5. Rain and Regrets

He gestured to the seat opposite his table without looking up.

I saw him squint at something and when I got closer, I noticed that it was my resume he was scanning through.

“Oliver Sallow,” his husky voice cascaded into my ears and my insides curled, “tell me about yourself.”

I read his name on the golden plate. Benjamin Cheslyn.

He looked up and our eyes jammed for a few uncomfortable seconds. He knew it was me! I could tell by the split second of hesitation in his eyes. I was strung for words and could only stare at his beautifully sculpted lips.

“Go on, will you?”

I blinked with embarrassment and cleared my throat. “I was uhm, a business student. I loved the idea of communication and, marketing just sort of fascinated me.”

His beautiful cognac eyes were like a setting sun. Oh, how handsome this god of a man was!

He sat back on his chair, his gaze more inquisitive now, “And what do you find so fascinating about it?”

“The logic behind it, I guess,” I replied nervously, “making that connection with an audience, drawing people in to take out their hard-earned money. Something based off on just what someone else said. I think marketing isn’t just a skill but also a way of communication.”

He made no gesture and that made me even more restless. “And what do you aim to achieve with this opportunity that you have been granted?”

I swallowed and sat more upright, “I am passionate about this and I am very eager to learn from the best of the best and that’s what EmpireStark boasts of. I don’t just want to sit on the sidelines, even though I have a lot to learn, I want to also be involved in the processes of the company and make an impact while I am here.”

His eyes rested on me and I was so terrified that he would be able to hear the pounding of my heart.

He picked up his pen and scribbled something on a notepad. He pushed it across the table and said, “Go down to the floor below. Ask for the manager and give that to her.” He said and the next moment, he lit a cigarette.

I watched the smoke form a faint cloud of fume around his face. This man’s aura was intoxicating and it wasn’t just the rich smell of tobacco.

“Thank you, sir.” I said to him, he wasn’t paying any attention.

He knew me. I was certain of that! But why didn’t he say anything? It was just the both of us in that room, it was so awkward, acting like nothing had happened between us.

I met the manager, she was a pretty stern and straightforward woman. Everyone in this company seemed so hostile, but I was used to that. I ran errands for the manager for most of the day. Heading down to the lobby on the ground floor, printing papers, stacking them up and I was exhausted by the time the work day closed.

I was shocked when I stepped out of the nine-story building to see that it was already dark. The sky rumbled and the threatening clouds above indicated a downpour. I grew frustrated when I couldn’t find a cab, so I decided to walk.

Gradually, I felt pellets of rain dropping on my shoulders and I suddenly felt so angry. Why today when I had no umbrella and I had just bought a new shoe?

“For fuck’s sake, man.”

The rain started to beat down on me and I had no choice but to start running. It was a full downpour and I became drenched in seconds. I was about to run into a supermarket when I noticed that a car had broken down in the middle of the road.

It was a green Rolls Royce. I was about to ignore it when I saw the man holding an umbrella, standing next to the expensive ride. I caught my breath, it was him! Benjamin Cheslyn.

I rushed to him and he was startled to see me. “Hello sir, having a bit of trouble here?”

He frowned at me, an unfriendly gesture that pierced thorns into my heart, “No. Go away.”

I hesitated, “I can really help you here. I am experienced with-”

“I already called my mechanic,” he replied flatly, “and he will be here soon. Run along.”

I turned around, dejected and drenched, but then, how could I just walk away and leave him in the rain?

I checked his tires thoroughly, with the rain beating heavily on my body.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

“Open the bonnet for me, would you?” I asked, standing in front of the car.

He wanted to object, but with an impatient growl that made me excited, he got into the car and opened the bonnet. My eyes scanned for what the problem could be and I easily found it. In under a minute, I was done and then I looked at him again.

“Start the car.”

The engine jerked into life instantly and a proud smile stretched across my lips. He beckoned on me from behind the wheel, I could tell that he wasn’t happy and I wondered why.

“Get into the car.”

I sat in front with him. I had never been inside a car this luxurious before and what made it even better was that it was thick with his scent. “I’m really sorry for wetting this seat,” I said, noticing that I was dripping water onto the carpet.

“How does a marketing student know how to fix cars?”

“Before I got into college, I figured that I needed to learn a skill. I had a thing for cars when I was younger.”

“Where is your house? I’ll drop you off.” He said and when I told him, I saw him grimace.

He remained silent and I thought this was the best opportunity to remind him of last night. Maybe he had forgotten my face or something.

“Uhm…sir. You do remember me, right?” I asked slowly, “from last night, when we-”

The car came to a sudden stop as he slammed his foot on the brake and I was almost sent flying forward. His hand suddenly shot out and grabbed my neck, his eyes blazing like embers.

“Don’t you ever speak of what happened that night!” he said through clenched teeth, sending a cold wave of fear into my body, “take it to your grave. If you as much as gossip to even a dead person, I will ruin your life and make sure you never get a job for as long as you live. Have I made myself clear?”

I nodded frantically and he let go of me. I breathed in as much air as I could and then I heard the car doors unlock.

“Get out.” He commanded.

I stood under the merciless rain again. I wasn’t just drenched by the rain, but by the sadness that came with watching his expensive car drive away.

This was absolutely insane because I had to report to his company the next day.