Charmed by the Villain

“I didn’t murder that man, Maggie. I would never do that. They framed me. Those in ELIZA who despised me!” Arthur cried his hands in chains, staring at his daughter Margaret. That was the third time he would repeat that statement to his daughter. Margaret sniffed and wiped some tears off her face. She hated seeing her father in that state. To think a month ago, he was a free man who just marked his birthday with his children in the most humble way. Now he was in chains. Margaret quite believed her father. He would always stop them from stepping on cockroaches. How could he possibly kill a human? “Dad, I believe you,” Margaret said, attempting to hold his hands. But the prison guard stopped her with his fierce look She retreated and folded her arms, staring at her father, who had bruises and a few marks on his face. “What happened to you?!” she asked. “Did you slip?” “They touched me,” Arthur replied. “Some inmates who I refused to smoke with. They seized my medications. I don’t know. It feels like this bullying was well-arranged before I came in here.” He uttered, feeling uncomfortable as he narrated that. “How could they do this to a seventy-year-old man? Did you not report?” Margaret queried, troubled and angry, looking up at the prison guard as if expecting him to speak up. The prison guard looked downward, trying to avoid eye contact. “I did, and that’s why it lessened. I talked about it to the deputy Warden, who seems like the only liberal person in here. He ordered that I should be taken to the prison clinic and had my drugs returned." Margaret cleared her throat and stared into space. “How is your sister Elena?” Arthur asked, breaking the few seconds of silence. “She has been moody. No money to pay for her fees to the College of Law.” Arthur sighed heavily; he got more distressed, and Margaret noticed it. “Don’t get yourself worked up, Dad. She will be fine. She is just having a hard time right now, coupled with the fact that you are in jail. I will find a way to get the money. Probably get a loan.” Margaret assured her father, her expression promising “You don’t have to. Go to ELIZA and get my gratuity.” “They will give it to me? How much is it?!” “£1500. Check the suitcase underneath the bed. My staff ID is there. Make sure to take it along with you. I am entitled to it, even while in prison. Don’t let anybody there lie to you about the company rules and change it.” Margaret nodded with a renewed feeling of hope. “Thanks, Dad,” she uttered with a smile. Arthur further asked how she and her sister had been holding up in the house when they suddenly heard a bang on the table. It was the prison guard. “Time is up, ma’am!” Margaret stood up and did not try to speak any further. The last thing she wanted was a rant from the hardened-faced prison guard. “I will see you on Thursday, Dad. And I promise you, I will get to the bottom of this. You shouldn’t be rotting in here If you are innocent.” Margaret said, hanging her bag across her shoulders. “Don’t risk your life, Margaret. The more you dig, the stranger it gets.” Arthur said, rising up as he struggled with his hands in the handcuffs. Margaret tried to understand her father’s words but couldn’t. She nodded her head as the prison guard dragged him away. Margaret stepped into ELIZA, one of the most prestigious and magnificent corporations in the country. She was here two years ago, and she concluded a building should not be more opulent but now she gets mesmerized as it got improved with sophistication and grandeur. She got in through the automatic door, and she was welcomed with the cool breeze emanating from the air conditioner and rose-scented air ventilator, making her body feel relaxed. She walked over to the receptionist on the first floor and requested to see the managing director. “What for?! Do you have an appointment?” The receptionist asked, looking at her as if inspecting her appearance. “No, but my father used to work here. His name is Arthur Roberts.” Margaret uttered, adjusting the handbag slung over her shoulders. “Oh. Really? You are the daughter of the murderer.” She said, staring at her with contempt. “My father is not a murderer!” Margaret uttered vehemently, her voice echoing in the building. She took a deep breath and continued, “Anyway, I am here to get my father's gratuity.” The receptionist busted into laughter, and Margaret wondered what was funny. “Gratuity? Young lady, there is no gratuity here for prisoners. Please leave!” Margaret got furious and raised her voice: “My father deserves that gratuity. I need to see the MD!” “If you do not leave here right now, I am going to call security on you!” But Margaret persisted in raising her voice, and that drew the attention of a top staff member in the company, Dr. Merlin, the head of Human Resources. He walked over to the receptionist, adjusting his suit, and inquired about what was causing the commotion. The receptionist made him aware of the situation and he was fluttered, he didn’t know Arthur Roberts had such a pretty and mature lady as a child. However, he chose to hide his amazement. “Young lady, She has told you the facts. Your father is not entitled to gratuity because he is a criminal. He murdered the chairman’s brother. Did you not hear that? You think such a man deserves a gratuity from this company?!” Dr. Merlin uttered. Margaret swallowed hard and was taken aback for a few seconds before she struggled to speak up. “My father is innocent; that is what I know. Besides, he told me it is not in the company’s rule that prisoners or dismissed workers can’t get their gratuity!” “Well, we changed that rule. We have been instructed not to offer any benefits to Arthur Roberts. Kindly leave.” Dr. Merlin said. But Margaret refused. She would rather spend the whole day here until she gets her father’s entitlement. She raised her voice on a high pitch, demanding for her father’s right, and dropped her bag to show she meant “business.” “I am not leaving here till I see the managing director and get my father’s entitlement!” She yelled, already creating a scene drawing the attention of prospective clients sitting at the reception and members of staff passing by. “What is going on here?! Who is disturbing the tranquility of this environment?” A deep voice was heard, and the footsteps became closer. It was Percival, the managing director. Margaret turned to look at him, and that was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. But, carefully staring into his face again, she was quite terrified for reasons she could not even comprehend. The receptionist hastily stood up and dropped the iPad in her hands. “Sir, it’s this lady,” Dr. Merlin answered. Percival turned to face Margaret. “Yes. What do you want?!” Percival asked with a stern look. Margaret tried to speak but found herself rumbling with words. “Can’t you talk?! Why are you disturbing the peace of this place?!” Percival pressed. “I want my father’s entitlement,” Margaret said, finally gathering up some courage to speak. “And who is this your father?” “Arthur Roberts.” She said confidently. Percival moved closer to her, and Margaret could perceive his strong cologne. “Have you gone nuts? Do you realize your father murdered the former MD of this company? Who is my uncle?! How dare you walk into this place demanding some gratuity, and you even had to do that in the most uncivilized way possible?!” “My father worked in this company for sixteen years. He deserves his gratuity irrespective of being a prisoner, and I have come to get it.” Margaret uttered, pointing her father’s ID card to Percival’s face. “We don’t give entitlements to criminals and murderers,” Percival replied. “My father is not a criminal. He was framed by evil people in here!” Margaret said, emphasizing her statement by pointing her index fingers towards the floor Percival stared at her in disbelief but then tried to compose himself. “Watch your tongue, else I will have you arrested.” Percival threatened with a steely glare. “What a stupid lady!” Dr. Merlin scoffed under his breath, standing behind Percival as he giggled in response to Margaret’s latest statement. “Get out of this place this minute,” Percival told her. But Margaret declined and still stood there. Percival could not stand her anymore and ordered the security to throw her out. Two security men, fully armed, came towards Margaret and held her on both sides of her shirt. Margaret tried to struggle, and Percival added, “Push her out!. Like a pest!” Margaret was thrown out of the premises like a criminal. Percival walked over to the entrance and watched her body bounce outside, then he walked over to the receptionist. “And you, do you not know the caliber of people to grant an audience to? Do you not see her? She looks like a peasant!” Percival uttered with disdain. The receptionist apologized, slightly bowing her head. Percival walked back into his office. “Only God knows what Mr. Roberts used his salary for. We paid him well, but look at his daughter. Shame!” Dr. Merlin muttered in disappointment. Margaret arrived at the house, entering through the back door if anything, she did not want her sister to see her distressed state. She was overwhelmed with emotions as she recalled the humiliating treatment she had to face at ELIZA and the level of shame and disrespect directed towards her father for a crime he did not commit. She pondered whether they were unaware of her father’s innocence or if they deliberately chose to feign ignorance. She got unsettled, realizing that her father’s well-being was being jeopardized. She wandered around the room contemplating her next course of action. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a heated argument between her sister and another unknown person. The latter’s voice was very aggressive, and Margaret got troubled. She hastily went outside to check the cause of the commotion.