Chapter 1

Ayana:

My hands tapped rhythmically on the table as I listened to him talk. The files were sprawled on my desk, my pen making blotted dots on the numbers as I tried to concentrate.

" She is also very brazen too with her claims. She is saying something about being with the media in not less than three hours" Bryan, the head of the cyber security team said.

I stifled a yawn. It was the same old routine. My womanizer of a boss having numerous affairs with different women and these women coming out to threaten him on the internet.

" I don't know why you felt the urge to call me. It's a simple procedure. Take down the post immediately and leave the rest to me"

He sighed.

" Find out the details of the sender and send it to me. I want the post cleared from all social media platforms. Whatever reshare that could have been made should be taken down too. Immediately "

" Mr Sterling has to be more careful. Every woman seems to be out for him these days"

He was not wrong. This was the sixth post we are getting in a month about his promiscuity.

" You can tell him that when you meet him then" I said instead, ending the call and dialling the number of the legal team.

Eve seemed to be expecting my call this time around.

" A little birdie from the security department tells me that this time around it was a female model. Says she wants him to pay child support because she is allegedly pregnant with his baby "

The humor in her voice was unmatched. I could almost imagine her seated in that swervy chair of hers, listening to the talks about Mr Sterling as she hummed that law song she liked so much.

" I will be sending you the details of the person now. I want them sued for defamation and they should also tender an online apology." I said Instead.

She scoffed.

" Three years working with that stuck up man sure has made you forget how to have fun. You are so boring now. But sure, Roger that captain"

Boring.... I was too used to hearing those words.

" Can you do it in a day?"

" What do you take me for? I can get the apology before the end of today."

I nodded. That was what I wanted to hear. Action.

When I dropped the call, I took a minute to recline into my seat and rest my neck that seemed on the verge of snapping.

But there was never a moment of rest. Not with Ruan.

I gathered up the files, walking over to his office and knocking before letting myself in.

Ruan Sterling. The man of the night.

Even though his eyes were focused on the documents in front of him and he had his face contorted in that serious expression he held more too often, I could still see his dark locks of hair and his presence that filled the room but was not overwhelming.

" You had a scandal. A female model this time around. She said something about going to the media too. But don't worry, I have handled it"

He did not look up at me, eyes still fixated on the papers.

" I know you have"

I nodded. I walked over to his desk dropping the files.

I turned to leave but then, on second thought, I turned back at his working figure.

" I know it's not in my place to say this, but maybe you should limit how you meet women these days. Keep it on a low. So many people are out for your neck and with the release of the next collection fast approaching, we can't afford to have a negative press"

For the first time since I stepped into his office he raised his head to look at me.

Those brown eyes pierced into my being and I felt my chest heave, caging adrenaline mixed with fear.

" Cancel all my meetings for the day and send me my schedule for tomorrow before the end of today" he said suddenly getting up.

I watched him leave wordlessly and when the door finally slammed shut, it felt like I could breathe again.

~~~

I had come to hate my neighbourhood. It was not only the stupid catcalling of the men that had one too many bottles to drink, but also the fear that settled in whenever I could not reach my mum and sister.

Like now.

That fear tripled when I neared our house to find the door slightly ajar. I knew my mother. She was paranoid about snakes. She would never leave the door open.

My heart beat quickened as I rushed in, the men in suits, the first odd thing that settled down to the pit of my stomach.

My mum and sister had a gun pointed to their head, my sister stifling a small scream that I knew would rip through her lungs when they left.

I did not need introductions. I knew who they were.

" Ah, she is finally back. I was beginning to think we would have to get to your office to find you. But thankfully, you showed up just in time" the leader, the one I had interacted with one too many times, said.

" I know that..." I was beginning to say but he shunned me.

" I'm still talking!"

I quivered, my usual calm and collected demeanor shredding as a tear threatened to slip through my eye lids, fear gripping me.

" I know and I understand your father died. Frankly it's such a pity because I would have loved to kill him myself. And I was so kind too. I gave you five whole months to pay back the debts. Or did I not?"

I swallowed, not knowing if this was a time I could speak.

" The boss asked you a question bitch! Act like it!" One of them thundered.

I squirmed, biting back another bout of painful shivers that ran down my spine.

" You did. And we are so grateful and..

" If you are goddamn grateful, you should have paid me back by now! Do you think I would not hurt you because you are all women?! Do you know how many men will pay to fuck your sister over and over? Should I do a business out of that?!"

My heart dropped as that squeal finally left my sister. The gun pressed firmly against her face again, causing her to wrap her hands around her mouth.

" Please don't, she is just a child." I managed to choke out, the fear almost nauseating.

" I want my money, Ayana. You know I'm a good man don't you? You know I care about this family. So don't make me go the long way for what belongs to me"

My body felt weak as my legs threatened to give way.

" Please...I will pay you back". My voice had cracked and my body almost convulsed from fear.

He chuckled.

" Oh you sure as hell will. One way or the other. And I don't care if I have to sell your mothers organs to get my full payment. Get me my money by next week or you will beg for death and the grim reaper himself will reject you"

As they stomped out of the house, leaving my whimpering sister and my too stunned to speak of a mother, the reality dawned on me.

I had just one week. One week to pay up the debts or say bye to my family.

Once they were out of the door, my sister ran into my arms and I wrapped her softly.

“They are gone now, hush baby.” I kissed her softly, my eyes darting to my mother who stood shaking.

“I’m going to figure it out. Somehow.”