Pleasure and Sin

CHAPTER FOUR

The camera circles in, blinding my eyes. About five paparazzi had sneaked in through the elevator and surrounded us. Right before my eyes, my world was crumbling as I watched helplessly. I feel exposed like a chicken whose feathers were ripped off in hot water.

I stagger backwards trying to gain momentum. Suddenly the noise flashes, the prying faces around me and the world becomes silent as someone pulls me in for a tight hug. The scent of cedar and vanilla somehow soothing my nerves that were on edge. I tried to push him away, but Charles caught us. "There!" He thunders, pointing fingers at us. Of course, he's an opportunist, so taking advantage of others is his favorite thing. More lights keep flashing, more paparazzis swarming in repeatedly clicking their cameras and flashing their lights on us.

Their questions make me want to puke. Why are they so interested in my private life? The world does not care about the hurt of others, they just want something to talk about and I'm the vulnerable one.

"Tell us about the pregnancy."

"Mrs Charles, what do you have to say about your husband's mistress?"

"Were you aware of the pregnancy?"

"Is your miscarriage the reason for a surrogate?"

"Is it true your womb is destroyed?"

These words were making my body tremble.

"Focus on me. Don't listen to them," Jack whispers.

I try to push him again at least to say something. To defend myself because I cannot take accusations anymore.

"They won't listen to whatever you have to say, at least not now. They're hunting for prey right now and if you show them how vulnerable you are, they'll break you more.”

Jack continues to hold me tight, his breath warming my neck and the warmth from his body makes me succumb and let myself relax on him.

"There! She has been cheating on me! Look at that!"

"What a joke!" I mumble.

As the elevator opens, Jack sweeps me up in bridal style and carries me to the 13th floor where my office is located.

"Let me down," I pleaded, wriggling my legs and hitting him on the chest, my eyes were red and my cheeks flushed. When he looks at me, I look away. Amira walks behind us, her face pale.

Immediately I sat on the cushion, she rushed to offer me water. She was clueless and so was I. I wanted to make Charles pay, but no idea was forthcoming.

"Just focus on relaxing for now," Jack finally speaks up after 30 minutes since he brought me back to my office. I look at him, he is calm. His facial expression is normal as if nothing happened earlier.

"Would you be okay?"

"Okay? About what?"

"Your face. The camera must have taken clicks of your face." He smiles lazily.

"I don't mind. As long as you're okay." His words silenced whatever I wanted to say again. What's he trying to do? Does he think he's my saviour or he knows me better just because we kissed? Once??

I looked at Amira, she wasn't paying attention to our conversations, she was fidgeting with her pen while staring blankly on the floor. She does this whenever things are out of control and she can't think straight. This quality was what made me hire her five years ago as my P.A. I recall that hot summer afternoon when she walked in, applicant number 25. She looked calm and smart. After the interview as she stood up to leave, I noticed an origami on her seat.

My voice croaks, "Amira... Amira!"

She looked startled, "Yes, Ms."

"Inform the security team to tighten security and activate manual elevator mode."

"Alright, Ms."

As soon as she left, I gestured to Jack to sit. "Do you think we are equals just because we kissed?" He was silent and didn't budge.

My fingers twitch. Won't he say something? I wonder and continue, "It was all a mistake that happened in the spur of the moment. We do not have or share anything in common. You can leave the company if you feel violated."

He looks at me and replies, "I guess you are the one with that misunderstanding."

I blink, my eyes widening,"What??"

"You are reading too much into the meaning of the"kiss”.

"You think? I ask you to not think we are equals. Do not interfere in my marital business again."

"I won't say you're still a married woman, except you want that jerk to feel accomplished which I doubt you would."

"Ugh!"

"You would be a clown to return to that beast."

"Look at you calling another man a beast when you would not hesitate to kiss another man's wife," I hummed, hoping to break his defense.

He smirks. "You need a break. I'll let you think first."

He drags his feet towards the door and slams it shut, tossing his anger to my face. Jack doesn't slam his fist or reacts, but I can tell how pissed he must have been towards an ingrate like me. Who wouldn't be?

"What an annoying jerk!" I muttered trying to make myself feel better, but truthfully I wasn't. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

Amira enters the office to meet me massaging my toes. It's been one hell of a day and my mind is completely blank. Quietly plotting my revenge on Charles, yet nothing is coming to my mind. I don't want something grand for revenge, I just need something he will always live to remember that there was a woman in his life and he hurt her real bad.

"The paparazzis are still downstairs."

"They're hunting, let them be."

"I have informed the security team to tighten security. You'll leave through the emergency exit."

"I'm not leaving tonight. I have work to do, you can go ahead. It's late already."

"But..."

"Go ahead..." I gestured, "It's the weekend, go and have fun!"

Amira looks at me while holding onto the document in her hands.

"Don't feel guilty, I'll be alright. I've been through more hellish situations, this is nothing."

She shrugs, her face lit up. "Let me know if you need something."

"Don't worry about me, Jack is around to help."

She throws a quick glance at the door, raising her eyebrows. Oops! That slipped out the wrong way, "Not what you think!" I squealed, hoping to correct the first impression. A sly smile peels across her lips. She moves to drop the files she is holding on the table. "I got these from the design team."

"Why tonight? I'm hurting!"

"You don't look like you are, besides there's a lot of work to do."

"Ah!"

"What?"

"You're clearly crossing the line. Whose side are you on?" I said, bursting out in mirth.

"I'm clearly on your side," the door opens slightly and she looks over her shoulder, "I'll organize a team dinner to divert the team's attention."

"Whatever."

The door shuts behind her. I rest my head on the cushion and heave a deep sigh. A notification pops on my screen. "New episode," I read it out wondering what it was, then the realization struck. "It's Friday."

The time is 9 pm already. I will just sleep here instead of returning home to that asshole. I look around my office which was flooded with the fluorescent light I purchased weeks ago. The light was blinding, stacks of neatly arranged paperworks lay on the table, and a few sheets scattered before me. I picked up my light controller and turned on the dim blue light, a feeling of satisfaction bathed me. My fluffy velvet cushion caresses my skin as I relax my body on it, gently absorbing the stillness around me. The team members are gone, I'm alone and it feels good. At least I can be myself for a few hours without being scrutinized under the watchful eyes of others.

I place my headphones on my ears and close my eyes. A baritone voice hums in the headphones buried in my ears.

"I want you to kneel for me and beg for it, ” He groans. “Call me daddy. Kneel for me you slut!" Soft whimperings accompanied by sharp moans flood my ear drums. I shift on my seat.