FREYA 'S WORK-LIFE
1354 Words
I changed to my normal clothes and drove out of the estate. The moment I got to the border that marked the property; Domus Vitale, I spotted Valerie's black Audi, parked by the side of the road. She was leaning on it, as though waiting for me.
“There she is! Our latest survivor.”
Blind rage filled my lungs as I hurriedly parked beside her. I was ready to forget three years of friendship and kill that girl.
“Whoa! Calm down, tiger! Freya!” Valerie yelled as I aimed a blow at her. She dodged me artfully and held my hands immediately.
“I’ll kill you! What did you get me into? I trusted you!” I cried, hot tears streaming down from my eyes. I was always broke, trying to repay…them and she got me into a life I was trying to leave.
“Chill girl! I couldn't tell you, okay? You’ve seen how secretive they are. I just had so much pity for you, because you're always looking for money.” She looked offended at my theatrics.
“I heard you saw Master. You're so lucky.” She started the moment I calmed down.
“Who is he? He looks so…scary!”
“And hot.”
“Valerie!”
She rolled her eyes. “You can't deny it, Frey. I have never seen his front view, but the back makes me wanna jump him.”
I blushed, knowing fully well what she meant. I didn't see his face but I knew very well that he was too handsome to be real.
“What's with the mask, anyway? And do—” Valerie cut me short by clasping a hand over my mouth.
“Have you forgotten the rules? Never ask questions! They're always watching, Frey. Do not break any rules. Please!”
For the first time since I knew Valerie, I saw genuine fear in her eyes.
“What's going on, Val?”
“Look, I don't know anything about Master or Domus Vitale. But what I do know is that nobody has seen his face.” She said, looking into space.
“Nobody?”
“Well, except Madam Granforte, of course.”
“But…why? I mean, he looks handsome; I’d sure give a penny to have a glimpse.” I licked my lips unintentionally as I imagined things I wasn't supposed to think of.
“Be careful what you wish for, Frey.”
“What's the worst that could happen? I lose the job?”
Valerie scoffed. “Then I would have long seen that artwork. Rumors have it that he only shows his face to certain people.”
“Which people? He trusts them?”
“Kinda. Probably because they're dead.”
°°°°°
I ran into the elevator by 9: 55, wondering what my fate held.
This was my first time being late, but try explaining that to Katie and I had heard rumors that he was coming.
Brian Ashford. Thirty-one, single, and illegally handsome. He was the CEO of the company I worked for; Ashford Luxe.
Now, you might be wondering what glamorous unit I was in charge of, taking into account my ‘top-notch creativity and unbridled flair for fashion’. I work in the—”
“Oomph!” I collided with a wall, that had an intoxicating musk that made me sigh. When did a wall appear before the elevator, and why was the wall dressed in a black suit, with black wavy hair, and looking at me with piercing blue eyes?
“Are you okay, Miss?” the wall asked, worry lines marring that perfect face. I warbled something unintelligible and he frowned even more.
“Are you okay?” He asked again. My brain cells started working again the moment I heard a familiar angry voice.
“Miss Kensington! What are you still doing there? You're two hours late!” Katie called out from behind the large man.
“Uh…I'm sorry. I’ll be on my way now.” I clumsily bypassed the large man, heading in the direction of my worst nightmare; the packaging department.
But the faint voice of Katie suddenly reminded me of the identity of the Greek God I had stumbled into.
“Come on, Mr Ashford. Don't mind the girl.”
My face turned red as it dawned on me that I had just met a mega-billionaire and my boss's boss's boss. And I had acted like the fool I was before him!
I hastened my steps, suddenly craving the comfort of my cubicle. Then, I felt it. His piercing gaze at my back.
I turned and sure enough, Mr Ashford was walking towards me, his blue eyes fixated on my face and his full lips curling into a smile.
“No! No! No! I won't be fired today. Damn, Domus Vitale!” I cursed under my breath and walked even faster. I had stopped by to clean this morning and drove out unscathed by 9 am. It was pure luck, but it seemed that luck had run out.
By the time I arrived at the double doors bearing the placard: Packaging Department, I was out of breath and could feel my asthma slowly kicking in.
I slumped through the double doors and closed it immediately, but an obstacle prevented it from closing properly. A black Allen Edmonds Oxfords was stuck between the doors.
“Could you open the doors? My feet are starting to hurt.” His deep voice sounded behind the almost closed doors. He sounded amused and I couldn’t deny the welcome sensation that pooled in my lower belly at that sound.
“Please?”
I jerked at the sound of his plea, hastily opening the doors. Katie would have my head if she heard him begging.
“I'm so sorry, Sir!” I apologized and bowed, hoping he wouldn't fire me.
He had a golden boy reputation and wasn't even a playboy like other young, billionaires. But I wouldn't test him.
“It's alright, Miss Kensington. I don't bite.” He flashed that signature smile I always drooled over on the magazines.
“Huh…”
“It seems you aren't ready for work yet, Miss Kensington. Or am I too gorgeous a sight?” He smirked and I felt a flicker of annoyance creeping into my mind. I knew he was just like the rest!
“No, Sir. I'm just rushing to start work. I'm already late.”
“Was there anything you needed to tell me?” I prompted.
“No. But you dropped this.” Then he handed my secret sketchpad to me. Red flooded my face at the shame of someone seeing my private inspirations. I quickly snatched it from him.
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll be on my way now.” I turned immediately, but he stopped me.
“Not so fast, Kensington. We're not done here.” I turned to see the mischief dancing in his eyes. What had I gotten myself into?
“You know how Katie is. I think she will be extra mad at you for coming late on the day I came around for my quarterly inspection.” He took a step forward and I took two steps back. By now, the whole department was silent; the usual rustling of paper bags and clothes paused to watch the drama.
“I'm sure you wouldn't want that, right? I mean, she doesn't like you and this could be a perfect excuse to, let's say…fire you.”
I gulped at that. Damn him for being right! Katie had indeed been looking for an excuse.
“Please forgive me, Sir.”
“I will, of course. I don't want you fired, dear. But there's a little condition attached to this favor.” He assumed an innocent face that made me wanna claw it out. Gone was the sweet attraction I felt towards him.
“What do you want, Sir?” I prepared myself for the sick demand he would make, probably a blowjob. But his next words shocked me.
“Have coffee with me.”
- Writer
