Chapter 10 Lucas

Lucas POV

I am lying on the hospital bed waiting for Mr Tony to call. I have to beg him to give me more time given my current condition with bandages wrapped on my hands and legs and rods sticking out. The hospital authorities have said that they will discharge me after two weeks. I have to take rest for another fifteen days at home, so I would technically take a month to resume my job. Although my entire body is screaming with pain, I am trembling to think how should I convey it to my boss who voice is enough to send chills throughout my body.

I shudder to think how will he reciprocate when he learns about my accident. Though I have successfully completed the work given me, he wouldn't like my absence now. It doesn't matter to him how lucky I was to have a narrow escape from death. He only cares to control and manoeuvre you according to his whims and fancies.

I can't move, but I am lucky to have Liam by my side. My phone rings and I pick it up to hear the most dreaded voice. "Where the fuck are you?"

His voice scares me to death even when the decibel is low.

"I called you at least 5 times and you dared to ignore my call" There is a pause and no answer from the other end. "Do you know the consequences of avoiding me?"

"Mr. T...tony.... Sir please listen to me. I m..met with an accident. I am in the h...hospital with surgeries done . Have at least 15 fractures of my body..." I am now on the verge of crying trying to explain my boss and avoid facing his wrath for not picking his calls; I am least concerned about the recovery of my bones; their existence in my body is what matters to me know.

"Damn it ; I hate this tardiness, Listen carefully I don't care if you live of die if I want you in my office tomorrow. Else you will be signing your death warrant." This is not the first time he has threatened me, the man I am talking to is not just a billionaire as I previously thought. He is the CEO of a designing company with zero knowledge on designs. His sole purpose of buying the shares of Corrible corporation was to torture the poor girl Amelia.

If I don't oblige to his demand, I will suffer more physical pain than I having in this current state. "Sir I have an alternative." I have thought a number of times before offering my position to Tony, to introduce him to my friend Liam.

Liam is a designer like myself whose career was sabotaged by false allegation and complaints from his previous colleagues, for which he had to quit his earlier job. I met him 6 months back in a club which is frequented by gay men. I have dated him a couple of times, he seems interested in men like me. Although he has never let me touch him, I am hopeful to see a future with him. So I find no harm in introducing him to Tony.

He will fill in my position in the company temporarily and when things work out well, I will try to best to get him a permanent position. I have not mentioned to him about Tony's connections in the Mafia, he would not agree to work if he sees red. Poor guy is desperately searching for a job and with no recommendation despite a strong profile and work experience he hits a dead end every time. If Tony agrees, I will make him happy today

"Gone mute. Bark out your alternative." I know Tony treats us as dogs and expects us to show unwavering loyalty.

"My friend... erm... special friend Liam is a designer too having 10 years of experience. I can explain him the job and he can work on my behalf." There is a pause. Tony's genius brain is calculating.

"Special friend?"

"we are dating". I blurt it out as I am openly gay unlike Liam who is still hesitant to come out in front of the world with his sexual preferences.

"Means he is gay too." Tony took a pause. "You are sure that he won't screw up with the plan."

"I can vouch for him. He has earlier worked in a multinational corporate ....."

"Enough of his achievements. Get him to meet me today. I want his joining by tomorrow. And mind you, any mistake from his end and you will have to answer."

I shiver on hearing the last sentence. Although I will be held answerable, I know that won't remain in a position to answer anyone throughout my life.

"One more thing. Don't tell him much. Since the major part is completed, let him follow my instructions only. Saturday's secret lies between the two of us only."

"As you wish, Sir"

I took the job as I was offered 5 times my previous salary. I eventually realised that my job was restricted to torturing and bullying a poor little innocent girl, Amelia. The orders were from higher bosses back then. I still tried her to shoo away from my sight expeditiously so that I can hurl lesser abuses. I would be immediately sent to her, if the CCTV's found her having a happy time. I understood it later that there were people employed specifically to monitor her emotions all throughout the day.

My greedy eyes were blinded by the income offered at the end, I never took pleasure in bullying her, I hated and cursed myself after witnessing the melancholy on her face following my insults. Subsequently I realised that my refusal to participate in Amelia's insult can be deadly to my career.

Things have gone far from what I had expected. I have no choice but to succumb to Tony's demands. I have sold my soul to the devil. What I did on Saturday is just one step ahead to get Amelia into serious legal troubles.

I have done many things and I am sure that God will never forgive me for hurting the poor soul. Liam enters the room when I am deeply lost in my thoughts. He is carrying a bouquet of flowers with a get well soon card in it. I bite my lower lip after smelling them. Simple gestures like presenting me with flowers containing red roses indicates he is trying to express his affection for me; I don't mind him taking time to express his feelings for me.

My ears are waiting for those three magical words from him, 'I Love You'. Sooner or later this day will arrive.

"I have some news for you." Liam gets attentive. I continue, " You have to join Corrible corporations as my temporary replacement." I see Liam with his mouth wide open.

Its difficult to comprehend for him, how he got the job in the biggest designing company. He knows that I am paid five times more than any average chief designer. He has always expressed his interests in joining the company. What he doesn't know is the fact that the huge sum paid to me ensures that the sweetest soul on earth gets badly humiliated. I also have to encourage other colleagues to make her office life miserable. May God forgive me for the sins I have committed

"I also want to tell you that the CEO Mr Tony Lopez is a very strict boss. There are rumours that he is linked to the Maf....".

"Trust me I will impress the boss. You don't have to worry. Your recommendations won't go waste. I will not let you down." I am interrupted by Liam before I can complete the sentence. I know that by saying its just rumours makes the statement mild rather saying that its in my complete knowledge that he tortures his victims brutally before killing them.

I brief him about the work leaving the part involving getting paid extra to bully the girl. But I have to condition him a bit.

"I want to mention about a girl named Amelia. Though sweet, she seems a bit clumsy in her work. In short just remember the boss dislikes her very much. You can hurl abuses at the girl and no one will care." This will make my work easier projecting that the girl won't work unless you shout a bit, and Tony will be happier that my replacement is doing his duty well.

Liam thinks I am a gentleman, so explaining that I get paid bonus to torture her would unnecessary imprint my negative image in his mind.

"Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself. I have to leave now to prepare for my first day". I wished Liam stayed a while and talk with me like we always do but he seems to be in a hurry today.

He gets up from a chair and plants a kiss on my forehead.

Alas! the kiss was placed further below, on my lips.