CAGED BY DESIRE

A Chance Or A Trap

Kyra’s POV

It was already two o clock, and I had to get home before four–or else I'd be skinned alive. Thank God Bella and I weren't in the same class; she won't even notice I hadn't been in class today. Besides, I was exhausted. I'd gone everywhere I knew and couldn't think of, yet I couldn't still find a job.

They all said the same thing–they couldn't take me in because I had no certificate and no experience.

Is this how my life is going to end? In an old man's house? Or should I just run away? But if I do, where would I stay? I kept talking to myself in frustration.

I looked up and I spotted a hotel, it was quite big and beautiful, the owner must be very rich, I said to myself. A sign post outside read: female worker needed. I thought to myself, should I just go and try my luck? But then again, what if they turned me down like the rest, I couldn't take another rejection.

Still, I went anyway. It was better to try than to live with the regrets of not trying for the rest of my life.

I forced myself to move forward.

“Good afternoon sir”, I greeted one of the workers I saw inside. I noticed the sign post outside saying a female worker was needed, so I came to apply for the job.’

“Ohh, hold on. Let me call the manager”, he replied.

After a short phone conversation .He finally said, “He asked me to take you to the pool. He's going to meet you there”.

We walked towards the pool.

When we got there I was told to wait for a while, I was served water, I kept checking the time, praying and hoping he comes soon.

After a while of anxious waiting, I saw two men emerge from behind the gold curtains of the hotel lounge.” I don't know who the manager was but one of them seemed familiar from afar. I squinted, trying to see his face clearly.

As they approached, I was still thinking of what to say. When I finally looked up–guess who I saw. The man I had run into at college.

I stood up immediately. “You? What are you doing here? Oh, wait –I forgot this is a hotel–you probably brought one of your Side chicks here.”

The manager frowned,“Boss, do you know her? If not, should I throw her out".

My eyes widened. Boss?

" Yes,” the manager continued. " He owns this place. And this is one of his smallest buildings.”

My stomach dropped. Oh my God. What have I done?

I wanted the ground to split open and swallow me whole. Now It all made sense–the bodyguards, the aura, the arrogance. He wasn't just some random guy. He was powerful. I couldn't even look him in the face anymore.

The worst part? He kept smiling– that devilish smile of his. But I thought to myself, what's the worst that could happen? I really need this job.

“I'm sorry for what happened that day. I didn't know—

He cut me off. “Bring her to my office”. He said, then he walked away.

The manager led me to his office. He stopped in front of a pair of tall double doors carved from dark mahogany. The gold handles gleamed so brightly I could see my nervous reflection starting back at me. He pushed the door open gently, and I stepped inside.

The office was nothing like I had imagined–it was more than an office, it was a statement. The first thing that caught my eye was the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, giving a wide view of the city. From up here the ceiling looked like toys, and the people walking below seemed like tiny dots. The curtains framing the glass were thick and velvet, deep maroon with gold trimmings, so heavy they looked like they could silence the whole world if drawn shut.

If this was one of his smallest buildings, I wonder how the rest would look. I thought.

“Are you here to stare”, Ethan Cole said coldly, “or to apply for a job?”

I straightened. “I'm here to apply for a job, sir”

Ethan Cole leaned back on his leather chair, his eyes never leaving mine. His office felt colder with him in it, as though the air itself obeyed him. He tapped his finger on the arm rest slowly, each sound making my heart race faster.

“Do you have a certificate?”he asked flatly

I shook my head. “No, sir”.

“Experience?” His eyes narrowed.

Again I shook my head. “None”.

A humourless chuckle escaped his lips. So tell me, why exactly should I hire you? Out of all the people in this city– people with degrees, polished English, and spotless resumes–why should I waste my time on you?”

My throat went dry. Every word felt like a blade cutting into me, but I knew if I'd kept quiet, I'd lose my only chance. I clenched my fist to keep them from trembling.

“Because I work hard,” I said, forcing my voice not to crack. “Because I don’t give up easily, no matter how many times people push me aside. I might not have papers or experience, but I have something most of them don’t.”

“And what’s that?” He leaned forward, studying me like I was some puzzle he had no patience for.

“Desperation,” I said honestly. “I need this job more than they do. And when someone needs something badly enough, they’ll give it everything.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. His eyes bored into mine, searching, measuring. I didn’t dare look away.

Then, unexpectedly, he smirked. “Desperation,” he repeated slowly, almost amused. “Interesting answer.”

He stood and walked over to the window, his back to me. “Fine. I’ll give you a chance.”

My heart skipped. “Thank you, sir—”

“But,” he cut in sharply, turning back to face me, “I don’t run a charity. Show me how desperate you are”.

Ok. Tell me what to do, I'll do it quickly,” I replied.