Damned Relationship With A Billionaire

Chapter Three: Anastasia Valentine

“C’mon Stacey, the heels and this beautiful dress will look much better, make you look professional on your first day.” Maya whined, pouting cutely, batting her eye lashes like a lovestruck puppy.

“Mmmm,” Stacey hummed as she bent to tie the last strand of her shoelace and tucked it in perfectly. “This works better for me, thanks though.” Looking at her best friend through the wall mirror which is the most outstanding thing in their mini apartment, she smiled broadly exposing a set of immaculate straight white teeth.

“It’s way too casual for me though. But you know what? Do whatever you want Anastasia. You never listen to me anyway.”

“C’mon don’t say that. It makes me feel bad for what I absolutely do all the time.” Maya rolled her eyes and Stacey chuckled lightly, teasing her was one of her favorite things to do.

“You don’t have any appointment today?”

“Nahhh, I will be home all day.”

“I will be on my way then. Be a good girl,” she teased.

“Alright, have the best day at work today.”

“I will. I love you.”

“Love you more. Bye!!”

Standing in front of the tall glass doors that led to the exquisite building that housed the best software engineers the state has ever had, Stacey couldn’t help but wonder if Maya was right after all. Black pleated skirts, white long sleeve button up shirt and a blue lined pullover coupled with a pair of white sneakers may seem too casual for someone who just landed a job in a prominent company.

All the same, she was there already and she wasn’t going back…not like she could if she wanted, she has programmed herself and going back would be more expenses on bus fare which might not last for a month before her payday. She took a deep breath and went it, determined to do the best she can.

Her phone buzzed while on the elevator and she knew who it was because of the amount of time it buzzed but apparently, it wasn’t the kind of energy she needed, especially not on her first workday.

~Hello, Anna~

~Hi Mom~

~Uhh, I heard you got a job.~

No wonder she called.

~Heard from who ma?~

~So it’s true. And you didn’t bother telling me? Well, honey, I’m forgiving you for that.~

Stacey smiled. Forgiving me? How gracious.

~The bills are piling up, your sick father ain’t helping, just waiting for me to clean his s**t up everyday. You need to pay at least 50% off and also the gro..~

~You shouldn’t talk about Dad that way mom. And I don’t live there anymore, thought you have a job…~

~And what is that supposed to mean! You and your useless dad has always been a burden but now you got a job and you want to rub it on my face. Well go ahead Anastasia~

Stacey could hear her sigh loudly trying to suppress the anger building up.

~Look, I’m not asking for help. I’m not supposed to. It’s your responsibility and I am wrong for reminding you? Deposit some money at your first payment or else I’m putting this house on mortgage, let’s see how your handicapped father can handle that…~

Stacey drifted off. She stared at the ascending arrow wondering why this was taking so long and hoping that the doors will ding open on the fifth floor very soon. Her mom’s voice became inaudible though she can swear she heard her call her a f*****g cunt. Finally the elevator dings open and she steps out.

~Mom, I heard you, clearly but can we continue this some other time, okay?Love you~

She hung up immediately not expecting a reply or maybe not wanting to hear any, anything that comes from the other side is definitely going to be a lie made to pacify already spoken words. They don’t heal that easily.

Letting a long sigh out, the one she was completely oblivious of, she wore her employee ID over her neck, human excitement written all over her face as she walked towards the reception.

“Good morning, my name is Anastasia Valentine, I was assigned an office here as the new data analyst,” she greeted and blurted in one breath, smiling, maybe a little too wide. The receptionist took a quick look at her ID before glancing at her. She was pretty, really but maybe those boobs popped out a little too much but she can’t deny, they definitely sit perfectly.

“This way Ms Val,” she said taking the lead. Her professional briskly tone sent chill down Stacey’s body, reminding her that this is a workplace and there’s no room for laziness or she would be sent home. Wearing a determined look, she followed the tall lady, occasionally distracted by the way her hips swayed.

“Here, your desk is by the right corner.” She was showed to her office and left alone. Maybe not really ‘hers’ because all eyes seemed to be directed towards her, for a second though as they all went back to their screens without saying a word, making the little greeting she was about to offer useless.

She walked to her desk trying hard not make any sound or show how excited she was. She placed her pink teddy on the side of the desk, “it’s good luck charm,” Maya said as she tossed the soft bear to her. All settled with just a pink teddy and a fancy calendar, she stared at her empty desk and compared to the others but waved it off immediately…one step at a time.

“You are the new data analyst right?”

“Yes. I’m Anastasia Valentine, you can call me Stacey, or Anna…whichever one you want.” She finally said, forcing her lips into a thin line so as not to say anything until asked.

The lady stared at her, a flicker of pure amusement visible in her eyes.

“Welcome Ms Val.”

“Thanks.” Stacey said grinning from ear to ear.

“Well, these are already written codes, I need you to analyze the data, make corrections and submit the file to the secretary at Block B. Okay?”

“Copy that.”

“Alright, good luck with that.”

The rumbling in her stomach got viciously worse. She could feel the worms eating off her intestines and she was not having it. She thought of the Mac and cheese Maya offered and wished she ate em but seriously she would have been facing a lot more worse situation than this. It happens every time Maya cooks. The last time she made creamy pasta, they both took turns in using the bathroom.

She walked towards the hallway slowly thinking she might pass out if she walks too fast.. She remembered the coffee maker she saw earlier when she was been showed to her office.

The air vents stationed at each ends of the ceiling didn’t help either, and she made a mental note to wear thicker clothes next time.

She stood beside the coffee maker trying to steady herself, she adds 2 scoops of sugar and three scoops of milk, she like it sweet. A sweet smile spreading across her lips as she stared at the machine with a ridiculous amount of affection visible in her eyes.

She sniffed the coffee, eyes closed as if trying to savor the scent before actually drinking then she tripped on her loosened shoelace she wasn’t aware of and crashed into a broad shoulder. His cologne filled her nostril and his presence felt warm. The few seconds they were together, she felt different emotions coursing through her but decided to settle with anger.

The content in the cup splashed on a pair of polished shoes that visibly reflected her angry face.

She probably owed the owner of the shoulder that caught her from falling and the pair of very expensive shoes an apology but not now, she was pissed and hungry, she kept staring at the spilled content as if staring would bring it back, this was one of the moment she wished powers were real and she could water bend.

“You blind freak, watch where you are going next time.” She yelled at the stranger whose back was already facing her and about three steps away. She bent to pick the cup and clean up the mess, grumbling to no one in particular then the pair of shoes walked back, standing in front of her, on the mess she was trying to clean up.

“What did you say?” His deep voice rang through the hallway.

“I said, go jump in front of a bus you f*****g anim…” She chocked mid sentence when she saw his face. The pair of unreadable eyes that made her loose her balance and spill coffee on her shirt. How can she ever forget how she fell for his eyes even before recognizing how striking his visuals were. And she counted it as a blessing to have met him, even when he doesn’t know her. It was like a personal fantasy that she was willing to hold unto for the rest of her life. But seeing him now, up close was like poking her heart with a needle.

But what is he doing here?

Does he work here? If yes then she’s doomed, there is no way she is going to do her work properly if her ‘knight in shining armor’ is right there… a name she gave him while trying to sleep induce herself.

“And you were saying?” He asked, eyes glued to hers.