"I am speaking to you from Richmond Industries. You are selected for the job appointment of secretary cum personal assistant to the CEO." Aliza pushed the phone to a distance and stared at it for a few seconds. "Madam, are you there in the line?" The woman at the other end asked. Closing her eyes tight Aliza gave a loud squeal and laughed like a maniac to herself fisting her hand in the air. After taking a breathing exercise of long heavy inhales and exhales to calm her down, she answered the phone pulsating. "Yes, I'm there. I was running, you know.... exercise in the morning? Sorry I couldn't reply to you immediately." She winked to herself and lay biting her lip in excitement.

"Oh yeah, I understand. That's okay madam, you need to reach the office today at nine and receive your appointment letter."

"Okay, I will be there before nine." She leveled her speech-answered professionals and cut the call. Her uncle came inside the kitchen to fetch water. Aliza ran to her uncle hugging him tight and then jumped in the air like a schoolgirl. "Uncle I have been absorbed in Richmond industries as a secretary cum personal assistant to the CEO." She squeaks in exhilaration. "What?" Before her uncle could reply her aunt asked, staring at her unbelievably with her jaw dropped to the floor.

"Oh come on Stella, give the poor girl a break. Let her stay happy at least for this day." Nelson requested his wife. Stella stared at her husband as if he had grown two heads. "Do you think I'm torturing your niece every day? She is one day going to be married and have kids. I'm just giving her the training on how to manage her home." She defended herself though she could see clearly in Nelson's eyes that he did not believe her. 

"Congratulations, Liza, I'm very proud of you dear." Nelson kissed Aliza's forehead. He called her Liza with love only when his wife wasn't around. Andrew came inside the kitchen and stared at his father's and Aliza's joyful faces. "What is happening, am I not knowing something very important?" Aliza ruffled the hair of her cousin and told him. "I got the job at Richmond Industries."

"Hey sis I am very happy for you, a small gift for you on my behalf of me." He whispered in her ear. "Today I'm going to send mommy out of the house. She will return only at midnight and all three of us can have a pizza party. Do not worry, I am the sponsor for the pizzas." He winks. Aliza hugs her brother. "That is not necessary Andrew. Do not waste your pocket money. All of us are happy. That's the most important thing and now you can continue your school uninterrupted." She declared in happiness and laid hands around her uncle, Andrew to go in a group hug.

"I am very happy today." She tells more to herself and sighs after releasing them. After two hours Aliza was inside the office of Richmond Industries giving her details to the receptionist. She was sent again to the seventeenth floor, the floor of the CEO. Aliza's heart began to beat fast with the anticipation of meeting the sexy powerful hunk again.

Charles was busy conducting meetings one after another. Richmond industries were going to launch innovative hearing aids for the deaf where the machine is invisible by going inside the ear. With a minor surgery of ten minutes, the doctors can implant the device in the patient's ear and the patient can forget that he once upon a time had a hearing problem.

Allen Rodriguez along with his son Charles, a few ENT specialists, and other business delegates were busy in the conference room. "Do you think the price of the product will be affordable even for a middle-class person's son?" Allen asked Charles, apprehensive. "Charla, switch on the projector," Charles ordered the lady sitting beside him. He stood up from his seat like a king presiding over his subjects and buttoned his Gray blazer.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen for sparing your valuable time." He added professionals and started explaining the important points about the innovative product to the assembled professionals. Charla exchanged slides as he began to explain one after the other all the features of the hearing machine.

Ten minutes later the people clapped. Allen came forward and patted the shoulder of his son. "That was an excellent presentation, Charles." He complimented and all of them walked out of the conference hall discussing business.

Aliza looked through her watch. She had been waiting at the visitor's lounge for more than two hours by then. With the high air conditioning and extremely comfortable executive sofas, her eyes were slowly dropping close. She looked at the fridge ahead of her. On the top rack were mouth-watering pastries followed by soft drinks, muffins, chicken patties, and many more 

Aliza's stomach rumbled for want of food at the sight of the tempting eatables. Gulping heavily she muttered some courage and took a pineapple pastry. No sooner had she taken the first bite than her name was called at the reception. Hastily wiping her mouth with a paper napkin she rushed to the foyer. "Sir wants to see you now." The receptionist gave her a plastic smile and directed her to the huge oak wood door with a name board sealed in bold letters 'THE CEO'.

Aliza, you can do this. He might be impressed by your talent. That's why you are absorbed in such a multinational firm even though you are underqualified for the job. She gave a pep talk to herself and knocked on the door before rubbing her sweaty hands to her long skirt. "Come in" came a deep masculine voice from inside.

The beating of her heart began more intensely. "Go...good morning sir." Aliza stammered entering the room with trembling legs. Charles's sharp Gray eyes rose from the computer to look at her for a millisecond and diverted back to the computer in completing the work he had been doing. "Sit down" he ordered her to still look through the screen while handling the mouse. "So you are?"

"Sir I'm Aliza...Aliza Stelwart." Aliza released a long breath silently congratulating her for not stuttering this time before the handsome hunk. "Oh yeah Aliza, you were the girl who secured the job through a written test," Charles said with a subtle enthusiasm.

"I am intrigued by your knowledge of bookkeeping and secretarial practice. For just a school pass out that you are, you are quite knowledgeable." He complimented her and shut off his laptop to give Aliza his complete attention. "Did you work anywhere previously before this job?" He asked her curious questions. "No sir, this would be my first employment," Aliza replied to him with a shy smile. Charles gives an understanding nod studying Aliza's features intensely. "Well..." He stiffened his lips stating his bewilderment. "Nine of your answers were right out of the ten questions given to you."

"Well Ms. Stalwart, you are absorbed in the job," Charles confirms leaning back to his high-class executive chair. Aliza was in seventh heaven as she heard the words she had been waiting for for a long from the CEO's lips. "Regarding your nature of work, as soon as you enter the office you will get me my morning beverage, a cup of espresso with full cream milk and one spoon of sugar. You will have to organize my schedule every day, receive telephone calls on my behalf and brief the necessary details to the contacts."

"During charity functions and other such occasions, you will accompany me as my date irrespective of your working hours. It may be just for the night or it can last for a couple of days depending on the situation. We may have to travel to a different country. Is that clear?" Charles emphasized his last three words.

"Yes, sir" comes a firm answer from Aliza in pensiveness hearing the intonation in the speech of her boss. "You will bring my suits from the laundry and buy new ones whenever necessary suiting the occasions. For my private dates that I may not be interested in anymore, you will forward the girls a bouquet of fresh red roses accompanied with a sorry card and a golden bracelet." Aliza had her lips slightly opened receiving the piece of information. If just for a date he could give a golden bracelet to the girl what would be the estimation of his wealth? She thought puzzled.

None of your concerns, Aliza. Her mind immediately taunted her. "Because you aren't even a graduate and are underage for this employment, you will stay under probation for one year. If your work is impressive then only your name will be added to the employee payroll of this firm." the CEO stressed his words 'probation and impressive' to make Aliza clear about the status of her job. His novel revelation brought Aliza an

unexpected consternation. She just nods to him, unable to trust her speech.

She would only be a probationary employee in the firm for the next 12 months. All that seems green is not green.

"Okay" He bends down to his desk and pulls out a document from the bottom drawer. "This is the agreement between you and Richmond Industries that you will not leave the firm before five years. Failing which you will pay us 20 million in compensation. You can take your time. Read the agreement in detail and then sign it." Charles said to Aliza.

"That's not required, sir. I will sign it." Aliza took the pen forwarded to her and signed all the documents in a go. "You can join the office tomorrow and collect your appointment letter from the personnel department." A calculative smirk etches Charles' features.

The poor innocent is hooked on him forever.

The next day...

"Charla will direct you to your chair and acquaint you with the office." Saying those words Charles pinged and immediately there was a knock at the door. "Sir, you called me?" A gray-haired woman in a stiff business skirt and a shirt came inside. "Yeah Charla, meet Aliza. She is my new secretary cum personal assistant and Aliza is Charla, the head of the personnel department. Charla please acquaint her with the office and show her the desk. "As you say, sir...." Charla nodded and Aliza followed her out.

Aliza looked around in awe at her new office room. The walls were painted in a gray and cream delightful combination. To one of the walls was a huge glass window where she could record the busy city life of people. In the center was a huge African wood desk with a high profile comfortable chair attached. Aliza could never dream she would one day be an employee of a well-to-do concern like Richmond Industries.

On the center of the desk was an Apple Laptop placed. Aliza's eyes went wide in amazement. Charla who was standing beside her patted her shoulder in cheerfulness. "Here is your new Apple mobile. The CEO's number is already fed in this and the others you can add depending on your choice." She handed her a brand new smooth mobile carton. Aliza's eyes glittered in happiness and choked on her speech as she thanked Charla. Using an Apple laptop and mobile was incomprehensible for a middle-class girl like her.

Later Charla introduced Aliza to the staff, the cafeteria, and the coffee machine where she had to make coffee every day for Charles.

****

Tomorrow night is going to be a huge drug business deal. Charles returned from his office early to Sarte - the club he owned and where most of his cocaine trades are done. No sooner than he entered the bar, the bartender bowed to him and forwarded Charles his usual drink. A scantily dressed dancer with glitter all over her body and breasts bulging out walked to Charles. "Good Evening boss, you called me?" She asked him politely.

Charles nodded after sipping the contents of the Bourbon in his glass and spoke. "Tomorrow we are going to have a huge trade of Coke Laila. Tell the dancers to be ready. Nobody will be forced into sex against their will and I take responsibility for it." His eyes were serious and sharp looking straight at Laila. "You and your colleagues will be paid double what you are paid for doing overtime tomorrow and the next day all of you can take a day off. The only thing I want to be sure of is that you and your team should be efficient in diverting the cops from this covenant."

"You are the most liberal paymaster I have come across in my career sir. We are always pleased to do the extra work because you amply fill our pockets. I will keep my team ready." Laila answered professionally and bowed to Charles before taking her to leave. Lighting a cigarette Charles dialed his sister's number. "Hello Princess, how is college?" He spoke cheerfully to Edith. With the information, his sister delivered he wasn't happy. Edith had joined her college late and was denied hostel admission because the rooms were full.

His innocent sister was obsessed with a manipulative rogue and the Rodriguez family couldn't risk her staying outside the college hostel. "Wait, do not call dad yet. You are still on the college campus. Am I right? Do not leave the campus until I call you again. It is late at night and unsafe for you to go out." Charles ruled on Edith and dialed the next most warranted number - the Dean of New York University. "Thank you very much, Mr. Mandela. My sister will join her classes this Monday." Charles spoke crisply and disconnected the call.

He then called his best friend Allesandro. "Hey man, how are you?" Charles asked his friend, nipping the ash of his cigarette in the ashtray. "I have a request for you about my sister. Edith lost her hostel accommodation because of joining late. I want you to accommodate her in your home so that she will stay safe away from that wolf and also complete her education. I have already spoken to the Dean of New York University and she can continue her graduation there without a problem." Charles took a sip of his drink and chatted for a few more minutes with his best friend. Later cutting the call he exhaled a huge sigh. Edith's matter is settled.

****

That night after she returned home Aliza was on top of the world. Her Uncle and Stella were going to an anniversary party of one of her friends. Andrew left for his friend's place and would stay for the night. Aliza took a relaxed bath and put on her old but comfortable nightwear. After she gets her first-month salary she plans to buy a few dresses and official wear for the office but till then she has to adjust with the little she has.

She made some beef sandwiches and steamy chicken soup to go by and sat for dinner. After long years of waiting Aliza was finally bestowed with something cheerful to happen in her life and she cannot stop but is tickled pink. Relaxing on the sofa with her dinner plate in her lap Aliza put on her favorite movie on Netflix and started to watch it.

Not even half an hour has passed. It was nine at night when the doorbell rang. Aliza wondered who was at the doorstep. Her uncle and aunt wouldn't return this early from the party and Andrew wasn't expected before tomorrow morning. Perplexed, she went to the entrance and stared through the peephole and the air blocked her throat, peeping at the person on the other side.

Bolting the chain Aliza half opened the door and spoke through the gap. "Hello Fredrick, aunt Stella, and Uncle Nelson had gone to her friend's anniversary party. You can come and meet them tomorrow." She answered Fredrick Stella's brother in an anxious voice. "Do not play stupid games with me. Did I tell you that I came to visit Stella? I'm here to meet you. Fucking open the door now, I am dying here in cold." He snarled.

Aliza plastered a fake smile and opened the door in trepidation. Fredrick wobbled through the entrance entering inside. His shirt was half tucked and his huge stomach was bulging out from his low-tucked pants. A smell of cheap alcohol was leaking out from him. "Get me a bottle of soda." He commanded Aliza after taking a glass from the crockery shelf.

Sitting on the sofa of the front hall he poured himself a drink and some more in another glass. "Fredrick, you are already drunk. Please stop drinking and relax in bed." Aliza told him in a shiver gathering her last bit of courage. "Did I ask for your advice?" He roared at Aliza in anger. With quivering hands, Aliza placed the bottle of soda on the table.

"Come on, give me company." Fredrick extended the glass to Aliza. "I just had my dinner. I'm full." Aliza told him in begging orbs. "I did not ask about your interest. I told you to drink." Aliza took the glass in her cold hands. She was sweating profusely even in the coldest month of winter. Creating as much distance between them as she sat on a single chair and took the glass.

"So it is true that you're over the moon grabbing a job at Richmond Industries. That sexy hunk, Charles Rodriguez... I heard the worst things about him. He is a playboy and a manwhore. Stay away from him as much as possible." Then what are you, a saint who worships women? Aliza wanted to ask but she controlled her bursting instincts. "Do not build hopes that you would work too long with him. Within the next six months, we are getting married and you will resign from that job. Is it clear?" He roared, cleaning the glass of its contents in one swoop.

"Yes...." Fredrick opened the chips packet he brought with him and munched on them. "I did not hear you." Aliza gulped heavily. "Yes..yes Fredrick. I will resign from the job as soon as we are married." She restlessly played with her fingers answering him. He immediately bent forward and slapped his hand on the table shaking the articles on it. "Damn it! It is not after marriage, it is before marriage." He stressed the last two words. "Okay....okay as you please Fredrick." Aliza's face went pale with discomfort.

"Now come on, give me a kiss." He waved his fingers like calling a dog and patted his lap. "I wish..." Aliza choked in her voice. "I wish kisses and hugs are after marriage Fredrick." The next moment he was in front of her pulling her hair. "You whore, you keep whoring around with that sexy hunk CEO and you thought I will keep my hands folded? Come on, kiss me, otherwise, I will make you resign from that idiotic job tomorrow itself."

"Please no..." Aliza pleaded. Fredrick held her neck so hard that the mark of his fingers could be seen. He pushed her to the wall and Aliza hit her head. An instant bruise formed on her forehead. He forcefully kissed Aliza and bit her lip when she did not open her mouth for him. Blood began to ooze out of her rims. He hastily opened the first two buttons of Aliza's top before squeezing her breast and giving her a hickey on her throat.

"No amount of concealer will help you with those marks." Fredrick gives a sadistic smile. "Now everyone in your office will see you as mine, including that handsome hero." A disgusting look involuntarily crossed Aliza's features. "Do not dare to give me that look." He threatened. "You hate me. Isn't it right, and now you're going to bear the fruit of it? He lifted her and walked to the bedroom. "Leave me...leave me please," Aliza begged.

"Next time you disobey me, you are surely going to be fucked. Give me what I want and you will live happily. Kiss me now. Otherwise, I'm going to rape you right here." Aliza raised her head and gave a trembling kiss to Fredrick. "That was simply amazing." He remarked.

Little did Aliza know that was a blunder she made.

Saying those dangerous words Fredrick pounced on Aliza like a hungry lion. "Please leave" Aliza tried to push Fredrick but he was too strong for Aliza even in his drunken state. Suddenly something stuck inside her head and she raised her knee. Aliza kicked Fredrick into a place where the sun doesn't shine.

Fredrick roared in pain holding his crotch and fell to the ground cursing her. Aliza realized that it was the only moment of her escape. She ran for her life, ran to save her virginity against the philanderer. Aliza was a woman with strong moral values. She did not believe in sex before marriage and hated involvement with a sex pervert. She wanted to save her virginity to the man she marries but would such a day arise in her life a million dollars questions?

After running up to a safe distance when Aliza made a note that Fredrick wasn't following her she breathed an air of relief. It was then she realized how cold it was. Dread passed through her system. She was dressed in feeble clothes that hardly could protect her from the severe winter. She was penniless with not even a phone to contact somebody for help. Aliza looked around the place she was standing. She was not acquainted with the area.

The road was completely dark with not even a ray of light except the light of the moon shining bright in the night sky. She closed her eyes tight in trembling because of the severity of the cold. Gathering her arms around her chest she looked forward and found a small light gleaming at a distance. She sprinted towards the light clutching her arms tight around her breasts. It was a small garage that was closed.

A gray-haired man walked towards her and asked kindly. "How may I help you?" Before she could answer he looked at the trembling form of Aliza and offered her a blanket from the cot he was sleeping hitherto. "Thank you very much," Aliza told him gratefully. "Do you mind if I make a phone call from here?" She asked him beholden. "Of course young miss....." The old man spoke with generosity and handed her his mobile.

Aliza took the phone from the old man. Maybe it was God's grace on her just this morning she had fed Charla's phone number in her contacts list. Though she did not have her phone with her she remembered her number very well because it was a fancy number. Within ten minutes a Chevrolet Spark stopped in front of her and outwalked Charla in her nightwear. "What happened dear? How could you get stuck in this garage too when you do not have a car? She asked her in a surprise-filled with concern.

Aliza thanked the Gray-haired garage owner and returned his blanket. She stepped into Charla's car and recited to her the complete incident that happened an hour ago. Charla pitied Aliza for her helpless state. She received her warm chocolate milk and offered her shelter for the night. Aliza could spend the night with Charla but the thought of returning to her uncle's home haunted her every second. How severe would be Stella's outburst on her when she hears the news about her running away from Fredrick?

Aliza knew her uncle could not protect her in the matter and her aunt is a witch. Blood ran cold in her nerves as she thought about the jeopardizing situation she was in. The next morning Aliza got up at Charla's home with swollen red eyes as she could not sleep the night. The hickey Fredrick awarded her on the neck turned purplish and was too dark to be hidden by the concealer. His finger marks rested on her cheeks, throat, and everywhere on her hands.

Unless she told that someone had abused her she looked beautifully fucked just as how Fredrick wanted people to think about her. With the disdainful thought, Aliza hated her skin. She scrubbed herself repeatedly in disgust till her skin turned red. With the cold night and the abuse, she had suffered from the man whose body was burning with temperature. But could she afford a leave? She was only a probation employee at Richmond Industries.

****

Going to the coffee maker Aliza made a steaming cup of coffee with a smiley design on the top. Aliza learned to make several designs on chocolate milk and coffee for Andrew. When he was small Andrew was a cribbing kid and drank milk only when the delightful shapes were made. Aliza wished to make her boss happy like Andrew every day with a novel design. After all the years that she is born, if there is anything happy that went on in her life, is to secure a job in Richmond Industries and she will try her best to retain it for several more years even after her probation.

Making a knock at the door Aliza waited for the deep 'come in' to be heard. As soon as she heard the permission she stepped into the CEO's office with the coffee mug. She places the mug on the desk with its lid and waits for her boss's instruction. Charles doesn't even spare a glance at Aliza and she was glad that he did not see her designer face. "There is a green file in the bottom drawer of the bookshelf beside." He pointed to the shelf typing on his laptop. "Write a notice letter to Shaw & Co after taking the details from the file. They haven't paid us for our supplies to date." He started and suddenly looked up.

His eyes went wide for just a hairline and his gaze was pointed at her for a minuscule second. Aliza's heart missed a beat fearing the reaction from her boss. Charles stopped the work he was doing and guarded Aliza with his fingers knotted to each other. Aliza felt agitated under her boss's influencing aura. Everything he did holds poise, a grandeur that marks his power. He leaned back on his chair with his right leg resting on the knee of the other.

"Ms. Stelwart..." He spoke sophisticatedly but in command. "Once you are outside the office premises, what you do is none of my concern but being an employee of my company and my secretary I do not want my business counterparts to see you as a 'ready to be fucked' doll." Charles switches off the air-conditioning and opens the window of his room with a remote. "I know I am too blatant but I want this to be my last warning." He lights a cigarette and puffs out smoke. "Your look shouldn't affect the reputation of my company." He pointed to her rudely with his eyes. "I do not want my business colleagues to think that I hired a whore." The sight of Aliza's red face with marks settled an unfathomable anger inside Charles.

All the candidates who came for the interview were more qualified and experienced than Aliza but she was the only woman who was covered in clothes from top to toe. Charles held an unknown respect for her and that was the exact point on why he hired her though she was underage with zero experience looks could often be deceptive. And Charles realized it too late. "Next time you sleep with someone let those marks be concealed or let them be in places only your boyfriend or husband could see. Otherwise, it gives a cheap look." He stressed the word 'cheap' with disgust.

Aliza couldn't control her tears anymore. "I'm sorry sir, I will be more careful further." She replied and raced away from the CEO's room with water flowing from her eyes in rivulets but Charles cared two hoots with what he said.

Returning home Aliza had to face the worst action from her aunt. Stella rebuked her and beat her black and blue for denying her brother. Her uncle who was standing beside and watching the show had no words to say except the cut of a sorry look. Andrew who tried to oppose was pushed away by her aunt as she landed beatings one after another on Aliza.

****

"Thank you, Mr. Charles Rodriguez, I and my team had a warm welcome at the airport from your staff and this is the best deal we had ever done." Mr. Vangchew shook hands with Charles at Sarte, the club where the cocaine deal was made.

Suddenly they heard a yelp followed by a disturbance. Charles looked doubtful at the people around when his sight fell on a man trying to force on one of the bar dancers. Charles immediately walked to the spot. "If the girl is willing, there is nothing wrong in having an enjoyment but if she doesn't want to bed you, remember there is a protection stapled behind all the girls that are working here and that shield is me." Charles declared. "You have to cross me before you reach the girl." Charles pointed to himself.

The Chinese delegate was about to hit Charles but he stopped him in a mid-way with the obstruction of his arm. He then punched him in the belly and landed a blow on his face. The Chinese man vomited blood and fell unconscious. "Respect a woman and never dare to touch her against her will. Otherwise, she can be at your peril." He declared aloud to every man in the bar and walked out of the place.

Charles reached his office and lighted a cigarette. The bikini-clad and glitter-covered bar dancer fell on her knees near the feet of her boss. "Sir I'm indebted to you. Just because of me, an ordinary bar dancer, you have lost one hundred fifty million worth of deals. I do not know how I can return your favor." Charles helps the woman to stand on her feet. "What is your name?" He asks her in gentleness.

"Sir I am Julia. I have been working in your bar as a bar dancer for the last three years." Charles nods and signals one of the dancers assembled to bring Julia a glass of water. "I do not tolerate discourteous behavior towards women. That scoundrel misbehaved with you and he got the fruit of his actions." Julia spoke while her eyes were directed to the floor. "Sir, you lost your deal because of me." Charles patted her shoulder with a smile. "Money is not more important to me than the dignity of a woman." Julia looked at Charles with an admiration filled with surprise.

"Sir, I'm very fortunate to have been able to work in your club." All the other women assembled supported her and there was unanimous applause.

Six months later

Every day Aliza was abused by her aunt and her sickened brother Fredrick for going uncooperative with him. Aliza desperately needed an outlet but her aunt was a very powerful witch, she would drag her out to suffer more even from the threshold of hell.

With the days passing Aliza became immune to her aunt's beating until the day she announced the most fateful day of her life, her engagement with Fredrick

Aliza's engagement was fixed within ten days and as agreed earlier she was to submit her resignation to Richmond Industries. Aliza feared the black eye of her boss. She was to pay 20 million to the firm in compensation if she resigns from the job before the bond period. Working in such a reputed company with a huge salary was a dream come true for Aliza. If it was on her she wouldn't think of resigning from the job even in her bleakest period. 

Her boss Mr. Charles Rodriguez was a gentleman and very professional. Despite the backlash she faces every day in her home from her aunt, Fredrick going to work was a breath of fresh air for Aliza. For the past six months Aliza was careful or to be more apt lucky that Fredrick or Stella did not attempt to design her face or open areas of her body with their marks.

****

It was five in the morning. Charles heard the ring of his alarm clock and pushed away the comforter. His perfectly shaped long feet kissed the carpeted floor as he walked to the window inhaling the fresh morning air of nature. The sky was still dark but there were traces of light. The chirping of birds could be heard from the casement that had the picturesque view of his five acres of garden around his opulent bungalow.

The flowers were slowly blooming, enthralling his room with their magnificent fragrance. Looking outside Charles could see a cuckoo in one of the trees singing as though welcoming him for a new morning. Just as he was about to reach the washroom Charles could see his telephone ring.

Gazing at the caller-ID a pleasant smile adorned his features. "Good Morning Mama..." Charles greeted his mother and received a cheerful voice from the other end. "Wish you a very happy birthday my baby, may you live long with so many years of health, prosperity, and happiness." Charles chuckles and thanks his mother before he could hear some kind of shuffling in the background. Immediately his father's voice came to be heard. "Hello son, wish you a very happy birthday. Are you coming home today?" Allen asked him in eagerness.

"Thanks, dad..." Charles wondered at the sudden change in his dad's behavior. Earlier it was always his mother who asked this question to him. "Dad, I have no plans for now. I'm very busy but I will try." Charles declined his father's offer courteously after a sigh running his fingers through his thick black hair. Soon there were calls from his sister and brother wishing him a happy birthday.

Charles wasn't a very social person. He hated parties and always made plans to avoid them. During all his twenty-six years of life, he doesn't remember when he had his last birthday celebration. Oftentimes he forgot his birthdays while busy with work. His siblings and friends including other family members called him boring and a party pooper but that is what he was and he doesn't wish to change himself for the worse. Charles knew if he gave a hint to his mother she would plan a huge get-together with a lot of pomp and show.

Just as he disconnected the call of his younger brother he could see a call from one of his men popping on his phone screen. Charles contemplated looking at the caller id. His men never call him outside working hours and if they were ringing him at such an odd time, obviously the matter is understood to be serious.

"Yes Benjamin, what's the matter, you are calling me this early?" Charles immediately picked up the call on the second ring. There was a power and control in his voice which he often used against his men to keep them under check. The Mafia had stamped him cold-hearted and insensitive but that's how the system works. Though wasn't bad at heart he became ruthless, hard, and callous claiming thousands of lives. Within a leap of an eye and not a hitch in his heart, he took away the blood of thousands of people but there was always a reason behind it. He isn't inhuman like he is often marked but always had to wear the cover of a demon to conquer the deleterious and grant justice to the sinless.

"Sir, Ricky was caught in the wee hours of this morning by our men stealing dope from our godowns and exporting it to the African harbors." Charles tightened his fists with eyes emitting fire. "Where is he now?" He growled in an untamed ire. "Sir since he was resisting our men he was given an injection of Morphine and is now lying unconscious tied with ropes in our underground cell."

"Good," Charles remarked. "I will be reaching there in twenty." At the speed of a flight, Charles drove to his underground torture cell on the outskirts of the city where he taught the delinquents an irreproachable lesson - a victory of truth over injustice. "How dare you steal from me, Ricky Mendos?" Charles hit Ricky so hard that blood began to ooze out of his lips in the first blow. He punched him in the stomach like a bulldozer and the victim vomited blood. He signaled the man beside him to ready the defibrillators. Continuous shock treatments were given to Ricky. His face became blue and he vibrated with force on every inlet of electricity in his body. "Please award me death." He pleaded feebly. "Oh you are destined to get death but before that, you need to experience what is defying Charles Rodriguez, how dangerous it is to meddle with the merciless mafia leader of the Dark soul gang. You need to suffer the irresistible torture in my hands." He declared with no mercy grinding his teeth.

Charles signaled once again the man operating defibrillators and another jolt of electricity passed into his bloodstream of Ricky. The defaulter couldn't bear it anymore and he died on the spot. "This is what you get when you try to cheat on me. So better be careful before you try to show your smartness." Charles roared to his men assembled in the dark room.

The men bowed their heads, unable to use their words to meet the unbounded fusillade of their boss. "Send the body to his family and inform them that Rickey was punished for his breach of conduct." Lighting up a cigarette Charles spoke in subtle softness. "I do not want his innocent kids and family to suffer the brunt of his sinful actions. Inform them a five million allowance is deposited in the bank and for anything required in future they can surely call me. Give his wife my number and I will always be there to help them." He spoke to one of his right-hand men.

His bodyguards and men gazed at him in untold admiration after experiencing the soft side of their boss. "Sir we will never go disloyal to you and will continue to be your bound workers till our last breath." One of the men spoke standing perked and others joined him in a slogan. Charles simply nodded to them and walked out of the room buttoning up his jacket in powerful long strides like a king after presiding over his subjects.

*****

"Tonight is our engagement followed by a party. Do not try to play your smart games before the public because if you do you are going to face hell from me." Fredrick threatened Aliza and squeezed her breasts. "Wow, they are so soft. I am eager to taste them." He reckoned like an evil wizard staring at Aliza's shapely plums in wantonness.

The party started and everyone at the venue was enjoying their time except Aliza. "Today we assembled here to organize my niece's engagement with my wife's younger brother Fredrick Roger. I wish the pair cherish many long years of happy marital bliss. Cheers to the couple." Nelson remarked, holding out his drink.

Aliza gave a forced smile with tears in her eyes. Nobody knew they weren't tears of happiness except Charla who was present at the engagement as one of the guests.

Today after her engagement Aliza's situation became more perilous. Fredrick drank too much and abused Aliza to no recovery. She asked him for a couple of days to convince her boss and resign from her job. "You bloody bitch you still dare to decline me?" Fredrick snarled at Aliza's face, forcefully brought her into his arms, and kissed her like a monster. Aliza wanted to hide in some corner of the room like a scared kitten but Alas she had no chance to escape the evil eyes of her 'would-be' fiance. "Fredrick please let us do this after marriage." She begged him but Fredrick had no heart. He gave her a treacherous smile and made predatory steps toward her.

Unable to stand his advances Aliza slapped him going foolish and that was the biggest blunder she made. Something sparkled in the eyes of the demon. Fredrick heated the frying pan on the gas stove and plastered it on Aliza's face. "I will wipe away every bit of the courage in you so that next time you wouldn't dare slap me back." He declared monstrous and hit one more time in Aliza's stomach.

"Please do not hit me like that. I am going to be your wife soon, have some mercy upon me." Aliza pleaded but Fredrick did not have the beating organ in his chest. He blew her in the stomach making use of a hockey stick Andrew played with and struck her repeatedly on her knees until she couldn't walk and walked away from the room.

Making soft sobs Aliza dragged herself to the phone in her bedroom and called Charla to help her out of the home for the night. The next morning Aliza did not want to think about what was going to happen to her in the office. She feared the abhorrence of her boss was too small a statement to describe her anxiety.

What will be his reaction when he sees his secretary with abusive marks on her face unable to even walk properly to his room?

Will he retrench her off the job because of her unchanged approach towards work or become the knight in shining armor for her?