The Devil's Wife

6

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Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, I got a mail from the finance department, and another from another employee, and another and another.

Someone had f****d up and directed incorrect funds to different projects, and they could not be redirected quickly because of the huge amount.

I stared at the email wondering what exactly was I supposed to reply with to this bullshit that was glaring at me. 

How could people be so freaking dumb?

"Judy." The intercom came to life. 

I strained my neck to see the posture of my boss. He looked so f*****g mad and I knew for a fact that it was probably because he too had come to know of what had happened. 

I let out a sigh. I did not want to be at the receiving end of this right now.

"Yes Boss." I said into the intercom nevertheless, because honestly, what the hell was I even supposed to do?

"You are fired." He said blandly. 

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He said that at least twice a day. The first time he had said that to me, half an hour in to my work two years ago, I had actually believed it and had started packing my stuff when he called again asking me where his file was and what was I doing toiling about with my stuff.

Ever since then, it has been like this, him saying I was fired and I dealing with whatever had inconvenienced the highness. 

"I will look into it and find a solution to the situation as soon as I can, Sir." I said earnestly, getting back to my laptop immediately. Whoever made this mistake had dug their own grave and I knew that I would have to fire them. It was just how things worked around here and I had no say in the matter, though if you ask me, to make a mistake of this magnitude when they know how the boss works, well, they had to see it coming, right? 

I stared at the laptop, willing some kind of solution to light up in my mind. I know it sounds stupid but it almost always works! Trust me!

"Judy!"

I jumped this time. God, why does this dude have to be so freaking scary?!

I prayed for all my stars to align good because that was the only thing that could save me from this dude's wrath. Honestly bro, do I look like a f*****g machine that I will come up with a solution within a few seconds?

Nevertheless, I got up from my seat sighing and quickly walked over to his office just adjacent to my smaller one, and knocked.

"Cut the crap.!" His angry voice reached my ears. 'Cut the crap!' is his way of saying no need to ask for permission but if you walk in without knocking, he will say 'Does this place look like a public park to you?' 

YES, I agree with you - I totally deserve a raise for dealing with and tolerating, not to mention, being on the receiving end of his anger and mood swings. 

"Sir..." I started but he shut me up by moving his chair to the side of the desk and patting on his lap. 

I sighed. 

"Really Logan?" 

He didn't give me time to think because he was in front of me in a nanosecond - thanks to his bullshit superspeed - and he grabbed, the both of us seated the way he wanted in the next nanosecond.

"I am stressed..." He breathed into my neck as his fingers slowly unbottomed my shirt.

I rolled my eyes. This was another one of his stupid antics. 

"Do you realize how much of a trouble we are in?" I tried to swat his hand away but he did what he always did; he bound my arms to my back with one hand while opening my shirt with the other, paying zero attention to what I was saying. 

"Logan!" I whisper yelled. This man really needed to stop being like this. 

"Can I just enjoy my snack?" He looked up, his eyes as inviting as a  flame is to a moth. 

Now how the hell am I supposed to say no to that?

Yes, I know you must be wondering how can any woman with the minimal self esteem with some dude, especially her boss, calling her a snack. But let me tell you, when he says a 'snack', he literally means a snack. 

Yes, I am his snack. As whacky as that is. Which brings me to the major twist in my and his story. The CEO of the company that I work for? My Boss? Yeah, Mr. Logan Miles. Dude happens to be a vampire or a human-vampire hybrid or whatever they are called. Dhampirs? I think that's the term. 

"If it hurts or leave any kind of mark, you are going to have to go without s*x for a week mister!" I growled. Well, did I forget to mention the fact that this dude happens to be my boyfriend or s*x-friend or whatever you call the exclusive relationship which you don't tell anyone else about?

"I love you." He winked, and that made my heart skip a beat, the shock of which completely numbed any sensation while he lowered his fangs on my neck. He doesn't love me. 

But.

Biggest tragedy of my life. 

I love him.

So it hurts when he throws it out so casually. 

Again. Any woman with the basic self  esteem would up and leave, but I am pretty sure that those who have loved would know, especially when the man is everything you ever wanted expect for the not loving you back and well, dhampir part. 

"How many times do I have to tell you not to throw that bullshit at me?" I asked him. I know I should respect him more, considering that he was tapping into my carotid artery and one wrong move can end my life for good, but I just can't help it. 

"I can't help it." He chuckled, as he licked the wound, sealing it, before looking up at me, his caramel eyes the most beautiful color I know of, even though I always thought I was into blue eyes. A smile appeared on his face, his beautiful dimples showing but it left as quickly as it came and he gestured for me to get up from his lap. 

He gave me a few seconds to pick up myself while he typed away on his laptop and then turned to me, his eyes steely and cold. Yep, that really hurts. I can physically feel the pain in my chest when that happens, but... it is what it is. 

"Get the thing sorted. I have sent you how to handle it since you are of no use anyway." 

Ouch. 

OUCH. 

I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. Tell him that he needed to respect me more. I was an impeccable assistant and I refused to be said otherwise. This was not even my job. He was the CEO and it was his job to come up with his solutions for the problems his employees cause. And even then he had the audacity to first ask me to solve and then second, call me useless!

But yeah, my low self esteem and the reminder of my pay check and car loan forced a nod out of me before I turned on my heels and swiftly walked out of the room, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. 

I sat down, feeling my heart beat erratically against my ribcage as I opened his email. Tears were clouding my vision. Stupid emotional fool!

Why is my life such a tragedy?

Huh... I stared at the solution he had come up with.

Well, you had to agree with this one thing; this guy knew what he was doing. He had ordered to redirect money from several small scale projects so that even if there was a delay with the p*****t, the loss wouldn't be too high. 

I made a detailed note on what was to be done and sent to the finance and planning department. 

That should do. 

My life sucks!

I looked up at the CEO who was absorbed in his work and then at the time on the bottom of the screen. It was half past two and the CEO had had his 'snack'. Meanwhile I was stuck here with my tummy growling. 

I wish he would be a little considerate about me. After all, I have been his secretary for two years now and we are in some kind of an exclusive relationship. Is a little consideration too much to ask for?

Maybe it is all my fault after all. Why the hell am I getting my hopes high with his guy? We are not going anywhere. 

I was so happy I got the job. But right now, I was nothing but miserable.

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_________________________

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2 years ago...

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I jumped back when the ice cold water hit my skin.

"What the f**k!" I cursed.

The stupid landlord did not  let us tenants miss a day with the rent and made sure that he collected the maintenance fee as well, but something or the other was always dysfunctional around here. 

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward again, clenching my jaws to endure the cold cold water. Nothing was going to stop me today - I was going to attend the interview at Miles Corp. and I have already decided that I will get the job no matter what. And for that I have to look impeccable, carry myself elegantly and be the best.

I didn't go to any fancy college, like the many applicants I know would be present there, but I did have multiple online degrees and a full folder of recommendations and reviews from the small firms I had worked before. 

I was positive that I would get some sort of post at the secretarial department. And I planned to climb up my career ladder from there. 

Turning off the shower, I took my time to dry myself before walking out to my room, the heat of the fortunately still functioning air conditioner a form of comfort to my exposed skin. 

I lived in a studio apartment so what was my bedroom was also my living room, dining room and the kitchen was a set of counters to the corner. I had a mini fridge which was always stacked with beer and cake, the two things that I just couldn't live without. I could be dirt poor and struggling to pay my bills but I would always have a whole cake and a dozen of beer cans stacked in my fridge. 

I quickly sat down in front of my work desk which I had transformed into a vanity table for the occasion and started working on my look.

"Look impeccable. Look impeccable." I chanted to myself as I did my eyeliner. I completely agree with what people say about eyeliners. They CAN smell fear so don't overstress about it and just give it a single nice stroke and viola!

It took me an hour to get ready but I had already allotted that much time for it. 

I still had two hours to show up to the interview and I was already half way ready. 

I made my hair up in a neat tight bun - this was going to hurt my roots so bad at the end of the day. I should just cut off all my hair or something but unlike those lucky gorgeous people, I would not be able to rock that look. I will look like a half-evolved ape if I did. 

I had bought a baby pink pantsuit for the occasion - had spent a whole month worth of salary on it but I just had to, didn't  I? This job was my ticket out of the hell of a life I was living. I thought the orphanage was hell, but when I turned eighteen and had to leave the place, I realized how lucky I had been to have a place to stay and dine without having to worry about bills and groceries and jobs. 

It had been four years since I left that place but there was not one day which passed by without me wishing that things would go back to how they were before I became of legal age and had to leave that rusty old place. 

But that's how life worked, isn't it?

I quickly put on the clothes and my cheap nude heels. They looked so real that no one was ever going to see the difference. P.S. when you wear branded clothes from head to ankle, no one really cares what's below the ankle.  

Finally, with an hour and a half left to the interview, I plopped down on my couch. 

"I am going to get this job!" I said to myself. Because I know I am going to get this job. That's right. I was made for this job!

Few more minutes of pep talk  later, I hailed a cab - something that I don't usually do because I use buses or the subway to save money but today was a special day and I could not afford to have any kind of accident happen today nor could I have my clothes wrinkled. I needed to look IMPECCABLE. 

"You have an interview, miss?" The old cab driver asked, trying to make small talk. 

I nodded my head vigorously. 

"I know I am going to get this job but I am so so so so nervous about it!" I exclaimed. I can't help myself when I am nervous. I start blabbering and so that's what I did. "I have double checked everything and I have a good portfolio and this company cares about skillset and experience more than education and I have that too but what if I am not good enough? What if all my hopes are crushed?" The more I talked the more pessimistic I became.

"No no no Miss." He said quickly, taken aback by my sudden outburst. "I am sure you will ace the interview today and get the job."

"You promise?" I asked stupidly. The man looked at me through the rear view mirror with a warm smile on his face. 

"I promise."

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Back to the present...

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"Doesn't the company provide you with a car?" Steve asked as he took the turn that led to the apartment I currently lived in, one that was provided by the company. 

"Yeah. But I am a terrible driver." I shrugged. It was the truth. I had trouble navigating.

The man shook his head chuckling to himself. This was the same dude who had promised me that I would get the job and the same man who had stayed in the parking lot until I got back and treated me to a good meal when I delivered the good news. We had been good friends ever since. 

I know it's weird to have a fifty something year old as your best friend but he was the father figure I never had. He and his wife Janet, along with their two kids Adam and Lucy, had come to treat me like their own family in the last two years and I really felt so grateful to god for giving that to me. For an orphan, these things meant a lot.

"Judy, you are not a terrible driver." Of course Steve knew that I didn't drive that bad. I just couldn't distinguish between place. "You just have to use the navigation system."

I gave him a flat look. "You know I  have trouble with my left and right as well."

Steve sighed as he resigned from the conversation we had been having ever since we met. I was so bad with my left and right. I had to constantly pretend to write on air to figure which was left because I  was left handed. 

"Just drop me off at the supermarket." I said as soon as Steve took a turn. I wanted to get some stuff to drown my sorrow in.

"What happened?" 

I know it was obvious to him that something had happed at the office when I want to be dropped off at the supermarket to get all the beer and cake I wanted. 

"Same old same old." I shrugged. 

He didn't prod into the matter and that was something that I absolutely adored about him. He was always there for me but did not expect me to share everything and anything with him and that was perfect you know. Whatever may be the relationship, some space and privacy is always for the best. 

Also I didn't want to talk about my f****d up relationship with dhampir to anyone. Not that anyone would ever believe me. Not that I would disclose this matter to anyone in the first place. 

See, I was such a nice person, forever protecting him and  his bullshit. Then why couldn't he just give me the basic respect I deserved?

"Alright." He said as he pulled up to the side. "See you tomorrow Jude."

"You too." I waved at him as I got off the car after paying him. I walked in through the doors of the supermarket and beelined to the cake section. 

I was in the mood for multiple flavors so I decided I was going to get pastries of all that looked yummy here. 

Choosing a colorful array of those creamy baked goods, I made my way to the alcohol section, randomly adding stuff that I found on the way to my cart. 

I just needed my beer now, and maybe some fried chicken and then I was going to retire for the day.

I reached the aisle and was surprised.

"Judy." Logan nodded at me. 

My eyes must have been as big as saucers. 

What is the CEO of the biggest corporation doing in my neighborhood supermarket?

"What are you doing here, Logan?" I asked.

"Getting wine." He held up a two bottles of the most expensive wines in the story, one white and another red. 

I nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Enjoy your shopping then."

I wheeled my shopping cart to the beer section but before I could go any further, he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him, our chests colliding.

"Where are you going?" His voice was low and deep, and arousing.

"T-the beer section?" I stuttered, hating the effect he had on me. 

"Why would you buy beer when I am getting wine for the both of us?"

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____________________________________________

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.

.

2 years ago...

.

.

.

I jumped back when the ice cold water hit my skin.

"What the f**k!" I cursed.

The stupid landlord did not  let us tenants miss a day with the rent and made sure that he collected the maintenance fee as well, but something or the other was always dysfunctional around here. 

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward again, clenching my jaws to endure the cold cold water. Nothing was going to stop me today - I was going to attend the interview at Miles Corp. and I have already decided that I will get the job no matter what. And for that I have to look impeccable, carry myself elegantly and be the best.

I didn't go to any fancy college, like the many applicants I know would be present there, but I did have multiple online degrees and a full folder of recommendations and reviews from the small firms I had worked before. 

I was positive that I would get some sort of post at the secretarial department. And I planned to climb up my career ladder from there. 

Turning off the shower, I took my time to dry myself before walking out to my room, the heat of the fortunately still functioning air conditioner a form of comfort to my exposed skin. 

I lived in a studio apartment so what was my bedroom was also my living room, dining room and the kitchen was a set of counters to the corner. I had a mini fridge which was always stacked with beer and cake, the two things that I just couldn't live without. I could be dirt poor and struggling to pay my bills but I would always have a whole cake and a dozen of beer cans stacked in my fridge. 

I quickly sat down in front of my work desk which I had transformed into a vanity table for the occasion and started working on my look.

"Look impeccable. Look impeccable." I chanted to myself as I did my eyeliner. I completely agree with what people say about eyeliners. They CAN smell fear so don't overstress about it and just give it a single nice stroke and viola!

It took me an hour to get ready but I had already allotted that much time for it. 

I still had two hours to show up to the interview and I was already half way ready. 

I made my hair up in a neat tight bun - this was going to hurt my roots so bad at the end of the day. I should just cut off all my hair or something but unlike those lucky gorgeous people, I would not be able to rock that look. I will look like a half-evolved ape if I did. 

I had bought a baby pink pantsuit for the occasion - had spent a whole month worth of salary on it but I just had to, didn't  I? This job was my ticket out of the hell of a life I was living. I thought the orphanage was hell, but when I turned eighteen and had to leave the place, I realized how lucky I had been to have a place to stay and dine without having to worry about bills and groceries and jobs. 

It had been four years since I left that place but there was not one day which passed by without me wishing that things would go back to how they were before I became of legal age and had to leave that rusty old place. 

But that's how life worked, isn't it?

I quickly put on the clothes and my cheap nude heels. They looked so real that no one was ever going to see the difference. P.S. when you wear branded clothes from head to ankle, no one really cares what's below the ankle.  

Finally, with an hour and a half left to the interview, I plopped down on my couch. 

"I am going to get this job!" I said to myself. Because I know I am going to get this job. That's right. I was made for this job!

Few more minutes of pep talk  later, I hailed a cab - something that I don't usually do because I use buses or the subway to save money but today was a special day and I could not afford to have any kind of accident happen today nor could I have my clothes wrinkled. I needed to look IMPECCABLE. 

"You have an interview, miss?" The old cab driver asked, trying to make small talk. 

I nodded my head vigorously. 

"I know I am going to get this job but I am so so so so nervous about it!" I exclaimed. I can't help myself when I am nervous. I start blabbering and so that's what I did. "I have double checked everything and I have a good portfolio and this company cares about skillset and experience more than education and I have that too but what if I am not good enough? What if all my hopes are crushed?" The more I talked the more pessimistic I became.

"No no no Miss." He said quickly, taken aback by my sudden outburst. "I am sure you will ace the interview today and get the job."

"You promise?" I asked stupidly. The man looked at me through the rear view mirror with a warm smile on his face. 

"I promise."

.

.

.

Back to the present...

.

.

.

"Doesn't the company provide you with a car?" Steve asked as he took the turn that led to the apartment I currently lived in, one that was provided by the company. 

"Yeah. But I am a terrible driver." I shrugged. It was the truth. I had trouble navigating.

The man shook his head chuckling to himself. This was the same dude who had promised me that I would get the job and the same man who had stayed in the parking lot until I got back and treated me to a good meal when I delivered the good news. We had been good friends ever since. 

I know it's weird to have a fifty something year old as your best friend but he was the father figure I never had. He and his wife Janet, along with their two kids Adam and Lucy, had come to treat me like their own family in the last two years and I really felt so grateful to god for giving that to me. For an orphan, these things meant a lot.

"Judy, you are not a terrible driver." Of course Steve knew that I didn't drive that bad. I just couldn't distinguish between place. "You just have to use the navigation system."

I gave him a flat look. "You know I  have trouble with my left and right as well."

Steve sighed as he resigned from the conversation we had been having ever since we met. I was so bad with my left and right. I had to constantly pretend to write on air to figure which was left because I  was left handed. 

"Just drop me off at the supermarket." I said as soon as Steve took a turn. I wanted to get some stuff to drown my sorrow in.

"What happened?" 

I know it was obvious to him that something had happed at the office when I want to be dropped off at the supermarket to get all the beer and cake I wanted. 

"Same old same old." I shrugged. 

He didn't prod into the matter and that was something that I absolutely adored about him. He was always there for me but did not expect me to share everything and anything with him and that was perfect you know. Whatever may be the relationship, some space and privacy is always for the best. 

Also I didn't want to talk about my f****d up relationship with dhampir to anyone. Not that anyone would ever believe me. Not that I would disclose this matter to anyone in the first place. 

See, I was such a nice person, forever protecting him and  his bullshit. Then why couldn't he just give me the basic respect I deserved?

"Alright." He said as he pulled up to the side. "See you tomorrow Jude."

"You too." I waved at him as I got off the car after paying him. I walked in through the doors of the supermarket and beelined to the cake section. 

I was in the mood for multiple flavors so I decided I was going to get pastries of all that looked yummy here. 

Choosing a colorful array of those creamy baked goods, I made my way to the alcohol section, randomly adding stuff that I found on the way to my cart. 

I just needed my beer now, and maybe some fried chicken and then I was going to retire for the day.

I reached the aisle and was surprised.

"Judy." Logan nodded at me. 

My eyes must have been as big as saucers. 

What is the CEO of the biggest corporation doing in my neighborhood supermarket?

"What are you doing here, Logan?" I asked.

"Getting wine." He held up a two bottles of the most expensive wines in the story, one white and another red. 

I nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Enjoy your shopping then."

I wheeled my shopping cart to the beer section but before I could go any further, he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him, our chests colliding.

"Where are you going?" His voice was low and deep, and arousing.

"T-the beer section?" I stuttered, hating the effect he had on me. 

"Why would you buy beer when I am getting wine for the both of us?"

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.

.

__________________________