Chapter 6: THE PUNISHMENT

SERENA'S POV

I dialed Armando's number who picked up immediately

"Keep the old lady safe until she returns the money. Good" I turned and saw my secretary standing behind me, shaking in fear. I smirked. I really love it when my staff fear me.

I may be absent from the company but I know what goes in and out of my company. I returned back to my office and started off again with some files.

An hour later, a young lady walked into my office a place a bag before me. She unzipped the bag and showed me the money in it. I got up from my seat and walked to her and bent a bit and took a closer look at the money. I sat on the couch, placed my legs on the table and leaned back.

"How much is it? I asked her while I pulled my phone out from my pocket.

" The complete amount ma'am" She replied with fear showing in her voice

" Really? I dialed Armando's number. " Armando, let the old hag go. Good"

Agatha fell on her knees and thanked me for letting her mum go. She apologized again for taking such amount of money from the company. I turned to her.

"Listen good, don't you ever think of filing an FIR against me at the police station if you really want to stay alive, because if you won't be able to hide away from me if you do so"

" I won't do that ma'am. May I go meet my mum?

"No. Work first. Now get lost"

"Yes ma'am. Thank you" She said and left immediately.

I picked up my phone and texted Armando

"Kidnap Agatha on her way back home from the office. I still have to punish her for stealing from me"

Armando read and confirmed my text. He immediately placed two of my men on surveillance of her.

After work, Agatha left the office and tried getting a cab home. Unfortunately for her, she got into a taxi belonging to one of my men. He gave her a sedated bottle of water which she drank from and fell unconscious moments later. They arrived at a warehouse and he carried her in and tied her up to a chair and informed Armando about the job well done. Armando arrived at the warehouse and confirmed the job to be done. Armando called me up and gave me heads up. I drove straight from the office to the warehouse to meet them.

I drove in and got out of my car and one of men rushed me and showed me to where she was held captive. A chair was brought to me which I sat on, leaned back and crossed my legs. I signaled one of my men to do the usual. He nodded in agreement and and poured some water on her, making her regain consciousness.

Slowly, Agatha opened her eyes. She could barely see clearly as her sight was blurred. She shut her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. He face was down and she slowly lifted her head and tried to move, only to realize she's being tied to a chair. She struggled and stopped when she saw me sitting before her.

"Why am I tied up ma'am? Agatha asked as she was confused.

I brought my face closer to her and smiled.

"Every offence has a punishment" I said

"Ma'am... but I returned the money... "

" And I returned your mum, didn't I ? Well.... we fulfilled our parts of the deal but didn't mean that I forgave you for stealing from me"

" But ma'am.. "

" You stole from me. I hate that"

" Ma'am I... "

" Stop! Boss hates people stealing from her. What do we do to her? Asked one of my men

"Where's the whip? I asked

" Right here ma'am"

" Use it on her" I stood up and took a few steps but paused for a while, the turned back. "Listen.. fifty lashes, no less, no more" I said to one of the men.

" Yes boss"

" Fifty lashes? I won't make it out alive. Ma'am please... I'm sorry"

"Consider yourself lucky. Boss usually removes such a person from this world" One of the men said to Agatha.

" Hurry up and leave her on the streets. Let fate decide how life tonight" I said and left

After the punishment, Agatha was left on the streets by my men. She was unconscious. Luckily for her, someone who knew her recognized her and took her to the hospital. She was unconscious for a few days. Finally, she was able to regain consciousness.

Her mum tried to find out what happened to her but Agatha said no word to her about what actually happened to her. Agatha was scared for her life and what might happen to her if she tells on me. Of course I won't go to jail but she'll be suffering for the rest of her life.

Agatha fully recovered and resumed work at the company. I invited her over to my office and I handed over a letter to her. I had fired her. I gave her three months up front payment and a cheque of a cool amount of money to get her life together.

Agatha fell on her knees and wept. She pleaded to be retained in my company, she wouldn't mind being demoted. I thought of it and gave her two options, to work as a cleaner in my company and forfeit the money I had given her or take the money and leave.

Agatha picked up the money and left quietly. Nice decision. That was the last time I saw Agatha. I still wondered why she stole such money for her boyfriend. I mean her boyfriend doesn't care about her. He intends leaving the country with the money. Good I was able to find out through my informant.

I arrived at a restaurant as I had a meeting with a client. I apologized for being late and grabbed a seat. While the meeting was on, I saw a familiar face. Could that be Mr handsome? I hope it is him. I pretended to have a call and stepped aside to get a clearer view of his face , it was him. I returned back to my seat and continued with the meeting.

The meeting ended and I saw Mr handsome leaving the restaurant. I quickly got up and followed him. I tried to catch up with him but some crazy waiter bumped into me and I lost track of him as I couldn't find him anywhere. I wondered where he disappeared to. I tried to go search for him when I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned immediately. I realized it was Armando.

Armando quickly apologized for touching my shoulder and equally reminded me of my next meeting. I asked him to get the car ready while I stood there hoping to see Mr handsome. Armando brought the car before me and I got in and he drove off.