THE INTERVIEW

FOUR

For someone who claimed he ran a drug cartel, Melinda expected his house to look like it. Portraits of gangsters, drug lords and funky musicians is what she expected as decorations in the entire building. Instead, what she saw was floral decorations, art works at every possible place, paintings, sculptures and a very large portrait of a half naked Ajax in the hallway.

She looked around and saw everyone busy, carrying cartons, files, making calls, cleaning, reading papers. They where clad in pale yellow suits, royal blue suits, purple suits or black suit. The persons dressed in black suits were obviously body guards. She would find out what the other persons and their different suits signified. She recalled the maids were dressed in fitting dark green gowns. She looked at herself. She was dressed in a black flannel jump suit and black stilettos which surprisingly, she could walk in. She wondered what her job exactly would be. She approached the stairs and met one of the black suit guys who greeted her with a wink. "Hey Mel." She managed a smile in spite of the shock that came on her. With every passing glance from the workers, it seemed they all knew her name.

She paused for breath when she reached the last flight of stairs leading to the top floor. The floor of the stairs had transformed from Terrazzo to Marble at this juncture.The building was a three storey. After counting to ten, she continued her journey. On reaching the top floor, she paused to appreciate her environment. There were rose flowers in Terracotta vases. She looked ahead and noticed a CCTV camera hidden somewhere in the ceiling.

"For someone deadly, this is quite the environment to stay in." She murmured to herself. She approached the infamous black door. She took a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in." She heard Ajax' voice speak. She literally tip toed as she entered the 'office.' What she saw didn't look exactly like an office. Ajax was recklessly seated in a convertible. Opposite the convertible was a mini desk housing files and an unopened coffee. Adjacent the desk was a glass wall and glass door leading to the terrace where a really comfy bed was. 

"Have a seat." Ajax nearly snapped. She was taking too long to appreciate the beauty of his office. Melinda looked around and saw that the only seats available were the convertible which Ajax was seated in and the office chair for the desk which was obviously for him. 

"Here." He said, patting the empty space beside him. While she sauntered towards the position offered to her, he seized the opportunity to look her over. He noticed how the jumpsuit hugged her curves and how her low necked suit didn't try to hide her cleavage. He looked into her eyes. They were brown. Her lips. Soft, plump and rosy pink. He inhaled her scent as she sat down. The maids obeyed his instructions. She still smelled like Lemons.

Melinda cleared her throat. She was trying to calm her nerves that were suddenly jittery because of his dangerous proximity to her.

"I have questions." She said, passing him a side glance, as she clamped her thighs together. In his presence, she was always a mushy mess.

"Of course. They'll be answered." He replied, his eyes didn't leave her face. "You'll answer my question first Lind." He continued. Amusement flickered in his eyes. Somehow, watching her squirm tickled his fancy.

"Why did you run away from home?" He asked. 

"What?!" Melinda jumped in shock. "Did the Wrights send you? Who are you?" She was taking backward steps away from him.

"So, I take it that you're an orphan who ran away from her helpers." Ajax stood up to approach her.

" I am not an orphan." She hissed in fury, taking a step back as he approached her.

"Then what are you?" He asked, approaching her still, until he had her trapped between him and the door which she frantically tried to open. Unfortunately, it was locked. She thought she heard a growl in his voice.

"Who are you? I need to know who I'm being trapped into working for." She hissed.

" What are you? I need to know who I'm about to trap into working for me." He dipped his head to hers. Their noses were touching. He was trying to challenge and intimidate her. She was switching from cowering to daring.

"I am a lost child." She gasped when his hand touched her jaw. He cocked a brow, urging her to continue. His hand didn't leave her jaw.

"I got lost as a kid. I went to play in the forest. Then I was kidnapped by some sex traffickers. I escaped from them before I attained the age when they could turn me to a sex slave. I took to the streets. The Wright family adopted me as their child but I was taken to serve them, and not be parented by them. Mr Wright was going to deflower me when I clocked twenty. I had to escape. I ran away. I found the home you just stole away from me. I clocked twenty years peacefully. I found a job then I was taken by you." She hissed. The tears she had been withholding escaped from her eyelids. His eyes softened at that.

"I guess your parents must be looking for you." He said, his eyes didn't leave hers. He released her jaw and grabbed her hand in an almost gentle way. He was trying to be mean to her, but he couldn't help himself from being gentle. For someone at that age, she really has been through hell. He led her to the convertible. He was going to let her sit, but on second thought, he motioned for her to remain standing while he relaxed on the convertible which he switched to a bed. Melinda snorted. He cocked his brows. He was expecting a nasty remark from her. She didn't utter a word. Instead she was helping herself to a gorgeous sight. Him.

Rays of light that escaped from the shutters shone on his face. She thought she imagined seeing flecks of silver in his eyes. His face was Greek perfect with dark eyebrows and lashes. He had a regal nose and a stubborn chin that looked freshly shaved. His chest was heaving gently. She noticed the soft dark curls on his chest that peeped from the neck of his sweatshirt.

"Earth to Melinda." He snapped. He noticed a hint of colour on her cheeks as she came back to reality.

"Do you think your parents are looking for you?" He asked.

" No. They probably think I am dead. It's been twelve years now yunno. I had two siblings before and after me. I don't think they'll really feel my absence. I always loved staying on my own. I love my freedom." She replied. Her eyes turned cold at the mention of freedom.

"I see." He was stroking his chin this time. He watched her shift her balance from one foot to the other. 'She is probably hatching her plan for freedom now.' He thought.

"I am twenty six years old. That's an answer to one of your questions." He said. He flashed her a grin that made her heart stop. 'Those evil dimples. Ugh!' she thought. 

"I am the CEO of Reynolds wine factory. That answers the question who am I." He continued. Melinda opened her mouth in surprise. That explained the huge curvy 'R' that was inscribed and pained on the Terrazzo floor in the hallway at the ground floor. She looked at his desk and saw the golden plate bar that had Ajax.R.Smith inscribed on it.

"So, you don't run a drug cartel." She asked. She felt a weight being lifted from her shoulders when he nodded in apprehension.

"Although, I must tell you that this wine factory is an undercover for trained mercenaries who hunt drug and sex traffickers. Every single soul in this building can fight, shoot and kill. Except you." He said, standing up for effect. Melinda refused to take her usual steps away from him.

"So.. you're actually evil." She said, looking him in the face. She noticed how tall he is for the first time. He towered above her. Her head aligned with his chest. 

"Have you been listening or ogling at me?" He hissed, gripping her shoulders firmly in the process.

"I don't trust you." She snapped. They were both breathing hard and fast. Hot breaths that had steams of anger.

"As my personal assistant, you will have to know how to fight. Training starts tomorrow night." He released her before stalking to his recliner. 

Before she could utter a word, he motioned for her to leave.