Trial

I tapped my fingers impatiently on the table, waiting for my prey to come and start her trial at my workplace. 

When she came for the interview, it was blatant that I would give the job to her for my unashamed indulgence.

That I would enjoy trapping her in my arena with delicious offers she won’t be able to reject only to break that attitude of hers. 

“Anytime now,”

I leaned back on my chair and put my hand over my mouth to hide my spreading smirk, determination surrounding me.

‘Ah, this is going to be too much fun. Like hell I would lose to Lucien,’

Soon, the clock struck 9 and the door of my cabin knocked; the thrill enhanced immensely. 

There comes my prey, the one I would use to defeat my brother for once in my life- no harsh feelings- but, not this time.

Here it starts…

"Come in." I ordered dominantly.

Resting my one leg over the other, straightening my back. I raised my gaze and met hers, looking at me with a faint smile.

So anxious, so worried, still willing to do anything for money.

"Good Morning, Sir." She said and stood in front of me. 

I guess she was also prepared for the upcoming mayhem but had no choice. 

Working at Layne Enterprises was a chance of a lifetime she couldn’t possibly miss.

"Ms. Beth." I called her strictly.

"Yes. Sir?"

I rose from my seat assertively, unbuttoning my coat that made her shoulders tense up and walked to her.

"I am sure you have been explained about your work."  

"Yes… Sir." She merely whispered, giving me a weak nod and I used this chance to taunt her.

“And I require confidence from my employees since you have declared so highly that you are here for work.”

I took another step to stare dead into her eyes, causing her to suppress her emotions and relax a little as I growled. 

“So you better do it properly. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Sir. This won’t happen again,”

"You are on a one month trial. If you are proven eligible for the job, you will sign a three year contract with us where you'll work only for us, understood?" I explained to her.

Moving back and leaning against the table while folding my arms at my chest.

"Right, Sir."

"Since it's your first day and you don't have any great experience. I want you to stay in my office... for guidance." I said, hiding all the atrocity inside my heart.

 But I guess she saw through my intentions.

"Sir, I can come to your office... for guidance." She paused, eyeing me, suspiciously but obeying as well.

"It's an order." I said sternly. 

"Okay, Sir." She said,

"Keep a notepad with you and write all the things you will learn and to keep a record of my meetings and what they were about." 

She nodded and took out her notepad from her bag and a.. Pencil? And such a fancy pink pencil that it itches my eyes. 

I narrowed my eyes as I mocked, "You are rather amateurish." 

She stopped writing and shot her head and replied, "But-"

"Everything matters, Ms. Beth. Use a pen, be professional," I instructed.

“I apologize, Sir,” 

I handed her some files and explained to her what to do and her work. My cabin was ritzy, I sat on my throne and I watched her sitting on the sofa, right in front of me working earnestly.

I just need for the moment for her to sign the contract so that I can finally start my revenge before Lucien does something.

Intrigued to know what resides behind those exquisite emerald eyes gleaming in innocence, I called her.

"Ms. Beth." 

She shot her head to me and asked, "Yes?"

"You said you need money desperately. Why do you need it?" 

She lowered her head and smiled sadly and replied, "Financial Issues, what else?" 

"What kind of?" 

She looked at me blankly and said, "People call it 'Playing sympathy card'." I laugh a little. 

She just kept smiling, her words were very appealing which made me crave her more.

"Well, I am not the person who'll melt just by some tears." I told her as her smile turned into a smirk. She moved back to her work and began to say,

"Me and my younger sister lost our parents when we were kids. We grew up in the orphanage together, she can't live without me.”

Younger sister? She was 23, how young could she be to be at the orphanage? 17? 15?

“Is that why you were working at the orphanage?” I asked nonchalantly.

“Yes, but obviously, in this economy, it is not enough,” 

“Hmm, understandable, so now you are here to settle before she leaves the orphanage,”

“Yes. That's why I need to stabilize as quickly as I can and take her back.”

A logical reason but what about Lucien? He invited her, did she know about it? Do they know each other?

I had too many questions but I couldn’t unveil them all in one meeting.

“I need a job with good pay so that we can live together. It's hard to survive without parents- especially to be loved. " I nodded in understanding. 

To be loved huh? Well, some had parents and were still unloved. 

‘Shall I ask her about Lucien? Or how she got the invitation letter? No, That would be foolish.’

I wanted to ask her about what she was doing in Canada but I chose not to because she hadn’t mentioned it anywhere.

It would be creepy.

‘Ah, I could barely wait to see where this would lead,’

The rest of the day went in a blur as things went monotonously except the fact that I spent most of my time staring at her, observing all her movements, etching them to use them later to beckon her in my charm.

We were about to leave but I stopped her and offered her my hand to shake.

"Congratulations on your first day, Ms. Beth." I spoke with a charming smile. 

She smiled back, eyes gleaming in admiration a little when I turned her worries to dust and guided her proficiently with no harsh feelings.

As if.

She took my hand hesitantly, swayed by my perfect frontage, also believing in my acting.

“Thank you very much for providing me with this privilege, Sir.” 

It was a strange feeling, the relief on her face was.. odd. 

‘Even a kid could tell my intention, can’t you?’ 

She tugged a strand of her hair behind her ear and said softly, "Good Night. Sir."

"Night." I said and left, knowing my nights can never be good.

‘You truly are an intriguing woman, Garnet Beth. I would love to break you,’