Bared To You

Chapter 2

I continuously repeated to myself why I need this job while I washed my face in the powder room. Mr Walker walked up to me in the Hall and helped me stand up, then I said embarrassingly; my name is Chantelle Evans, I am one of the junior managers of the creative department. Nice to meet you sir; I finished. It's a pleasure meeting you Chantelle; he drawled and I left. I badly want to quit this job but I need the money. After my mum,dad and elder brother died in a ghastly car accident two years ago, things hasn't exactly been good. The rent of the apartment I share with Racheal has recently increased so if I lose this job, I'd pratically be left homeless so I need to hold onto this job until I can get an alternative.
   Work dragged in for hours and everyone couldn't stop talking about how handsome the boss is. As I  thought of it, I couldn't help but feel pain but if I'm really honest, he did get more handsome. His masculine body was well defined now, muscles showing in the right places, his jaw became more manly, he grew taller too. Miss Evans; I heard Mr Walker call my name. Yes sir; I replied as I stood up from my cubicle. What happened in the Hall and why did you disgrace yourself that way? I should have known this was coming. I'm really sorry sir, I can assure you that this won't repeat itself; I said meekly. It better shouldn't, becausecause you should be fired at any little mistake and this order has been passed to the head of your department and other concerned Superiors. I almost lost my balance when I heard that. I managed to hold myself with much difficulty and then I said; yes sir, I will do my best. I really hope you do; Mr Walker said. You have a really bright future, Chantelle. Yes sir; I replied.
   As I lay on my bed, I couldn't help but think back to what happened today, so Alexander hates me up to the point that he would cut of my only means of livelihood at any little mistake. I know why he didn't fire me immediately; Alex has always been smart man, he knew it would arouse suspicion if he fired me immediately so he gave a second chance. Alexander is back, Alexander is back; I repeated as a litany as I cried myself to sleep.

XAN

  I felt a migraine coming on as I drank myself to stupor. I saw her again, the face that never left my dreams for five years. I knew I was going to see her, I have literally stalked her all these years. I knew she was working there and that's why I came back and I was still goddamn cold to her. She doesn't deserve my coldness, infact she deserved all the happiness in the world. Chantelle Evans, the bubbly girl with a soothing personality, she doesn't resemble that person again. How would she when you broke her? I thought to myself. I took my drink and went upstairs to my room.
  For the past few days we didn't meet and I couldn't be more grateful. It was Saturday and Racheal is coming back and I need to go grocery shopping before her flight lands. Just as I finished cleaning the house, I took a quick shower and off to the supermarket I went. Chantelle,you need to listen to this big news I came across; Rach started rambling as soon as we entered the cab. What happened this time? I said uninterestedly. Immediately she said, Alexander Strencil is back in New York and... before she could even complete her sentence, I cut her off; I know, I said. Rach pulled a face then said; but do you know the reason why he came back from England and I told her all that happened on Monday. She was shocked then asked the question I had been expecting; how do you know him?; I went silent for a while then told her how I knew him from highschool and down to that night five years ago. By the time I was done, we were both in tears. She hugged me and said; I'm sorry for everything. Racheal's a journalist so she usually tells me about all her billionaires gist and latest news on tabloids but anytime she brings up Xan's news, I zone off but I didn't tell her that. But you still love him, don't you? She asked. At that time, the driver stopped in our driveway and we got down. I took one of rach's luggages and went into our apartment totally ignoring her question.

  BASEMENT

In a remote place underground called the basement, Xan was seen sitting on a king-size chair dressed in an all black attire with a small dagger strapped to his waist and a gun in his hand and his face was covered with a mask in such a way that only from his eyes above could be seen. Soon, doors opened and James, Xan's right-hand man, entered with a man who was thrown to Xan's feet. Offence?; Xan drawled authoritatively. James came forward and brought down the collar of the man's shirt and the tattoo of a mamba showed. A spy; Xan said and grited his teeth. Yes; James said calmly and continued; of the black mambas. Do you want me to...before James could even complete his sentence, Xan said; Get the box and James left quickly; grumbling that, it was what he wanted to ask. Soon,he returned with a medium-sized box. Xan opened the box and brought a Panduit duct out, then, he took the man's right hand and slowly cut off all the man's fingers with the man smiling. He repeated the same on the left hand, by this time, by this time the man's blood was already dripping on the floor but weirdly he was still smiling through everything and that ticked Xan off up to the point that he gave an order; prepare for third degree. Everyone in that hall subconsciously held their breaths as they heard that.