MERCY

f i v e

"Take a seat." He said letting go of my arm.

Sitting on the red couch in front of me, I was still shocked by the forcefulness of his actions.

Searching for a pen, Jasper said, "Put the files on the table. " rustling into my work bag filled our ears, I pulled out the thick file setting it on the table.

Settling down, I looked at my surroundings. 'It's quite clean, looks like a typical bachelor pad' quickly spotting a fur rug, a heated fireplace, a poker table in the corner, and a plastic plate of pizza on the coffee table in front of me. I wasn't going to stare at everything or else that would just be nosy.

"Thank you, Rosaline you have to stay though and since you wanted to talk to the boss about your contract, you'll be taken to headquarters."

"Uh, okay." 'To meet the boss?? Do I even look presentable,' I thought to myself while examining my black pump heels with a white dress shirt and black skirt. I mean, it's decent.

"Can I use the toilet to freshen up?"

"Sure. It's down the hallway to the left." He said not looking up more engrossed in the files than the stranger in his house.

. . .

Closing the toilet door behind me, I stared at my reflection. I wish I could splash my face with water and hope this bad day would end, but I was wearing makeup. And I would never willingly mess up my makeup.

Looking at the toilet, I got flashbacks to Sailor's betrayal and felt sick quickly leaving the bathroom while shaking off the bad memories.

Jumping back in fear I stared face to face with a masked tall, bulky man standing in front of the opened door in all-black attire, I could only see his dark brown eyes before he said, "Follow me now, Rosaline" and I trailed behind him. He led me down the hallway into a green door with brown rusting stairs that spiralled down into the floor. Struggling to walk with my heels, I sighed in defeat which turned to surprise as I felt myself being swooped up into the arms of this man. "We need quickness." I was already tired and wrapped my hands around his neck for safety. Allowing this random stranger to bridal style carry me. I felt safe for once as my eyes closed shut asleep.

My body jerked me awake from a speed bump, and I was thrown forward, but I was wearing a seat belt; now being transported in a car. I was getting tired of being placed in the back of vans without knowing where I was going. But... this wasn't a van. The cushiony seats and black leather interior stretched out with longness registered in my brain as a limo. I am in a limousine. Staring out the window, I only had the night sky smile back at me with no stars in sight.

"So you're finally awake, Rosaline." A deep voice spoke next to me and I quickly turned to that voice only to be met with an icy cold gaze from grey eyes that I have never seen before. 'Maybe the first man who carried me was a bodyguard..'  Examining this man, he was wearing a black suit. His clothes fit him perfectly, and I could smell the hint of coconut coming from his side of the car.

Loose curls falling at the side of his face, a chiselled jawline and small but wide lips with an aquiline nose and a beauty spot on his forehead above his right eyebrow. He already had my attention just by his appearance. My eyes traced every feature of his quickly. I wish he had been asleep so I could examine his face in depth without feeling like an intruder, just out of pure curiosity.

"Where am I?" I finally sputtered out. Staring at me with his arms crossed, he had no readable expression on his face.

"You're in my limo since you wanted to meet me so badly, I am a busy man you know."

Whispering quietly "No Caller ID?"

Furrowing his brows, he spat out, "It's boss to you. Remain silent." and the ride remained that way.

"Out." We finally reached our destination, and I opened the car door watching the boss have his car door opened by the chauffeur without even saying thank you. 'How rude'

He started walking to the entrance that we pulled in front of. Coffee... It's a coffee place; we are having coffee okay? I followed behind obediently once again. I guess I'm going to be doing a lot of that.

T H E   C O F F E E   S H O P 

Standing side by side in the queue, I rummaged through my purse, but I couldn't seem to find it.

"I'll pay, so no need," he said.

"Oh, okay, thank you." I flashed a smile of gratitude only to be met with a brick wall as his eyes turned to look straight ahead.

He must have thought I was looking for my card, I wasn't, just some lip gloss, but it's still nice that he offered.

"Hi, what can I get for you today?" the barista said as she hungrily eyed the man next to me.

He firmly stated. "A caramel macchiato and she'll have the same."

"Anything else?"

"No-"

"Yes. I'll have two strawberry cupcakes with a cookie in a good-to-go bag, thanks." Smiling at the barista, I ignored the strong glare he was giving me. 'I mean, he said he was paying...'

"That's order 32" She handed me the receipt, and I quickly took it from her hand before he could grab it.

"I'll get the stuff since I ordered a lot, and I don't want to burden you," I whispered behind him making sure he could hear it as I followed him to a red table with chairs facing each other next to a large window with a perfect view of the city.

"That's fine, I would've made you take it, anyway get talking then."

"Well, you said I could stop doing dirty work and do another task."

"Well, the boss does need a new assistant."

Barely hiding my surprise I squeaked out "I thought you were the boss, you said you were the boss."

Shrugging his shoulders. "I lied. I'm just his nephew and right-hand man. Do you think that an important man like him would clear his schedule to meet over coffee with a woman like you?"

'A woman like me...what's that supposed to mean.'

"No... I never said I was important. I'm just trying to fix my life." My voice got quieter as I said that. He sure knew how to hurt someone's feelings.

"It wasn't meant like that."

Sitting in silence, I stared out of the window, before taking a bite of my food, and a few minutes silently went past.

"Do you want one? I always think it's better to share." I said enthusiastically, trying to lighten up the dull mood while sliding the cupcake over to the curly head in front of me.

A wave of shock appeared on his face but was quickly covered with the same brick wall expression.

"I'm not that hungry, but thanks." He can say thanks to a "woman like me" but not your own chauffeur, okay?

"I'll take you to meet the boss." He said, glancing out of the window.

"Okay, sure. When?"

"Now." he stood up and walked out of the building, putting his hands in his pockets, and I blindly followed while grabbing my bag of leftovers.