Why didn’t I just jump off the window? That would have been much easier than carrying on this conversation.

“I am a dangerous man, Ella. And you will work for me from now on,” Raven announced, “You have a sweet family that you care a lot about, don’t you?”

I immediately thought about my baby! He is threatening me with my baby! My eyes winded up in horror. I felt nausea taking over me. Raven stood up from his seat and walked slowly till reaching the back of my chair. He put his hands on my shoulders. The fabric of my shirt was so thin that the coldness of his hands froze my neck. Next, a warm whisper went into my ear, shivering my spine, “You don’t have a choice, Ella. Do you? Do you rather be the hunter or the prey? ”

I responded with the last of courage I have, “Don’t get my hands dirty, Mister Du Vin. Else, I will serve you with all my heart, till the end of my life.”

I heard him chuckling into my ear. It tickled and made me even more stressed, “I don’t get women into dirty work, be reassured. But I may kill a woman if she dares to cause me the slightest trouble.”

A hot tear fell from my eye. My baby is so young! He needs me! I can’t die yet!

They say fear gets out the worst of us. And fear got the worst memories out of my oblivion. Unconsciously I whispered the name of Ethan. I do not know if Raven heard it but I was sure he sensed my discomfort, “What did you just say, miss?”

“I said I understand, Mister Du Vin.” I replied.

He smirked and played with the ends of my hair for a bit of time, “Your job won’t be difficult. Many of our missions are secret. In front of the world, you are my executive secretary. You will do some paperwork and help your super busy boss. Alright?”.

“And in reality?” I asked, “What is my true mission?”

Raven kissed my hair as he responded, “You will be mine.”

A shiver got all over my spine. I barely calmed a scream. He was amused by my horror and added, “I mean you will give me all your time as a personal assistant. Whenever I need you, I will find you, from the moment I wake up to the moment I sleep.”

Well, at least he is not making me his courtesan or something. I calmed my sobs barely. 

“You will get generously paid, don’t worry. The salary you get from the company is nothing compared to the real payment I’m gonna give you,” he tried to tempt me, and succeeded.

So will I be able to grant a good life for my child? I thought.

“Till when?” I asked.

“Till I am done with you.” he responded.

I screamed silently. And he laughed at my expression.

The fear turned into silent rage and a storm of hate. I turned and looked in Mister Du Vin's eyes. The hazel doesn’t make my heart skip any more, “You will not allow anything bad to happen to my family, sir. Do you promise?”

His playful expression turned into a serious one, that of a true man, “I promise you, none will dare hurting you or your grandma or your dear cousins, be reassured.”

Gosh! He didn’t mention my baby. He didn’t mention my baby!

He didn’t know about his existence yet!

Good that I lied in my personal statement and declared having no children! It’s very hard for a toddler’s mother to find a job, let alone a single one!

I used to make people around me believe I had a good relationship with my family. Because my grandma would kill me if I scratch the picture of perfect family she made. So probably after investigating me, he concluded he could threaten me with my family members.

Truth be told, I wouldn't mind him hurting them. In fact, I would be thankful.

Raven looked at me from head to toe and said, "First, let’s get you some presentable clothes. I would be ashamed if one of my acquaintances see my assistant in such a suit”

Spontaneously I asked, “Sorry?! Is my suit not to your liking?" 

Mister Du Vin laughed. His laughter echoed through the air, resonating with a rich, masculine timbre that held a blend of warmth and confidence. It was a laughter that carried a hint of gravelly depth, like the rumble of distant thunder, he shackled “You’re so funny, Ella. Come with me.”

I walked after him, out of the office. “Missus Flaubert, I will come back to the office by two P M,” he told his secretary. Missus Flaubert just smiled and wished us a good day when I was begging her with my eyes to save me.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked him as we walk to the elevator, “Are you gonna torture me for not being funny enough?!”

Mister Du Vin was laughing again, when the elevator opened. The poor employees who were inside got out immediately. I saw fear in their eyes. 

This man can make people afraid when he is laughing. I can’t imagine how scary he may be when angry. And. I do not want to know! Unfortunately, fate made sure that all my nightmares turned into reality.

But not today.

Today, he was gentle to me. He opened the limousine door for me and sat by my side on the back seats. 

“This is not the car you were driving in the morning,” I noticed.

“So what? Is it illegal to have multiple cars?” he naturally responded, “Sam, take us to the West Mall.”

I opened my mouth in disbelief. That was the most luxurious mall in the city! I can’t afford walking inside of it, let alone buying something from it!

“I do not think so,” I was about to protest when he interrupted me with his devilish smile, “It’s okay, it’s on me.”

This arrogant man!

When we reached the extravagant West Mall, the car stopped. I was about to open my door and go out when Mister Du Vin sighed, “What on Earth are you doing, Ella? Wait.”

What? I understand what he meant in two seconds when the doorman opened my door with a welcoming smile. 

Oh, Gosh! The embarrassment!

“It’s okay,” Mister Du Vin consoled me, “I knew from the start that you are a peasant.”

The scene was hilarious. I palmed my forehead and sighed. This man! This arrogant creature is getting on my nerves! And apparently making me go madder was only amusing him further.

I had not enough time to stay angry because the moment we got into the mall I opened my mouth in disbelief. As we entered, the air was suffused with a delicate scent, a symphony of rare perfumes that mingled harmoniously. 

Elegant boutiques lined the corridors, each one a miniature universe of style and refinement. All the luxurious brands I can ever imagine were there. Everything from Prada to Gucci and Cartier. 

“What am I doing here?” I murmured to myself.

And Raven responded immediately, “We are shopping baby doll! Now come on! Let’s pick you some new gorgeous clothes.”