Running into The King
1294 Words
Frances POV
Immediately after Conrad walked out of the room alongside his men, the air in the hospital shifted. Even the staff exhaled out loudly as though a hurricane had passed.
I could hear their sigh of relief, but then, I stayed frozen in my seat as my fingers trembled on my knees. I don't think I have ever been in such a tensed situation in my entire life.
I watched as Dr Bill gave me a small, yet apologetic smile. "Don't worry Miss Becker...you will be well compensated, more than you expected in fact " She added the last part with another level of confidence.
Compensation. That was all I ever wanted. The word should have comforted me but instead, it felt like chains tightening around my chest.
Conrad King's words rang in my head." From this moment on, I decide the terms"
What exactly does that mean? Do I really want to be tangled up with ruthless billionaire? Am I sure that I want to be involved in his life? In that kind of world?
My phone buzzed in my bag, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts. I pulled it out and was immediately jolted back to reality after reading the reminder that was glowing on my cracked screen.
King's Corporation - Second interview, 1:00pm.
My eyes immediately widened as the realization of things dawned on me. I had completely forgotten. Few weeks ago I had applied for a secretary position and had passed the interview. This was the second one, the one that could change everything.
I almost laughed at the irony of my situation as I processed the information on my phone. King's Corporation. Conrad King. Why does the name seem to follow me everywhere?
" Is everything okay?" Dr Bill asked with concern in her voice
I gave her a slight nod and then replied. " I need to go now, I have an interview by 1pm"
" Oh..... okay....but you need to return so we can discuss the terms and conditions " She replied me.
" I understand " I stated as I rose to my feet and walked out of the office, clutching my bag tightly with me.
50minutes later, I walked into the skyscraper building and headed towards the lobby of King's corporation with the glass walls reflecting a world that I wasn't used it.
" Hello, My name is Frances Becker, I am here for the 1pm interview with Esther Jones" I said to the receptionist who acknowledged me.
" Take the elevator down the hall to the 20th floor and ask for Esther Jones" She replied me with a professional tone.
" Thank you" I replied her firmly and was about to head for the elevator when I heard my name.
"Frances?"
My heart stuttered because the voice was achingly familiar.
Oh God No.
I turned around to lock eyes with that of my ex boyfriend, Steven Anderson.
He stood near the reception desk, polished in a suit. "Wow, it really is you Frances..... how have you been? And most importantly, what are you doing here?" He asked with a forced and tight smile.
I froze as soon as the words left his mouth. Of all the people I could run into, it just had to be Steven! Can this day get any worse? Seeing him again brought back all the memories that I have tried hard to bury.
I had absolutely forgotten that working at King corporations was his dream job, apparently he got what he wanted.
"Frances?" He called out again
But I bit down on my tongue, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer.
Before the silence grew too heavy, a high pitched voice cut in " Steven!"
I watched as Amy , my cousin appeared by his side like she'd always belonged there. She placed her arm possessively on him.
I couldn't believe my luck. Why did the universe have to bring the two people that betrayed me to my face? few minutes from when I'm supposed to have my interview? Is this some sort of joke?
" Frances? What a surprise!" Amy stated out loud as soon as her eyes landed on mine. " Steven never mentioned you'd be here" She continued as she leaned onto my ex boyfriend with her lips brushing his shoulder.
I swallowed hard.
I had promised myself not to care, not to feel, but the betrayal still burned, fresh and raw. Amy, my own cousin had stolen Steven long before I even realized that I had lost him. They had been sleeping together 6 months before I even found out and now they were unapologetic about it.
Amy titled her head , .....her voice with a hint of poison in it. " Steven and I are now official....you should be happy for us Frances"
I wasn't surprised by her words. Ofcourse they were now official, she had made sure of it. I wanted to tell it to their faces that I couldn't care less but then, who was I kidding? I was deeply hurting.
Not only did I lose my parents and brother in a tragic accident, now I have also lost the one person I had grown to rely on for the past 2 years. All thanks to my cousin. Amy Woody.
I blinked hard as I tried to push back the tears that had gathered in my eyes, they were threatening to roll down my face.
" .. it's not my fault that things didn't work out between you and Steven, it just wasn't meant to be" Amy stated out loud
I watched as Steven shifted uncomfortably, but he didn't disagree either.
That coward! that's what he'd ever be.
By the time I finally found my voice, I said to them. " Don't worry about me...I am doing okay"
My vision blurred as I spoke. Even a blind man could tell that I was lying but then, what else was I supposed to say?
" Great!" Amy responded in another high pitched tone. It was obvious that she does it on purpose. "Don't forget my mother's birthday dinner tomorrow, she's expecting you" Amy added.
I forced a brittle smile and excused myself before the tears broke free.
As soon as I got into the elevator, I let out a big sigh of relief.
Family...., that word meant nothing anymore. Not after when Amy slept with my boyfriend. Not when Amy's mother, my aunt told me to accept reality and move on like 2 years of a relationship was absolutely nothing.
Well, it was absolutely nothing to Steven, so now, I'm going to act like it was nothing to me too.
By the time I reached the 20th floor. I had composed my self and was ready for what awaited me.
A heavily pregnant woman welcomed me with a warm smile. " Frances Becker?" She asked as I replied her confidently. " Esther Jones" She introduced herself and then continued. ",...You will be hired as a temporary secretary , I am going on maternity leave" She lead me to her office as she spoke.
A flicker of relief warmed up my chest. Finally, something good.
" Who would I be secretary to?" I asked carefully
I watched as Esther Jones only smiled mysteriously. " You'll see..... Wait here ."
She entered another office and then few seconds later, she gestured for me to come in . But as soon as my eyes landed on the man in there, I froze.
Behind the massive mahogany desk was the last person I was expecting to see.
Conrad King.
As his eyes lifted from the documents he was signing and locked on mine, my blood immediately ran cold for the second time today.
- Writer
