The CEO Is Mine

Flash back “You called for me, brother Theo” Elijah’s voice shook as he spoke those words, fear lingering behind his green eyes. The older guy, brother Theo just continued to stare at the Bible. His mouth moved incoherently. He wore the custom white garment, his legs crossed under the table. Elijah seemed to have calmed down, relieved that the brother's attention was not on him. ‘Moment of peace…more of this moment’ he thought. And when the peace was shattered, he prayed the same prayer he prayed every night. 'Let the pain hurt less' “The stool close to the father's chambers…did you break it?”, It was a question but still he knew he had to remain quiet. He bowed his head and looked at the floor. It was tiled, polished even and then he started to wonder how many boys were called in to do the work. Finally, brother Theo stood up and went round his desk, the ‘sour stick' in his hands. Theo felt the wood lightly graze his back through his blue uniform. He felt cold sweats at the back of his neck even if it was 19.8° outside. “What punishment do I give to you, now?” His voice smelt like rotten garlic and made his saliva taste like acid going down his throat. He wanted to apologize even if he was innocent but he knew there was no use. “The devil must live inside of you. You broke the priest's stool even though you knew how important and sentimental it was to him. What are you, Elijah?” Now the stick was pressed painfully into Elijah’s neck. A tiny tear threatened to drop out of his mouth but he stood still, his mouth tightly closed. “Your shorts, down!” Elijah did as he was told. It was the usual routine. The command was always followed by a flog on the butt. He immediately did as he was told. He felt the cold breeze on his butt but they did nothing to calm him down. “Hands on the table” the next instruction came in. He waited for the sting but all he felt were big strong hands massaging him. He turned his head to look at what was going on when he felt a sharp sting on his face, “Don't look!” This was different. “Your legs wide open” brother Theo said hoarsely. “Brother Theo” he whined in reply, a few tears now staining his young face. “Do as I say” The man's voice now thicker, laced with something Elijah couldn't describe. And then he felt something trying to enter him. He squeezed his eye in pain. He tried to concentrate on the sound of the wind and the metal instruments that the youths practiced on, but all he could hear was brother Theo’s groans and moans. He opened his eyes and stared at the crucifix. ***** Present day Elijah looked at his reflection, unsure whether the tie's color matched his velvet jacket. His dark eye circles were getting more prominent. Pulling the tie, he opened the drawer and placed it back in its place, replacing it with a blue one. He went into his room and grabbed his suitcase and walked out. Reaching his office, he went straight to his personal elevator. He watched as the number went from 3 to 5. His office was on the 15th floor. Only he was allowed to use the elevator after his father retired. He felt his hands folding into fists, ready to reprimand the worker who had the audacity. But when it finally opened he saw an unfamiliar lady typing on her phone, her mouth set into a frown. He couldn't see her face but he could not miss the bright ginger hair on her head. He entered the elevator not speaking a word, neither did she. She seemed too invested in what she was doing to notice her space was invaded. He felt like he was the intruder. “What position are you?” he said but heard no reply. He did not want to repeat himself but he needed to know her job in case he needed to relieve her of her duties. “What are your duties here?” He said, this time getting her attention. “Sir?” He watched as her eyes widened in surprise or embarrassment, he wasn't sure. “What do you do here? “Ummm, I work as a secretary for the CEO” “CEO?” his face squeezed in confusion. “ye_yeah” she stuttered, “What about you?” she asked but then the elevator opened. He excused himself not bothering to answer her. Delilah just stared at his back, wondering where she had seen him. He looked awfully familiar but she couldn't just point out where she had seen him. She wondered why she lied that she worked for the CEO. She was caught off guard. She quickly put her leg outside to stop the elevator from closing in on her and screeched in pain when it clasped her ankle rather than her feet. “I'm not starting my day with an injury” Reaching the receptionist, she submitted her details for the interview. “Go to the first room at your left turn. The interviewers are awaiting your arrival. You're just right on time” she gave a warm smile and returned to her computer. Delilah returned the smile and went to the room. As she introduced herself she tried to pray in her mind to be taken among the hundreds of people that she had met outside. She exhaled heavily after the interview was completed. She walked out after thanking the interviewer. She felt her stomach groaning in hunger. She looked left and right hoping no one would hear “ I wonder how I'm not beyond broke with how I eat these days,” she said to herself. She was close to the exit door when she bumped someone causing whatever files they were holding to spill on the floor. “I'm sorry,” she apologized, bending down to grab the files that were now scattered everywhere. “it's okay” she looked up to find a man bending down to collect his things. They both stood up, Delilah handing over the papers to him. “Thank you. You don't work here, do you?” “No, I don't. At least, not yet. I just finished getting interviewed” “I guessed right. I would remember a face this beautiful” “ohh, thanks?” She tried to steady her heartbeat to avoid blushing like a teenager. “I'm Stephan” he introduced “Delilah”...