Hooked with a Romantic Billionaire

CHAPTER TWO

Callista Agapov:

Ever since she called it quits with her former employer at Lotus & Chicken two months ago, Callista Agapov had been on the lookout for better work opportunities. She had requested a raise in her pay but her employer had turned that down severally. The last time she asked, he had been firm, “we’re unable to pay more than we do at the moment, because we’re trying to cut down on costs as most of our finances are going into the new outlet we are putting up.”

That was three months ago. Three weeks later, she had tendered in her resignation and so ended the four-year stint she had at the establishment. For the last two months, she had lived on her savings and the little she managed to get from her boyfriend, Jake. But now, her finances are running lower and Jake, who used to fund her sometimes, no longer does, but now resorts to either asking her for money or stealing from her when he could.

“Jake, it’s time you cut down on your lifestyle. It’s becoming boring, highly irresponsible and expensive” she was telling him during one of their arguments.

“What you mean, cut down on my expenses!” he shouted. “A man gotta have some drink, smoke some blunt and have some cunt. What ya mean by becoming boring? What’s life without the goodies in it? Jake retorted.

Jake, a twenty-nine-year-old, was the leader of a mob who specializes in selling street drugs. When he’s not on the streets, he’s out chasing anything on skirts or partying. He had met Callista during one of his party days and after some weeks of chasing, she agreed to date him.

But she didn’t know he was into drugs too. Nor leading a group of thugs. When she eventually found out and wanted to call it quits, he promised to change. It’s been a year since they hit it off but he has continually reneged on his promise.

Callista hoped one day, he’ll have a change of mind for good. She had told him street life is bad and gave instances of a few of his friends who had lost their lives in the process. “That’s because they dunno how the street rolls. I do and that’s why I’ms still here breathing” Jake said in his defense.

Three weeks ago, Callista happened on a conversation in the bar where she went occasionally to have a drink anytime she’s bored at home or having a squabble with Jake. The barman had come to note her face and when she came in that day, he called her aside and said, “someone could use your experience. Still have that skill of making tasty meals?” he asked.

“Sure, that’s what I’ve been doing for the last four years. Who’s looking for a chef?”

He told her there’s an opening and he got to hear of it from one of his close associates who’s friends with the person hiring. “Here” he slid a paper to her. “That’s the email to send in your application. Best of luck.”

When she got home that day, she drafted an email, included her experience and dropped her contact address. Five days later, she was seated face-to-face with Bruce Godfrey in a lounge he had emailed to her.

The mail read in part, “Happy to receive your application, Callista. Up for an interview later this week? Meet met at Karls Lounge, Friday 7 PM. Be on time!”

******************

She knows the lounge; one of the most discreet in town. Rumors have it that’s where some of the big shots unwind after a busy week. Friday at 6 PM, she was dressed up and ready to go. Jake was out with the boys and wouldn’t be back until 1 AM the next day. She had moved in with him ever since she resigned from her job as her finances weren’t enough to cover for accommodation.

“You have a remarkable skill. So you’ve been with Lotus for four years? That’s some time. Hope it’s well-spent?” Bruce was asking.

“Yes, I’ve worked at Lotus & Chicken for four years. It was indeed a good time spent. I honed my craft further on the job. I only left because the pay was no longer sustainable to keep my going” Callista explained.

“I see…” Bruce said scractching the side of his jaw. “That makes sense” he continued. “So, how much were you asking for?”

“I was paid $600 a month and was asking for an upward review to $900, but was turned down severally” she replied. “I had to leave two months ago.”

“How are you putting up? I mean, for the past two months, you had no job. How were you able to keep up with living?” Bruce asked.

“I have some savings and my boyfriend assists sometimes.”

“But does it make sense to leave that money and stay without any coming in for two months?” he prodded further.

“I felt I would have better chances of getting a better paying job if I left my former place of work. With more time on my hands, I can look around for something favourable.”

“Hmmmm. Okay, so tell me about your experience. What meals can you make?”

For the next ten minutes, Callista told him of the different meals she could make and how she tends to her clients.

“That’s fine. My client is looking for someone with your kind of experience. He expects you come in daily between the hours of 7 AM and round up by 6 PM. Sounds like something you could do?”

While at Lotus & Chicken, Callista resumed work daily at 8 AM and closed before 5 PM. The extra hours being proposed for this new job might be inconveniencing but when she remembers how Jake has become abusive in recent weeks and his tendency to pick up a fight for the flimsiest reasons; she knew she’s better off keeping out of his way.

“Yes, I don’t mind. That means I’ll be fixing breakfast and dinner for him?” she asked.

“That’s right. In addition, you may be called in during the weekends or asked to stay back for a couple more hours if there’s a need to tend to more guests. Might be when some friends come around or when he requires a special meal.” Bruce added.

She thought about it for some time and agreed.

“Alright then. Now to the compensation. We’re willing to offer a starting salary of $1,500 with prospects of a raise in the future.”

“That’s twice my previous salary with some hundreds of dollars left” she thought to herself. She was happy to accept and that sealed it.

******************

Three weeks into the job, Callista loved every aspect of it. She was on time just to make breakfast for Grayson and stayed behind to prepare his dinner. On a few occasions, he had been back home earlier than usual and she fixed him lunch.

The first time had been impromptu and she was at a loss on what to make. “Sir, what meal would you like to have for lunch?” she asked as he stepped into the living room a few minutes past 2 in the afternoon.

“Just fix whatever you can” he replied. Sensing her hesitation, he told her it’s fine as she wasn’t expecting him to be back for lunch.

A few minutes after going to his bedroom, he came down with a landline phone. “I will be using this to communicate with you. You can leave it in the kitchen. If I need anything, whether while at home or the office, I can always call.”

******************

Most days, after work, Callista branches off at her friend, Annabeth’s place and stay for a while before heading home. Today, a Thursday, she finished just before 6 PM and headed to her place.

“Hey Cally,” Annabeth called out as she spotted her stepping into the driveway. “It’s been days I didn’t see you. How are you doing? How was work today?”

“I’ve been fine. Just too busy for most part of the week. Said I’d drop by today as I closed earlier.” Callista replied.

Entering the house, she took a comfortable position in one of the settees. Annabeth handed her a glass of fruit juice and they drank up.

“I was wondering why you didn’t stop by since the week. Quite unlike you.” Annabeth was saying. “I even called your line but was off. Sure you’re okay?”

Heaving a big sigh, Callista told her, “Jake smashed my phone on Saturday after one of our unending quarrels.”

“What was it this time?” Annabeth enquired.

“I simply asked him to find a better job to earn a decent living instead of leading a group of thugs that resort to extorting service providers in the area. He flared up and in a fit of rage, one I’ve never seen him in before by the way, he took hold of my phone from the table and smashed it hard on the floor” Callista demonstrated showing the impact of the smash.

Annabeth sighed. She was no stranger to the fights between her friend and her boyfriend, Jake. While she admired him for his leadership abilities of keeping a mob together, even though he could use that better, she wasn’t too happy her friend suffered domestic violence in his hands. She’s seen Cally bear the emotional and physical torture of his ruthless dealings and honestly wished they’d sort things out for good.

“Isn’t it better to call things quits at this point?” Annabeth asked her friend for the umpteenth time. If she’s not mistaken, this would be the tenth time she has asked her friend to breakup with Jake owing to his continued violence but she rather stay put for one reason or the other.

“I’m hopeful he’ll come around.” “He wasn’t this way when I met him. I’m sure he’ll change. He only needs time.” “I think he’s going through a rough patch right now. He’ll get over things and return back to his old self…” These and more were some of the reasons Callista gave in times past.

“I have been seriously considering that…” Callista was saying. Annabeth was jostled out of her brooding. Did she hear Callista clearly. She really wants to breakup with Jake!

“You said?” she asked.

“I think I should call things quits with Jake. He doesn’t look like he’s going to change anytime soon, if ever” Callista replied. “My problem is where to stay. I could have asked to come stay here but he knows your place and knowing him, he would come around often to cause trouble. I don’t want to bother you with my problems more than I’ve done.”

“What will you do then?” Annabeth asked clearly concerned.

“I will stay for a few more months. By that time, I must have saved some money from my new job and got a new place. Then, I can call it off with Jake and move on to a new location he’ll never find me” she replied.

Taking a piece of paper from her bag, she handed it to Annabeth. “Here” she said stretching out the paper. Scribbled down are ten digits.

“What number is this?” Annabeth enquired.

“My private line at the residence. You can call me within the work hours. As I don’t have a mobile phone now, no thanks to Jake, you can reach me on that number anytime between 8 AM and 4 PM, Mondays to Fridays. Between those times, my boss wouldn’t be home so we can talk if there’s anything to talk about.” Callista added.

The friends gisted for a few more minutes before Callista rose to go. Annabeth wished her a good night and told her to take things easy and keep out of Jake’s way to prevent further quarells.

******************

Grayson Byron:

It was a Wednesday, one of the less-busy days of the week for Grayson. Done with the appointments for the day and making sure most of the day’s tasks are done, he prepared to leave the office.

Telephoning his driver, he gave instructions for the car to be chauffeured to the front door as he’s headed to the lounge to unwind for the day. He left word with his secretary to move any new appointments to Friday and to have important proposals to look at forwarded to his email.

At the lounge, he allowed the manager to conduct him to his special reservations. He ordered his favourite champagne and relaxed his nerves. Perhaps he had a little too much. Or he drifted off in thoughts again. But when the manager stepped in to check if he needed any other thing, he found Grayson passed out on the sofa, breathless…

******************

Callista Agapov:

The time was 3 PM. Fixing a meal in the kitchen, Callista was thinking of what to do. Jake had once again stolen from her. She came back the previous day to find her purse ripped apart. Searching through, she couldn’t find the two $100 bills she had left there. If he continued this way, she may have to leave sooner than she had planned. The more he stole from her, the less her chances of saving up to get an apartment and leave his place, his life, and indeed, the toxic behaviors she had been putting up with lately.

The shrill sound of the landline phone jolted her back to reality. Lifting the receiver and putting it to her ear, she recognized the voice of her friend, Annabeth on the other end. “How are you, Cally? Coming around today? I got some news you need to hear”

Looking at her wristwatch, it said 3:45 PM. She should be done making the meal in the next hour and await her boss’ return to serve him before leaving. “I think I can make it” she replied.

“Fine, see you then!” Annabeth said and the line went dead.

******************

Just as she was cleaning up the kitchen, she heard the sound of the car driving in. It was never mistaken. That’s her boss coming home. “One of those early days” she said to herself as she went to the door to open it.

Just as that was expected, she saw her boss coming up the pathway. Unlike other days, he wasn’t walking alone; he had his chauffeur by his side, with his right hand over his shoulder. She immediately guessed what’s wrong. Grayson is drunk!

Together with the chauffeur, they helped him into the living room and helped him lay on the sofa. “I’ll take it from here,” she said, dismissing the chauffer.

She brought the sofa pillows together and laid Grayson properly on his side, with the pillows in front and behind him to stop him from rolling over. Next, she pulled his shoes off and got a blanket from the bedroom to cover him. All this while, he was mumbling and though he seemed to be aware of his environment, he doesn’t seem to be fully in the situation.

She stayed and watched him for a moment before dashing upstairs to prepare the bedroom. Coming downstairs, she grabbed his left hand and hoisted it over her neck while helping him to his feet. Half-walking and half-dragging him, they made the way up the stairs. Once in the room, she helped him to the bed and as she lifted his hand off her neck, it brushed against her right breast. For a moment, she felt ticked by the sensation but was soon back to helping him to bed.

The time was a few minutes past 5 PM now. She went down to the kitchen and dished the meal and got some warm water. Coming upstairs, she waited for some 20 minutes before Grayson stirred.

She gave him a few more minutes before moving over from the chair she sat starring at him and helped him sit on his back to the bed, with a pillow supporting him. Slowly, she began to feed him.

Callista felt amused by it all. A billionaire drunk. Beats her imagination! She toyed with the idea that in addition to being the cook and semi-housekeeper, she also doubled as a nanny. Making sure Grayson felt light-headed and in a good stead of mind even though he was a little bit tipsy, she tidied up the room and washed up in the kitchen.

She came upstairs once again and waited for a while, making sure he was sleeping soundly and no object that could cause harm was in the way. “I’d be going now” she said, even though she knew he wouldn’t have heard as the heavy lift and drop in the blanket told her the boss is lost in a world of dreams, oblivious to the world around them, like a stone at the bottom of a silent pond.

******************

Callista arrived at Annabeth’s a little past 7 in the evening. “What kept you so long?” she enquired. “I had a lot to do” Callista replied. She was not going to talk about her boss’ state of mind with her friend.

“What was it you wanted to tell me?” she asked.

“Hmmmm” Annabeth heaved a sigh. “Sit down, please”

Feeling tensed already, Callista prodded further “What is the matter, Anna?”

“I guess Jake is in big trouble”

“What trouble? How B-I-G?” Callista stressed

“I’m afraid he’s stepped on some toes and his rivals in the streets are gunning for him. Heard he and his mob robbed some bag guys of their coke.”

“You know this how?” Callista enquired.

“I was at Sam’s earlier this afternoon. Overheard some guys talking about it. Says Jake is wanted and unless he pays back the value of the crack stolen, he may pay with his life.” Annabeth added.

Callista knows Sam. He operates a pub downtown. One of the gathering spots for punks in the area. If what Annabeth says is true, perhaps, that explains the reason why her money has been missing for some time now. Jake’s in trouble and it appears this is bigger than him and he might just be running against time trying to raise money to keep breathing.