to my feet, and headed toward the corridor, my heart touching more violently with every step. Bill Porter, Moses's senior advisor, was seated across from me. His eyes flicked across my resumé with a precision that belied its sharpness. I tried to keep my hands steady on my lap, but the back of my neck was starting to perspire nervously. Bill stated as he looked up at me, "You have a strong work ethic." However, you are aware of how fiercely competitive this environment is, right? At Edward Enterprises, mediocrity is not tolerated." “I understand,” I murmured, my voice a touch shakier than I’d planned. "I am prepared to take on the task. You won't be let down by me." Bill nodded and grinned a little. "That’s what I like to hear." He hesitated, looking over my paperwork once more. "Your upbringing is... humble. However, there are instances when new viewpoints are just what this place needs." I swallowed hard, not knowing if that was a subtle jab or a compliment. The door opened, and Moses Edward himself entered before I could reply. The air in the room seemed to change, thickening with the weight of his presence. His eyes were impenetrable and icy as he glanced at Bill and then at me. "Is this the candidate?" Yes, Bill replied. "Robert Sandra. Her qualifications are amazing, considering her background." Moses briefly glanced in my direction once again, but there was no love or encouragement. Just calculation. "Do you think you’re cut out for this, Miss Robert?" He spoke in a steady, quiet tone that gave me the impression that he was assessing me. “I do,” I replied, a conviction in my voice that even surprised me. "I know I can handle it." He remained silent for a brief while. Next, he faced Bill. "Assign her the job. See whether she can make it through.” Make it through? The word stayed in the air as Moses departed the room, his presence lingering long after he was gone. I was sitting at my little kitchen table later that night, staring at my phone. Moses had looked straight through me during the interview as if I didn't exist, and I was still dizzy from the experience. However, I managed to land the position. Employment with Edward Enterprises. I wasn't sure how I would establish my worth in such a setting, but I was at a loss for what to do. When the phone buzzed, I hurriedly reached for it. Hey? A formal voice on the other end of the telephone said, Miss Robert? This is Edward Enterprises' HR. We would like to notify you that you have been chosen for the secretary role. Many congratulations. My heart gave a jump. Did I get it? You will indeed begin on Monday. The information will be sent to you via email soon. I couldn’t believe it, so I hung up and kept staring at the phone. It was something I had accomplished. My mom and I might have a completely different life now that I have a job. But there was a tap on my flat door just as the excitement was beginning to wear off. Odd. I did not expect anyone. Cautiously, I opened the door, but nobody was inside. Only an envelope lying on the ground. Frowning, I picked it up and opened it. One piece of paper with a single, terrifying message on it was inside: “You'll regret staying with Moses Edward. Stay away from him.” My breath caught in my throat as I froze. Who on earth possibly send this? How come someone would wish to alert me about Moses? And why now, when I thought I had finally gotten lucky? Dread began to well up inside of me as I stood there, holding the letter. Whatever I had gotten myself into was much more extensive than I had anticipated.