Staring at the 100-foot skyscraper that stood in front of her felt like she was at the gates of hell, waiting for Lucifer to welcome her in with pride. Her heart was filled with anger, pain, and desperation. As she walked to the elevator, she felt furious to be at the building of a man who was bound to torment her life, but what other option did she have?
She knocked gently on the CEO's door. Her past experience had taught her a bitter lesson, and she didn't want to face his rude mistress for the second time.
"Come in," his husky voice called out to her.
David smiled as she entered his office. He knew she couldn't turn down his offer; it was a tempting one that was bound to help her broken life.
"You made it back. I knew turning down my offer would be the last thing you would do," David said with a grin as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"I accept your offer, and I will gladly work as your maid if you keep to the stipulated salary," she revealed.
David rolled his eyes and laughed a little. He was good at this game, and little Naomi was nothing but a prey he could play with.
"When have I ever broken my promise? I'm not like you, Naomi."
His words pierced her heart and brought back the painful memories she had kept beneath her soul. She was about to shed a tear but quickly wiped it off and kept her composure intact.
"You will sign a contract first, and of course, I will have to enlighten you on some rules before we move further," he revealed.
"What rules are you talking about? How hard can the job of a simple maid be?" Naomi asked curiously.
The CEO picked up his telephone and dialed his secretary's number.
"Bring in the files, May," he ordered.
"There are rules for everything, and you must obey them if you ever want to work for me. I'm a strict and disciplined man, and breaking my rules or questioning my authority will only cause you nothing but pain," David said, with seriousness written all over his face.
Naomi grew scared of the monster that sat before her. His words were harsh and commanding, and his countenance pricked her skin mercilessly.
"First of all, you will address me as your Lord. I should never hear my name from those dry lips of yours. We aren't on the same level, so you must accord me every atom of respect!" he revealed.
"Yes, sir," Naomi replied.
David raised an eyebrow as his eyes preyed deep into her skin. She quickly realized the mistake she had committed and apologized immediately.
"Yes, my Lord," she said.
"I don't give room for mistakes. This is your last warning!" he said with disgust.
Naomi stared at him mindlessly while thinking about her dying mother. She had already budgeted how the money would be spent. She would pay for her mother's surgery and help Clara with some of the house bills and rent. Her life would slowly get back together, and in one year, she would start a business and quit the devil's job.
"Are you even listening to me?" David asked as he noticed how absent-minded she was.
"Yes, I'm sorry, my Lord," she apologized.
His secretary came with the files, and on seeing Naomi, she grew a frown on her face. It was the mistress David was having a good time with the other day.
"Here it is, Sir," she said and left immediately.
David stood up and slowly approached Naomi, who grew scared with each step he took. He massaged her shoulders and took out a pen from his Italian suit.
"Here's the contract. Sign it," he urged her.
She stared at the contract with different thoughts in her head. She couldn't read the terms, not with her mother's life on the line, and without hesitation, she signed it. David couldn't help but smile as he took the contract from the desk and stared at her complex signature that appeared so beautiful.
"It's done," she said and stood up to leave.
"And where do you think you're going?" David asked with raised eyebrows.
"I'm heading home. I will probably resume my duties tomorrow," she revealed.
David laughed and quickly took a sip from his glass of whiskey.
"You aren't going anywhere, sweetheart. You are following me home, and my penthouse will be your new residence for a year," he revealed.
Naomi froze in her stance and stared at his blue icy eyes that expressed his evil desires. She couldn't believe what he said.
"I don't understand. Why would I live in your house? I didn't sign up for slavery!" Naomi screamed.
"Apparently, you did sign up for it. The contract states that you will live with me for the year and won't be allowed to communicate with your friends and family. You won't be allowed to leave the house either, and everything you will ever need will be presented to you without you stepping an inch outside the premises," he revealed and smiled.
"What! This is ridiculous. You can't chain me like a dog. I don't care what other outrageous rules you may have in that devilish contract of yours. I'm out. Go fuck yourself, David," she replied rudely and was about to leave when David called out to her.
"Breaching the contract attracts a fine of $300k or three years in jail if the defaulter can't meet the fine. Should I call my lawyer and inform him of your decision? It's your call!"
Naomi knew at this point that she had entered the devil's trap. How on earth could she pay a fine of $300k when she had her mother's surgery and heavy debts on her neck?
"I can see you don't have much of a choice left, Naomi. So are you in or out?" David asked again. He had gotten her by the balls and wasn't ready to let go, not even for a second.