THE OTHER WOMAN

Chapter 18

I stared at the screen for a moment, absorbing the damning video. I closed my eyes momentarily and rubbed my temples with my fingers. I was hoping that I was dreaming, that I would eventually wake up from the abyss I was about to sink into. I looked at Isabella and she had that shameless smile plastered on her painted face.

She winked at me and moved close to me, hoisting herself up onto the desk, until her feet were in level with my eyes. I looked at her with the meanest look I could afford, hatred washing through me in waves.

I hated her.

"Did you like the video? I have one more I'd Iike you to see. The one you were having dinner with the CEO of Zodiac limited, you know?"

My heart skipped two beats and I forced myself to maintain an impassive face.

Calm down Jack, calm down. I kept reciting the mantra in my head over and over again.

"I have no idea what you are talking about right now, Isabella."

Deep down I was literally shaking.

"Maybe the video will boost your memory. I think you should watch it."

She was looking at me with that stupid sneer again. I stood up and paced my little office. I walked to the couch and sat down, holding my face between my hands and staring at Isabella.

"What do you want from me?" I didn't have a choice.

"I want to be your secretary."

I shook my head in disbelief.

"I already have a Secretary. I can't fire her to hire you."

"Is that even an excuse? Give me a real reason why I can't be your secretary.' Her eyes were fixed on mine and I was boiling with rage.

"Okay, here is the real reason. If Julie finds you here, she'll go berserk. She'll kill you first, then she'll kill me, slowly, painfully."

She smiled in her special wicked way.

"That's the more reason why I want to work here. I'm getting back at her for seducing my man back in university. Karma is a b***h!"

I wanted to point out that Julie never seduced anyone, that her so called man was a perverted creep who forced himself on her, but I didn't think that mattered at the moment. Isabella was so passionate and vehement, and the video she had just shown me scared the living daylights out of me.

Still, there was no way in hell I was going to let her hurt the woman I loved.

No f*****g way.

"I won't let you work here. I don't want to jeopardize my relationship with Julie. She means the whole world to me."

Isabella shook her head and spoke in the most menacing tone I had ever heard.

"I want to be your secretary, Jack. No more, no less. You have exactly five minutes to make your decision, otherwise these videos will go viral today. You'll be on the news this evening if you mess with me. Your five minutes starts now."

She banged on the desk and walked to the window, staring outside. I hated her. I hated myself for getting involved in corruption. I wondered who on earth recorded me and the popular CEO of the largest telecommunications company in the country exchanging information for a hefty amount of cash. I hated Paul for getting me to do the dirty work for him.

I remembered the second video she had. I had had dinner with the CEO of Zodiac limited as we discussed an upcoming project and at the end, he had given me a six figure cheque. I knew that if the press or the police got ahold of that incriminating evidence, I'd get a long ass sentence. I had no idea we were being recorded.

I didn't understand how Isabella came across those videos. Then it hit me.

It must have been Paul.

He had hinted something about having evidence in case those guys refused to acknowledge us or to give us favourable treatment against other companies.

But why would he give Isabella such information? I had no idea.

"Your five minutes are over."

Her voice interrupted my train of thoughts

"Isabella.."

"Well?" She lifted an eyebrow quizzically.

I sighed deeply and closed my eyes in defeat.

"The job is yours."

She smiled and walked past me, stopping for a moment to open the door.

"I begin tomorrow."

Then she was gone.