LOVE IN CONTRACT

Chapter two

Zariah

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The mysterious stranger took slow, deliberate steps toward me, like a predator stalking towards its prey. My throat suddenly felt dry.

He stopped right in front of me, holding up my shoe in a way that shows disgust.

“Yours ?” he asked, his voice smooth but dripping with sarcasm.

I forced a nervous laugh. “Oh, that? No, it's not mine. Is it yours?” I asked the lady beside me, who immediately shook her head in denial.

I tried to pull my shoes off and secretly kick it under the table, but he caught on to my movement, his eyes zeroing on my legs.

“I was just testing its flying abilities. Besides you were the one who splashed dirty water on me with your tutu”.

I raised my chin and stood on my tiptoes, trying to shrink the height difference. Still short but I don't care.

I met his gaze head-on, eyes blazing with defiance. I gave him the I'm-not-scared-of-you look

“Tutu huh” the corners of his lips twitched, like he was trying not to smile—but also trying not to strangle me.

Did I amuse him?

My heart was beating so loud, I was scared he might be hearing it beat too.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Why won't he say something? The silence was making me feel nervous. This man was definitely not just any rich guy, he had that CEO vibe—the kind that could hire you or blacklist you in one breath.

He turned to the panel of interviewers and said, “She’s the one.”

Wait, what?. The one for what?

“I want her as my personal assistant immediately.”

My brain short-circuited. Me? His personal assistant?.Was this a trap? A setup? A way to get me close enough to ruin my life slowly?

“Are you... serious?” I asked, blinking in confusion

He smirked. “I don't say what I don't mean”

“But I've not been interviewed yet. Also, I was asked to wait for the CEO, so who are you to hire me?” I raised a brow at him.

“You have a lagging brain Miss”

Oh….I get why he had that aura around him.

“Looks like you get the gist now. You're starting immediately and you owe me for the car you damaged” he said.

“You owe me too, for making my fancy suit smell like poop” I shot back with a defiant glare.

“That can be fixed immediately”. He snapped his fingers once again and the middle-aged man went out.

Soon he came back holding piles of suits in his hand. My mouth dropped in shock. Was he trying to impress me or something? Did he think I couldn’t afford my own suits?

Okay… maybe I couldn’t. But still…. How rude of him

“Surprised, I see,” he said,“Now it’s your turn. The side mirror? Half a million bucks, I’ll forward my account details.”

HALF A MILLION!!!. Blood drained from my face immediately.

I had just a penny and two breath mints in my purse, where on earth was I supposed to get half a million from?

I forced a smile and cleared my throat. “Can I speak to you in private, sir?”

He didn’t answer me, he just turned on his heel and started walking out of the hall.

I guess I was following him now to what I assumed was his office.

The man sat on his chair like some majestic king on his throne. He rotated slowly, his gaze locked onto me, piercing through me.

“You're not saying anything, sunshine,” he said.

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped.

“What? Sunshine?” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s make a deal. Forget about splashing me and making my suit smell like poop, and I’ll forget about your precious side mirror.”

He leaned back, totally amused. “But your suit is cheap. My side mirror costs more than your entire outfit. That would be cheating, sunshine.”

Arrogant fool, I insulted him silently, mentally throwing my other heel at his head.

“Fine,” I said through clenched teeth. “If you want your money, take it from my first salary. I’m still hired, right?”

“I don’t go back on my word,” he said seriously.

“Good.” I turned to leave.

“Oh and take the suits Robert brought. I don’t want my office smelling like poop,” he added, eyes glued to his papers.

I raised my hand to punch the air in frustration, but he looked up just in time.

“What are you doing?” he asked, eyes squinting suspiciously.

“Nothing!” I half yelled, then bolted out of his office slamming the door behind me.

This whole day has been embarrassing. I pointed at the closed door and muttered, “Just you wait. I’ll get back at you.”

“Who are you talking to, miss?” a man’s voice asked behind me.

I turned to find a man around my age, athletic build, golden tan skin, soft brown hair that fell over one eye, and lips that looked like they belonged on a model. He had a cute, boy-next-door vibe which was the total opposite of Mr. Arrogant CEO in there.

He looked at me like I’d just escaped a mental hospital.

I gave him a polite smile. “Nothing.”

Then I turned on my heel and went in search of Robert.

After slipping into the changing room, I sighed in relief. The scent of new fabric replaced the awful stench clinging to me, and for a moment, I almost felt human again.

The suits Robert picked out actually fit perfectly.

“Okay… it's time to work hard” I muttered, reaching for the doorknob.

I twisted it but it didn't open. I frowned and twisted it harder but it didn’t budge.

“What the—?”. I knocked lightly. “Hello? Anyone out there?”

Silence.

I knocked harder this time. “Robert?, Anyone?”

Suddenly the light flickered, then everything went pitch black.

“What the hell?” My voice trembled. My heart beat accelerated

I scrambled for my phone, no signal. No network. Not even Wi-Fi.

With shaky fingers, I turned on the flashlight on my phone. The changing room felt smaller.

I banged on the door harder. “HEY! LET ME OUT! THIS ISN’T FUNNY!”. Everywhere was still silent.

My chest tightened and my breaths came out shorter.

Oh God, not now. Not a panic attack, I slid to the floor, hugging my knees, tears spilling without warning.

Then I heard footsteps. Slow. Steady. Getting closer.

I froze.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

The steps stopped just outside the door.

Click.

The door creaked open an inch making my breath hitched.

Then it flew open and a hand shot out, covering my mouth before I could scream.

I thrashed, trying to fight back, but I didn't have the strength to do that.

Slowly I slipped to the ground and then darkness.