Ties That Bind Us

Nil3

Summer's POV

Life was hell for me. I couldn't take the break up easily and it began affecting my studies but Jill, my best friend, was able to snap me out of it. I turned twenty just a few days after the incident at the hotel and I couldn't even celebrate it because I was feeling so heartbroken.

I've managed to get my life back on track but it's not been easy for me especially since I come across Daniel every now and then on campus.

I'm glad for one thing though, I'll be graduating college in just a few months.

I've decided to face my studies squarely so I can get the best grades and get myself a good job so that my parents can finally approve of me.

On a particular day, I returned from lectures bone tired. I saw someone on my doorstep as I got out of the cab and I couldn't help but wonder who it was.

As I got closer, my curiosity quickly morphed to anger as I saw Daniel was  the one on my doorstep. He had flowers, chocolates and a killer smile on his face. My stomach churned in disgust at wondering what he was up to.

"What do you want?" I questioned, keeping a straight face, my tone serious. "You could have at least said hello." He said and I snorted.

"I don't exactly have any reason to be polite to you. Now please stop this and cut to the chase. What do you want?" I questioned.

"It's simple actually, what I want is you." He said, not mincing words. My eyes widened at hearing his words, did he think this was a joke?

"Daniel, I'm really in no mood for your bad jokes. You bluntly insulted and broke up with me barely two weeks ago. You've apparently been avoiding me and you just woke up this morning and decided to waltz here with flowers and chocolates saying you want me back and you actually think I'll happily jump in your arms? Is that how low you think of me?" I questioned, feeling utterly insulted by his childishness.

"Look, I'm sorry Summer. I just said those things to you because I was angry, I really didn't mean any of them." He said and I glared at him.

"What you said to me aren't words a normal person would say when they're angry. You told me point blank that you didn't love me and that you only dated me because you wanted my body and then you broke up with me after raining insults on me and all in front of a w***e. Do you think I'd be stupid enough to accept you back just because you're apologizing? You've finally realized that you never got to see me naked so you want me back so you can complete your initial plan and then dump me once again. You're a completely heartless being and I'd rather die than come back to you. 

I'm telling you this now and I mean it, I never want you to come near me ever again because nothing in this world will ever bring us back together. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to attend to." I said and went into my house, banging the door behind me and leaving the shell shocked man behind me.

I still can't believe I was able to say those words to him, saying those things to him hurt me because I still have feelings for him but I knew that if I let him back into my life, he would hurt me more so I had to make a decision that was best for me. I wiped my tears away and took a deep breath.

I sincerely hoped that he would never approach me again and thankfully, he didn't and I graduated college with a first class in business administration. The next step was simple: find myself a well paying job so I could finally move out, pressure from my parents is becoming unbearable, especially my mum. Sometimes I have to wonder if they actually love me.

I applied for a few jobs and luckily I got called for an interview by one company, Valentino Corp. I was so excited when I got the invitation for an interview, I've always dreamed of working for a company like Valentino Corp. A company that has a strong control over the business world.

I prepared adequately for my interview, dressing in a long red dress and a jacket. I put my hair in a ponytail and applied just a little makeup though I already looked good. I arrived very early for the interview and got called in shortly.

The interviewer was a man of average height, he wasn't exactly handsome but looked rather intimidating. I disliked him instantly due to the way he stared at me when I walked in, like he was undressing me with his eyes.

He took a look at my CV and nodded accordingly, an impressed look on his face.

"Miss Messina, I'm happy to inform you that you're very qualified for the job and you can resume tomorrow." He offered and a grateful smile graced my face. I was absolutely overjoyed.

I was about to thank him when he interrupted me. "But there's a little problem you see." He began and I became worried.

"What problem, sir?" I questioned. "Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires." He said and I frowned, confused.

"What?" I questioned.

"That was a quote from Shakespeare, precisely from Macbeth." He said and I became more confused. What did Shakespeare have to do with my job?

"I'm sorry sir but I'm unfortunately not into Shakespeare and besides, I don't see what it has to do with the problem you were talking about." I said.

"Oh it has everything to do with it, Miss Messina. In this world, people will always have dark desires but it doesn't mean they are bad, it's just the way the world works." He said and I withdrew into my seat, not liking where this conversation was heading.

"I really don't understand what you mean." I wanted to be sure of his intentions before reacting.

"Oh my dear, the simple truth is nothing goes for nothing." He said and stood up from his seat and walked towards me. "If you want to get this job, you're going to have to give me a little something in return and I'm sure of what I want. It's something you can easily provide." He said and I soon felt his hands on my shoulders, massaging them softly.

I quickly understood, he wanted to have s*x with me first becoming giving me the job though I was more than qualified for it. My anger rose at the thought but I tried to control it and handle the situation with a level head but when his hands came to both my breasts and squeezed them, I lost all control.

I quickly stood up and gave him a thunderous slap, the sound echoing in the room. I was so mad with anger that I didn't even want the job anymore. I would never take a job that required me to sacrifice my dignity.

"Are you mad? How dare you touch me like that? Do you know that I can get you arrested for s****l harassment?" I raged, the anger clearly visible in my eyes.

"How dare you hit me you foolish woman, you'll pay for this. I reject you for this job, you'll never get a job in this company no matter what." He seethed and I glared at him.

"You can keep your stupid job, frustrated pervert." I taunted, grabbed my bag and walked out. I was too angry to think, this day has quickly gone downhill and I just want to go home and get into bed.

Daniel Valentino's POV

I got out of my car and headed towards the company building. It was supposed to be my day off but I couldn't help coming to inspect the work in the company. It's a sort of escape from my daydreams of that mysterious woman. She still haunts my dreams and unfortunately, I've still not found her yet but I won't give up until I do.

No sooner had I left my car than I saw a very beautiful lady leaving the building, she looked very upset and on a closer view, appeared to be crying? She wasn't an employee so she must have come for a job interview, not getting the job wasn't enough reason for her to cry, right? I reasoned there had to be something else. I tried to catch up with her and ask but before I approached her, she had already boarded a taxi and left.

I decided to take a little visit to the interviewer to investigate the matter. I don't know why but I feel inclined to find out the truth of what happened,something just felt special about her.

I'm greeted by all my employees as I walk through the company, headed for the office of Mr Lars, who was the interviewer.

I entered his office without knocking and he stood up to acknowledge me. "Sir, you're here. Good morning sir." He greeted me politely and I just nodded.

"Who was the lady that just left the company?" I questioned quickly, being the straightforward person I am.

"Sir? What lady sir?" He questioned and I frowned, I hate silly questions.

"The lady in a red dress and a jacket, I hope I don't have to explain more." I said, my tone laced with disgust.

"No sir. The lady, her name was Summer Messina, she was just one of the interviewees. Her qualifications weren't competent so she didn't get the job and was very rude to me so I had to request her to leave my office." He said sweetly but I was not impressed, I've never particularly liked the man.

"Alright, carry on with your work." I said and turned to leave but stepped on something. I bent down to find out what it was and saw that it was a résumé. I studied it and found that it was a glowing résumé and it belonged to Summer Messina, the lady I'd just asked about. 

She was more than qualified for the job, perfect even so why was she denied the job and most importantly, why did Mr Lars lie to me?

"Mr Lars, see me in my office immediately." I said and left for my office with the résumé still in my hand, I was going to get to the bottom of this.

Mr Lars arrived at my office barely a minute later. I asked him about the lady named Summer Messina once more and he seemed tense this time. I knew something was definitely up so I used the good old fashion way.

I threatened to fire him and he spilled. He told me how he had harassed that lady and how she had reacted towards him and I felt so proud of her. I particularly felt disgusted with him for trying to use his position to force women into having s*x with him.

He pleaded with me and even cried for my forgiveness but if there's something you should know about me, it's that I don't forgive easily. I rarely forgive and once you offend me, it's going to take an awful lot to earn my forgiveness.

I fired him instantly and called Secretary Kim.

"Secretary Kim, I'm sending someone's résumé to you, call this person and tell her she has been hired and she should start tomorrow." I told her.

"Yes sir." She answered through the phone. I glanced at the résumé once more and smiled. This Summer Messina seems like a very talented woman and I'll definitely like to get to know her better.