The CEO’s Conditon

Episode2:The message

I sat down for a minute.

I needed to know who exactly sent that text.

Immediately I got it, my tiny glimpse of hope vanished.

I remembered how much debt I was in and how I'd probably never get out of it.

Owing over one million dollars doesn't make me feel powerful, it makes me feel trapped, like anyone could come and just take me one day.

Or even worse, I could get killed.

My body tensed, my chest tightened as the thought settled in...I was exhausted and honestly I just want to pay up everything so I can be free.

But freedom looks impossible for me.

All of these loans had to be taken, my parents both dead, I am all I have and I had to finish school.

So I read day and night just so I could come out with great results.

And for what?

Look at me now.

All that debt...and nothing to show for it.

My life just keeps getting worse.

I picked up my phone and I sent a text back.

"Who is this?"

I waited for about a minute, I didn't get a reply.

One minute passed.

No reply.

I started to panic.

Some of the loans I took weren't from men that anyone should play with.

My hands began to tremble.

I couldn't guess who sent the message. There were at least three men I owed.

One thing about all of them, they don't show mercy.

And if it was one of them.

Silence wasn't a good sign and honestly I could be in danger.

My phone buzzed.

My hands trembled.

I picked up my phone slowly, my chest pounding like it would burst out of my chest.

I unlocked it, then I checked, it was a message from Zaire.

"I'm here, come opennn."

I rolled my eyes and just tossed the phone aside.

Of course.

My shoulders relaxed after I saw Zaire's text...but only a little.

I really wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone right now.

But knowing my best friend, she would probably break down my door if I dare ignore her.

I let out a sigh and dragged myself out of the couch.

The knocking started.

Loud.

Aggressive.

She didn't even let her text marinate enough, she wants to break down my door.

"I know you are in there Petra," her voice rang through the door.

I winced, glancing at the door like it had personally offended me.

"Petra, Petra...if you don't open this door right now, I'm going to cause a scene and all your neighbours would see me, you know I never make empty threats." She definitely doesn't.

I rang the door and unlocked it, because one thing about Zaire, she is a crazy human.

But the most amazing best friend I could ever ask for.

The door swung open and she pushed her way in like she owned the place, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"Why do you look a mess?" She asked while dropping her bags without waiting for an answer.

I shut the door quietly, leaning on it for a while and shooting her death stares.

"I'm fine, Zaire. It's pretty late. I thought you'd come in the morning." I raised an eyebrow.

"I asked why you looked a mess. Don't change the subject." She totally ignored my question.

"Nothing."

She stood up, held my hands, and dragged me to the couch.

Her eyes softening a bit.

"What's wrong, Pet? Tell me." I could genuinely see the concern in her eyes.

Knowing Zaire, she knows when something is up with me, and it's never easy to lie to her.

"Umm...I got a text," I said, looking into her eyes.

"Okay, a text from who?" She asked this time, her concern turning to worry.

"I don't know, but the message..." I didn't complete my statement.I just picked up my phone and showed it to her.

"Okay, did you call the number?" She asked.

"No, I didn't, but I sent a text and I haven't gotten a reply. It's been over 30 minutes."

"Okay, breathe. Let's calm down...don't panic."

"Zaire, you know there is a big need to panic. The men I borrowed from...they are scarier than the devil, and you know what that means." I said while I sunk into the couch.

"I know, I know...but f**k, which one of them?could it be,could it be Malik?" She asked.

We both shuddered.

"I hope it isn't him. The last encounter with him was terrible. I wonder what he'd do to me this time." I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated. I stood up and started to pace round the house.

"Calm down, Pet. We'd figure this out. Let's just relax. I think you need to relax, and I know just the right way to do that." I could see a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"Whatever that is, I'm not interested." I said, rolling my eyes at her.

"Well, you don't have a choice. Let's go upstairs...you can't wear this rag." She scoffed.

"I'm not..." she didn't let me finish before dragging me upstairs.

"Now show me your clothes, I need to see the sexiest thing in your wardrobe."

I opened up the closet for her and she immediately started to run her hands through my clothes.

The excitement on her face faded into disappointment.

"These are your best outfits?" She shot me a look, half disbelief, half judgment and I honestly couldn't care.

"What is wrong with my clothes?" I snapped giving her a sharp look.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," I could smell the sarcasm but I couldn't care less. "These clothes won't work, thank God I brought a back-up."

She ran downstairs and came back swiftly holding a red handkerchief, because that definitely doesn't look like a dress to me.

"You'd wear this." she smiled.

"Wear what?, that thing can barely cover my butt."

"That's the point silly," She threw the dress at me "now go try it on."

I stood there and refused to move.

"I'm not wearing this Zaire." I protested

"You won't wear it?, fine watch me go downstairs and shake my booty for your entire neighbourhood."

She walked past me and was heading downstairs, I ran after her and used my back to press against the door.

"Fine I'd wear your handkerchief." I saw the glint of victory in her eyes.

I got into the bathroom and wore the dress, I came out and she looked like a proud mom, but mothers definitely wouldn't allow their daughters to wear such things.

"Damnnn girllll you fineeee." She made me twirl.

"Zaire, this dress..." she puts her hands to cup my mouth.

"No complaints, now fix your hair girl because we are going to the club.

"The club?" I asked completely shocked.

"Yes girl, the club I already said that." She walked past me and started to get dressed.

I really can't with this girl.

She got ready, I refused to fix my hair but oh well Zaire helped me and she did it with all the joy in her.

"Now let's go have a good time." She smirked.