Trapped in the Devil's Den

Chapter 2

Connor's POV

"Do you think my sufferings will end if I die?" A woman's voice asked. I looked where the voice is coming from. I stared in her direction and I was shocked when the moonlight hit her face. She looks like Elle. Or is it really Elle? Are you mad at me Love because I kissed someone? You appeared everywhere because you want to remind me that I am yours is that it? I stared at the woman's face, she is smiling and hot liquid formed in the side of my eyes. She is waiting for my answer so I told her the words that I wanted to tell Elle three years ago but I failed to do so.

"Live, please live." My voice is begging when I said those three words. I look like a hopeless person with nonstop tears pouring into my eyes so I am glad she can't see my face because of the darkness. I hate it when people see me in my weak state, only Elle is allowed to see that side of me.

When she heard my answer she smiled one last time and stand up. She started walking away. I wanted to call her but no words came out of my mouth. I wanted to ask if she is a real person or just Elle's ghost but I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I couldn't do anything. I am still that useless man three years ago who cannot stop her fiance from dying.

I watch her every footstep. I watched how she vanished from the darkness. When I was left alone in the cemetery I lay on Elle's graveyard not minding the dirt on the ground.

I miss Elle. I miss her so much. I have done everything to forget her, to move on but I couldn't. I have been trying to get her out of my system but it's been three years and still no progress.

I stayed at the cemetery, I didn't know for how long. I just watch how the dark night sky brightens. I was busy watching the sunrise when I heard my phone ringing. Drake is calling me. I answered the call and the panicking voice of Drake welcomed me.

"Sir where are you? Mr. Lewis is here he threatened that he will withdraw his investments." Mr. Lewis is one of my valued investors., it will be a nuisance if I lose him.

"I will be there in a few, please keep him entertained." I bid Elle goodbye and walk hastily till I reached my car. I took the car keys in my pocket and immediately drove back to my office. Before going out of my car I fixed myself and when I am satisfied with my looks I entered the hotel. When I reached the lobby all of them bowed their head and greet me good morning but I didn't bother to respond to their greetings.

It took me three minutes before I can finally reach my office. The moment I enter I saw Mr. Lewis sitting on the sofa impatiently and looks so mad.

"I am sorry for keeping you waiting Mr. Lewis." I extended my arm offering a handshake but he didn't accept it.

"I heard a rumor that the planning of the project didn't go well, is that true?" He asked me looking straight into my eyes. I sat down on the sofa across from him. He waited for my answer.

"We still have two months before starting the project right?" I answered him without breaking off the stare. All investors are greedy I am aware that they want a sure win but no one can boss me around not even those investors who have the biggest share in my hotel.

"Yes, but you didn't give me any update." When he said that his voice is a bit calm maybe now he understands that doesn't hold any power over me

"It is either you will wait for 2 weeks or I will find new investors." I saw how his face transitioned from being mad to shock and fear. It might be a hassle for me to find new investors but I would rather take that hassle rather than giving Mr. Lewis a chance to hold my neck.

In the business industry, I am not a puppet, I am a puppeteer.

Meghan's POV

I didn't stay at the cemetery for too long, when I heard the man's answer I leave immediately. I want to talk to my father but it's a bit uncomfortable when someone is also there. I just decided to go home and sleep.

I woke up when I heard someone knocking on my door. The moment I opened it a hard slap landed on my cheeks, it was from my mother.

"Where have you gone?!" She shouted so loud to the extent that the veins in her neck almost popped out. I was about to answer her when Uncle John butted in.

"You have a boyfriend Meghan?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and his arms crossed in his chest. The pain, disgust, and hatred he made me feel a few hours ago came back. I remember the heinous act he has done to me at the club. I couldn't stop myself so I glared at him and my mother saw it so she grabbed my face and made me look at her.

"Don't you dare look at John like that." She threatened me with gritted teeth but I didn't feel any fear. I am not afraid of her anymore.

"Why? Are you gonna slap me again?" I answered with a smirk on my face and I saw how my mother's face turned red. She raised her hand and was about to slap me again when Uncle John's authoritative voice stopped her.

"Stop, Mathilda." Like a puppet she obliges. She lowered her hands that were left in the air. She stared at me angrily so I smirk to mock her. When she couldn't stand my presence, she left.

"Cook us food Meghan," Uncle John commanded, and since I am tired of some petty arguments I obeyed him. I was about to go to our kitchen when he slapped my butt so I turned around and glared at him.

"Move your ass little miss. You don't want to cook? I'll eat you." After saying those dirty words he started sniffing my hair and I feel like crying but I stopped myself.

"I will cook." I continued walking. Even though it is against my will, I cooked. I just prepare a simple breakfast, egg and toasted bread, they didn't deserve a fancy breakfast anyway. After preparing the table I called them and I am supposed to go to my room when Uncle John called me.

"Eat with us, Meghan." That is not a request but a command but I didn't bother to look back.

"Eat with us or I will beat you up?" He threatened when he noticed that he cannot force me to eat with them. I just want to sleep so bad and I know that I won't get that if I continue to refuse. When he saw me walking near the table he patted the chair beside him. Tired from arguing I sat there silently and grabbed a plate. I am silently eating my toasted bread with egg when I felt him touching my leg. After a while, he started caressing it and stared at me for a little too long. My mother noticed him and I saw jealousy in her eyes so he called John's attention.

"Hey John, Caleb created a new drink have you tasted it?" Caleb is our bartender and him creating a new drink is not an interesting topic, it is just my mother's way of getting John's attention.

"Not yet," John answered without looking at my mother because he is busy looking at me while caressing my legs. I felt his hand going further so I immediately stood up.

"I'm done." I didn't wait for their reaction. I walk right away and entered my room. I locked the door and entered the bathroom to take a bath. I was looking around while I am undressing, paranoid that John might be peeping somewhere.

It just took me five minutes to clean myself because I have no energy to do my usual routine. I am ready to lay on my bed when I heard Uncle John and my mother shouting at each other.

"I have no money John, I just gave you one thousand dollars right?" My mom questioned Uncle John and based on the tone of her voice she is about to cry.

"That is not enough!" uncle John defended himself.

"Not enough to please your other woman?" My mother is aware that Uncle John is cheating on her and he is sexualizing me but in order to keep him she chose to be a f*****g martyr.

"I don't have another woman." He shouted back at my mom, after that I heard a broken glass. He probably threw something.

They are shouting at each other non-stop so I decided to change my clothes into presentable ones. I will look for another job because my mother didn't give me my salary for the past three months. The money that I saved up was all gone but I don't want to demand on my mother because I don't want to add to her problems. I guess some part of me still loves her even though all she did was neglect me.

While wearing a simple white t-shirt and pants I look at myself and exhale deeply.

"Help me, Dad, your daughter is in short of money." I look above while saying that. He might not be here physically but somehow I still feel his presence when I look above.

I go out of my room while holding a folder containing my resume and other paper that I needed to apply. I didn't finish any degree so I am willing to accept whatever job is available as long as it will bring me money. Uncle John and my mother is still busy fighting so they didn't notice me.

When I got out of the house I waited for a taxi and it didn't take too long. I told the driver my destination and he nodded. When I arrived I paid him using my last money. I am now standing in the most luxurious hotel- Hayes Hotel.

I entered the hotel while holding my documents. I roam my eyes around and admire the interior of the building. Everything looks so elegant since it is dominated by gold color with a hint of white and red. Its interior screams modernity with the blend of classic style. I was so fascinated to the extent that I almost forgot why I am here.

Going back to my original purpose I walk to the reception area and asked one of the receptionists if they are looking for some workers. She told me that the cleaning service and maintenance is looking for some janitress. She pointed to me the alley on the right and told me to take that path and find the door that says cleaning service and maintenance. I am glad that the workers in this hotel are approachable. I thank the receptionist before leaving.

I followed her instructions and when I found the door that says cleaning service and maintenance I knocked three times. The door opened and it revealed a woman in her mid-50's I think. She looks so strict so I smiled to hide my fear.

"You may come in." She said in a strict voice so I immediately oblige. I don't know if it is okay to sit so I just stand there.

"You are going to stand there all day?" She asked and raised her eyebrows at me so I hastily sat down.

"I am sorry Ma'am." She just looks at me and didn't say anything so I handed her my folders and she took them.

"I want to apply as a janitress Maam," I said politely. My heart is beating so fast and I am extremely nervous. I felt my handshaking. It is my first time applying for a job. When I worked at my mother's bar I didn't apply she forced me to work there so I can support my own needs because according to her she won't shoulder it. I was left with no choice so I agreed.

"Are you sure you can handle this job? You look like someone who came from a wealthy family." I get that a lot. People always think that I am rich since according to them I have an elegant features. With a natural wavy dark blonde hair, luscious lips, pointed nose, alluring eyes, and model-type body some people told me that I can be famous if I entered the modeling industry. I know that in that job I can earn more than enough but I don't wanna risk my private life. I hate it when people started to mind my own business. They will do a background check and later on, they will find out that my life is miserable, they will pity me, and I hate that.

"Can you please stand up Meghan?" I didn't question her command. Without any second thought, I stand up. She looked at me from head to foot probably examining if I can really do this job.

"You can start tomorrow. Your shift will start from seven am to four pm. Is that fine with you?" I nodded happily. I am thankful that my schedules aren't conflicting since my work at the bar starts from six pm to three pm. My mother doesn't mind how I will spend my day anyway as long as I do all the house chores and I work at the bar at night.

The one who interviewed me named Mrs. Martha discussed the rules and regulations and different stuff that I needed to do. After that she dismissed me.

I decided to go home but before that, I looked around for a few minutes and admire the design of the hotel but unfortunate things happened. While I am busy looking around I suddenly bumped into someone. I felt some liquid poured on me. To my shock, I wasn't able to speak up.

I am ready to shout at the person who bumped me, though it is partly my fault, he/she should have avoided me. I lift my gaze and a pair of blue eyes met mine, his eyes are somehow familiar.

"Mr. Hayes!" The hotel staff started to flock in and I am pushed to the side. Everyone is busy wiping the coffee stain on his sleeves while he is directly looking at me without saying anything.

"Apologize to Mr. Hayes right now!" One of the staff whispered in my ear.

"Mr. Hayes?" I asked confused.

"Mr. Connor Hayes the CEO of Hayes Hotel." the staff answered.