Javier glanced at Olivia, still on the floor with her thigh exposed from Elvis pushing her roughly. Her eyes were fixed on Javier as she quickly bowed her head in shame.
Javier wasn’t shocked to see her there. He believed that’s what women like her do – always trying to satisfy an insatiable hunger and fit in where they don’t belong.
Javier looked at her, his face scrunching up in disgust, with his hands tucked in his pants pocket. He strode towards the couch on the left side of the office and sat down without saying a word to either of them.
Olivia was so embarrassed that she couldn’t lift her head. She felt awkward being caught in that situation as she had never expected to see Javier there, so she quickly stood up from the floor and grabbed her handbag from the top of Elvis’ table. Without saying a word, she rushed towards the exit, slamming the door hard as she ran down the stairs without looking back.
After an hour, Garry stopped his car in front of Elvis’s company and gestured for the ladies to do the same. Kate got out of the car first, followed by Natalie, who looked around. Kate quickly approached Natalie and whispered, “This place looks familiar to me.”
Natalie looked confused and said, “I doubt you’ve ever been to a place like this before.” She scoffed.
Kate couldn’t help but burst into laughter at Natalie’s response. “What I meant to say is that I’ve seen this place on the Internet,” she clarified, still glancing around. She suddenly remembered that the company belonged to Elvis, Javier’s best friend, and felt goosebumps cover her skin. She wondered why Garry had brought them to Elvis’ company, but quickly composed herself when Natalie’s gaze shifted to her. She flashed a smile, which Natalie reciprocated.
“Go inside, ladies, and take the stairs on your right. Wait for me in front of the golden glass door,” Garry instructed before walking away.
Natalie and Kate glanced at each other before entering the building and heading towards the nearest set of stairs on their right. They were so engrossed in conversation that they didn’t notice a woman rushing towards them.
The young lady collided with them, causing her to lose her balance and fall hard on the floor. She angrily got up and raised her hand to slap Natalie, but Natalie quickly anticipated the slap and caught hold of Olivia’s hand in the air.
“How dare you push me!” Olivia angrily yelled at Natalie’s face, unable to believe that someone like Natalie would dare to hold her hand.
Natalie scoffed when she saw Olivia, recognizing her but disgusted by her attitude. “I never asked you to ignore your step,” she said, pushing Olivia’s hand away.
Kate was shocked to see Olivia, her role model, standing in front of her. She had always loved Olivia, but pretended to hate her because of Natalie. She knew Natalie’s hatred for the rich. She ran toward Olivia and stood beside her, unable to contain her excitement. She didn’t say anything, but grinned from ear to ear.
Olivia was furious at Natalie’s outburst, and her intense glare made it clear. “I will deal with you, I promise,” she sneered pointing her finger at Natalie’s face before walking away, ignoring Kate’s sympathy.
Natalie brushed off Olivia’s threat and motioned for Kate to continue walking towards the golden glass door. As they approached, she was stunned to hear a familiar voice, which she guessed was Javier’s. She wondered what he was doing here and quickly leaned in to eavesdrop on his conversation.
Javier sarcastically yelled “Bingo!” and turned to face Elvis, who couldn’t meet his eyes. Elvis was dumbfounded and hoped Javier wouldn’t misunderstand the situation.
After a long silence, Javier stood up and approached Elvis, teasing him, “Have anything to say?” and winking.
“I don’t know when she got into my office. Out of the blues, she began forcing herself on me.” Elvis defended.
Javier chuckled, “I never asked, because I know people like her will do anything to get what they want. But I’m up to the task.” He shrugged and sat opposite Elvis. “Perhaps if you like her, you-”
“Javier, don’t you even think about it,” Elvis snapped, giving him a deadly glare.
Javier’s phone vibrated, and he quickly pulled it out of his pocket. Seeing that it was Doc Douglas calling, he smirked and answered the call.
“Hello.”
“Hey Doc!” Javier replied.
“It’s done!”
Javier chuckled, “Wow! Well done… Just like they said, obedience brings rewards, so you’ll be hearing from me soon.” He leaned back in his seat. “Anything else?” He asked.
“Nothing, just that… her daughter was here today and she was heartbroken,” Douglas said, his voice filled with sadness. Javier could sense the emotion in his tone, but he didn’t really care.
“Is that all?” Javier didn’t wait for a response before ending the call. “Bingo!” he chuckled, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Elvis shook his head and scoffed at Javier.
“Why did you scoff?” Javier demanded, sitting up to face him.
“You need to stop this madness. It’s not funny anymore. Someone’s life is at stake, so you better stop,” Elvis said, staring at him.
Javier stared at him for minutes, then said, “You know… I want to see that proud peacock crawling on her knees, tears flowing down her face, begging for mercy. I want to make her suffer before she gets any. I want to break her, to show her that she doesn’t stand a chance. If I have to use her mother as my weapon, I will.” He spoke without feeling any remorse.
Suddenly, the door was thrown open and there she stood in the entrance. Natalie was slapping her hand, still in shock at the revelation that Javier was the reason behind Douglas changing his mind about her mother.
“Bravo! Is that the best a creative lunatic like you can come up with?” she taunted as she stepped into the office, with Kate following behind.
Javier was taken aback by her presence but quickly mask it up with a smirked. “What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you so soon. Tell me, what can I offer you?” He said, standing up and walking towards her.
“Look, I’m not here to have a chit-chat with you, all I want from you is to let my mother go!” Natalie yelled angrily. She couldn’t believe that Javier could stoop so low as to involve her mother.
“Okay, I can swear that she’s cute when she’s angry,” Javier thought, with that smirk not leaving his face.
He stood in front of her with his hands folded across his chest, staring into her angry face, and her brave eyes stared back at him without any hint of fear.
Suddenly, he moved back and sat down at Elvis’ table, who was watching everything silently, without uttering a word. He just had his eyes fixed on Natalie the entire time.
“What if I don’t? Will you hit me, just like the first time we met?” Javier’s voice was mocking, sticking out his tongue.
“How do you know my mother?” Natalie snapped. “Why are you being heartless and cruel? Do you enjoy seeing my mother in pain? Tell me, you bastard!” She yelled angrily, rushing toward him and hitting his chest tearfully.
“Do I look like I-” Javier tried to speak.
“My mother is about to die, all because of you, you pathetic psychopath,” Natalie interrupted, pushing him with her hands. Kate quickly rushed to her, grabbing her and pulling her back, but Natalie was determined not to let go, holding onto Javier’s suit tightly, never wanting to release him.
“Natalie, you need to calm down,” Kate whispered, pleading with her before she furiously pushing him away one last time.
Natalie paced around the office, frustration evident as she ran her hands through her hair and furrowed her eyebrows. It was clear she was struggling to keep her emotions in check. Javier watched silently, seemingly amused by her distress. This was exactly the reaction he had hoped for – a broken, angry, and vulnerable Natalie.
Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. She turned to me with bloodshot eyes and said, “I know you want me to beg for your mercy, as if you’re a god. But I won’t do that. Instead, I will work hard, save up, and transfer my mother to another hospital for her surgery.” She spoke with confidence, glaring at him.
“Wow, this lady is even tougher than I expected,” Javier thought. He smirked as he stood up from the table and walked around her. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to save $80 from your monthly pay for your mother’s surgery. Jeez, tell me this is a joke,” he said mockingly as he circled her.
Natalie’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened, probably wondering how he knew so much about her. Shock was written all over her face when he mentioned her monthly salary.
“How do you know?” she stammered, blinking rapidly.
“Wait, don’t tell me that’s the money you’re bragging about. Wow, Natalie Zabbed, you’re such a joker,” he added.
Natalie’s shock was evident when he mentioned her father’s name, causing her to recoil.
“Can’t talk now? Or a cat caught your tongue?” Javier’s lips curve up to a cunny smirk, as he look at her facial expressions.
“What else do you know?” Natalie finally managed to ask.
“I promised to make you suffer, both physically and emotionally. You will pay for what you did,” Javier chuckled. “So brace yourself for more shocking news. What’s your boss’s name, again?” he asked, slowly licking his lips.
Natalie shook her head slowly as sweat poured from her forehead, as she already got the hint of what is coming her way
“Jeez. Now I’m really enjoying this,” Javier thought.
“You don’t want to talk?” He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, the person on the other end picked up.
“Hello! Who is this?” an American accent said in Javier’s ear. He slowly moved his phone away from his ear and turned on the loudspeaker so that everyone could hear their conversation.
Am I speaking to Khan?” Javier asked, shifting his gaze to Natalie, and the look on her face was something he would love to see every day. He made it worse by winking at her.
“Yes, how may I help you.”
“I believe you know Natalie Zabbed?”
“Yes….”
“Fire her.”
“What!!” He sputtered.
“It’s not a request but a command,” I whispered, staring at Natalie.
“Who are you?”
“Javier Reyes!” With that, Javier ended the call. He turned and glanced at Elvis, who had been quiet the whole time, shaking his head at him. Ignoring him, Javier turned around and saw Kate with the same shocked expression as her friend.
Natalie stormed towards him with bloodshot eyes and heaving chest, standing in front of Javier. “What do you want?” she asked in a cold voice, her hands clenched into fists.
“Marry me, Natalie,” Javier dropped the bombshell.