The Grand Viper

4. Indenture

12:30 am

It read on my watch. The first day at work was hectic. But considering their pay, doing a job was worthwhile. Before I could turn my apartment's door knob, my phone rang.

"Hello," I said as I placed my phone between my cheek and shoulder.

"Do you have time to spare, Ms. Gunn?" Theodore said from the other line.

"Right now?"

"Yeah. I'll come to pick you up."

"But I'm just back from work-"

"Just now?" His voice showed genuine shock.

"Yeah-"

"Then I'll come over to your place."

My home was my vulnerable place, it showed me who I was and what I reflected. So, I didn't want him to come to this shabby place but at the same time, my body felt weak. I was too tired to run another errand for the day.

Reluctantly, I replied, "Okay."

I unlocked the door and entered the room. It had been a very hectic day and my body was worn out. To ease the weariness, I headed straight into the bathroom. I stripped off my clothes and turned on the shower, letting the water wash me off.

If it weren't for my multiple previous jobs, I would probably have passed out by now. I had to show what I'm made of even if it meant skipping lunch, gladly I had water to fill me in. I couldn't give up just after I got this opportunity. I entered this company for money but now I have something more important to find out.

Ding Dong!

My doorbell rang. I turned off the shower and headed out wrapping myself up in a towel. I clenched my jaw when the ringing became continuous. I immediately slipped into my white nightdress after patting the excess water off my hair.

Who lost their minds at this hour?

I was frustrated from a long day at work and to top it off someone was ringing my doorbell like a maniac. I didn't bother drying myself properly, leaving my body to dry from its heat. Instead of letting my neighbors get disturbed by this sound, I headed straight to the door. I furiously swung it open to see Theodore standing at my door.

"Oh what a nice surprise!" He said, looking at me from top to bottom.

"I could say the same thing." I said glaring at him, "You could've had patience instead of ringing this doorbell like a maniac." I turned my back and started leading him to the living room.

"I don't take orders, Ms.Gunn. To answer your question, I don't waste time." He shut the door and started following me.

As he walked in, he looked around. He seemed pretty taken aback by the place. It must not be as fancy as he'd expected it to be. "Please make yourself comfortable,'' I said.

"I will." He sat on the couch.

"Now, let me dry myself quickly," I said but as I was about to walk away, he grabbed my wrist and made me sit.

"I think I said I don't like wasting my time." He smiled.

"Or maybe you want to see me like this a little longer." I went near him. His gaze was no longer in my eyes. Instead, his eyes traveled down to my neck and finally stopped at my chest. I could again feel his breath against my face. This time, it was hot and heavy.

He inched in closer but I backed away, maintaining a distance between us. "I think you mentioned you don't like wasting time," I smirked.

"To think I could cross the boundary again-" He chuckled while pulling his hair back.

"So, you wanted to meet so urgently. Why's that?"

He fished out some papers from the inside of his coat and placed them on the small table in front of us. "It's a contract that you'll work for me as we planned before."

"Oh?" I said as I lifted the paper and scanned the things mentioned there.

"Here, in this contract, it says you'll work for me after you've gained the position of secretary and you will continue to do so, especially after finding out the truth by yourself."

"Why don't you tell me the truth? Why do I have to work for it?"

"It isn't as easy as it seems. If I tell you the truth, you won't believe me. So, I'm leaving this part to you." His lips slowly curved to form a sly smile. "Plus... it isn't fun when it's this easy."

"So it's a game for you, which you want me to play?"

"If you put it that way, I ensure that it will be a game that you will willingly play and enjoy." He placed another envelope in front of me. I opened it to find a sum of ten thousand dollars inside it.

"So, you're trying to buy me?"

"Well no. It's an advanced payment for the contract. As long as you work for me, you don't have to think about money."

"It also says I have to report to you when you ask." I read the contract.

"Yes."

"It also says you will provide me with security." I raised my brow.

"That's right."

"Even from you?" I smirked.

"If you believe I'm a threat, maybe yes." He smiled.

"How does that benefit you?"

"In ways, you cannot imagine. I use my power where it gives me benefit. I don't do anything without a reason."

He handed me a pen and I started signing it. He leaned at the end of the couch facing me and leaned one side of his head on his hand. His gaze traveled from the tip of my hands to every little curve of my body.

"You sure are tempting." He commented as I lifted the pen off the paper.

"I'm flattered.", I smirked. "Hunger makes anything look delicious."

"And you are a delicacy." His eyes were locked on mine.

"Did you have a drink, Mr. Kingston?" I stood up from my place and walked to the kitchen. "I can make a drink to sober you up."

"Do we have to be drunk for something to happen between us?" He said. I simply smirked in return.

"Water would be fine... You seem more on edge today." He said while I poured a glass of water for him and me.

"It's usually after work starts." I handed him a glass.

"Something happened in the office?" He stated. I stopped whatever I was doing and froze in place. My mind immediately thought about Reece.

"You didn't tell me who the owner of the Bloomfield company was?"  I asked him.

"You mean Reece Bloomfield?" He said. I could see a smile form on his lips as he drank the water.

"So you knew about us, didn't you?"

"I had guessed. I'm glad my guess was right." He placed the glass on the table.

"This is exactly why I want to work with you."

***