Did I strike a nerve?

CASSANDRA

Time flew... literally.

I heard a knock on my door and wondered who it could be. I was not expecting anyone and Lila always texted before she came over. Curiosity took me to the door, however, I had mixed feelings about opening it. Another knock came again and sighed. I twisted the door knob and opened it up.

Outside, two men stood wearing black suits and intercoms. They looked like agents or bodyguards and I was almost tempted to slam the door in their faces and run at that moment.

"Good evening Miss. We are sorry for coming this way but our boss requests your presence at the Paradise restaurant. It's past 8 already and he does not like being kept waiting." The large man amongst the pair said. Oh, did I forget to mention that I completely snubbed the message I had received from my "boss"? I knew men like him. I dated one already and was still trying to get over that. Did he think he could win me over by sending a dress? I scoffed.

"I have no intention of leaving this house tonight. Your boss can go home." I said to the man. I was quite afraid of them, to be honest. There was no telling what sort of order they received.

"'Our boss', miss. As of the moment you walked out of his office, you were hired as his Assistant. All of your starting bonuses are already being processed to your bank account and you should receive them in a few minutes."

I was confused. But then my phone chimed and I got a credit alert. Ten thousand dollars. My jaw dropped when I saw the money. It was even bigger than what I had expected. I began to feel my pride leveling. 

"I don't understand. He did not want to hire me earlier. I cursed at him. What changed his mind?" I had to know.

"I think he is in the best position to answer that question miss." The man said and I nodded. I was curious though. I walked into the house after telling them to wait for me and put on a rather expensive dress I had bought a few months ago, while I was still with My demon ex! It was one of the things I took comfort in.

We left for the restaurant immediately and I texted Lila about my location, should anything happen to me. I did not trust Vincent Downey and I probably shouldn't be going to meet him. After my breakup, I had convinced myself that no man would rule me anymore. I would refuse to be submissive to them and Downey was no exception.

The drive was quick and soon, we were walking toward the entrance of the best restaurant in the city. The bodyguards led the way and when I expected them to lead me to a table on the first floor, they walked towards an elevator and pressed the button. I was surprised but I followed them inside.

They pressed the 4th floor soon we were in the corridor leading to the exclusive dining space in the building. I was amazed by the amount of money someone could spend to get a space like that. But If he was doing all of them to impress me, he had to do more. Amazed, yes, but not impressed. He still hadn't given me what I truly wanted and that was an apology.

They led me to him and I found him seated. I did not spare him a look and as soon as I was seated, the waiter walked towards us with a bottle of expensive wine. They poured us some and I watched as he took a sip from his glass.

"Did you like the dress? I hope it was a better replacement for your old one." He suddenly said to me. Was he serious? Did I look like a beggar?

"I never asked for a dress. And I do not know what this is." I slowly replied and he nodded.

"I made an order for you. I think you will like the food they have here..."

"And I never asked for that either." I cut him off and straightened myself on the chair. He was getting irritated now and I chuckled to myself. Good. Let him.

"So, what is it that you want?" He asked.

"Answers."

"To what questions?"

"Why exactly did you hire me? I did not leave your office in a good state and the time before that was even worse. Why?"

I asked and he refilled his cup.

"Because I want to hire you. I can do anything I want in this city. I have what it takes to get whatever I want."

"I am not a commodity that you can easily buy. I have standards and sadly, you're not good enough." I mimicked the way he had criticized my degree. His brow furrowed and he was getting antsy.

"Everyone has a price. I know your type. Playing hard to get. Eventually, you will submit it to me. It's in your nature. Even at this very moment, I am certain you already feel heated up for me. Your sensitive spots are probably tingling right now, begging for me to caress them. I do not need reasons to act the way I do."

A weird moment passed between us before I burst out laughing. He seemed surprised by what I did but I did not stop. Then, finally, I stopped laughing, took a sip from the wine, and looked at him.

"I can see the game you are playing here. But unfortunately, you will not win. I can see all of your cards. I have played them before. Lest I forget, what happened to your previous assistant?" I asked him but he did not reply. He just kept on looking at me fiercely.

"Did I strike a nerve? Did you try to take her by force but she saw you for the evil person you truly are? If you are looking for someone to warm your bed as a personal assistant, you can check in with the other girls. Monica seemed thrilled earlier. And I reject your appointment. Terminate my employment immediately."

I said and stood up. There goes my habit of speaking without thinking first. I just terminated my job which was served on a platter of gold. As I proceeded to leave, he suddenly sighed

"I choose you because you are not like them." He said and I suddenly stopped. I slowly turned around, gazing at him.

"You were bold enough to stand up to me when you knew who I was. I commend your heart. And I am sorry for behaving the way I did." I could see the amount of effort he put into saying the last words. Then he chuckled lightly and took a large gulp of alcohol.

"I must be drunk already." He muttered but I smiled. I walked closer to him, took a seat, and placed my purse on the table.

"I think I like you better when you are drunk. Do you see? Apologizing wasn't so hard, was it?" I jeered.

"I could not breathe while saying it. But it had to be said. Does that mean you are accepting my employment now?" 

I pretended to think for a moment. 

"Yeah. I am. I think we can make this work. You look like you need grooming on how to live a better Life. That attitude will get you in trouble someday."

He laughed. Gosh, he looked so handsome while he laughed. Was I falling for him already? It could not be that easy right?

"You have no idea how much protection I have. I can never be in trouble."

"Really? Now I am curious." 

"Time will tell. But I need to make something clear here. I may have apologized but you are still my employee. You will do whatever I say, whenever I say it. And you will not object. Do you understand?"

"Only on the condition that you will not make any sexual advances toward me. I cannot be sleeping with my boss."

He kept quiet for a while. He seemed to be thinking it through. Then he nodded.

"Deal." He said. I frown as he said the word but I did not care. Everything was going according to my plan. But then my phone chimed.

"I am always watching you!"

I was suddenly gripped by fear as I saw the text from Ken. Was he threatening me now? Had he gotten tired of begging already? With Ken, I could not just scoff. I knew what he was capable of and I had every right to be afraid. It was part of the reason why I ran away from him in the first place.

"What is the problem? What's wrong?" Vincent asked. He must have noticed the switch in my mood

"I, um, have to go," I said while standing up. I did not feel safe there anymore. 

"What's going on? Did I do something to offend you again?" He asked me. He was becoming so sweet and that was not a good thing, at least I did not consider it as one.

"Fortunately, this time, it isn't you. But I have to go." I said, grabbed my purse, and dashed out of there. The elevator took me down to the first floor and I dashed outside to get a taxi. It seemed to take forever. But then it felt like someone was watching me. I glanced over my shoulders but I couldn't see anyone suspicious. I took a few steps closer to an alley and suddenly, someone grabbed my arm.

I screamed as they did but another appeared to wrap a sac on my head. I was terrified. What was happening? Who was trying to kidnap me? As they dragged me towards the far end of the alley, I suddenly heard someone grunt, and punches followed. Then footsteps as people ran away. The sac was taken away from my head and Vincent was standing there. He took my hand and led me out of the alley. I was shaken. The two bodyguards returned from apparently running and they opened the door to the car for us.

"Did you lose them?" Vincent asked the bodyguards.

"I'm sorry boss." The large one said. I just rested my head against the window while they drove me home. I could not believe Ken would attempt to take me against my will. Was he so desperate? Could he not understand a simple no for an answer? 

They drove me to my house and Vincent offered to stay the night at my place to protect me. But I declined. I just got the job. I could not drag him into my mess. He tried to insist but I refused it. Afterward, he went away. I did not want to get indebted to him. I didn't want him to control me. I had a friend in the police department but I still minimized my interactions with him. My years with Ken had given me a dark past and involving the police did not seem wise.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring. It was the same number Ken used in texting me. I picked up the phone and waited for him to speak first.

"Will you not say anything to me? After everything that has happened between us? Will you just walk out of my life? I already apologized for all I did. What more do you fucking want?" He yelled over the phone. I could tell he was high

"I already left your life, Ken. You just haven't accepted it. So you decided to kidnap me and do what? Force me to love you again?"

He was silent. Then, he spoke again.

"What are you talking about? What kidnapping?"

"Oh don't play dumb with me. 'I'm always watching you, that's what you texted to me. You tried to kidnap me Ken and that is not cool, even for you." I was getting frustrated.

"You do not understand. I did send that text but I did not plan to kidnap you. That wasn't me Cassandra." He said to me and I froze. Ken was a lot of Things but he was not a liar. 

If he didn't send those men, then who did? I slowly hung up the call and sank into the couch. What the hell was going on?