Chapter 3 Two

"You've been a naughty girl, a bad one and you know that's not tolerated here, right? You ought to do what's expected of you, but you don't. You are so difficult! Now I am going to teach you a lesson. When I am done, you will be my sweet little good girl again."

He ripped her shirt off and started to prick words on her back with a sharp piece of glass. She screamed out while struggling to run away from the torture to safety but was tied up to a chair.

"Damian!"

She jerked up, breathing heavily with beads of sweat forming on her forehead. It's been the same nightmare every night. Just then, her alarm went off. She reached out and shut it off, palming her face in her hands before she sighed heavily and slipped out of bed. She stroked her neck and stretched herself. Walking into the bathroom for a bath, she stripped down, turned the hot water on and the steam rose up. She stepped under the stream as it soothed her skin, massaging her back and scalp.

Once she was done, she shut it off, wrapped a towel and walked back to her room.

"Today is going to be better than yesterday. I can feel it," she sang out as she sat on a chair in front of her mirror. Just as she was about to dry her hair with a hand blower, her eyes caught a glimpse of the clock. She focused her eyes on it long enough to affirm it was the actual time.

"Oh my God." She gasped as she stormed out of her room to the parlor.

"Grandma, did you reset my alarm?"

Grandma Tilda looked up from her book with her reading glasses which sat almost at the edge of her nose. She had silver hair and her brown eyes were calm and composed. It made people especially kids draw near her; she didn't even have to try. She had wrinkles on her forehead and was graced with little eye bags every aged human had.

"Good morning to you too dear child."

"Morning ma," she replied, fidgeting while trying to remain calm.

Ma Tilda put her reading glasses as well as her book down. "Well, I thought it was best you have a restful sleep so I set it an hour to before," She disclosed. She stood up from the chair and walked up to Allison.

"Are you ok dear child?" Concern filled her face. "Tell me."

Allison rushed to explain her ordeal as quickly as possible because she was running out of time at the moment. "Ma I got a job but now, I am late for my first day," she said sadly.

"Oh."

After few seconds of feeling guilty, she proposed a suggestion.

"Why don't we go upstairs and work it out.We still have time." Allison knew she didn't have time to argue, so she agreed.

They hurried upstairs immediately. Allison sat in front of the mirror again, putting on some light makeups while her grandma dried her hair, styling it into a neat ponytail. She put on her pale yellow blouse and a black skirt on, which were laid out on the bed already, then she instantly pushed her white heels on.

Checking her reflection in the mirror, she smiled satisfied with herself, admiring the blouse which complimented her caramel skin. Her grandma came close, smiling with teary eyes before cupping her face in her palms.

"You look just like her," she said as Allison's lips gave way to a smile.Grandma kissed her forehead and turned to leave but Allison got hold of her hand, giving it a light squeeze.

"We are going to be alright," she declared with certainty.

Ma Tilda nodded and left while Allison admired herself in the mirror once more. Suddenly, she rushed to pickup her phone to check time.It was 7:38 am, barely few minutes to 8am.

"Phew, I can do this," She said,offloading determination.

••••

"What do you mean by I don't have coffee? I always have coffee!" She rolled her finger while pacing in her huge office.

"Every morning!" Miss May added, aggressively.

"Antonia tell me, where is my new assistant?"

In great panic, Antonia just stood close by the door, in case Miss May decided to get wild and throw objects at her.

"I requested for a better one after firing Jennifer. Clearly this one doesn't know how to assist, talk of being punctual on her frst day!" She snapped again, tapping her 6inch heels on the tiles.

"Am-am ver-very sorry Miss May." Clearing her throat, she added "I'll see to it that you get the best assistant you desire." Her voice sounded terrified.

"What are you waiting for then?" Grabbing a stapler from her desk, she quickly aimed and threw it at Antonia.

Luckily, Antonia duck in time as it flew pass her.

"Get out! Go find me a new assistant." She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm her temper.

"Inhale, exhale, inhale."

"And coffee." She ordered.

Antonia ran out with haste in avoidance of flowing objects aiming at her again. Just as Antonia got to her desk beside the counter, she saw someone waiting for her.She comported herself despite the little chaos her boss caused.

"Yes. Good morning. I am Antonio Ellison. Welcome to Fashion Fay. How may I help you?" She politely asked.

The receptionist in front of Allison had red hair and black calm eyes. It was a surprise that the lady before her didn't tie her scarlet hair. The white v neck she wore in combo with a lilac skirt corresponded with her smooth light skin and the smile she evolved looked professional to it's peak.

"Umm hi. I am Allison -Allison Swan. Am actua...

"What?" Antonia's eyes dilated.

"I said am-

"No, I heard you the first time. It's just," Taking a sneak peep towards her boss's office, she walked out of the counter to drag Allison to the ladies private room to talk. "Miss May is really furious right now. If you should waltz inside that office to introduce yourself, you are clearly coming out battered."

She gasped in shock, realizing her new boss's reaction was worse than expected. Her shoulder fell as she brought her pale face down. Antonia went ahead to explain that she was about hiring another assistant for Miss May.

Allison tried as much as she could to fight the urge to let the tears roll down her cheeks while Antonia pat her back constantly in an endless way to relieve her worries.

Just then an idea popped in Antonia's head.

"Ahhha!" She clasped her hands together. "How about we don't tell her about you, thereby presenting you as the new assistant, huh?" She suggested, folding her arms slyly.

"Wait," Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "You want to help me out?"

"Sure!"

"Oh my God." She reached out and hugged Antonia as a drop of tear finally rolled down.

"I don't know what to say. I am very grateful. Literally. Thank you."

"Okay okay, you are welcome." She hugged her back, smoothing her hand on her back. "Don't get all merry yet. We still have to convince Miss May you are not her suppose-to-be ex-assistant." She pointed out. Allison felt a lump on her throat as she nodded.

"Here's how it's going to happen.You follow behind me steadily, don't say a word unless she refers to you. Ok?"

Allison had no option but to nod again.

"And one more thing, duck when I do."

Confusion claimed Allison's face but she waited in anticipation for an answer.

"Look, Miss May gets too aggressive for a lady who's in her mid forties," She quietly stated out with her hand on her hip "But she can be a nice sweetheart some times, I can vouch on that." Antonia assured her. This helped second to none as Allison felt overwhelmed with nervousness.

"Come on girl, being a worker in Fashion Fay isn't a bed of roses. Miss May makes sure to add a few thorns to work us up. And it's no surprise we stand first to none."

Allison saw reason with her within seconds and her willpower resurfaced. "You are absolutely right. Let's do it," she declared, holding her fists in mid air.

"Yeah, that's my girl power right there." Antonia gushed in happiness. "Lets have lunch together." She raised an eyebrow with a simper plastered on her lips "That's if we do survive." She added.

Few minutes of interacting with Antonia, Allison knew she was a great personality to behold and anyone would be lucky to be in her small circle.

As instructed, Allison walked behind Antonia till they reached the boss's front door.Taking a deep breath, Antonia gently knocked on the door. Seconds later, there was no reply but she attempted twice before the door was opened by a man who stepped aside for them to come in.

As soon as a faint tsk escaped Antonia's lips, Allison's ear grabbed it immediately. Just when Allison was about to enter, the man loose grip of the door, walked pass and dropped on a couch situated by the left side, away from the big desk, burying his face on his phone.

As Allison stepped in and closed the door, she took in her environment. She was left in awe at how fashionable, big, luxurious and the fragrance the office invoked, from the sky blue tiles which were being illuminated by the brightest chandelier that shone like blue diamonds, to the walls coated with frames of portraits of the best models signed under the company, pictures of Miss May bagging grammy awards and on red carpets. In summary it was a wall of fame.

The big desk filled with arranged paperworks was made of glass hence she had a thought about clients sitting across, having a view of what Miss May hid underneath. She could see the chair which looked majestic in black leather too. Facing the right side was a balcony with it's closed glass doors, she couldn't help but imagine the view of the town from there, beside the transparent doors were fresh lilies in a vase, seated on a stool, no doubt giving the office quite a pleasant smell. Her eyes also caught sight of a mini bar behind a counter, loaded with expensive and exquisite champagnes and wines. Still acquainting her self with the office, Miss May walked out from a door beside the bar.

Each click of her heels on the tiles was filled with imperial splendor and composed charisma. Standing before her was her role model since college: a pearl, elegant, beautiful, blue blooded and industrious idol. Her antique gold jumpsuit hug her body like an hourglass while her black hair cascaded from her shoulders, reaching her back. Despite being average, she wore heels, denoting superiority. Glancing at her accessories made Allison scold herself for not trying hard enough to impress her.

"Yes?" Her voice came out strong and powerful.

"As requested I found an assistant Miss May," Antonia replied politely. She stepped aside for Allison to step forward.

Nervously, Allison came forward, and although her hands were sweaty, she wiped it off on her skirt and stood erect.

"Good day Miss May. It's my utmost pleasure to finally meet you," Allison said the statement she spent hours rehearsing, nevertheless pondering if her statement was enough to create an impression.

Within minutes of interrogating Allison, Miss May pouted, walked slowly to her desk and sat on the edge with her hands laid on it to support her balance. There, Allison's heart started pumping faster. If her assumptions are correct, Miss May is about to discard her. More so, she's nothing in comparison of a worthy assistant to a great celebrity. Instantly she felt discomfort in her stomach.

"Say Ry, what's your take in this?" Miss May stuck out her perfectly manicured slender finger at her, while her head turned to another direction.

Following the direction of her face, Allison's eyes bulged at another sight to see. Her face was drained to utter a word, goosebumps sprouted quickly. She felt cold. She was engulfed in the wonders of the office to had noticed him earlier, because on the couch sat the man who saved her from the horror of that night.

Bryan.

But he looked different from that night. For starters, his hair went from raven black to copper and his eyes were piercing dark. He looked up from his phone, folded his hands and inspected Allison.

"She seems intriguing," he said approvingly.

•••••

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