The Devil's Disguise

Chapter 9

I slumped down in bed, angrily wiping away the tears from my eyes. My life felt like a nightmare. A week ago, I had a job, and another one that I got paid for without even working. And now, I had nothing. No money to pay rent, no savings, nothing. The short time that I worked (or not worked) for Rafael, I had accumulated some amount, but all of it would be used up in my mother's hospital expenses. That was something I had no way out of. The deadline for rent would soon approach, and I didn't know how I'd convince the landlord to let us stay. I was always late in paying him, except for the last two months when I got paid by Rafael Knight. This time, the man would definitely kick us out, especially if I told him that I'd lost my job. Mr. Bernard was a creep. If I didn't have money, he'd demand I pay him in other ways or simply leave. And I wasn't willing for either.

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the caller ID.

"Hey," I said softly, picking the call up.

"What happened? Did you get it?"

"Nah, got rejected," I replied, lying down.

"I'm sure you'll find something. Why don't you borrow money from me, Lara? Please."

"I can't do that, Aaron. You know that. I don't wanna use you."

"You're not. I'm offering to help."

"I know, but it's not right. I don't want you to do anything for me, that I wouldn't later be able to do for you. I don't want to make this relationship codependent."

"It's not codependent, sweetheart. It's just a one time thing. Like you dance for me, and I can't."

"Not the same thing, and what if it's not?" I asked. "What if I don't find a job until next month? I've been to three interviews and haven't received a single call. Today was s**t too."

"Lara--"

"It's out of question, Aaron. Thank you for this, but I'm not discussing it further. I just can't do this."

He let out a sigh. "So what now? Where are you gonna try?"

I closed my eyes. "I don't know."

"I don't mean to sound off, but..."

"But?"

"You worked at a club, Lara. You must have had a lot of men dying to get to know you."

"So? I'm not taking help from you. What makes you think--"

"Not help, not exactly help. I meant, maybe any of them were... rich? Maybe they have some sort of a cafe, restaurant, something you could work at."

"You mean I should use my looks for a job?" I snapped.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help. I don't think there's any harm in it. It's not like you're offering them favours. You're desperate for a job, would it kill to try for an interview? Just needs some research."

"Then I'd have you know that one such job is already waiting for me. But I don't wanna take it."

"What?" He sounded surprised. "Where? What is the job?"

I rolled my eyes. "Rafael Knight was a client once. Offered me a job as his personal secretary. He's told me it's always available, since he doesn't really need one."

"Wait a second. The Rafael Knight?"

"Yeah."

"What on earth are you doing, Lara?"

I frowned. "What?"

"Go for the stupid job! Why would you let such an opportunity pass?"

I sat up again, my frown deepening. "I'm not sure what to feel right now. If I should be happy because you're being so incredibly supportive, or I should feel weird because my boyfriend, is asking me to take a job, that a man clearly only offered me out of interest and desire."

Aaron laughed, and even I smiled. "Listen to me, Lara. As threatened as I am about this guy, you're forgetting that he has a fiance now. He's getting married. I just don't think there's any harm in trying. Maybe he refuses you the job. Maybe he says yes and keeps it professional. Maybe, I hope not, he wants something more. At least you'll have a choice. Even if he makes a move on you, you could just resign. What's the worst he'd do? Fire you?"

I took a moment to think. He wasn't entirely wrong about this. I mean, I needed this. Rafael always seemed willing to be generous, maybe he'd stay in professional limits? Maybe he wouldn't try anything? Besides, he was getting married, and his fiance hated me. Maybe he'd be careful for her sake?

"Look, all I'm saying," Aaron continued, "is that there isn't any harm in trying. For all you know, it could work out in your favour."

I bit my lip. A tinge of excitement swept through me, one I felt very guilty about. "You're right," I muttered. "I'll… call him."

"You have his personal number?" He sounded shocked. 

My eyes widened slightly. "I have his card." I don't know why I lied, but I did. 

"Oh. Okay. Go ahead, and best of luck. Please don't fall in love with him. Let me know how it goes." Aaron laughed. 

I grinned. "Sure. Thanks Aaron, for everything."

"No worries, sweetheart."

I hung up on the call, trying not to focus on the butterflies in my stomach. I tried to remind myself of what had happened, and why I had cut the guy off in the first place. For some reason, I didn't feel entirely afraid of him.

I scrolled through my contacts, and found his number. Taking a deep breath and mustering all the courage and confidence within me, I pressed call. My heart rang in my ears the same as the caller tone, and a few moments later, I heard his voice on the other end.

"Hello."

Any confidence I had managed to gather disappeared in a split second, and suddenly, the air around me felt suffocating.

"Hey," I breathed out, swallowing.

"Ms. Dames. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I..." I took a deep breath. "I got fired."

"Oh." His voice held surprise. "And?" Now he sounded hopeful.

"I was wondering if... if that job is still..."

"What job, Ms. Dames?"

My heart sank. More than I expected it to.

"You... You said I could reach out to you if I wanted the job you offered me. As your... secretary."

"You mean my personal secretary?"

My heart gave a thump. "Yeah. That one."

He was silent for a few seconds. "Sure, Ms. Dames. Anything for you. Come to RK Aerospace tomorrow. We'll discuss a contract."

My eyes widened at how casual he sounded. "Wait, for real?"

"Yes, Lara, for real. You think I'd waste time in joking? When I'm talking to you during an important meeting?"

"I am so sorry!" I whispered. "I had no idea you'd be in a meeting. I'm so sorry."

"No worries, darling, what time will you come for me?"

My eyebrows twitched at his choice of words. "May I visit your office at eight in the morning?"

"Sure, if you're coming to clean the floors. Come at eleven if you wanna see me."

"Oh, okay. Thank you, Mr. Knight."

"Rafael. Call me Rafael. And I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you Rafael."

"Good bye, Lara."

"Good bye."

I quickly hung up on the call.

Oh God. Oh my God.

I could not believe this. He said yes? I wasn't certain what I had expected, but I definitely didn't think it would this easy. I was going to see him again. If everything sat well, I'd see him every day.

My phone buzzed again, startling me slightly. It was a message from Rafael.

Wear a suit. And please don't disobey me this time. I won't play a joke on you, but others will.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help a smile. I was glad he realized what he did was ridiculous.

Sure will. I replied.

His message was almost instant.

It was nice hearing from you again.

Same here.

I lay down again, taking a deep breath. I was excited, to say the least. My gaze darted around the room, and I let out a relieved sigh. I didn't have to leave this place. I could stay here for as long as I wanted. Hopefully.

- - - -

I gulped, looking at the tall building in front of me. Not once had I thought I'd be here for an interview. It was a building I saw often, because of how how magnificent and noticeable it was, but I never believed I'd ever step inside.

My heart raced in my chest as I walked in, making a beeline to the reception. A beautiful blonde sat behind the desk, who flashed me a huge smile.

"Good day, Ma'am. How can I help you?"

"Good day. I'm here to see Raf--Mr. Knight."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I think so. He told me to come see him at eleven."

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "He told you? As in, directly?" Her gaze travelled down to my suit.

"Yes..." I trailed off. "My name is Lara Dames."

Now her eyes widened.

"Oh, right. I'm so sorry, I didn't recognize you, Ma'am. Mr. Knight will see you now."

I frowned at the sudden change in her behaviour, as she called someone with a certain urgency in her tone. A man came marching towards us, dressed in a sleek white suit.

"This is Ms. Dames. Please take her to Mr. Knight."

"Good day, Ma'am," the man greeted, smiling. "Please follow me."

I nodded, forcing a smile, before the man started walking. We walked to the elevator and stepped in, and he told the man inside to take us to the nineteenth floor. My eyebrows shot up at her number, even though I was certain the building was even taller than that.

The racing of my heart quickened with every floor, as I uncomfortably stared up at the numbers. By the time we reached nineteen, my chest felt constricted and my breath felt heavy.

The doors opened, letting in some cooler air, and I took another deep breath. I had no idea why I was so nervous.

"After you."

I walked out of the elevator, followed by the well-dressed man, after which he once again took the lead. We walked through the beautiful corridor, my heels clicking against the marble. Finally, we stopped in front of a huge door made of frosted glass, and the man gently knocked on it, before pushing it open.

"Sir, Ms. Dames is here to see you."

There was a short silence, after which I heard his voice.

"Send her in."

- - - - - -

God, writing this was so hard. My body is really going through a lot of pain these days. I have no idea why. There's an ache in the back of my neck, my shoulders, my arms, forearms, and at times, even my palms and fingers.

Thank you so much for your patience guys. I'll try my best to update the day after tomorrow. Love you all! Stay tuned!