This has me at a crossroad. I’ve got to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea and there is only one rational choice

And that is to try going ahead with it to see if it will work out.

I have done a lot of research and gather what information I could find. He is an impenetrable billionaire. Conquering the real estate market in a way no other person has.

His name is glaringly on forbe’s list of top wealthiest businessmen in the world.

He is more than a king. Of which, I’m not one but surprised because his entire life has been on commanding fear and respect and breaking people. Increasing his wealth is one major way to increase his power.

I read that he pays his secretary a hefty monthly paycheck along with other benefits. That is something I badly need. I had sent all of my salary to the hospital back home for my brother’s treatment. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Annie also did her best supporting in me with that despite her art debut showcase not being much of a success. Only ten art pieces were sold out of a total of thirty.

I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without Annie to push and support me. That bitch is more than my backbone.

Now getting a bank loan to support all that would not be granted because I am jobless. With all that, I I have come to a hard decision. I’ve got to be rational to the fact that I am desperate. Not going for the interview because of the terrible past I had at the hands of Calyx Lamont would be incredibly stupid. I am going to go for the interview and get employed if possible.

"Hey." Annie’s voice calls softly. I look in her direction. I thought she was asleep. "What are you doing out here alone?" She glances at the laptop screen and sighs. "Are you still on this again?" She too sits on the floor, bringing her presence of comfort besides me.

"I don’t get it." She says after a while of silence. "Please do not tell me you are still going to pass up on this?

This is a huge thing that you are getting on a platter. Crimson Group makes the list of one of the top businesses in the world. It is literally an empire! Calyx Lamont is an outstanding filthy rich tycoon. Being the secretary of such a man would set you up for life!

Come on, how much of a bad history do you have with the guy?"

"Bad history? We have more than a bad history." I answer solemnly.

"I want to know all about it. Don’t give me that you are not in the mood to speak. You seem to be hiding a lot from me. And I kinda get the feeling it must all be related to this guy." She says with keen interest.

I hum in agreement to that. "You are right.

Where do I even start from to tell you?"

***********

THE NEXT MORNING

"I know this is isn’t easy Gweneth. But you’ve got this." Annie tells me when I finished getting myself ready. I let out another exhale as I look at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t have it in me to do this. But I have to. I am wearing a semitransparent white blouse with a black camisole that is visible underneath, and a black leather knee-length skirt that is clinging to my lower body. I’m also wearing a full make-up. My hair is styled differently too. From bouncy curls at the ends to a long hair straightened out and styled into a high ponytail. As well as black killer heels on my feet. And a glamorous looking chanel handbag.

It is all Annie’s idea. She thinks I should look my very best since I’m meeting my enemy and I kinda agree with her. I now look hot. Not that it would make any difference to the jerk though.

She makes me face her. "Don’t be ashamed of yourself or anything in front of him.

Be nothing but bold." Annie advises me in a firm tone with her hands on both sides of my shoulders, shaking me slightly to boost up my non-existent morale. "You are not going to let him ruin your life again. Make sure he knows that! And even if he doesn’t give you a chance, you’ll know that you tried." I have told her about my history with Calyx. Not all of it, though. Just a summarized version because it will hurt to relive every single detail. But just the summary of it was enough to get her blazing mad nonetheless. "You sure you won’t be having breakfast?" She asks with concern. I smile and shake my head to nod no.

It’s not just because I don’t have an appetite. I don’t want to have anything in my stomach to puke out if the overwhelming nauseating feeling hits me. All because of what he put in my mouth and made me swallow all those years ago. It acted up when I saw him at the board meeting that day. I just recently dumped the constant brushing habit I developed after that. I would brush up to six times a day to clear my mouth and tongue of the taste of him that disgustingly lingered even after many years. I am mad at my brain for tentatively holding onto that memory and not forgetting it. I stopped the constant brushing about six months ago because my gums were getting soft and weak because of it.

Annie thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I thought so too. I didn’t even need to think it infact, I knew exactly what was wrong with me. So I went through the financial and physical trouble of seeking therapeutic help. I quitted that later on because it was too expensive and it didn’t work out. All it did was put a hole in my wallet.

I did not forget the taste nor did I stop the mad brushing.