BELLA
“How have you been coming along with your task?” The director asked, cutting right to the chase without beating around the bush. He laced his fingers, his gaze on my face.
I gobbled, squeezing my fingers. Feeling his stare on me scared me shitless.
“… Good.”
“Good?” He raised an eyebrow. “What have you gotten on them so far? When are you having an interview with them?” His tone was normal, but my poor heart thought he was yelling at me.
I gulped. This was like sitting on a hot seat. My throat felt dry, and my palms were sweaty. Hot perspiration trickled down my left ear. “I’d only gotten to learn a few things about them, like their names and preferences. I don’t know when I will get them to agree to an interview. The brothers are the most secretive men I’d ever met.”
Getting an answer from them always cost me my ability to walk normally. It was like pulling the teeth of a crocodile. They were always tight-lipped about anything related to them. Aside from how good they were in bed, I knew zero to nothing about them. They were always elusive whenever I tried to pry deeper.
Fred wasn’t helping at all. Blue was the one who repeatedly included a number to the one they promised, while Fred loved teasing me.
“Are you sure you are capable of doing this? Imelda submitted a request to take over from you,” he continued.
His words stunned me. I exchanged looks with Chris before I turned to face him. This was the first time the director ever told me of Imelda’s involvement. I’d always come to work to learn that they had passed my task to Imelda because I took time getting it done.
It was a surprise that he even mentioned this without giving it to her right away and informing me later. I had gotten used to it, which was why I wanted to beat the bitch.
I wouldn’t even be surprised if the job lands on Imelda’s thighs after that. After all, she was the star of the firm, capable of pulling any work off without breaking a sweat. I was nothing but a newbie, trying to drive my way up the ladder, so I could be considered the best.
“… Are you going to give her the assignment?” I questioned, scared of the answer.
If they handed over the job to Imelda, it would mean I’d have no reason to visit the brothers. I would pass all the answers I’d amassed to Imelda and –
Would the brothers strike a deal with her? Ask her to sign a contract, like they did to me. What would happen to the one I already signed with them? Would they discard it when they meet her?
There was no doubt they saw me as nothing but a toy. Sleeping with another woman wouldn’t be difficult, since what they wanted was someone willing to endure their rough treatments.
Knowing Imelda, she would be head over the moon when she heard the proposal. The brothers were after all, handsome and well endowed.
“That’s where the problem is.” He ran his hand through his hair, looking tired. “Imelda is the star of our company. She has always pulled off any work given to her until the Christophos brothers. They rejected her just like they did the other journalists from different firms. You were the first to bag an invite from them. Something I’m proud of.”
I tried not to smile, but it was impossible not to. Hearing someone like the director praise you – with a stony expression, mind you – was something I never dreamed of experiencing. It was like getting an Oscar. The man was stingy with his praises.
“I had thought about getting you withdrawn, but the thoughts of others picking up made me reconsider. Moreover, I got a warning from the owner of the firm.”
“A warning?” Chris asked before I could do the same, her eyes wider than mine.
He sighed. “Well, let’s say I mentioned changing you via an email I sent. Instead of the go-ahead we always got, he threatened my position …” He sat up, coughing as he arranged his necktie. “I have decided to give you a month off. You will spend the rest of the month getting as much as you can from the brothers. By the end of the month, I expect to get good news. You know what those are, don’t you?”
I nodded frantically, clasping my palms together. “Thank you, director!” I couldn’t contain my joy, my face breaking out in a smile. Had it not been for the stern expression on his face, I would have hugged him.
He waved his hands in dismissal. “That would be all. You can leave now. I will be expecting you in 30 days. Don’t disappoint me.”
Thanking him once more, I rose and tugged Chris out of the office, gasping when my movements caused the dildo to go deeper.
“Girl!” Chris squealed the moment the door closed behind us. “I thought we would lose to that bitch, Imelda.” She made a face, wrinkling her nose.
I giggled at that.
“What are you waiting for, girl? It’s time to step up your game. We only have 30 days to beat Imelda.”
If only she knew the price I’d have to pay if I wanted to beat the bitch.
“And to think the owner of the firm vouched for you? This is news, baby girl! You will soon be the most popular journalist. We will crush Imelda,” she boasted, smiling.
Had I not known better, I would have thought she was the one who got the praise. She looked happier than I was.
Unlike me, who wished to be the best, Chris wanted nothing to do with that kind of fame. She preferred getting jobs that led her out of the country, to being the hot one on the list, always working her arse off to keep her position.