Chapter 5

- Ethan -

I smiled to myself with satisfaction when she walked out of the office. Did she think she would get out of this so easily? I will so deal with her till she knows how to stay in her place and keep her mouth shut.

No one messes with me and goes scot-free, and she is just a little punk as far as I am concerned. Running her mouth like she was something. I recalled that evening when I first met her and had a good laugh.

She had her moment and now it is mine. I will get rid of her in a few weeks when I am done with her. That will teach her a little lesson. I cannot have her here for too long because she is nothing to behold my presence.

If not because I was pretty mad the other day, she and her entire generation would never have to set their eyes on me.

- Ella -

"I don't want to do it," I told Coco with a sad face.

"I understand how you feel but just do it, Ella," Coco encouraged.

"I don't mind being a cleaner, but to that heartless man who just wants to make fun of me? I can never," I cried.

"Ella remember your mother's condition," Coco reminded me. "You have always prayed to get a better job so you can afford her medical bills. I know this was not what you wanted, but think about it; it's gonna solve your needs. That money is way too high for any cleaning job you can get anywhere. You can pay your mother's bill and still have a good life. Let's make it this way. You can gather up all the money he's paying you for a few months or even up to a year, then resign."

"Then after that, what next?" I shook my head at her. "He promised to make sure I don't get a life anywhere else in the country and I am sure that is no empty threat."

"Then leave the country. Go somewhere far he cannot get you," Coco suggested. "You'd start a new life there."

"How much money do I need to get that kind of money, Coco?"

"You'd work for him as long as you can to be able to gather the money," she said.

"Oh God," I muttered and buried my face in my palm. How was I to know that this would get to this point?

"It's okay," my friend consoled. "It's not so bad."

"It's bad!" I told her. "It is so terrible. You don't understand what that man does to me. His eyes alone. That guy is the devil's reincarnate I tell you."

"And to think he looks so hot," Coco commented and I glared at her. She quickly added, "One would never believe his heart is that ugly."

"My mother must never know about this. I don't want her to be sad," I warned.

"Of course. I wouldn't say a thing." Coco made a sign of zipping her lips.

"And please, manage the bar well. Don't keep giving credits," I told her and she nodded.

I had to resume work. I kept assuring myself that everything was fine and all I needed to do was clean; even though I knew I would have to face my nemesis, I would pretend, as much as I could, not to care about his existence.

"Good thing you know you don't have a choice," he said mockingly when I got to his office. "You know I wondered for a moment if your little brain, obviously filled with pride, wouldn't let you take the job. I should have known, that your low life would take anything just to survive."

I sucked in the insult.

"I'm going to give you a few rules which you must strictly adhere to," He said as he walked towards me. "First, I must not get to the office before you. I need it to be cleaned before I arrive. Secondly, you must not leave until the office is closed."

Now he was standing right in front of me and that was when I realised how tall he was. I cowed at his intimidating posture.

He grunted, his eyes steadily on me. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet and looked down. There was a tense silence for a moment, and I had to look up.

I panicked. He was looking at my breast! I moved my hands instinctively to cover my exposed cleavage but he held it back.

"What are you trying to do?" He asked, his voice low. "You wanted me to see them, didn't you?"

"No please..." I quivered. He moved closer. "Please."

"Stay still," he ordered, and my legs automatically obeyed him, disregarding me, their owner, who wanted to run away from the scene.

He was now standing so close to me that I had to tilt my head for space to breathe, his cologne filling my throat. He smelled so nice and it seemed he looked even more handsome at a closer view, but I could not look up at him.

"You want this, don't you?" He asked.

My heart raced wildly in my chest and I was certain he could hear it beat. Then he finally moved away and I was filled with horror to realise I was disappointed he did not do anything. What was I expecting? I'm shameless...

"I was right about you," he sneered. "You are very low and can do anything to sell yourself off. I mean, I shouldn't expect any more from a bartender."

I blushed hard with embarrassment.

"The third rule is this, you must dress like the cleaner that you are whenever you come before me because the next time, I will not hold back. And, of course, I will not think any better of you when we are done."

He returned to his seat casually like he had not just made my skin burn under his gaze.

"You can find the other cleaners and get a pair of uniform," he said dismissively.