Chapter 14
Stanley sat beside Sapphire on the sofa leaning back with his hand resting on the hand support. His eyes were on the TV connected to the handicam. A proud smile was adorned on his brims waiting for the reel to play.
But, Alas! His happiness was short lived. Somebody had tapered the video. Instead of the arms deal, the songs of Justin Beiber were played.
Sapphire turned her looks to her father, shocked and in a trance. Her lips fell apart but nothing was coming out of them and her mind was blank.
"It is okay. Failures are stepping stones to success. Carlhas been the chief of the mafia for the last seven years. Do not underestimate him, princess. Next time you execute something like this, you have to be double careful." Stanley patted the back of Sapphire in encouragement though he was disappointed inside.
Sapphire was not able to get out of the stupor. How could this happen? She leaned forward on the sofa holding the head in her hands. And then something stuck in her mind.
During the process of running and saving herself from the mafia attackers, someone hit her forearm and the handycam fell from her hands.
Sapphire picked it up from the ground. Her eyes were around the place trying to escape from the bullet rain and reach the vehicle waiting for her as soon as possible. That was the culprit's clue. She did not check who was the person and what he was doing with the evidence.
The person who dashed her was for sure Carl's employee. He cleverly manipulated her by exchanging the reel and brought her back to square one to catch the mafia leader.
******
Carl looked at the young guy lovingly and ran his hand on his head. "What is your name and since how long have you been working on the docks?"
"Sir, my name is Stephen. I have been working here for the last three years. I bring drinks and cigarettes to the men who work here. With the salary earned from the bar as their delivery boy along with some tips people at times give, I look after my sick mother."
Carl found Stephen's story pitiable as well as heartwarming. "What about your father?"
"He left us when I was a kid." The boy spoke with no emotion like he was numb from heart as soon as the conversation about his father cropped up.
"I did not promise you of any payment. Why did you help me? How did you know to replace a reel in the handycam?" Carl asked him curiously.
"I know you would pay me if I helped you. I only heard good things about you from your men and that woman was trying to trap you by shooting that video. Regarding your second question, my cousin does videography and runs a photo studio. I go there often to do petty jobs and earn some money. So I know how to change a reel inside a handycam." The boy called proudly with a smile.
Carl nodded for him to continue. "Last night my cousin gave me a blank reel to feed Justin Beiber songs in it. I did the work and went to return the reel. But I did not find him in his shop. The reel was still resting in my pant pockets. When the lady was running to save herself from shooters, I dashed her and the handycam fell from her hands. When she was watching around to keep herself safe from your men, I quickly exchanged the reel inside it."
Carl was very impressed by the spontaneity of the boy. "You know those people would have arrested you if you were caught doing what you did."
"But they did not." The boy spoke immediately with confidence. "I have been watching these deals take place for the last three years. There is risk everywhere and I'm not born with a silver spoon. I weighed my options. Keeping my lips sealed and helping the lady will not get me anything. But if I help you, you will give me money."
Carl raised his brows at the acute vision of the boy. He was sharper than he expected. Carl took out some dollar bills from his wallet and placed them in his hands. "You have helped me from getting arrested. I will return the favor by putting you in a school and financing your education. I will also bear your mom's hospital expenses. You need not work here by risking your life because your mother will soon be a normal person again."
The boy was very happy with Carl's assurance. He took him to his small hut situated beside the docks with just a single cot where a woman was sleeping and a few utensils. Stephen had barely anything to survive. Yet he looked happy. Carl saw Stephen as an inspiration on how to stay happy even with little things that God bestowed us.
*****
A week later it was Friday and working lunch for the employees of Johnson group of Companies. The firm had opened a new branch in New York and wanted to throw a party for all the people who contributed to its success. But, the employees voted for a working lunch instead of a weekend party because of the holiday season about to arrive.
For the starters were burritos, s'mores and twinkies. And the main course was Eggs Benedict, pancakes with maple syrup, beans stew with cinnamon rolls, croissants, hash browns. For the sweetening of teeth were smoothies and key lime pie.
Carl was very happy when his employees appreciated the lunch. He wanted to talk to the receptionist with whom she placed the orders.
Elena was helping the guests and serving the food on their plates while Claire was assisting her. There were around more than five hundred people, some just the employees and some were high class officials.
Jennifer was at the sweet section serving dishes to the guests. When everyone was relishing the lunch amidst chatter, Sapphire studied the enormous and extravagant air conditioned room. Carl owned this place. He was super rich. Obviously more wealthy than the records stated. Where will all the mafia money go? These business people turn it white by starting new businesses like this. The hall wreaked opulence and money.
Her eyes moved around the people laughing and talking when they connected with certain forest greens of a handsome man clad in a custom made suit engaged in conversation with a group of dignitaries and a drink in his hands.
Claire's eyes bulged out of sockets. He was an extremely handsome man oozing machismo from every angle. His mannerisms and his habits pronounced power from all sides. The place screamed wealth and it was evident to him, being the CEO of Johnson industries. Where would he be hiding all the wealth he earns?
Elena looked at her like she had grown two heads when Sapphire was behaving weirdly and ignored her.
As if she was bitten by something, Claire ran around the complete floor of Johnson Industries. She was lost in the section of enormous and endless rooms on her way to escape the striking machismo and carry on her research. While she was racing, looking behind, her face came into contact with a large oak wood door.
Claire cursed her stars to be in the same place where he was and rubbed her forehead to get rid of the pain she just contracted with the hit.
He could feel the familiar scent wafted in the air. How could she be here? Carl's eyes searched around the group of people.
Neatly polished black shoes in powerful strides knocked the marble food and there he was! Walking closely towards her.
Claire quickly twisted the door knob which looked like her only escape and gazed around the spacious, lavish room.
When she heard the sound of footsteps, she swiftly went under the working desk to hide.
Carl twisted the doorknob and walked into his room. He sat on his executive chair to sign some urgent cheques when he heard heavy breathing which wasn't his. He carefully looked around the room and suddenly ducked his head to look under the table.
"What the fuck!....."
Chapter 15
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Carl roared, going appalled.
Claire tightened her lips forcing herself not to scream and closed her eyes in pain. It was then he looked down and understood he was stamping on her fingers with his shoe clad leg.
He immediately lifted his leg from the top of her digits and pulled her out from under the table with his other hand simultaneously resting on top of her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the table roof.
"The place meant for sitting is there…." He pointed to the seats situated across the desk with his eyes. "not under the table."
Claire knitted her eyebrows at him in anger when he was looking at her in a teasing smirk. "I wasn't sitting, I was hiding."
His eyes fortuitously dropped to her fingers which she was holding stiffening her lips to arrest the pain. "Shit! You are bleeding."
He pulled her to the washroom and placed her hand under the running water of the sink to stop the blood loss. When the bleeding stopped, he started nursing her injury with an antiseptic ointment. "By the way, from whom were you hiding?"
"You" Claire answered him with a scorn.
"Oh, but I am not a carnivore. I do not eat humans if that is what you are afraid of." Carl was having a lot of fun in conversation with Claire.
Claire stamped her foot on the floor like a little girl going irked. "You are laughing but this is not funny."
Once he finished dressing her wounds Claire was about to flee once again but he held her hand. "I am sorry, I couldn't recollect, what is your name?"
Claire chewed on her lips with annoyance. "I'm Claire, Claire Knights."
"By the way Claire you cannot escape from my view especially when you are under my roof." Claire's eyes widened. Well she had to act like she was clueless with him as the owner of the place.
"Yes. What you are thinking is right. I am the CEO and owner of Johnson group of Industries, Carl Campbell." He stood before her like a compelling celestial force in a cocksure simper with his hands tucked in his pant pockets.
Her eyes narrowed, nose scrunched up and cheeks reddened. It was a perfect sight to see. Carl was loving the different shades of her. She was bubbly, innocent, arrogant and sometimes crazy who could take away the breath of any man with her innocence.
Claire flounced to the door, not ready to spend one more minute in front of him.
But all of a sudden she was about to slip.
"Watch it!" Carl yelled and was on time to hold her in his arms before her little body could reach the floor.
"Don't you know how to walk properly? If I wasn't here, you would have fallen." He grilled his teeth at her in irritation.
Claire pushed his hands away with a scowl. "I do not need your help, I can manage myself."
When she was about to reach the door he called her once again. "Stop using those pencil heels. You are still a baby and do not know how to walk with them."
The guts of him to call her a baby and that too in their third meeting itself. Claire promised herself she was soon going to teach the self conceited freak a strong lesson.
*****
Ten days later…
Elena was sick due to fever. By the time Claire finished both hers and her friend's shift, it was well past ten.
The state has imposed a curfew due to some disturbance going on and the streets were deserted.
Claire rubbed her forearms and walked ahead, a sort of fear was suddenly occupying her. Why do all the calamities like rain, curfew, alienated streets all of a sudden arrive when she has to do the evening shift?
The streets are often occupied with drug peddlers during this time. She took an about turn to reach back to the restaurant. Mrs Jennifer's house was close by. Maybe she would allow her to stay for the night and she can call Elena, she would reach home tomorrow after the shift.
But to her utter dismay the house was locked. She then remembered Mrs Jennifer had informed her a few days ago that it was her grand daughter's birthday today.
After lunch she might have left. Since it was a curfew, no taxi or bus would arrive. She was forced to walk all the way to Elena's house.
With her handbag close to her chest, Claire began to walk through the deserted streets as fast as her feet could take her.
Just a few more steps and she would be in their street when there was a firm hand laid on her shoulder.
Her lips began to quiver because of the cold and pensiveness. Claire halted on her steps, sent a silent prayer to God and turned around.
The soil swept away from under her feet as soon as she took note of the person standing before her. "Remember me?"
He was the same person who tried to rape her months ago. At that time she was acting to catch a fish in her net but now it wasn't required anymore. "Enough of running you did from me for the last three months, sweetheart." His breath was wreaking the smell of alcohol and cigarettes and probably he was high on drugs because his eyes were half closed.
"I kept waiting for you to come back but you were a tough nut to crack. What happened to the Romeo who saved you earlier. Unfortunately luck does not favor us all the time. Isn't it? Give me what I want." He spat the words with venom.
But suddenly, his expression was replaced with an evil smile on his brims. "Do not worry. I will accept you the way you are." He pulled her towards an alley. Satan dances on his head with a cynical grin whenever she is around.
"You will repent this when you go sober." She tried to warn him for one last time but the unlucky idiot was far away to realize the danger behind her words.
"I told you three months ago to agree with me. Nobody will come to know about it and we can satisfy ourselves. But you were as stubborn as a log and thus I am left with no option but to rape you. Come on, do not create a scene now. Because you have no other way but to agree with me." He winked with a narcissistic grin.
Claire attempted to run but he was firm on his hold. "Not again sweetheart, how many times could you use the same old trick? I am not some egotistical jerk when it comes to having sex. Even if you spit on my face, I will wipe it off and pound you. So now that you are the little bird in my cage, you have two choices, either you walk with me like a good girl to that small cottage."
He pointed ahead to a wooden house in ruins. "Or I can drag you to the place." Claire wondered how he got the address of such a location. She did not want his dirty hands on her body. So she preferred to walk.
The skirt chaser was shocked and simultaneously happy by Claire's unexpected cooperation.
As soon as they reached the deserted alley Claire alias Sapphire looked around, lifted her knee and kicked him in a place the sun doesn't shine. Jerome fell to the ground holding his crotch.
"You bitch…" Before he could speak more she blew him on his nose which immediately started bleeding.
"Who do you think I'm? That was a play I was enacting to catch a bigger fish unlike you." She then pummeled her fist into his stomach.
"I did not want this incident on police records. That was the reason I gave you a chance to escape. I am here on a mission and my true identity is concealed by your were stupid and as adamant as a log. You needed to be taught a lesson." She took out the pepper spray from her bag and sprayed it on his face.
"Do not dare to hurt a girl because all are not as weak as you think." She slapped him simultaneously on both cheeks, lifted his leg and twi
sted it. The reprobate couldn't hold his breath for long though he knew what was about to happen. He dropped to the floor unconscious and Claire alias Sapphire fled from the place.
Chapter 16
Claire went running for she did not know how long and then entered through the back entrance of a huge premises. She looked up to note the name of the enterprise and couldn't stop smiling.
Why is destiny so favorable upon her today? Damn! She wondered if he bathed with money every day. Just how many offices he had under him?
The bodyguard was taking rounds in the night. As soon as he turned to the other lane, Claire entered through the gate.
Well this was a move unplanned by her. She was running to reach her home faster and praying more challenges do not await her on the streets. Not that she cannot counter drunk men but it was better for her to stay far away from the limelight as far as possible to hide her identity. She is a spy and it should stay that way.
Come on Claire you can do it! You have the best acting abilities. She took to a sly grin and closed her eyes. That night she took a rest in the compound of Johnson Industries as she crafted her next master stroke.
Claire opened her eyes during the dawn. Her phone kept ringing incessantly with Elena's number in her satchel since ten in the night but she was off the world.
While she was still sound asleep, the security shook her in the wee hours of next day. "Ms how did you get here? Ms wake up."
Ten minutes after the security got tired and was on the verge of forcing her to sit, Claire woke up with a jerk.
Her eyes were red because of insufficient sleep and she looked at the security guard starstruck as if he was from a different world.
"Ms?" The security man once again shook her placing his hand on her shoulder and finally she came back to earth.
She blinked her eyes repeatedly and stuttered, "I'm sorry. I will just be leaving. I apologize for the inconvenience caused."
"This is a restricted entry. Only the employees of this company are supposed to enter this premises. You have done a security breach." The bodyguard informed her before calling someone on his phone.
"Sir please do not hand me over to the cops. I did not steal anything from here. You can check my bag." Claireforwarded her old half shredded bag to the personnel.
Within a few minutes the place was crowded with half a dozen men in uniform. One of them seemed to be the head security as he was wearing a black coat over the uniform similar to what others were wearing.
He came forward towards her and she shrunk back in fear. Luke narrowed his eyes. "I think I have seen you somewhere."
Claire rolled her eyes. Men will be men everywhere. Luke could clearly read her mind. "I think you misunderstood me. I really mean I have seen you somewhere."
But Claire was not buying it. He sighed looking at her in pity. "I am sorry, miss, but now you need to see the boss since you entered the restricted area."
Claire looked around at the hefty men surrounding her, acting fearfully like a displaced girl. Good lord! Could her name be nominated for the next Oscar for her superb acting skills?
Twisting her lips she dragged her feet to the grand foyer. As her eyes took over everything surrounding her, the place screamed richness and elegance with costly crystal chandeliers adorning the ceiling, brass flower vases at every corner, opulent pieces of fine art and rare paintings on the classy distempered walls. The workplace looked more like a five star hotel.
Claire only prayed to God, he wouldn't take her to the police. Else her master sketch from the last four months will go to waste.
She was asked to wait in the visitor's lounge. Two bodyguards were standing on either side of her with legs apart and hands tucked at the back. She couldn't escape the place even in her dream.
Her eyes were closing off with the soft most comfortable seat and plush carpet underneath her feet. Why were these people going so harsh on her? Why can't they trust her?
After half an hour of waiting she could hear strong steps echoing the tiled floor and gradually getting closer to her but she could not see the person. Probably there was another door that wasn't visible to the visitors.
The long silent atmosphere till then experienced a bustle all of a sudden and soon there were whispers that the CEO had arrived.
Claire released an air of relief. Whatever it was, at least her wait had to come to an end with this man's advent. She decided she would plead the CEO for mercy stating her helpless situation and if he was humane he would let her go.
The security standing besides called her attention. "Madam, you need to meet the CEO now."
Claire rubbed her sweaty palms to her long skirt. Why was she suddenly feeling nervous, it is not like she stole something from the place or killed someone? And all of this was already planned by her though maybe not each step. She walked inside the CEO's room and the door closed behind.
"You?" There was a shock on his face. That was harsh and unparliamentary.
Not again….Claire thought. The only difference is, she did not say it out loud unlike him. So Carl Campbell can be surprised too though he is the one many times to surprise people. In short he was a rich, self-conceited, handsome hunk.
"Why do you keep crossing my path? I even stopped visiting the restaurant you work when you denied my offer." There was an obvious irritation on his features.
"That is what even I am surprised about. It is not like I am fascinated to be around you." Claire bit her words at him.
Carl grilled his teeth. "Do not forget Ms, you are standing under my roof and if you disobey me, you better think twice about the repercussions."
It was still early in the morning and he was not dressed formally but with normal track pants and a cotton tee. Yet his aura was quite intimidating. Claire acted gulping in fright at the warning behind his words. In reality no asshole can even dare to touch her hair without fear.
It is understood he came here in an emergency just to take care of her. "You are very lucky that you are still alive." His words pulled her out of the reverie she was in.
"The compound wall which runs through the circumference of this building is powered with laser beams. When you touch the wall or the gates you yield to electric shock unless you have an id or a code to enter inside."
The information she just received made Claire pale with stress. "The laser beams stop working every day at midnight just for two minutes for a maintenance check. I guess you entered the premises during the same period. You are extremely lucky." Carl leaned to his work desk and crossed his arms to his chest observing her closely.
The muscles of his arms bulged out from the quarter sleeves and the soft tee he was wearing gave out a complete view of his sturdy sternum, leaving very little to the imagination of the girl. Damn it Claire! Pick a hold on yourself.
Carl was having a good time understanding the impact he had on Claire's features. A conniving grin took over as he asked pointing to her torn cotton sling. "I need to check upon it."
He emptied the contents on the table. The bag contained a few books, notes and a variety of pencils and pens. Just as he expected she was not stealing anything from the building.
"What were you doing in the middle of the night in my company?" Curiosity took over him.
Claire's eyes watered and Carl instantly regretted his question. "After my mom's death my father remarried. My stepmother, sister and brother do not like me. Jerome is a drug addict and came behind me yesterday after work. I ran from him to save my dignity and in an hasty attempt to escape I entered this building."
The whole world's problem seemed to be resting on the juvenile's shoulders. Last time too he had to save her from a dangerous situation. But, he admired the character of the girl. Carl felt compassion for her though he did not display any emotions. "So what are you going to do now?"
Claire only shook her head. "I run out of my options. Two months ago I left my house and started to stay in my friend's place when Jerome made similar progress on me. But I …."
Something ignited inside Carl and he held the corner of the work desk so tight that it turned his knuckles white. "Did he rape you?" He asked before she finished her sentence.
Claire nodded negatively. "That was the time from when I started living in Elena's house."
Carl snorted, relieved. He could not see Claire in danger because of some sick motherfucker. "You can stay in my employee quarters and work for me. The same job that I offered to you earlier with t
he same pay package, I keep my word. It is triple the amount you earned in Ramones. Do you agree?" He quickly called, hoping for the best of his luck.
Mission accomplished!
Chapter 17
Her heart danced in joy but she acted a sullen face. She was a drama queen as if weighing the pros and cons. She would no doubt feel guilty of leaving Mrs Jennifer but she doesn't have a choice either.
Living in Carl's employee quarters she could observe his moves much more prudently and expertly. Her goal to catch him red handed would become much easier and quicker.
But there was unknowingly some kind of disturbance in her mind about which she couldn't put the right word. Living with the virile Venus to observe his actions closer she would be challenged by her celibacy to keep her heart in check.
Claire thus agreed to Carl's offer and there was a visible relaxation of his features. "You would start your work from tomorrow. I need my coffee by sharp six in the morning. James, my driver along with two of the security personnel will accompany you to your friend's house to help you pack your stuff." He informed and immediately dialed a number.
Five seconds later two bodyguards stood before her. Everything was happening so fast that Claire was not able to think about anything. But if she contemplated, the best was happening to her. Another medal on her uniform!
*****
Elliott, the private investigator of Carl, reached him with a file. "Sir, these are the details of the NIA officer who tried to video shoot the deal at the docks."
Carl took the file from Elliott and intensely studied each word in the document. In his seven years of entering the mafia so far no police or an investigating team could dare to meddle with his affairs. A few stacks of notes and all of them would keep their lips sealed.
****
Carl Campbell was the only answer and possible solution to the needy. As against the usual courts which take long to pass the judgment and which are influenced by the rich and wealthy, justice is met in Carl's court with no further trials sooner than the case is received. He is the judge, he is the court and his decision is the law. When Carl takes over a case, it is the triumph of equity against evil.
Many poor and the deprived access him for help. Carlhas only one way to save the truth - kill the sinning. The money had zero importance in his books. The only thing he looks at when he accepts a deal is whether the victim is righteous.
Today after so many years somebody dares to challenge him and Carl is fascinated, annoyed, irritated and at the same time curious.
Sapphire Taylor is twenty seven years old with an excellent track record of zero bribes registered. She has a strong abhorrence of red tapism, corruption and money laundering. In her six years of career as a NIA officer, she had eleven postings. When people could not influence her with payola or incentive, they had no other way but to transfer Sapphire to get her out of their hair.
Sapphire has an older brother who is an army officer and her parents are quite supportive of her. A perfect family, nil loopholes in the career, not married and no boyfriends. The only person she dated was Carl two years ago but now he is married and also with a child.
Carl understood Sapphire has no weaknesses either in personal or professional life. Before she took over a case, she studied it intricately as if she was personally involved and thus she hasn't had a single failure so far.
"Fucking hell!" Carl slapped his palm on the file and closed it before rubbing his temples. He has to find out some way to corner this lady.
He immediately took out his mobile from the pant pocket and called Luke.
The man arrived at his office within ten minutes. Carlhanded over the file to Luke already feeling the nauseating headache. "Luke what can we do with this lady?"
"We can kill her sir." He replied almost immediately without hesitation.
Carl closed his eyes and smiled sarcastically. "Luke, I do not need jokes early in the morning. We shouldn't be doing that. The lady officer is appointed by the NIA to catch me red handed doing a crime. If something happens to her, I will be the prime suspect."
He needed to get this tension released. That evening he went to a bar and a brunette came to him swaying her legs. Carl was already six drinks down with raw whiskey. His eyes were red in drunkenness.
The brunette smiled at him seductively reaching his hand. "What is your name, my beauty?" He slurred his speech. "I am Chloe."
He leaned over and ran the pad of his thumb on her cherry red lips and she shivered with his touch.
Carl's vision traveled down from her closed eyes to the rise and fall of her chest. He was immediately turned on.
His bulge was as hard as a rock pleading for him to be released from the barriers of his underwear.
Carl at once lifted the brunette into his arms and carried her to one of the executive suits that he owned the 365 days of the year.
He gingerly placed her on the bed and looked into her gray eyes with pure lust. Hers mirrored the same Their breaths were heavy that mingled with the other's dancing in a synchrony.
Carl walked to the bar and poured each of them a drink. He handed her a glass and began to drink his.
Her creamy flawless skin was waiting for his attention. The swelling on top of her breasts requested him to be touched.
Carl's arm slowly reached behind the zipper of her short mid thigh tight dress and pulled it down.
Chloe was now only in her undies. She peered at him leeringly and wet her lips.
Carl's rough fingers traced subtly the softness of the swelling of her breasts and she mewled like a cat.
That was his clue. He immediately released her breasts from the restraints of her bra and her melons pounced out, desiring his attention.
Carl directed her to the bed and kissed her with lust, pleasure and wantonness leaving no place untouched of her mouth.
He ran open mouthed kisses from her jawline through her slender neck reaching her melons.
He squeezed her tits which were neither too big nor too small but in exact size and as soft as a marshmallow. Carl rounded, licked and sucked her breasts. Moans fell out of Chloe in an irresistible copiousness.
She directed his attention to her other boob. When Carlgave each of her breasts their individual attention, his lips reached southwards, passing through her belly to the center of womanism.
Chloe bellowed like a wild cat with each of his advances. Her body was shaking like a dried leaf occupied by the euphoria of lasciviousness.
"I can already smell sex from you." Carl told her slyly and pulled her wet panties down.
Chloe pulled away his shirt throwing it in some corner of the room and fumbled with his pants.Carl helped her and finally she was able to release them. Both of them were kissing and pleasuring each other's bodies and satisfying their physical cravings.
"Darling it has been long since you came to meet me? Were you busy with something?"
Carl chose not to reply. He doesn't like mixing business with pleasure. He slowly entered her, bringing her to a paradise. A low moan went out of Chloe.
"Come on say it my handsome, my friend was saying that you were on the verge of sealing a deal but some NIA officer interrupted it?" Chloe pressed the button of the recorder in her phone hidden under the pillow and moaned.
"You bloody woman, I knew you were a trap since the beginning. In normal cases my men would have taken care of you but I'm a man with morals. I do not beat women. So this is the reward you get for your little stunt upon me." Carl did not give a chance for the woman to speak any further. He pulled out the revolver from the pant pocket which was placed besides on the side table and shot her.
He put on the clothes and walked out of the room. L
uke was on duty guarding the place. "That woman is a spy. She is dead now. Take care of the mess without a third person noticing it and tell Elliot to do the investigation."
Chapter 18
Claire was occupying the guest bedroom of the enormous house which looked like a palace. Since her visit was sudden, the manager requested her to stay the night in the mansion and promised to get one of the servant quarters ready by the next day.
Claire couldn't sleep though the bed was extremely soft and cozy. At one in the midnight she found the twisting of the door knob followed by a loud slurring voice of someone.
Claire peeped her head out from the gap between the door and the wall. Carl was being assisted to walk by his driver James, the same person who got her to this house.
He was talking animatedly regarding some irrelevant matter full of delight and James was simply nodding, assisting him through the stairs.
But what caught Claire's attention were the blood spots on his crispy white dress shirt. A soft gasp left out of her lips which she quickly concealed, plastering a hand on her mouth.
The driver while reaching the exit after helping Carl to bed noticed her presence. He turned back looking at her concerned. "Don't worry, he may be drunk but he is not a person who explores a woman against her will. You're safe here from every danger." He nodded and closed the door behind him which automatically went locked.
Claire released a breath she did not know she was holding and closed the door behind her to be on the safe side.
The next day she got up at exactly 5:30 in the morning to make coffee for Carl. Claire looked around in awe at the sparkling white kitchen and clean cabinets with not a single piece of dust. It had the latest cooking appliances with exquisite fittings which any home maker would be proud of.
Claire wondered if Carl was married and a pang of a strange feeling hit in her heart.
It was an area she hasn't still processed about her target but she was surely going to look at the first thing she arrives the next day to work.
The coffee beans which Carl had in his kitchen were no doubt the costliest used by five star hotels but she preferred the one she has with her because he already liked it. The previous evening before she came to his home, she stopped at her regular store where she usually buys coffee beans for The Ramones.
She brought out the milk from the fridge, the cream to add along with sugar to make coffee. Claire kept waiting for Carl to arrive at the dining table but she found no trace of him. Unknowingly she did not know when her eyes shut off.
*****
Carl had a trumpeting headache when he got up the next day for the amount of drinks he consumed the previous night. Holding his head he groaned and dragged his legs to the first aid kit in the washroom. But to his utter dismay the first aid box had no Advil.
Running a series of curses for his forgetfulness, he meandered his steps to the kitchen to find the first aid box in one of the cabinets. And that was when he noticed the girl he employed yesterday to make coffee for him.
Her hands were folded and head resting on the kitchen platform facing sideways. A few hairs were falling on her cute red cheeks. Carl wanted to brush them away. But he saw the CCTV camera attached to the wall and moving before him and for the first time did not like the idea of having cameras in his house.
He did not want his employees to have unnecessary questions about him and he shook her. "Claire, wake up!"
Claire opened her eyes which were red and looked at him stunned. He was topless with just gray sweat pants hanging low below his abdomen. Carl looked extremely hot and mouth-watering with bulging muscles in his arm and sturdy sternum culminating in a perfect 'v' of his waist.
He very well knew the effect he had upon her. Controlling his smirk, he looked seriously at her and asked, "don't you know, you are not supposed to sleep at work?"
"I'm…I'm sorry sir." Claire stuttered with fear directing her eyes to the floor.
"This will not repeat again. Actually I had been here waiting for you since 5:30 in the morning and did not know when my eyes closed off." Carl keenly observed her face which looked so pretty and pristine with light freckles on her nose and cheeks. He was deeply attracted to her.
After his wife Stephanie died, he was not attracted to any other woman this way. Carl even thought he was incapable of falling in love with anybody ever again. But when he saw Claire on the road looking after a lost puppy, his long nourished notions seemed to take a twisted turn.
Carl saw humanity in her with the simple act. A woman who is so concerned about an injured animal is definitely going to be having a genial heart. When he tried to lure her with a fancy salary to work for him, he saw sincerity and dedication towards her work and gratefulness towards her employer.
Carl deals with hundreds of people; such qualities are rare in humans in the present day.
"It is okay. Get the coffee to my bedroom, the second room from the right." He feigned anger towards her, took Advil from the cabinet and walked back through the stairs to reach his room.
Claire hurriedly went to make coffee, made a design of a leaf and reached his room. Today was her first day at work and she had already displeased her employer by sleeping during working hours. Will her days go smoothly working for him or will he remove her from the job since she had been out of her work ethics on the first day itself?
Many thoughts were ruling in her mind. Yesterday night she had seen him drunk. Was she safe with this man? Also there were blots of blood on his shirt. And she thinks she knows where the blots came from but she wouldn't risk calling her men from his house. Her phone could at any time be tracked. Mafia people cannot be trusted. There something he was hiding from her that the outside world did not know?
While her legs carried her to the destination, her hypothesis was interrupted by a closed door waiting in front of her. Claire contemplated for a moment if she had to wait or go inside. But since he had already told her to bring the coffee to his bedroom, Claire took the tray on the other hand and knocked on the door. But there was no response.
She waited for more seconds and then twisted the knob to peep her head inside. Her eyes bulged out of the sockets to look at the opulence of the room which looked similar to a paradise she read in books. It was two times larger than the one she occupied the previous night. Being a government servant she had a comfortable living but her life was not this lavish.
There were two windows which had almost floor to ceiling curtains. In the center was a king size bed. To one side of it was a mini bar attached and the other side had a walk-in study. Opposite was a door which was probably a balcony and beside it was another door slightly smaller in size.
Claire was still under the trance gawking with her jaw hanging down at the place's beauty when the door opened of a steaming bathroom and an Apollo walked out with just a towel hanging low to his waist.
"I guess you watched enough of me a few minutes ago." Carl's cocky self was back. "Do you mind giving me the coffee mug?" He pointed to the cup resting on her tray.
Claire immediately handed him the mug and rushed out. Working for this man was probably more difficult than she imagined.
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Table of Contents
×1
Chapter 1
2_3
Chapter 2–3
4_8
Chapter 4_8
9_13
Chapter 9_13
14_18
Chapter 14_18
19_23
Chapter 19_23
24_28
Chapter 24_28
29_33
Chapter 29_33
34_38
Chapter 34_38
39_43
Chapter 39_43
44_48
Chapter 44_48
49_53
Chapter 49_53
54_58
Chapter 54_58
59_63
Chapter 59_63
64_68
Chapter 64_68
69_73
Chapter 69_73
74_78
Chapter 74_78
79_83
Chapter 79_83
84_88
Chapter 84_88
89_93
Chapter 89_93
94_98
Chapter 94_98
99_103
Chapter 99_103
104_108
Chapter 104_108
109_113
Chapter 109_113
114_118
Chapter 114_118