T.H.R.E.E

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Soft music echoed in the bar,  the dim lights flickered across the exclusive area where Sterling Hunter's sat. His face was set in a deep scowl as he appeared to be lost in thoughts. 

His hand clenched around the glass of bourbon, threatening to shatter the glass to pieces. 

All he could think about was his Faith's words earlier in the office today. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this aggravated. 

He hadn't kept her by his side for four years just to watch her be taken away by some mother fucking cocksucker! 

The thought sent his heart burning with a bloodthirsty uproar. 

He could only empty the contents of his glass, the liquid spreading smooth hotness down his chest, providing momentary relief to the turmoil in his heart. 

"What brings you here tonight? Aren't businessmen like you always busy with one thing or the other?" Sterling watched Rex approach, Rex was his cousin and owner of the bar. 

He wanted to be left alone but didn't say anything when Rex fell on one of the seats, pouring a drink for the both of them. 

"Not, tonight." Sterling muttered. He had some pending work and business files at the office but had found it difficult to concentrate on anything as his mind kept replaying that particular instant.  

Sterling gulped the drink Rex had just poured for him in one hasty swallow and Rex lifted a surprised brow. 

He instantly knew that something was wrong with Sterling, not only was Sterling trying to get himself drunk, one couldn't miss the tension radiating from him, he looked ready to snap at anything. 

Rex was more than curious now, Sterling always had good reins over his emotions, Rex wondered what could be wrong with him today. 

"Did something happen? Some deal gone wrong at work?"

"It's none of your business!" Sterling growled and Rex knew now that whatever Sterling was upset about had to be work-related. 

"What the hell got into your pants? Hmm, let me guess, your secretary is getting married!" He teased and didn't expect to receive the deadliest of glares from Sterling. 

"Wait! Don't tell me that this is actually related to her!"

Sterling was starting to regret ever coming to this place, he should have just gone home directly than deal with his annoying cousin.  

"Why would you think I care about Ms. Jameson's personal life? What she does with her free time is none of my business!" Sterling muttered, pouring himself another glass of bourbon. 

Rex snorted aloud before bursting into laughter. 

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?  Who made that bullshit rule about your secretaries having no kind of relationship for as long as they work for you? You never cared about that with your past secretaries until her !" Rex spoke still laughing. 

"I only wanted her to be more focused on the job because she was a newbie, I couldn't afford her to get distracted." Sterling argued. 

"Is that so? What about when you gifted her a new car along with a driver that will take her to work and return her home, wasn't it because your jealous ass, couldn't bear to see her brother bring her to work every day?" Rex fired again. 

"That was because I didn't know he was her brother! I thought he was__" Sterling halted when he realized Rex had just goaded him into admitting it. 

"Right, you thought it was someone important to her and wanted to get rid of him. You clearly do want her, why can't you admit it? Until someone else is going to sweep her off her feet?" 

Sterling met Rex's stare, the effects of the alcohol were starting to kick in, and he no longer wanted to pretend.

"That will never happen! You're right___ I'm going to pursue what I truly want, but there's a slight problem which I have to get rid of, she told me today that she is seeing someone." Sterling spoke. 

"I see" Rex nodded. 

"No wonder you looked ready to destroy the world, what is your plan?" 

Sterling straightened to his feet, looking at his wristwatch.

"She was ready to leave her job for him, I think she is serious about the mother fucker, paying him off and letting him be on his merry way would be the easier and quickest way to get rid of him." Sterling spoke confidently. 

"You seem so sure that it will work, what happens if he refuses and is very serious about her as well?" Rex couldn't avoid asking.

The smirk on Sterling's face never left even though there was suddenly a cold glint in his eyes. 

"I don't believe that anyone can say no to money, and I hope for his sake that he does not, or I might just have to get rid of him in the hard way." He responded icily. 

While Rex supported his cousin to go for whatever he wanted, he couldn't help but feel a little worried. 

He knew that Sterling could be very dangerous when he was dead serious about something. 

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Why?

Why?!!!

"I'm so stupid!" Faith smacked her head furiously.  

"How could I have spoken those words just like that?" She stared at her reflection in the mirror as she gathered her brown hair into the usual ponytail. She barely got enough sleep last night, the dark circles were evident under her eyes. 

Why did she have to mention that she would quit the job to Mr. Hunter? 

She still needed the job, where would she get such a good-paying job in these difficult times? 

Why hadn't she thought of a better way to break the news of her relationship to him. 

She walked out of the bedroom and stared at the wall clock in the living room. 

It was already past eight in the morning, and the driver Mr. Humphrey had not arrived.

Faith couldn't help but think if her boss, Mr. Hunter had given the orders, did it mean that she was already fired?

She felt a deep pang in her heart, her eyes were starting to sting. 

After working for her boss for four years, she thought there was some kind of understanding between them, she didn't think he would get upset with her. 

She remembered clearly the displeased look in his eyes yesterday, Faith had thought he would fire her right then. 

She had wanted to tell him that she would remain focused on the job and a relationship wouldn't get in the way but he had ordered her out of the office immediately. 

She was in the current phase of her life where she wanted to start her own family, she wanted to find love, and she wanted to experience more of life. 

She met Dan about two months ago, he was humorous and very attentive, they had been on frequent dates for the past weeks, Faith found that she liked him very much and would want their relationship to proceed. 

The doorbell rang and her heart jumped. She raced to the door and yanked it open expecting to see Humphrey. 

Her heart stopped when she was staring into the piercing eyes of Sterling Hunter.

" Sir, you__" She stuttered, her heart was starting to pound faster than before. She was trying to figure out why he would come to her house, even if he wanted to fire her, he could have just had someone e-mail her. 

"Humphrey is on sick leave, I'm here to take you to work."

"What? " She stared at him in disbelief, He was going to take her to work! 

Did this also mean that he wasn't going to sack her but allow her to continue to work for him?  

Instant relief rushed through her, making her legs weak. 

"I don't think going with you is appropriate, I can come to work on my own." The last thing she wanted was to circulate more rumors in the office.

"Who decides what is appropriate? You should get used to it because until Humphrey recovers, I will take you to work every day and also bring you back home." He stated as though she completely had no choice in the matter. 

Faith met Sterling Hunter's gaze and her lips tightened. 

At times she got the feeling that he was too controlling, this was her personal business, what did it matter to him as long as she got to work?

She also remembered how he had insisted on getting the car and driver for her, she understood that he just had good intentions, but sometimes it was just too much. It made her feel suffocated and as though she was owing to him too many favors.

"You really don't need to do this, I don't want to be a burden to you, why don't you leave first, I'll be there?" She tried again.

"It's no burden to me, I don't see a problem with dropping my secretary off at work, or is it that you're thinking more to it?"

He gave her a prolonged stare and faith felt heat creep up to her neck.

"Of course not! It's just work, I don't have a problem with it either!" She rushed out and realized too late that she just agreed to him. 

"Good. Then, grab everything you need, I will be waiting in the car, we will talk about today's schedule on the way." 

Faith bit the insides of her mouth, annoyance heating her insides, she didn't want her boss to become her driver. Her shoulders slumped in resignation when he started to retreat to his car. 

She decide to look onto the brighter side of things, he had not mentioned anything about her job, she could only pray that Mr. Humphrey recovered quickly so her routine would return to normal. 

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