Chapter 4

- Ella -

I yawned tiredly as I rested my hand on the counter to address Big Billy.

"I'm not going to give you another bottle till you pay for the last one you took," I told him.

"Don't be like that Ella," he said in a hoarse voice. "I promise to pay back. You know me, I can't run away with your money."

"I'd love to see you try," Coco commented from a corner of the room where she was serving some drinks. She said this because Billy was plus-sized. There was laughter around the tables while Billy began to exchange words with her.

I was not in the mood for any of the bawls. I was thinking about what I could do, to get enough money in a few days for my mother's medical bills. It definitely wouldn't come from this small shop of mine where just a handful of people were my regular customers and also take drinks on credit.

Just then, my phone rang but I ignored it. On second thought and the second ring, I decided to take it.

"Yes?" I said dryly.

"Is this Miss Emmanuella Benson?" The voice on the other end of the call made me straighten up.

"Oh, yes," I replied, my tone better than before.

"I am calling from The Leo's. Congratulations, you have been offered a job in the company," the lady said and I narrowed my eyes in surprise.

"What? Really?" I could not believe my ears.

"Yes ma'am."

"I...when can I report to work?" I could barely contain my joy.

"You are to be in the office tomorrow for a briefing, after which you will be told when you can resume," she told me.

"Alright, ma. All noted. Thank you so much."

"Once again, congratulations."

"Yes!" I muttered to myself immediately the call ended.

"Don't keep it to yourself," Coco was standing behind me with her hands akimbo and a curious look on her face.

"Guess what?" I breathed.

"What?"

"I just got a call now from The Leo's, and I have been offered a job," I told her, and her eyes dilated like they always do whenever she was excited.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah!"

"Oh my goodness," she hugged me. "I'm so happy for you."

"I know right."

"I told you not to worry because everything will be fine," She said with a big smile on her face, which faded away, and she looked like she was thinking about something.

"What?" I urged her to ask the question already.

"But what job were you offered?" She asked. "I mean what position?"

And that was when the realisation hit me too. I remember 'the boss' did not even bother going through my credentials when I went for the interview. Or...are they trying to make jest of me by telling me I had gotten the job when they did not give me any?

"It does not matter, right?" I looked at Coco, but I was trying to convince myself more. "They already have my details before inviting me for an interview in the first place, right."

"Ri....ght," Cox dragged uncertainly. "But hey, it's no big deal. The most important thing is you have been offered a job which is what we have hoped for. So cheer up."

I tried to, but the question she asked weighed my heart and I anxiously wanted to know.

I went to the company the next day and concluded that the secretary, Joy, was naturally an unhappy lady because her attitude towards me still had not changed.

She was the least of my worries, though, and when I walked into that same office that had me questioning my existence, I hoped it would be for good.

This time, Mr. Ethan Leo Walton, the boss, as his name was inscribed in front of his office, was looking me straight in the eyes

I was immediately intimidated. He looked so handsome even though those cold eyes bore into my skin. I was annoyed at myself, that I found him hot despite the way he had treated me the last time I was here.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted him, and he nodded.

"You're welcome. I am sure you're here because you have gotten the call on your interview." He went straight to the matter at hand without offering me a seat yet again. And there was no interview, I would have said but I knew better and kept my mouth shut.

"Yes sir," I bowed.

"Well, I thought about it and decided that you are no good anywhere for my company," he told me blankly, and my face fell. I knew it...

They only wanted to make jest of me. Tears welled up my eyes and I sucked in my lower lips with so much struggle to keep the tears in.

"What could a bartender like you offer this company? Surely, you do not expect we play here or sell drinks. We deal with multi-billionaire contracts. However, I have decided to find a place for you. You will fit for cleaning my office."

"Thank you so much..." I had begun before hearing the last statement. "What?"

He stood up and walked towards me.

"You must be dumb to think I will offer you a job in my company after running your little mouth the other day in your shabby bar," he said coldly. "You think yourself something, but I will crush you under my feet in a few seconds. So I am showing you where you belong where I am concerned. You are only barely fit to clean for me. Do you think you deserve better? Decline this generous offer and see if you can find any work in this country under my watch and in whatever company."

I sucked in a deep shaky breath, blinking my eyes rapidly. Looking into his eyes, I could see that he meant every single word and in that instant, he looked nothing less than the devil himself. What have I gotten myself into?