CHAPTER 4 – TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP.

🦋 BENITA 🦋

This morning is exceptionally strange, even more so than the countless weird mornings before it. Today is the 25th of September, 2024, a day I absolutely refuse to accept. If only night could stretch on indefinitely and day could be cut short—or better yet, if there should be no day at all.

I couldn’t help but think something terrible was going to happen, and deep down, I was preparing myself for it. No bad news was going to meet me unaware again.

Mr. William has sworn to make my life completely miserable while blaming me for the death of his business partner and the amount of money he lost, because his business partner died before signing the contract.

His problem wasn’t because someone died; his problem was that he died before signing the contract.

“You useless thing, you should have at least made sure he signed the contract before his death, I told you that contract was very important to me,” he screams every morning, reminding me of the trauma I was trying so hard to forget.

Whenever he remembers he has to accuse me of his unsuccessful contract with his billionaire partner, he does that alongside physical abuses, and starvation.

Sometimes I stare into the void with tear-filled eyes and wonder how my father was doing. After I was kicked out of his house by his new wife, I kept expecting him to try to find me. I was living like an orphan while both my parents weren’t dead.

I looked up at Mr. William as another heated slap landed on my face, elbowing me out of my thoughts, “You should have made him sign the contract.” He screamed.

Of course, something terrible has to happen today, since it’s the 25^th of September, the cursed day.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, “I will do better next time.”

“Next time?” he repeated and scuffed, “There won’t be a next time, I promised to kill you if this deal wasn’t successful.”

As another slap was being thrown at me, the maid barged in, “Sir, you have a visitor, his name is Felix Desmond, the CEO of D&D Corporation, he’s here to complete the contract signing on behalf of his father,” she announced.

Mr. Williams jumped up happily and ran out of the room, causing me to puff out a sigh of relief. At least until the visitor is gone, there wouldn’t be any more torment, which only made me wish he stayed longer.

At dusk, I was summoned. The maid walked in, “Mr. William asked you to show up in the living room. He seems to want to use you to bribe the son, just like he did with the father. I’d advise you to wear something revealing.”

A sad, bitter smile appeared on my face, It’s time to be used again.

I looked down at what I was wearing; it was big and dirty, with blood stains from the physical abuse I was subjected to.

Without attempting to change into short, revealing clothes like I was told to, I walked down the stairs.

Mr. William's eyes widened when he saw me, as he rushed towards me, “What the hell are you doing? You fool.”

I lowered my head, “I was informed you called for me,” I responded innocently.

“Are you that stupid?” he muttered. “I called you here so you can be used to persuade him, and you came down here looking like this? This is my last opportunity to sign this contract, If I lose it because of you, then you should indeed be ready for what would come next.”

“This contract would only favor you, so I won’t be signing it,” a young man’s voice echoed out, grasping my and Mr. William’s attention.

I slowly raised my head, and our eyes met, making me freeze under his cold gaze. I attempted to look away, but something about him drew me in.

His face is a master piece of masculine beauty. Strong, angular features define his jawline, cheekbones, and nose, giving him a ruggedly handsome appearance.

His eyes are a deep, piercing blue that seem to see right through the soul. His hair is thick and dark, styled perfectly to point out his perfect features.

His lips are full and inviting, his skin is smooth and tanned, and when he moves, his entire being gives off confidence and charisma. He has an effortless swagger that draws eyes and commands attention. Without ever seeming arrogant or entitled.

“Your father was going to sign it,” Mr. William argued.

Felix glanced at him, "My father has passed away. If you still wish to have it signed, you're welcome to visit his grave."

Mr. William stood up promptly, “My company needs this contract, your father was already going to sign it before that bitch over there killed him.” He declared, pointing at me.

I was immediately paralyzed, breathing heavily as I stared into the void.

“You could find yourself arrested for those words,” Felix declared firmly. “My father died from a heart attack, amplified by his inability to control his desires. The real victim here was her. You manipulated that poor girl to coerce my father into signing the contract, and as a result, she suffered in prison for nothing. You never lifted a finger to help her. So tell me, who do you claim she is to you?”

I slowly raised my head, and our eyes met again. This time, I didn’t attempt to look away. I was close to tears, it was the first time anyone ever spoke up for me.

Mr. William laughed awkwardly, “Let’s focus on the contract signing for now.”

Felix gawked at me, and after a few seconds, he muttered, “Do you need help?”

I stared back at him, every vein in my body was eager to say yes and plead with him to please take me away from this dungeon, but jingling my head, I whispered, “No, I’m fine, thank you,” and then turned to leave.

Mr. William laugh consumed the whole building again, “Don’t think of this as me bribing you, think of it as me being generous… is there something I have that you want? Anything worth making you sign this contract?”

“Her.” Felix blurted out.

I immediately ceased walking, rooted to a spot as I heard him demand of me.

“I knew all men are the same, everyone wants a beautiful girl like her on their bed. To tell you the truth, I fell for that beauty also,” Mr. William commented, laughing sarcastically. “Okay then, you can have her for a night.”

“I don’t want her for a night,” Felix snapped back. “I want her forever. I want her to be mine.”