I stay silent for about a minute. Letting my brain continuously run over what he just said word for word in that very short time. When I get it, I laugh hysterically. "I underestimated you.

You must have gone completely psycho to say that."

"Perhaps. But I am pretty serious." I let out another laughter. I changed my voice into a sarcastic tone. "Oh Calyx darling, I would be honored. Did you expect me to say that? You are barking up a wrong tree to even think that I, Gweneth Iris Calloway, A. K. A mouthing bitch would ever consider that. I would rather be boiled alive in a cauldron of hot oil."

He hums. "I thought as much. So you are not desperate enough huh? It’s my fault. I should have made you before proposing this deal."

"You are wrong, Calyx. No amount of desperation would make me result to carrying a monster’s seed in this precious womb of mine." My brain hits me with a thought as I say that. "Wait. . . Do not tell me you have alrea—"

"I may be many things. But I am not into rape. There a lot of women whose dream is to be in my bed." That brings me relief. Come to think of it, I don’t feel like I have been penetrated.

What he said wasn’t a brag or him being cocky. I would not have had a problem with that proposal he just did if I did not have an experience with him. He has always been popular among women. I knew of some girls at school then who added sleeping with him to their Christmas wishlist. He is everything a woman could ever want and more. What sort of woman would not be attracted to him? Me. Because I have seen his dark side. The handsomeness and all he has can never begin to contend.

"Then get one of those women to be a slut for you and open her legs wide enough for you to create another monster on the first try. Do you think my hatred is a joke? I fucking dislike the fact that you are alive and that I am breathing the same oxygen as you, and now you want me to what?

It ain’t me. It is never, ever going to be me jerkface!" I yell in his face so it will sink in. But he only smiles like all I had just said was a cute joke. "That is why you are perfect. You hate me. So you would not expect me to fully commit to you and be a husband. It would be worth your while."

"In hell? Yeah of course I totally agree." I say with deep sarcasm.

"Fine. I have a feeling we would be talking about this again though."

"Fucking bastard!" I mutter under the shower. I come out and put my clothes back on. That was when I discovered that it was only just me. No bag, no phone! How did I not think of that until now?

"I’II have someone go take them." Said Calyx when I complained.

"Why would you do that? There is no need. I will be going myself!"

"Did you forget what I told you? I said you would be working as my temporary secretary today."

Calyx had meant what he said. Allowing me work with him after he had criticized and chewed me out for being unsuitable. But now he is accepting. He has always been unpredictable. You can never tell what he is going to do next. But this is the height of it.

I ride with him in the same car to the company. I could not request to be taken there in another car. The place is full of his presence even though he is just sitting quietly and leaning his head back against the headrest with his eyes closed.

I cannot help my gaze turning to him everynow and then. He soon senses it and asks. "Want to say something?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Why did you suddenly accept me?"

"I told you. For old times sake."

"That is the only reason right? You are not expecting me to consider that nonsense you said earlier right?"

That was gnawing on my mind and I needed to clear it. He does not respond.

Being with him is uncomfortable. My bag and wallet is not with me to take the subway. He had sent some guy to go collect my bag from the club. Not letting me go myself, saying he is late because of me. He gives me another phone, telling me to use it for now. My heart thrums when we arrive at the massive Crimson Group building. My palms were sweaty. I feel a creeping urge to bite on my nails. But I do not give in. Every eyes turn to us as we entered the first floor lobby. The atmosephere frigid with chorused greetings and bowings. And unsaid whispers. He walked with long, confident strides that I struggle to keep up with. I give a smile to Mackie’s look alike. I made it. Somehow. I am somewhere between happy or nervous. I don’t know which one I should mostly be. He tells me to take note of where we follow. He has a private entrance system and elevators. "Put her through all she needs to know." He said to a guy when we reached his private floor. I remember that I had met him here yesterday. He genuinely looked surprised to see me for a second before flipping on a blank, professional expression. "This way please." He leads me to an office space that I assume to be his. "I have a feeling you would last longer than the others who came before you." He says after he tells me some rules that are more like tips on how to work with Calyx. Before I could ask why he said that, he gives me a file. It is heavier than a file telling me to read it. "What is this, book of royal rules and etiquettes?" I jokingly remark. "More or less like it."

Two hours later, I was preparing for a meeting with Ronnie’s help. He had been educating me on all I need to know. It hits me that I am really working at Crimson with Calyx of all people.

How would it end for us this time?