Chapter 3

Ayana:

This time around, the cake platter slipped from my hands, shattering on the floor as the sound brought me back to my senses.

" Shit" I gasped as I bent down to gather the fragments of glass.

Rebecca, my company friend went on her knees too.

" Let me do it Ayana. Just sit and rest your head"

It has been three days since those men showed up, three days that meant me being absent minded for most of the days and pushing my boss to his limit with each ridiculous mistake I made.

" I think I will be fired at this rate" I said, shoulders sagging.

I watched her dump what was left of the cake out as she turned back to look at me.

" Don't say that Ayana. I'm sure the boss understands that you have never made a single mistake before. He will surely consider this and figure out that it's not your fault."

She picked up her drink, an iced coffee and another plate of fresh cake, escorting me back to my office.

" You don't know Mr Ruan....he won't care. One more mistake and I'm out the door. I just know it".

I could feel that nauseating wave of pity flush through her as she paused outside my door.

" Well I don't know how I can help you, really. I have some money saved but you know how it is with Bryan. Our wedding is in a few days and I know he won't pay for the catering services. He is such a little piece of shit."

I shook my head firmly, stopping her.

" No no, you don't have to give me money. You need to save everything for your wedding and honeymoon. I tried calling the loan bank today and they said they will get back to me. So hopefully it's something"

What I failed to mention to her though was that the bank already stated that they could only loan me half of the money as it was against their policies to loan out such a large amount at once.

She sighed.

" I will put in a good word for you too with the payment secretary. Maybe your payment can come early. It should sort out something"

" I really appreciate that. Thank you"

" Oh it's no bother really. I will also talk to my aunt, she works at the bank so maybe they can lend you more than that. I don't know yet but I might divorce Bryan before we even get married. If that happens, I will give you almost the wedding money to get yourself out of this".

I smiled.

As much as she complained about his lazy attitude and his stupid collection of rocks, it was obvious she was too in love with him to let go.

When she left, I became alone with my thoughts, the files I was supposed to be working on now long forgotten.

The intercom burst through the bubble I had placed myself in, startling me.

Mr Ruan. He rarely called. So this could only mean one thing...

" You called for me sir?" I asked as I stood in front of him, eyes darting from his grim expression to the scattered files on his desk.

" Come closer for a second" he finally responded.

My legs felt like jelly as I walked over to where he sat, my eyes peering into the computer that he had turned to face me now.

" What do you see?" He asked.

" It's the hartson contract sir..." I said, words faltering.

" You mixed up the Contract addresses. You sent this to the michels foundation"

I paled. Shit.

" I'm so sorry, let me correct that and get back to you sir"

His eyes did not leave mine, holding my stare until I looked down from unease. I knew what was coming next. I could feel it.

" What has been going on with you recently?" He asked instead, surprising me.

" I have had a bad week. I'm so sorry for this and I can assure you it won't happen again"

" That's what you said when you spilled hot chocolate on my hermes suit. You said that too when you mixed my schedules up and almost lost me a client. I can't take that anymore".

" I just have a bit of a personal issue sir, but I promise that it will not hinder me in any way. Please, if you can just trust me on that. I am about to settle it and I can assure you it's under control."

" 50,000 dollars does not sound like something you can have under control" he said.

I gasped, shock permeating my features as I stared at him in shock.

" How did you..."

" I had people do a few research. You don't sound like you have it under control".

Maybe it was the smirk that grew on his face, or the mocking tone he said it in, but I suddenly felt the urge to defend myself.

" No, I can borrow a few loans and I will pay for it and..."

He scoffed.

" No bank is going to loan you that much when you don't have a company."

" I can get it..if I get the signing from a notable company then they will"

" You are delusional you know that?"

" I will figure it out" I said stoicly.

He hummed.

" I have an idea on how I can help you. I can help you pay off the loan".

" I don't need your handouts. Thanks for offering though, I will find my way around it".

He laughed. Not the soft ones I have seen him do in business gatherings. This was raw and unhinged, healthy and velvety, beautiful noises to my ear that sent the shivers down my spine for the tenth time.

" Even in debt you still maintain your pride. I have to give it to you, you are indeed disciplined"

I searched his eyes, looking for that hint of sarcasm I was expecting to see but there was none. Just plain seriousness.

" What is it?" My suspicion grew as he adjusted his seat, eyes now levelling with mine.

" It's a contract more or less. A marriage contract"

I paused, waiting for him to burst into laughter and tell me I was so gullible.

Maybe this was part of a TV prank for the company's daily channel.

But he didn't.

" Wait...what?!" I asked in surprise.

" What don't you understand? You marry me and I pay off every single loan you have acquired. Marrying me will come with its perks too".

At that moment, it was almost like a scale fell off my eyes.

" How can you be so selfish?! I have worked for you for three years! I should have known that you are never the kind to help without reason. You lack a human heart, you are wicked".

The more my voice raised, the slimmer my chances of retaining this job turned, but I did not care. I was done with his narcissism and coldness.

But he did not say anything.

" Nothing comes free Ayana..you are not naive, you know that. I don't know your family enough to care if they die or live. I'm offering you an olive branch to save them. I'm not asking for an answer now, you can give me your response on Friday,.but once it's 5pm, don't bother, I won't have anything to do with it ever again"

The hopelessness settled, chest burrowing with grief.

" What do you possibly stand to gain from this?".

" That is none of your business. What concerns you should be saving your family. So go do that, and let me tend to my own problems"