Hardhearted

Chapter 2

Chapter two

The next day...

I quickly showered and dressed, all ready to go to work. I prayed Lu wouldn't come up with any other plans where I had to see her boyfriend again. I quietly left the house before she woke up.

I was half an hour early to work. I headed directly to my office. I stopped to greet the secretary Mrs Collins. "Morning Mrs. Collins" I greeted her happily.

She raised her face, "Good morning sweetie. How are you? Mr. Rodgers is in his office; he wants to see you. He's been waiting for you for about half an hour now, he might be really angry. Quick you shouldn't waste your time"

"Am fine...why does he want to see me? And Why would he be angry?, am early today. I'll just tell him that... How are you doing anyway?" I winked at Mrs.Collins

"Rhea. We can carry on to our conversation at the lunch break... But for now I advise you that you should go see him before he decides to fire you. And he is in a foul mood, just to warn you, don't say anything that would cause you dearly" She warned like a mother

The thought of meeting the boss brought cold shiver to my body. I mean who wouldn't, you have all kind of thoughts going around in the mind. Whether he's going to like the way you talk or who knows if he would throw you out just because he feels like. Any way, am allowed to be nervous, its the first time after seven good years.. maybe i should forget the past, am just thinking too much about this... to add it all, he is not in a good mood... This would be a great way to start your day Rhea...

his father, the former CEO was a good man, I was only hesitant to meet him the first time. I got to know that we already knew each other after our first meeting. He was a friend to my father. We had interacted occasionally and I felt like I was talking to my father and not my boss. It was nothing bad, I never had to fear whenever I talked to him. But today I am nervous, it's like going to an interview for the first time. And All I've heard about him is that he is bad news.

"Rhea, what are you still thinking about. Go inside, it won't be bad. Don't think too much" Mrs Collins snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I was just thinking if he asked for any files that he wanted me to bring in."

" he didn't ask for any file. He just said that I should tell you that he wants to see you as soon as you come in. "

"Okay thanks" I smiled at her before turning back to walk in the den.

I knocked the door.

"Come in" an authoritative voice behind the door commanded. I carefully opened, making sure not to break the door and cause any problems on the first day of our meeting.

I prayed that he shouldn't be rude or else I would easily get angry.. Wait what's wrong with me... I should be praying the opposite, please god help me control my anger no matter what he says. Please dear lord please.

I nervously bit my lower lip and crossed my fingers hoping nothing bad to happen. Hoping everything to go well. Hoping he doesn't remember me.



I looked around the room, white walls, a huge window with great scenery- tall buildings, blue sky- and black furniture. I realized I had never been to this part of the block. It was so amazing that I got drained into my own thoughts. I heard Mr. Rodgers clearing his throat....Oh shit....I trailled off. I was in the office in front of him, Standing and staring at the room. That was a great start.

"Umm... Good morning sir." I turned my gaze to look at my employer. He had emerald eyes, why cant I have such eyes they so pretty... hang on rhea you can't have a crush on your boss, stay back rhea stay back.

"You are late. I don't entertain late employees."

And All he had to say was to complain about me being late when clearly I was like half an hour early.

"Am Sorry sir but the policy says that employees should be here by eight and it's still seven ...." I looked at my hand to confirm the time, wait I don't wear wrist watch, stupid me. I quickly looked at the wall clock in the office to check the time, "-fifty sir. This clearly means that I am ten minutes early before the required time."

He raised an eyebrow.



"Sorry sir. I just talk nonsense sometimes" i said looking down at my feet.

Why can't you just be quiet Rhea, do you want to lose your job?

"Miss Rhea I want you to go through this file and sign it." He stated coldly looking down at his file on the table and signing a document.

"Yes sir right away."

He could have said that in a less commanding way and I would still understand it and probably feel nice too, and not like a robot being ordered around. ..Like there is a thing called motivation; talking to your employees in a mannered way to keep them motivated. Who gave him that certificate when he clearly doesn't know how to apply the knowledge in to practice. Well he's not called arrogant without a reason.

Just as i turned to leave the office.

"Where do you think you're going Miss Rhea?"

"To my office sir, you gave me this file to go through sir." A moment ago remember asshole... I wanted to add that as well but somehow tried not to blurt it out.

"Did I in any case say read it in your office?"

"Ummm.... Not that I remember..." I said thinking again what he said earlier.

"Then sit there, read it, sign it. I don't want you to waste your time going to your office and then coming back" He said pointing for me to sit on the chair opposite the table.

What a douchbag

"Alright"

I quickly sat down and started to go through the file. I turned the first page. In bold headline, it was a marriage what... "I think this is the wrong file si-"

"It is the right one"

"But sir, it is a marri-"

"It's the right one. read it. and sign it." He stated each word clearly.

Why doesn't he even let me finish my sentence. Like what if i had something different to say other than what he thinks.

I breathed in loudly, so that he could know i was getting pissed. I went through the details in the document again. I could hardly believe my eyes

"What the hell sir. What is this?" Surprised that what I had read was nothing but the reality.

"Miss Rhea... if I were you, I would watch that tongue." He said clenching his jaw.

"i don't care. I don't agree with this contract. And I won't sign it. Is this some kind of a prank?"

"I didn't ask you what you want. It's an order sign it."

"Well then I don't feel like obeying it sir. We can't just marry because you wish to. This isn't any joke, you can't just make a marriage contract and expect me to sign it. I wasn't even prepare for the bomb to just drop in." I was definitely going to lose my job now. Am tired of playing it cool and now I don't care about the job anyway.

He rubbed his temples, and thought for a moment, "Alright I guess you need time, you have all the time to think about it till five p.m. I need this document signed before five"



This is a decision that could affect my whole life and all he gives me is a few hours to decide to get married to him, a total stranger, well technically i had met him before but we haven't dated and that's one good reason to say no to this stupid thing.

No one imposes their decisions on me, even if that no one is Mr. Rodgers. What does the bastard think about himself, am not just any girl he can play around with.

I say no to signing it, I say no to even think about it.

At lunch I decided to stay in office, Mrs. Collins or Joe would have definitely known that something was troubling me. I don't want to discuss this issue with anyone. Just want to forget about it.

I decided it would be a better idea to just sneak away. A great way to run away from problems, just like I've been doing it....

Just when I was to slid off."Rhea didn't see you at lunch." Mrs Collins asked.

"Oh Mrs. Collins, I was just caught up in work. The new boss gave me some work that I was busy in." I looked around hoping he wasn't around.

"You'll get used to him. Don't worry." She placed a hand on my shoulder as if to cheer me up. " I have to go now, I have to pick my son from my sister's house." She said looking at the wrist watch.

"Bye Mrs. Collins" we parted our ways thank god she didn't sense my trouble. I quickly rushed out off the building. I didn't want Mr. Rodgers see me sneaking out. I didn't want to see him again, at least not today.

........................

At home i let my body drop on the couch. A quick power nap would be good. I stayed on the couch for long but still no sign of sleep. Finally giving up I raised up from the couch.

I decided to cook, but I only knew how to cook Indian cuisines. I tried the foreign ones but I ended up making a mess. Though Lucy taught me some of them, which I could make without it turning out to be a mess.

I preferred spicy Indian dishes. Considering my Indian roots, I think that would be the main reason why I liked spicy food.

I called Lucy to ask what she wanted to eat, cause I couldn't think of what to make. But she said she was out with David and will have dinner with him and I shouldn't worry.

I was alone and decided not to make anything fancy but rather something simple that would be enough to fill my empty stomach. After debating with my own mind, i finally settled in to make a brown bread veg sandwich.

I prepared everything in no time. i still had plenty of time, i decided to take shower After which I would enjoy my dinner in cozy pajamas on the couch.... I grinned and quickly jumped into the shower.

I let the warm water run down my body, and washed my hair. After the long shower I wrapped a towel around my body, just then I had the door bell ring,

That might be lucy.

I quickly went for my clothes, as I was still in a towel and dripping wet.

the door bell kept on ringing... She couldn't wait for a bit, maybe she forgot her keys. Well at least she'll now remember to take her keys every time, and let the woman wear her clothes in peace. She rang the door bell again and i groaned loudly throwing the clothes on my bed and tucking the towel around my body. I ran to open the door before she decides to just destroy the bell.

I shouted loud enough so that she could hear on the other side of the door. "Lucy... why do you always forget your keys, next time I shall not op- WHAT THE f**k ARE YOU DOING HERE?" But then destiny plays its wicked games to surprise a person.

He stood there at the door step his eyes jumping up and down.

"What a good way to make a woman uncomfortable." I snapped.

His eyes finally locking down with mine for what felt like an eternal. A strange emotion in his eyes, not the one that would make me churn with disgust.

But a strange one difficult to understand. Just then realizing I was in nothing but just a towel, I cleared my throat. Wishing I had some clothes on or rather didn't go to shower.... At least I wouldn't have been here standing n***d. Okay not n***d really as I had the towel to protect my dignity.

"Thought maybe I should pay my to-be-wife a small visit" he stood straight and smirked.

He was in his casual clothes. Wait shouldn't the billionaires always be in suits. Why am I even thinking about that right now? Why is he even here, how did he know where I lived.

Arghhh.... the CV, they shouldn't ask employees their residential place, and if they really do, it should be confidential.

"Well sir this is not your office and you just can't show up to an employee's house at any time."

"You haven't completed the task I had given you. I am here to make sure it's done. Won't you ask me to come in?"

"No obviously not. This is my house. I decide who comes in and who does not."

"Too bad, I don't obey the rules made by my employees." He entered in.

"Didn't anyone teach you manners." Closing the door after he entered. I stood alert folding my arms.

He went to sit on the couch. Once he was on the couch he turned and found me still standing at the door with my mouth wide open.

"Are you still going to be in that. I mean it looks amazingly great if you want to be with it I don't really mind watching the gorgeous scenery in front of me."



I stuck my tongue out and quickly went to the room, changed into my comfortable pajama and a baggy t-shirt. I don't care what he thinks about my appearance. I hope he would just runaway after seeing how ugly I looked in these clothes. I went out, I found him staring at a picture near the couch. I cleared my throat and folded my arms across my chest.

He looked at me again, why does he keep looking like that, it's really not comfortable, please stop that.

He stood up and walked towards me. He held my hand out and placed the file on my hand. "Sign it"

"No. not before you tell me why you are doing this"

"I am not bounded to answer any of your questions. Especially the one about why I want you to marry me."

"I am not f*****g signing it." I said in the same tone as he did pointing at the file. Hope that makes him angry. "I am not going to marry you Mr. Rodgers." I said narrowing my eyes at him.

"Not even if I gave you money to marry me. Just tell me the amount." He removed the cheque book and a pen from the pocket and signed it. Who keeps a cheque book in his f*****g pockets.

Giving me the cheque, he said, "Here. it's a blank cheque, signed. You decide the amount you want in exchange for the marriage."

Does he f*****g think that am a w***e.

I held the cheque for brief moment. I looked up at him and Smiled. I tore the cheque into tiny pieces and threw them on his face, as dramatic as it maybe, I had to shatter his ego.

"I am not a w***e. And who f*****g marries for money? I guess you should find someone else to play around with, who would accept your offers and your money. We are done sir you may leave." I went to open the door for him.

Before I could reach the door he caught my arm and pressed me to the door. A sting of pain rushed down to my arm.

I tried to hit him with my free hand but it was all in vain. He was too strong.

He leaned down, his face near my ears "No one has ever dared to refuse my order. If you don't sign the damn contract I will make sure you pay for it dearly." He slowly said each word in my ears. A shiver ran down my body.

He turned me so that i was facing him.

"Do you think I am afraid? Do whatever you wish to. My answer would still be no." I tried moving again, trying to set myself free. All my efforts were still in vain. It was as if I was boxing with a wall.

" don't you think I have wishes? I have a right to choose who I want to marry. "

He laughed, "I don't care about your rights. All I care about is you signing the god damn contract."

"I won't." I looked into his eyes fearlessly.

"And What if I tell you that by not agreeing to my commands, I would make sure that not just your life but also your friend's life is full of misery?" Pointing at the picture he was staring at before. "-Or should I say your grandma and your little sister, your only family... I don't think you would want to hurt them."

"No you wouldn't, I won't let you hurt them. I'll call the cops" tears started bubbling up at the corners. I tried not to let them fall.

"You are so naive rhea." He laughed silently shaking his head.

He removed his phone from the pocket, and called someone."switch it on." Was all he said before hanging the phone and turning the phone to my direction.

There was a video call and all I saw was my grandma sitting on a chair in the lawn and my sister sitting beside her playing with her phone. After some few seconds there was a sound of a g*n fire and the video call was disconnected. It took me a few seconds to take in what had just happened.

Tears fell down and I made no attempt to wipe them off. My legs became weak and I dropped myself down on the floor. I couldn't say a word, i felt as though a large lump of stone stuck in my throat, causing pain.

I had already lost my parents, my grandma and my sister were my only family. Today I had lost them too. I cried, not believing what had just happened. How can someone be so evil? How can he take lifes of the innocents? How can he do this to me when I had done nothing wrong to him? Why does everything bad happen to me?

Why do I have to lose my loved ones? Why didn't I just die instead. No one else deserved to die but me. Pain struck in my chest building up more and more.

"Are you willing to change your decision now?" He stated as if nothing had just happened.

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