Cursed face

Alvin had a bored expression on his face as he looked at the files on his table. He had indeed left his comforting life and come back to reality once again.

He felt like spanking himself because he had broken his vow of never going out to any public place except for his company and maybe go private shopping. Now he had frightened an innocent slut who he picked up from a bar he had gone to—and it wasn't fun. His father, Mr Andrew Miller, would surely deprive him of his company and life if he ever found out.

Alvin dropped the files on the table before him in anger and flung the water-bottle beside him.

“I really hate my life! Why did all this ever start? It wasn't like this when I was still a teen!“

His mother's voice was starting to ring in his ears once again; and he knew he'd cause a disaster in the office if he didn't go out soon.

The next second, his door was barged in by his childhood friend and secretary, Amanda.

“Alv…” said Amanda before she stopped in her tracks. “I mean… CEO Alvin.“

“What do you want?“ Alvin snapped, a little conscious of the fact that he wasn't putting on his mask.

Amanda was one of the few people that didn't go mad and pass out when they saw his face. Probably because she had known him right from childhood and she's attended one of the three schools he was expelled from.

“I heard you soliloquizing and just thought—”

“Listen and listen carefully, secretary Amanda— the fact that we knew each other since childhood and went to the same school doesn't mean you can barge into my office any time you want. Act formally for once in your life when we're in the office! And then you can act like a mannerless fool when we're out of it.“

“Al—”

“Get lost! I believe I'm almost done with today's schedule.“

Amanda stared at Alvin with her mouth opened wide in surprise and shocked O. Alvin had always acted nice to her even when he screamed at his other employees most of the time. It seemed like she could hardly believe this was the same Alvin.

“How—”

“Get out already, Amanda! Do you want me to spell the words for you?“

Amanda's legs were shaking as she looked at him—almost like she would add to the number of girls that had collapsed in front of him anytime soon.

“I was just trying to be caring, Alvin. It's not my fault that nobody else can stand your looks. I'm not only here for you professionally but also personally. And I…” Amanda stopped for a while and pointed her fingers accusingly at him. “I thought you loved me.“

Alvin stared at her like he could barely believe what he was hearing.

“Me? Love you?“ he laughed heartily in spite of himself and leaned on the table. “I'm a playboy, and playboys don't do love. You know how it was since high school— I only fucked girls and moved on after that. I never did any girl twice… unless she was some sort of ass-generous slut, though.“

“So you mean…” Amanda dazed off. “All girls are sluts to… you? Like you could just sleep with them and dump them in a trash bin later on? Even… me?“

“I didn't fuck you 'cuz I wanted to, Amanda. You practically forced me to, remember?“

“How—”

“It was prom night back in high school and I didn't want to go on a date with any of the girls I've slept with; and I had no choice but to choose you. We were only supposed to do what the school prom night rules says: talking about ourselves, dancing and maybe even kissing. But what? You wanted to take it to the next level and we ended up finding ourselves in bed.“

“But I was a virgin! You disvirgined me for God's sake!“ Amanda yelled, her eyes at the brink of tears.

They were lucky Amanda's office was the only one nearby; lest a truckful of the employees would have gathered at the CEO's office door by now.

“And so what? What's so precious about your virginity? Can you deny that you willingly made me sleep with you?“

“No, I can't. But—”

“End of the story, secretary Amanda,” Alvin said, apparently back to his business voice. “I don't do love. Not now, and definitely not ever.“

Amanda sucked back her tears. He might think he has won but she'll show him otherwise— and the first step to that was hurting him with a few words just like he'd hurt her before she left.

“As if any other woman will ever get to love you with this cursed face of yours.“

Alvin felt like his ears weren't working, he had to tap them with his hands to make sure he had heard her well. “Who told you that?“

“Who told me wh—”

“Damn it, Amanda!“ Alvin suddenly exclaimed, hitting his fists on the table and standing up. “Did my father say anything about my…”

The look on Amanda's face gave Alvin his answer. His father had indeed told her what his mother said before she abandoned him.

Alvin slumped back to his chair. “You should go now, before I do something stupid.“

Secretary Amanda observed his expression. Then she shook her head and hissed in irritation before storming out.

Alvin thought of the events that happened in his life since he was born. Maybe his looks were indeed cursed, maybe not just his looks but also his life— probably even his sense of reasoning and future was cursed too.

He started fidgeting on the papers on his table with irritation. He probably should have just finished school— the fact that his certificate wasn't gotten right kept disturbing his conscience. He felt a little guilty for being the CEO of a company filled with first-class graduate employees when their boss himself isn't a graduate.

Alvin tried to focus his mind and try to sign some papers but it wasn't working. He gave up at last and grabbed his car keys; he was going out to get some fresh air before he completely lost his senses.

Alvin was at the door when he remembered the mask. He cursed under his breath before walking back to put it on.

He got out of his office after that and used his fingerprint to lock his door. Alvin was walking through the hall-way to the elevator when Amanda came out of her office.

“CEO Alvin, where are you going?“

Alvin wanted to ignore her but didn't after a second thought.

“I'm going to take a stroll,” he managed, surprised that she was casually talking to him like nothing happened some minutes ago.

“Should I cancel the rest of your schedule?“

“No, don't!“ Alvin yelled, already out of her face. “I'll be back in fifteen minutes.“