Chapter 7

Diane's POV

The sharp knock on the door gives me hope; at least there's an intrusion. I'm not going to proceed with this with someone knocking on the door.

I close my eyes, heaving softly.

God knows, I'm not a whore. I'm really not a slut, but Conrad is hell-bent on reducing me to nothing. Being a stripper doesn't mean we deserve no respect over our bodies, of course we still do, but it's obvious I sold my pride, soul and body the moment I accepted that offer back then in the club.

I shouldn't have.

Literally, I didn't know it was this freak I was going to have a thing to do with. I wouldn't be so blind as to jump into a burning furnace if I did.

The silence in the room is almost choking, unbearable. Like Conrad isn't even ready to let the person in, like he just got robbed of something important.

"Sir?" The voice comes again, slower now.

Conrad sighs, then glances up at me. "Pick up your panties," he instructs with a glare. My fingers dig into my palms as I wish the ground could open and pull me in.

This is embarrassing.

Slowly, I lower myself down and grab my panties, then shuffle them inside my purse before standing straight like nothing happened.

Conrad sighs softly, then turns to the door. "Come in," he mumbles.

The door swings open, and she walks in; short brunette hair, overly heavy make-up and a short skirt that exposes a good portion of her thighs. Not to talk of the heels she's wearing.

She's a typical example of a crazy bad bitch.

She pauses at the door, casts me an unfriendly stare from hair to toe, like I came to drag a possession from her or something. She rolls her eyes, then resumes her walk towards Conrad.

I just stand there, wondering why she gave me that stare.

"Good morning, sir." She greets him.

At least she still has a little manners left. She drops something like a white envelope on Conrad's desk.

"That's the letter, sir," she says softly. "I'm taking my leave now." She quickly adds with a bow, turns to leave, but...

"Are you sure about this?" Conrad's voice makes her halt in her steps. She smiles, not a great one, but she still smiles.

"I'm convinced with my decision, sir. I just need to get myself out of this environment and try something new, like a new environment?" She responds softly with a sad chuckle, and I'm forced to pinch myself hard, wondering what really transpired between the two.

Why the tense atmosphere? I almost wonder out loud, but chill, Diane, that's not your tea.

"I have something for you," Conrad begins. He pushes his hand forward, grabs something from the nearby desk and hands it over to the lady.

"I hope this helps. You're one of the best secretaries I've ever had." he mutters, casting me a brief glance as he hands the stuff over to her.

So much for a lady dressed heavily while still trying to hide her pain.

I hiss softly, taking my gaze away from them.

Oh great. Seems like the lady is the former secretary, but why would she quit if she...

I didn't come here to get interested in the show. I've got my own problems strangling me.

"I appreciate the kind gesture." She smiles softly.

"It's just a token, and by the way, I'll need you to enlighten my new secretary briefly about how we operate here." he instructs, and I'm instantly forced to turn my gaze to them.

Brief me? Dude, I was your secretary for at least a few months before I was thrown away like a piece of shit. I know how the company operates, the hell?

That's literally what I'm screaming in my damn mind, but I can't even say it out loud. It's as if my mouth is gagged.

She smiles, then turns to me.

"I'm..."

"Save the niceties and cut straight to it." I cut her in.

The smile vanishes from her face like it was never there, and she mutters an "Oh!" rather inaudibly.

Is she trying to act nice because Conrad threw her some token? This is the same lady who almost dragged me to the pit of hell with a murderous glare the moment she walked in.

She clears her throat and starts with the boring story. How early I'm supposed to come to work, how to serve Conrad as if he's some God who has my destiny tied to a particular thing and one misbehaviour from me could cost my destiny. How I'm expected to help boost the company's financial income and manage the schedule of work for Conrad.

It's boring, trust me, and I have no idea when a loud yawn seeps from my throat, interrupting the moment.

The lady and Conrad share a confused stare before Conrad's gaze sweeps to me, jaw tight.

I gently mutter an apology, and the lady nods.

"And most importantly, you must always be at his service. We don't care if you're unable to make it that day, if you're going through menstrual cramps, critically ill or even hospitalized. You must be at work, every fucking day, even if you have to swim across a bridge." She adds, and I'm forced to chuckle, that kind of taunting chuckle that says "Hey, you're being overly ridiculous here, you know."

But the two don't even budge. They only stare at me like I've grown multiple heads they can't even comprehend.

When all I get from them is that neutral expression, my face twists into a tight frown.

They aren't being ridiculous or even joking. They mean it?

"I have a question..."

"No questions, Miss Hall. You're not here to be interviewed and to listen to your piles of questions." Conrad sharply cuts in, and my eyes widen in shock.

"What?" I gasp.

Heaven knows I can't count how many times I've been struck with waves of shock that all I can do is gasp.

He smirks, and I scoff.

"You mean I'm going to work for three months straight without a break? Even if I'm ill, hospitalized or...?" I ask the question I want to ask.

He only stares over at the lady. "You can leave." he tells her, then simply turns to me.

"Get to work, Miss Hall." he says instead, ignoring my questions like I never asked them.

I bite my tongue hard, staring at him with mixed feelings, my heart burning with rage.

Three months, then everything will be over.

Really over. I can't help but assure myself weakly.