Chapter 3 CEO Blackwood

As the elevator door opened, I made to walk out but accidentally bumped into a lady who was coming my way. "I am so sorry." I apologized immediately. "Oh no!" she giggled, a nervous expression on her face. "I was at fault." She added it immediately and rushed into the elevator. I couldn’t help but notice that she was buttoning her shirt while at it; that is why she had bumped into me; she was distracted. I also caught the easily discernible stench of sex, sweat, and cigarettes. I chuckled lightly and shook my head as I turned away. Of course, this company has to rebuild Sodom and Gomorrah. I just hope I get what I want and get out of here as soon as possible. How are they progressive if everyone is having sex with everyone? Do they even follow work ethics? Kicking that out of my imagination, I took the familiar turn, heading to the CEO’s office. I had been here before, twice, as a matter of fact, and the last time didn’t end too well. Let's just say I might have ruined all my chances of getting employment here. I soon arrived at the large glass door, and even though I knew he could see me through the inside, I was still hesitant to knock. "Are you going to come in or what, Miss Owl?" That annoying British accent cut through the air. Well, the accent isn’t annoying, just the voice. By the way, did he just refer to me as Miss Owl? Are my eyes that huge, or was he just being annoying? I groaned and clenched my fist as I walked in. Mr. Blackwood didn’t seem impressed by my presence; he barely looked up at me as I walked to his desk. The CEO of Blackwood precious stones and jewelry was seated at his desk with one foot placed on the table, his well-polished black shoes complementing his stunning yet simple attire. He was dressed in a long sleeve and a tailored small, sleeveless jacket; I could tell it was from a suit set. His sleeves were rolled back up to his elbow, exposing his well-built arms. With my eyes, I took a quick scan of the room, and everything in the office seemed to be in order. I guess Miss Hot Pants had not come out of here, which means she was sleeping with someone else in the company. Was the Boss even aware of this? "Do you not know how to greet, Miss Owl?" He muttered without looking up at me, or maybe he did, and I just couldn’t tell from under those dark shades he had on. "It is Annabel," I replied coldly, clutching my bag tight like someone was going to snatch it from me. His face lit up with a smile as he looked up at me. "Sassy as before, I remember you promising to plunge your heels into my eyes if I did ever look your way again," he mocked. I sighed and swallowed hard. I was really pissed the last time I was here; the HR department had confirmed my qualifications, but the CEO had his own demands. I left in a rage. He took his foot off his table and pushed the chair out from behind the desk, I guess to have an unobstructed view of me. "So tell me, Miss Annabel, what brings you back to my office?" he asked. His face was cold again, expressionless. Oh my! That accent would have been better if it came from a nicer guy. This man gives me the chills. He was damn hot, yet cold as ice. Why do the handsome guys have to be jerks? I haven’t stopped asking myself that question for months. "I accept your offer, and I apologize for the way I behaved the last time," I said softly with my head bowed, trying hard not to choke on those words. He scoffed and pushed his mobile chair closer. "I am sorry, I don’t think I heard you the first time. Can you be more audible?" he teased. I sighed and looked out the window, catching a quick view of the city below, and then I turned back to face him. "I said that I am sorry for the way I behaved last time, and I am ready to accept your offer now." He smiled, revealing that wicked dimple on his left cheek. I want to stab him right there with a fork, a nail, or even a toothpick, as long as he gets stabbed in that intimidating dimple. "I would rather beg on the streets than suck your cock; those were your words; isn’t that right, Miss Ann?" I growled inward, already regretting why I had returned here. This man is a jerk—a rich jerk! "I… I… I take those back. Everything wrong I said that day, forgive me." I stuttered, swallowing hard. He chuckled again, and then he stood up. I stood still as he walked towards me and then slowly went behind me. My heart skipped, and I had the strong urge to turn around and face him, but I remained still. "So let me get this straight: you now agree to my terms and conditions, huh?" he queried. "Yes, I will do what you want in exchange for the job." I answered. He walked back to my side and looked into my eyes. "Something has changed in you since the last time you were here; what is it?" he asked with a mischievous smirk. Great! I didn’t know I smelled of heartbreak and poverty. He was right, though. The last time I was here, I had self-esteem, pride, and dignity, but I happened to have lost those along the way, and as it stands, there is no dignity in poverty. "Does the offer still stand or not?" I queried, starting to get impatient. "Chill, hothead. I am just giving you a little time to reconsider. You know, once you are in, the only way out is through the sack. Remind me what it is I want from you again." He requested it and went to sit on the office table, crossing his long, straight legs right in front of me. I gulped down saliva, feeling nervous. Mr. Blackwood really knew how to get his revenge. "You want to have sex with me whenever you please in exchange for a high-paying job." "Wrong, Miss Ann." He cut me short immediately; his expression became very serious. "I don’t want to have sex with you, Miss Ann. I want to fuck you, really hard, whenever I please and however I please. I am asking you to submit your body to me for as long as you work here. I am asking you to be my plaything, Miss Annabel. So tell me, are you up for that?" I could feel the tears forming under my eyes, but I wouldn’t let them out. I can't show signs of weakness; I need to be strong for myself and my family. "Yes, I understand that you want to use me as you please, and I accept. But…" I said it with a quick pause that cut off his attention. "I have a few conditions of my own," I announced. He chuckled, exposing his sparkling white teeth, which disappeared soon enough. "Look at you, making demands. I didn’t know you were capable of blackmail; I thought you were a saint." He taunted. Son of a bitch!! I cursed inward, wishing I could grab him by his hero hair and bash it against the wall. I know I have these impulsive thoughts, but I couldn’t hurt a fly in real life. "Are you going to hear me out or not?" I queried. He stood upright and folded his arms. "Let's be clear about one thing, Miss Ann. I do fancy you, but you are in no place to make demands. However, I would hear your demands and see if we could come to an agreement." He replied in a cold voice that sent shivers down my spine. "I want two months' salary upfront," I quickly requested. He stared at me quietly with those cold gray eyes, and I lost the ability to think straight. I had to look away immediately, unable to hold contact with those intimidating eyes. "Very well, then, I accept that condition." He finally broke the silence. "What is the second?" he queried. I swallowed hard before I started. "The second condition is that during the period in which I work for you, you will not involve feelings in this agreement; you won't fall in love with me for any reason." I stated it clearly. There was an awkward silence between us, and then he suddenly burst into laughter. I was confused. What was so funny? The sound of his laughter was like a thorn in my flesh, and I just wanted to hit him with a pair of slippers like my mother would do. "Are you serious? Tell me, Miss Owl, what makes you think that I will fall in love with you? I am not capable of loving anyone, Miss Owl," he admitted to my surprise. "And even if I had it in me to love, which certainly I don’t, I would never fall for the likes of you. I mean, I would choose a pig over you, Miss Owl, is that clear?" I gulped down saliva again, trying to hide my chagrined face. As much as I wouldn’t admit it, even at gunpoint, it hurt my feelings to hear him say that and lowered my self-esteem. Would he really choose a pig over me? "Good then." I forced a smile. "I guess it is a win for the both of us," I added. "Hmm," he hummed with a nod. "I agree to your terms; you will receive the employment later before noon in your email. I believe the company still has your CV, but I still require you to drop your address and email contact details. You are to resume as soon as tomorrow, and everything you need to know will be communicated to you before then." Mr. Blackwood announced I sighed in relief, glad that he accepted those conditions. I feared he would say no to the upfront payment as I have not even been tested on the field, but I had to give it a shot because I needed that money urgently. I did as he instructed and dropped off my details before turning to leave. My heart was racing as I turned my back to him. Just as I got to the door, I heard him call my name. I paused and turned to face him. "Just out of curiosity, Miss Ann. Are you a virgin?" he queried. My heart began to beat fast as he asked that, and I couldn’t decipher why he wanted to know that. What if he takes back the offer after learning that I wasn’t one? What if he only needed a virgin for whatever diabolic sexual plans he had? **