Episode4
1369 Words
As she rose, she delicately dabbed away the salty residue of tears and saliva that had accumulated in her mouth.
But her gaze was immediately arrested by a ray of sunlight streaming directly from the sun, its intensity forcing her to reflexively recoil, her eyeballs retreating into their socket for a fleeting moment.
As her vision cleared, she swiftly rose and proceeded to take a hasty bath, followed by a prompt grooming session for Liam as well.
With a keen sense of punctuality, she aimed to arrive precisely at 7:30 am, eager to make a favourable impression at the interview, which would be conducted by the CEO himself, and thus, avoid any semblance of tardiness.
She donned a sleek navy blue suit, paired with a crisp white turtleneck underneath, carefully curating a professional ensemble.
She ensured every aspect of her attire, from the precision-pressed trousers to the subtle sheen of her low heels, conveyed a sense of polished sophistication, perfectly calibrated for the high-stakes interview ahead.
Meanwhile, she opted for a casual outfit for Liam, as she planned to drop him off at a nearby centre.
As she bid Liam farewell with a tender kiss on his forehead and a gentle reminder, "Be gentle." she whispered and watched him disappear into the bustling centre.
With a sense of accomplishment, she emerged onto the sidewalk, ready to hail another taxi.
A sleek Lamborghini, its engine purring like a beast, suddenly splashed a torrent of water onto her immaculately ironed clothes, leaving her stunned and dripping.
And then, her eyes locked onto the familiar licence plate, her mind racing as she realised who the culprit might be.
The car's tinted window rolled down, revealing a mischievous grin that made her heart skip a beat.
"Ah, you miss me!" the devilishly handsome stranger, who bore an uncanny resemblance to a playboy, taunted, his voice booming from the luxurious Lamborghini as he grinned roguishly, his eyes glinting with mischief.
The same man who had crossed her path just yesterday before was now revelling in her surprise, his smile hinting at a deep-seated amusement.
"You philistine!" Lena snarled, her voice laced with venomous disdain, as she surveyed the damage to her meticulously crafted ensemble.
But her barb had an unexpected effect: his countenance darkened, his smile vanishing as he fixed her with a stern gaze.
"You'd do well to steer clear of me, young lady." he warned, his tone dripping with menace.
"If our paths cross again, I'll ensure you regret ever crossing me. I'm not a man to be trifled with. Keep your distance."
With that ominous warning, he hit the accelerator and the Lamborghini surged forward, its tyres screeching in protest as it sped away.
The sudden departure left her feeling both relieved and unsettled.
His parting words kept echoing in her mind like a veiled threat.
As tears trickled down her face, she trudge wearily back home.
Her voice was barely above a whisper as she sang a melancholic tune, the solemn lyrics echoing her distressed heart.
With a sense of urgency, she hastened to change into a new outfit as she got home, settling for a professional ensemble.
It was not as elegant as the latter, but would still make a respectable impression at the interview.
Fuming with indignation, she muttered to herself, "I'll make him regret underestimating me. He'll soon learn I'm not some timid soul to be intimidated and dismissed at his whim."
Her anger fueled her struggle with the stubborn lock, finally yielding to her persistence.
With a determined stride, she hailed a taxi, slid into the back seat, and rummaged through her purse to verify that her last bit of cash remained untouched.
She burst out of the taxi, acutely aware that time was now her enemy.
As she hastened towards her destination, she simultaneously adjusted her attire and belongings, her focus solely on the interview ahead.
In her distracted state, she collides with a passerby sending her carefully organised documents scattering across the sidewalk.
Without pause, she dropped to her knees, hastily gathering the papers, her eyes fixed on the task at hand.
She didn't even glance up to acknowledge the person she had bumped into, her sole priority being to collect her belongings and continue on her way.
"You lousy lady! What in the world are you doing in my path again?" he bellowed, his face red with indignation.
Lena's gaze shot up, her eyes locking onto the familiar face of the stranger who had drenched her with his Lamborghini earlier.
Lena's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the stranger's transformed appearance.
Clad in a tailored black suit, his demeanour exuded an air of authority and sophistication, a far cry from the carefree playboy who had splashed her with his Lamborghini earlier.
His sleek black shoes gleamed with polish, and every aspect of his attire screamed power and influence, leaving Lena with the unmistakable impression that she was standing before a man of considerable importance.
"You dare ignore me?" he thundered, his voice commanding attention.
Without hesitation, Lena sprang to her feet, her palm connecting with a resounding slap on his cheek, fueled by the recollection of his earlier transgression that had jeopardised her interview.
"This isn't over," she seethed, her eyes blazing with indignation, as she smoothed her rumpled suit and strode purposefully into the company, leaving him standing there, his face reddening with anger and humiliation.
As Lena entered the company, she was greeted by the director, who looked at her with a mix of surprise and urgency.
"Ah, good, you're here," he said, his voice firm but hurried.
"We don't have much time. The CEO will be arriving shortly." without another word, he swiftly led her through the labyrinthine corridors, stopping at a sleek, silver door adorned with a simple yet imposing plaque: "CEO - Alexandra Thompson."
The director pushed the door open, revealing a spacious, elegantly furnished office, and motioned for Lena to enter.
"Wait here," he instructed, his eyes darting towards the clock on the wall.
"He will see you shortly."
Just as Lena's anxiety was reaching its peak, the door swung open and the CEO, Alexandra Thompson, strode in, his confident gaze scanning the room until it met hers.
Lena's eyes widened in horror as she realised, too late, that the CEO was none other than the same young, handsome man who had been crossing her path since yesterday.
The one who had drenched her with his Lamborghini, and the one she had slapped just moments before.
Mortified, Lena's grip on the director's suit tightened, as if willing the ground to swallow her whole.
But it was too late.
The CEO narrowed, his expression unreadable, as he commanded, "You can leave," his voice firm and authoritative, dismissing the director without hesitation.
The director, sensing the palpable tension, beat a hasty retreat, leaving Lena alone and vulnerable in the presence of the man she had unwittingly antagonised.
With a self-assured smile, he settled into his chair, introducing himself with an air of quiet confidence.
"I am Alexander Thompson, CEO of this esteemed multinational corporation, and a billionaire in my own right."
Lena's gaze drifted to the CEO's hand, and her heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of a ring that made her breath catch in her throat.
It was identical to the one Darnell had given her when he proposed - the same intricate design, the same unique blend of gold and silver, the small diamond nestled in the centre.
She had tossed the ring away before Darnell but picked it back when going to the club. But she remembered pulling it off when she got tangled with an unknown stranger she slept with then.
And now, here it was, on the hand of the enigmatic CEO, Alexander Thompson.
Her mind raced with questions - how did he come to possess it? Was it merely a coincidence?
The CEO's piercing gaze ensnared Lena's, his voice firm. "Are you acquainted with the provenance of this ring?" he asked, his curiosity palpable.
Lena's gaze remained fixed to the ring, her silence fueling his impatience.
"Answer me!" he thundered, his words catapulting her heart into a frantic rhythm.
- Writer
