JANET'S POV.
My hand move fast on the keyboard. I have to get this paper work done with before it clocks 7PM.
I can't help but smile as I think of Collins. He's been acting off but surprisingly, yesterday, he suggested we go on a date today. He also bought me an outfit to wear for the date, which is something he hasn't done for a while now.I know his attitude towards me lately has been off and on but I think he's just stressed out because of his parents issues and his search for a new job. I try to make him feel okay and comfortable with the fact that I have a job and he doesn't but unfortunately, that only seems to worsen the situation. We end up arguing which makes him stay away for days. When he comes back, he's in a good mood and then out of the blue, he gets angry again. He seems to have a talent of making something out of nothing.I look away from my laptop as my phone buzzes. I pick it up immediately when I see Clara's message. Her message was a reply from the text is sent her early this morning, about my date with Collins.CLARA ~ Looks like he's in a good mood again.I smile and reply to her text.ME ~ It's the usual.CLARA ~ So a dat night, uh. I bet your cheeks are hot.Wear something hot as well, to give a matchingvibe.ME ~ Stop with the teasing, clara. I have to finish my work.Talk to you later.CLARA ~ Yeah, yeah, whatever. Don't forget to keep me updated.I chuckle and place my phone back on the desk. I look at my laptop with a huff sigh and continue typing. Just fifteen minutes more, I think, then I'll be through with this. I'll send the document to my boss's assistant and head home to get dressed.After a long time, Collins wants us to go out on a date, so I really don't want to disappoint him. I want to be on time and impress him.I finish the paperwork and send it to the assistant. I gather up my stuffs and bid my colleagues goodbye. I quickly walk out of the building to fetch a cab. I check the time on my watch to see I still have enough time. Forty-five minutes should be enough to prepare for a dinner date.Soon, I was in front of my apartment. I pay the driver and run into the house. I strip off my clothes for a quick shower then quickly proceed to get dressed. I apply light makeup to my face and make big curls on my hair, just as I like it. I pull the short red handless gown Collins got me, from the hanger. I glance through it for a moment before wearing it. I slip on my lace up heels and stand to my feet before the full length mirror which rested on the wall, beside my closet.My phone buzzes. I ignore it thinking it's Clara. I move to select one of my bags, most suitable, but leave it to grab my phone when it buzzes again.I frown as I pick it up. Planning to scold her, I smile when I see who actually sent me a text.COLLINS ~ Look beautiful. I'm waiting outside.The thought of him standing outside, waiting for me, makes my smile grow wider.I walk back to the mirror to take a proper look at myself. Fully satisfied, I quickly grab my silver bag and walk outside.A blush creeps to my face as my eyes meet his. I check out his outfit as I walk towards him. A blue Jean and black shirt. Simple but I was attracted.I can't help but blush harder as I see him checking me out too.God, I'm loving this night."You look beautiful as always." He compliments. "The dress suits you." He adds.I look down and brush a strand of my hair behind my ears. I and Collins have been dating for seven months now. I don't know why I'm acting like a shy teenage girl who just got a compliment from her long time crush.I just feel good and loved by him after some time.He opens the passenger door for me to get in. I give him a strange, yet surprised and happy look. He's never done this before.This princess treatment everyone talks of was never his thing. I guess he's just new to this or I don't know?"So where are we going?" I ask out of curiosity, the moment he enters the car."Your favourite restaurant." He simply answers as he buckles his seatbelt.I copy him by buckling my seatbelt too. "But you don't like it there.""To think of it, the food there is nice and most importantly, it's your favourite...Sooo."I smile. "I can't wait though. I'm famished." He chuckles and drive faster.Collins parks the car then steps out to open my door. I step down and wait for him to shut the door before we walk into the restaurant together.We walk to an empty table and sit. I make myself comfortable as Collins calls for a waiter."What will you like to have, madam?""Oh, um...""She'll go with buffalo wings and I'll go with fried steak." Collins answers for me. I send him a thankful smile as he gives me a quick look before looking back at the waiter as he says 'okay' and walks away."You are so active today. Do you mind sharing why?""Nothing. Am I supposed not to be?" He furrows his brow as he gives me a weird smile."No, I'm not saying that. it's just...unusual."He sighs and grabs my hand from across the table. "Baby."Baby?"About how I've been acting." He presses my palm. "I'm sorry. I'm stressed up with everything that is going on in my life right now.""I know. I ca...""No, let me finish." He rubs the back of my hand with his thumb before he continues. "When I leave home, I try to get a break from everything. To have space to think, rest my mind and gather myself. I really don't want my life issue to pull me down and affect what we have. I'm really sorry if...""Shh." It was my turn to interrupt him this time. "It's okay." I place my palm over his. "I understand but I just want you to see me as someone you can find comfort and peace with. That's all I want."He nods and look away at the waiter approaching our table with our food. He places my food before me and Collins before him. He opens the champagne Collins had ordered and pours the liquid into our glasses."Thanks." I say and grab the glass to take a sip. I catch a glimpse of the smile the waiter sends my way but ignore it as I place my glass back on the table."Jane." Collins calls. I look away from my food at him. "Seems to me the waiter has a crush on you."I widen my eyes. "No way." I look at the waiter, only to see him staring at me, though he was attending to another table. I look away quickly, flushed at the fact that he isn't paying any regard or respect to the man I'm with. I clear my throat. "I don't think so." I deny."Hmm, okay." He takes in his food, now having a dull look on his face."Hey." I avert his attention to me, now noticing how his mood has changed. The last thing I want right now is for this date to be ruined. "Only one man got my attention and I believe you know him well enough."His face lit up into a light smile. "I know." He grabs his glass and drinks little from it.My phone buzzes. I grab it from my bag and smile when I see it's a text from Clara.Pretty much expected.CLARA ~ How is the date going?I look up at Collins who is now engrossed with his food.ME ~ Great. He's unbelievably fantastic tonight.I fork my wings and eat as I wait for her to reply.CLARA ~ His outfit or character?I chuckle. She's fully aware Collins have bad fashion taste and never fails to criticize him for it.ME ~ Both.He surprisingly had our date at DC restaurant.CLARA ~ Wait, your fav?ME ~ I know, right.It's surprising.CLARA ~ Is he on drugs or what Or maybe he has surprisingly gotten a job and this date is just his way of surprising you.ME ~ I don't know. Maybe. He hasn't disclosed anything to me yet.CLARA ~ Maybe he will later.ME ~ Maybe.CLARA ~ Ok, enjoy. I'll be expecting the full gist later.ME ~ Ok.I turn off my phone and look up. My attention now fully on Collins."Clara?" He asks.I nod and chew on my food."Jane." His face drops. "I want to spend tonight with you."I stop chewing at his statement. Hoping that what I'm thinking is not what he's talking about. "I'm not sure what you mean."He continues, "I mean, Me. You. Having the time of our life in our bedroom." He now smiles. "No phones. No Clara. Just us."I widen my eyes. Sex. He's talking about sex."Collins." I swallow. "I don't think I'm ready for that now." This is the hundredth time. He keeps asking for this and I keep turning him down."Why? You keep refusing like we haven't been dating for almost a year now."Does it matter?"I'm just not ready for it." I repeat. I really hope this doesn't ruin our night. "I want to spend time with you. I really do, but not in this manner.""Of course." He twitches his lips as he grabs his glass and gulps down everything. That's enough evidence to show that he's now pissed.My phone buzzes. It better be Clara cause I don't know what to do now that things are awkward. Still, I don't want him thinking that I'm back to chatting with Clara, but I can't help it, now.With hesitation, I pick up my phone only to see the message isn't from Clara but from an unknown number. I furrow my eyes to see it's not even a text but a video.I thought of ignoring it since the message is not from whom I expected but decide otherwise, out of curiosity.I open the video and immediately regret doing so. I want to remove it immediately but my hands can't seem to move from their spot. My heart sinks while my mind refuse to accept that the video is true. But it is.It's Collins and some random girl I've never even mistakenly come across.I swallow and take in deep breaths. It was getting hard though. Swallowing and breathing. The air around me was getting tensed. It was like the AC suddenly stopped working properly and was producing heat instead.My hands are now sweating profusely and with the way they are shaking, I can't hold my phone firmly. They slip out of my hand onto the floor.I sit there staring at my lap and sweaty palms. Gathering myself together, I look up at him as he stares at me confused. We'll it's pretty obvious. I'm not okay.Thanks to this man I'm on a date with.I grab my glass and take in the full liquid with one gulp. I really needed that. I drop the glass harshly on the table, not caring about the loud sound it made.I pick up my phone, grab my bag and stomp out of the restuarant."Jane." I hear Collins yell from behind.I want to walk back to him and slap him hard across the face, kick his balls and tell him how much of a dick he is. But no. I don't want to create a scene, not because of him but because of my own sanity.I quickly stop a cab and get in."Janet." Is all I hear as the driver drive away from the restaurant.How disgusted I feel. My name coming out of those sinful lips of his.I look away from the window and let the silence in the car surround me. The realization that I've been cheated on now hit me hard and clear. I place my palm over my mouth and cry silently.I just want to cry out and scream. I trusted him.I fucking did.I run into my room and shut the door closed. I angrily take off my shoes and throw them anywhere as I fall to the floor.Now that I'm inside, I can't hold it anymore. I cry out. I don't want to believe Collins cheated on me. I don't want to believe these nine months were for nothing. I pull at my hair and cry harder. I wonder how long he has been doing this behind my back. How long he has been fucking her. Who knows, she may not even be the only one. I feel like a fool. I feel disgusted with myself. He has been using those lips on mine. To me he is my boyfriend, but what am I to him?His side chick?Or someone he lets out his anger on?Wow, my self respect.I won't be okay with myself, staying here. I know he'll come to me and I really don't want to face him. At least, not now.I don't give it second thought. I don't even want to. He cheated on me or he's cheating on me, whatever. There's no excuse to justify that. I wipe my tears and raise myself from the floor to grab my bag so
ALEXANDER'S POV."What should I do to him, boss?"I smirk at the helpless guy in the video call. He's so young and penniless, just like his father. I doubt he's going to make a difference in his life any year from now. He'll end up ageing and wasting his life. I turn to the old man beside me, tied to a chair looking helplessjust like his son in the video call. "It's regrettable. Your son has to pay for your sins. The pleasure it gives me to know I have so much power on other people, is unexplainable. He struggles on his chair, humming and trying to speak. "Mmm mmm." He shakes his head, continuously. "So tell me, what should I do with him.""Mmm mmm." He shakes his head 'no'."I'm sorry, I can't hear you." He puts in more effort to speak through his sealed lips. "Pardon." I bring my ear close to his lips. I smirk, not understanding what's he's saying. I move away from his face and stare at him as he struggles. His vulnerability make me let out a short laugh."There." I point at the
The knock on my door makes me drop my phone and roll my chair forward. "Come in." Seth walks in and bows as usual. "Boss, Collins Fisher is here.""Let him in." I instruct. He walks away and shut the door. Soon, he's back into the office with Collins behind him. "Sit." I say sternly.I could tell he was afraid but he was making little effort to hide it and control himself. He sits opposite me as ordered. I study him as he looks at Seth then checks out my office before landing his eyes on me. "You want us to lend you a huge sum of money." I state, not question, but irregardless, he nods.Before today, Seth told me about another client who wants to borrow money from us just like that old man. I couldn't attend the meeting then because I had something more important to do. More like an issue to handle. Now seeing him, I'm interested. Who knows, he might end up in hell just like that old man. Time will tell."I'm sure you've read the contract and agree to the terms and conditions.""Ye
JANE'S POV. I currently look like a mess. My baggy red eyes, bad breath, dried skin and dirty body. It's going to two days since Collins locked me in this room. I've been on the floor, hugging my knees, crying nonstop. I couldn't sleep last night. How could I when I don't know what Collins motive is? God knows what he is up to. He has never been this way, right? or I was just the one who failed to see this side of him. How disgusting of him to propose a date to me, while he was cheating behind my back. Now, he keeps me locked in this room, leaving me clueless about his intentions. My biggest fear now, is the monster I saw him turn into just yesterday and my gut feeling might be right that I'm not safe at all here. I shouldn't wait to experience it before I believe it. I should start thinking of how to escape from here and Collins. Clara. She's the only one who can help me now. She has always helped me in difficult situations, so she won't stop now. At least, not on such occasion.
"Jane." Clara shakes me. "Jane." I slowly open my eyes to see that the car has stopped. I sit up and look outside the car to see a tall glass building, which is nothing like Clara's house. "Where are we?" I ask in a tired tone."At an hotel. I thought, that if you stay at my house, Collins will find you easily. So, here we are."I nod and follow behind her, out of the car into the hotel, after paying the driver. We check in and go straight to our rooms. "You should shower first."I nod and do as told, clueless on what to wear after my shower.I put on the hotel robe after my shower and walk out."Here. I packed some clothes." I smile lightly at her and take the shirt and shorts from her hand. "Thanks.""Do you want to talk about it?"She asks calmly but I don't reply her and keep dressing. I hear her sigh before walking past me into the bathroom. Exhausted and tired, I climp onto the bed to continue my sleep. I don't fail to shed few tears before forcing myself to sleep.~"Jane
ALEXANDER'S POV. I walk to and fro behind my office chair. My face, calm but my eyes were enough to shoot you dead. The continuous prick of the edges of the razor I've been fiddling with my finger, doesn't seem to affect me. I swallow hardly. My evident adam apple moving up and down. It's the second time in two weeks, I'm realizing that I'm working with people who aren't as smart as I expected them to be. But their foolishness is their business. It shouldn't be rubbed off on my work or anything concerning me. I'm not nice or kind enough to tolerate such. It has never been a trait of mine.I look down at the Collins bastard who kneeled before me. The bastard I had thought wouldn't end up like that old man. The bastard I had thought is worth my time. The bastard that had risen my thought on getting something special. The price. The worth. I wanted nothing but to make the mysterious lady my possession, after the day of my meeting with this bastard. I was meant to have her since last
JANE'S POVI walk out of the bathroom to see Clara on the bed, operating her phone while she waits for me to finish up so we can eat.It's been a week now, if not over a week since the horrible event with Collins happened. Staying in the hotel has been quite comfortable, well, to me but not for Clara. She barely leaves the hotel because she understands I need someone to be with. She even took a leave from work and I really hope she doesn't face problems with her work because of me. My work on the other hand, I don't know.I quickly get dressed and grab the food tray from the trolley. I walk to sit opposite Clara on the bed and place the tray between us."What are you doing?" I ask, seeing that she's still very much engrossed in whatever she's doing with her phone."Oh, I'm searching for a good movie to download. Unfortunately staying here, doing nothing but occupying myself with movies, I feel I've watched all the good thriller movies and series Netflix has to offer." "Well I could h
I sit at the bar, not ready to mingle with the crowd, yet. The music is so loud and doesn't give room for me to think of my sad life. Maybe the club is actually a good start, after all. Clara on the other hand, left me few minutes ago to meet a friend she recognized and hasn't been back to her loner friend since them. So, yeah I'm sitting alone. Currently finishing my third shot of liquor, I turn to the bartender. "Another please." I point into the cup. He gives me a weird look before turning me around round of the liquor. I look away from him only for my eyes to come in contact with a strange guy sitting at the other side of the bar. I furrow my brows and look away as a guy and his drunk girl walk to stand before him to get a drink. I could no longer see him. I stare at the funny dance steps of drunkards and sober people in the dance floor as I take from my liquor.Unconsciously, my eyes move to the strange man again. The guy and girl were no longer there, so I could see him now.