Unrevealed Truth

CHAPTER - 4

Anya's P.O.V.

I finished my work in Mayor's office and heading towards the bus station when my phone ranged. It's Mr. Holt from Jacksons. Why is he calling me? confusingly I picked up the phone.

"Halo Mr. Holt, How are you", I greet him in a formal way.

"Hey Ms. Roberts, I just want to ask, if you are free, can we meet today. I need to discuss some thing important about the project," he asked me.

Now what's remain to discuss.

"Sure, Mr. Holt. Please don't mind, but can you please tell me what remain. I need to pick all the related documents with me," I inquired politely. I don't want him to be pissed by any mean. Dad would definitely kill me.

"Oh No No No Ms. Roberts. This is not much serious. Please don't worry," He instantly answered.

"Oh Thanks Mr. Holt, I just get worried. If it is not that much important, then we can meet at my office in an hour", I requested him. I don't want to be seen with anyone at any public place. First, I don't have enough money to pay bills even in any cheapest restaurant. Second, if my dad will come to know about my meeting in personal with anyone, it will bring other beating.

"Ms. Roberts, please don't mind. I went to your office and came to know that you are at Mayor's Office. I am reaching somewhere in the middle in the way to your office from Mayor's. I am texting you the address of restaurant where I have another meeting an hour later. So, let meet there and discuss the matter?", He informed me and asked in the polite manner but some how his voice is betraying him. I don't want to meet him but it's important.

"I apologize Mr. Hold for your inconvenience. Ok.. text me the address. I am reaching there", I told him.

I received the text from him and pearls of sweat reflected on my forehead. It's really an expensive restaurant. I can't go there. How could I pay? I even can't ask him to pay. What to do?

I dialed Julia's number. She is the only one to whom I can ask for help. 

"Hey, Julia... can...can...I ask you for a favor", I stuttered and felt embarrassed. She is care taker of my father's house, her employee and I am going to ask her for the money.

"Hey honey, what's wrong? are you ok?," She asked me in worry.

"Ya ya I am fine Julia, I just need some money to meet an important person regarding a project", I was very embarrassed to tell her.

"Oh honey, you scared me. Tell me how much you want", she seemed relaxed.

"ahhhh.... Julia.... actually.... $500?" I stuttered from embarrassment.

"no worried honey, I am transferring money to your account in half an hour. Use you card to pay. OK", She assured me.

"Thanks Julia, I owe you a lot", I said with my teary eyes. Of course she can't see me right now but I know she knows about my condition right now.

"Not at all dear, you are just like my daughter. I wish every day that you must be my daughter. I can't do anything to save you. I am really sweetheart", She said with sad voice mixed with tears.

"Thanks Julia", I thanked her again and cut the call.

God, why all these embarrassment for me. I looked up at sky and sighed.

I know I will not get any answer.

I catch the bus and reach there.

I was standing outside the restaurant. I don't have courage to go inside. But I have to go. I didn't received any message from the bank of crediting any amount to my account. I can't call Julia again. My self-respect is on it's verge. 

I gathered my self and all my strength. I texted Mr. Holt about his whereabouts. He texted back that he will reach here in next 10 minutes.

With lot of courage, I stepped inside. My palms were sweating furiously due to anxiety. I was looking out of this place.

I sat on a table of two in a corner. A waiter came and give me a glass of water and asked for my order.

"Ahhhh .... I am waiting for some one. He will be there in few minutes I guess. Then I will place my order if it is ok?", I informed him politely.

"No problem Ma'am. Please make yourself comfortable and call me whenever you feel", I passed a pleasant and formal smile to me.

I instantly drank water in one go. I was thirsty due to all exhaustion throughout the day and was very hungry as I didn't have anything to eat since morning. We have project and I got reward in the form of starvation. How my pathetic my life is? Sometimes I tried many times to end my life but every time I was saved by some one. Even death doesn't want me.

I was in my deep thoughts when Mr. Holt approached me. He forward his hand towards me for hand shake but I nodded only to greet him. I can't shake hands with any male.

I put my phones back in my bag. It was a broken key pad phone. I don't want to embarrass myself. I still haven't get the credit message from bank.

"I am really Mr. Holt, but I have some kind of allergy so can't shake hands with any one", I lied.

"Oh It's Ok Ms. Roberts then. I thought I made any mistake", he said and passed a smile.

I smiled back but was not feeling comfortable in his gaze. He was scanning my body like a predator.

"Well Ms. Roberts, I am little bit hungry and have a meeting in another half an hour. So if you don't mind, let's place our order. I can talk while eating", I asked me in a friendly gesture.

"Sure", I said nervously. I was rubbing my palm to my skirt to clean off the sweat. 

I scanned the whole menu for the cheapest dish but didn't find any. Only plain coffee has low rate. I signaled the waiter to take our order. I waited Mr. Holt to place his order. My eyes widened on his demands. I immediately calculated the estimated cost of the dishes and drinks ordered by him. It's beyond my  reach. What do I do now? Please God help me. I pleaded mentally to God.

"Ms. Roberts, first of all congratulations for your won. You really worth this project.", he congrats me and gave me a wide smile.

"Thanks Mr. Holt, I really very thankful to your company to provide us this opportunity", I thanked him

"Please call me Edward Ms. Roberts. Mr. Holt is very formal", He requested me but the manner of his speaking is little bit alarmingly for me.

"I really appreciate this Mr. Holt.... but.... please don't mind.... I like to keep our relation in a formal way. Please pardon me for my behavior but I think it will be better for us", I said to him in a stern voice.

"Come on Ms. Roberts, I know about you very well. You are saying this just because of your father and his rules. Don't worry. No one will come to know about us," He reached for my hands and squeezed them.

I shuddered from his touch and gently removed my hands from his hands and cleared my throat.

"Please don't take me wrong Mr. Holt, but that's my personal matter. I am certainly sure that there is no relation of this with the project. Please tell me what's important matter you want to discuss me", I said politely but in stern voice. 

"Well, Ms. Roberts, you see, as we have to work together for long, I assume that we must know each other personally too. I totally understand your position in your home and in your father's company. So, we can open with each other. Every one has some personal needs too Ms. Roberts. You know what I mean," He again approached for my hands.

At this very instant, waiter came with his order as I refused to order anything with a lie that I am not hungry.

I pulled my hands from the table and placed them on my lap. Clearly, his intentions are not good. I just want to escape from here. I am really pissed with my vulnerability in front of him. How can he think too low for me?

He cleared his throat and I came out of my trance.

He started eating and I drank the water again. I just want to escape from here. No one is here to save me. No one can save me.

"Well, Ms. Roberts what you say about my proposal of getting to know each other?," He asked me with a devilish smile.

I just want to slap him but I can't.

"Well Mr. Holt, I am not interested in making personal relation. The fact is I don't believe in personal interaction in the professional relation. Pardon me for my rudeness Mr. Holt, but I think we must keep our relation in a professional way. That will be better for us", I said in a stern voice.

Ha... ha... ha... ha.... he laughed.

"Ms. Roberts, I must appraise for your boldness and straight forwardness. I know that you don't have money to pay bill here but if we are talking about professional way, then you must pay this bill by yourself as I am your client, and it would really unprofessional if I pay," He said with a taunt in his voice.

It hurt me alot. I closed my eyes forcefully to stop my tears to fell. I can't be weak in front of him.

"And Ms. Roberts, I really need to discuss your proposal with my other colleagues again. I think the quotations proposed by you is little bit high for us. What you say," I said with a winning smile.

I was shocked.