RAYVIN: FALLING FOR THE WRONG BILLIONAIRE.

CHAPTER THREE

R A Y V I N

Life has always seemed so cruel to me. The essential part of my life is what I've spent paying for my mistakes. Because having a job is such an essential part of what measures a person’s worth and determines their future. Especially when you work so hard until you become old. Then you realise that you have wasted a greater part of your work and trying to build something that you might not really enjoy. Society would measure you with what kind of car you drive, the house you live in and your bank account, but never really about the effort you put in. It is the outcome that wants to be seen. But that is just a fair part of it. The cruellest part is having to work your ass off and someone gets the wages of your hard work at the end of the whole day. It is like building a house for someone else to live in

Halfway into the night, my alarm goes off. Checking the time, it was four o'clock. “Shoot. I am going to be so late!” I scrambled off the bed with sleepy eyes to get ready. My leg getting stuck in my duvet cover, causing me to fall face flat on the floor. It was morning already, and I thought that it was still midnight and I could get some rest.

“Great! Just too great! What a way to start my morning.” Unkempt hair on my face and exhausted body. My morning was already getting ruined, and I didn't want that. I know that getting to work late was giving Carlos a reason to have one of his episodes. No matter how tired and unbearable it was for me, I still managed to get to work on time. For the past six months, two weeks and three days that I've been working in his company, I haven't been to work late for any reason. I needed to keep it that way. Sporadically, it gets unbearable, and I just want to quit, but I won't. I am no quitter. I had to do this. For myself, Miranda and Katherine. For our safety.

“Aah!” Screaming into my pillow, which gratefully muffled the disturbing sounds that I was making in the early hours of the morning. I didn't know where the frustration was coming from. Was it from tripping over or Carlos brown eyes that were always empty and emotionless, chubby face and short height that I was going to set my eyes on? One way or the other, I had a feeling that today wasn't going to go smoothly, and I hated it. That pan in my gut and uncertainty wasn't a feeling I appreciated. But one thing cheered me up. Friday night out with Miranda, my sister!

Miranda was a whole positive vibe to be around. Full of life and nothing bothered her. As full and big as her hazel eyes were, was a reflection of her soul. Beautiful and always going. She got the strawberry-blonde hair and beautiful curves, which, I doubt, was a part of what we looked like because it was always a showstopper wherever we went. And to top that, she knew how to carry herself, which was one thing I wasn't good at. Dealing with the crowd. I was more of an introvert, while she was the extrovert. My saving grace, who did most of the talking all the time. She kept the conversations going and the environment fun while I just stole into it.

Although I've had to take care of her and now her two-year-old lovely daughter, Katherine, she has never given me a reason to regret it. She has always been a wonderful responsibility that I would do anything for. Yes, it wasn't easy. Especially having to find my way after the mysterious death of my father and the fact that our mum decided to run off with some rich Arabian dude, I had to quickly grow up. I made sure that she didn't feel the absence of both parents or lack so much. Good a thing that she got that waitress job but that barely paid for anything especially with her having a child which was the only good thing that came out of her relationship with that good for nothing Bullet Raymond. I keep wondering why she still made Katherine answer his name. Katherine wasn't supposed to know anything about him because he was as good as dead. Irresponsible, lying and cheating bastard. In fact, his is one of the reasons why I feared men. Not having expectations saved me from unnecessary drama. You know the dreamy romantic rooftop dates, faithful and loving man...blah blah blah of all those qualities some women list and want in men, I didn't care. In fact, anything with a p***s was not my concern because I had pressing issues to take care of. Of course, I had needs that came once in a while but a little touching here and there, and I am good. I found a way to make myself happy and satisfied without searching for someone to do it for me. Could it be because the one i***t boyfriend that I tried having was a kiss and tell guy? So, it turned me off with anything that had to do with a man. Yeah, the experience with Martins my ex wasn't nice, and now the one with Miranda's ex? It just made me tick off expectations of true love or relationship. Even if I changed my mind, the way Carlos & Co. Enterprise was draining me wouldn't even give me time to have a relationship with anyone. So, it was best to save me the stress.

“Time to get ready!” With all my energy, I struggled up from the floor and found my way to the bathroom. My bedroom was untidy and so was my bathroom because it was always like this every day. Wake up at four o'clock, try to freshen up, try eating breakfast, and before you know I am rushing to catch the next available cab so that I can get to work at least by seven. There was absolutely no time to tidy up and even at weekends when I am naturally supposed to have my me time, Carlos found a way to make me work weekends. So if I got lucky and Miranda had few things to take care of, she would help me tidy — cleaning, washing, grocery shopping and cooking. She came in handy, which saved me for a while.

Getting to my bathroom, which could barely fit me, I looked into the mirror and scowled in frustration. My hair was a mess. I was a mess and all I wanted more than anything now is to go back to bed and wrap myself with my duvet cover. That wasn't so happening. The bathroom too was small and inconvenient, but it was better than having nothing. The hot water was always getting used up by my neighbours, and it made me wonder when they make use of it. To save myself, I resorted to learning how to bathe with cold water despite the chilly weather in the early hours of the day. So, basically, my bathroom had a middle length mirror, my toothpaste, and brush, a blue sponge, some soaps, shampoo, conditioner, deodorants, perfume, and tissue. Nothing much. And the fact that I had Miranda as the only person who visited saved me from the embarrassment of someone seeing where I lived.

I took my toothpaste and beautiful lined it on my brush, perfectly just the way I like it, and carefully placed back the cover of the toothpaste and began to brush. After brushing, I answered the call of nature and took my bath. Of course, I almost froze to death in the bathroom, but thank God I didn't. I got to the kitchen to make breakfast and met total emptiness. Forgetting that the only thing which I had available was the last slice of pizzas which I ate before going to bed last night. That means no breakfast for me. Just great! My morning just kept getting interesting. Left with nothing to eat, I had to get ready.

I didn't have much when it comes to clothing, but the few I had, I tried to look decent in them. Wearing the latest designers wasn't my focus. I rather have something which covered my nakedness was the only thing I needed. Occasionally those beautiful designers and those who could afford it got a lot of appreciation from me. Hopefully, one day, I would wear it even if it were one or two of them. It would be a dream come true.

My wardrobe held a little clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Before I got the job at Carlos and & Co. I was more of a t-shirt, jeans, sneakers, and baseball cap girl. That made more of my clothes come in that form. I am still that girl but obviously, I cannot wear my comfort to the office. It was when I got the job and one of the demands was cooperate outfits that made me take the pain of buying a few of them cooperate wears.

I ran my hands through the few decent clothes I've, trying to decide which one to wear and just get through the day. It was Friday. Therefore, nothing too extravagant but decent. My eyes landed on the perfect piece of joy that would get me through the day, comfortably. A black pencil skirt with a yellow button-down shirt and my yellow pumps, then I am good to go. Taking care of the clothing problem, I still had dishevelled hair to deal with. I got my hairbrush from the small cabinet by the side of the wardrobe and began taking care of the task of putting my hair in order. I brushed in and out, repeatedly until it looked better. Then I wrapped it in a ponytail, allowing the bangs to fall loosely. I wasn't one for makeup, so I just applied a light powder that would keep my oily face dry and a chapstick. Adding a finishing touch, I sprayed my perfume, got my white and only wristwatch laying on the table, putting it on.

One last look into the mirror, and I was complete. I got my black handbag, stuffing the relevant things that I had to take along to the office. Making sure that I wasn't forgetting anything, I locked my apartment and headed out.

It was always a hassle because I had to walk to the bus station from my house, which was a ten-minute walk. It was cheaper than using Uber or bolt. Using those were really when I am desperate and needed an urgent service. But of course, it comes with the price of having to eat less to make up for that expenditure.

Luckily, when I got to the bus station, the bus was still there and had a space for just one person. I took that opportunity and got on it. The ride to the office was bumpy and delaying because the bus had to stop at different stations to pick and drop passengers, plus the bad traffic. That didn't favour me most times.

Finally, I got to my destination. My worst nightmare. Carlos & Co. At exactly three minutes before seven o'clock. Calculating the duration it will take riding the elevator to the floor that my office was in, would be three minutes. And, walking from there to my office would take a total of five minutes. That means that I was going to be two minutes late. With the little energy, I had left in me, I began racing towards the elevators. Luck ran out on me because out of the numerous elevators, there was the only one available that hadn't left yet. As I sighted it, I broke into a run.

“Good morning, Anastasia,” I greeted as I breeze past her, barely hearing her response.

“Please hold the elevator!” I begged the man on suit with face down, which made it hard to see what he looked like. He was already in the elevator, but I didn't get a response. Instead, he ignored my plea and rode It off to the floor he was going to.

“s**t!” Checking my wristwatch, it was two minutes past seven and I hadn't gotten to the office. Now that that moron has used the elevator, I knew that I was going to be so late. It would take another ten minutes before the elevator finally got down because of the numerous stops it will make unless it went straight up without stopping. And if I made use of the staircase, I might probably not make it to my office alive because this was a twenty-storey building unit. One of the biggest forms that handled property acquisition, touring guidance, FOREX trading and handled series of hotels. I was one of the assistants to Carlos. Of course, such a person could never have one assistant. The person would die of exhaustion. We were five assistants, and it was still pretty tight, talk more of when it was just one person.

Now, the only option was either to try and take the flight of stairs to my death or for the first time be twelve to fifteen minutes late. It was better to take the second option because I was in uncomfortable shoes that wouldn't even lead me halfway. Plus, I was going to get sweaty before I even got to the second floor and lastly, it was simply impossible. Patiently, I stood by the elevator door and waited for the elevator.

Just when the elevator got down, and I was about to enter, happy that it had finally gotten back to the first floor, I heard the voice of the last and worst person I was expecting.

“Hold the elevator,” his authoritative and hoarse voice barked.

Carlos Gonzalez, always looking elegant in his attire. A well-tailored, expensive suit that spoke riches and power. As always, looking very chubby, my eyes very dark and void, face looking unfriendly and lacking a smile, and footsteps approaching rapidly towards me with his security. Honestly, I ask most times the reason he had to walk with so many guards. It looked as if he was a target of assassination. He always had six armed guards with him apart from the company's security unit too.

Reading his expression, I was able to catch that he wasn't in a good mood at all. Not that it made any difference because he was always in a bad mood. But today, it seemed awful and that means that there was going to be a lot of firing of employees, scolding, and salary deduction. And I knew too well that in less than no time I was going to fit into the category of scolded and fired. I kept my fingers crossed and hoped that wouldn't be the case.

I held the elevator as he had instructed. Dumbfounded, I didn't know if I were to apologise or keep quiet. I was trying to make decisions in my head before he got to the elevator. Speaking of elevators, why was he making use of this particular one? He has a special elevator known as Carlos & Co. executive elevator which was meant strictly for him and VVIP persons that visited the company. His action of riding this one was a bit confusing and uncomfortable.

“Good morning, Mr. Gonzalez.” I greeted with a faint voice. I was practically shitting my pants but had to keep it cool so that I don't make a joke of myself. It is enough to be scared of his personality, but I was more nervous about getting fired. There was Marcus to deal with at month-end. And being out of a job meant bad news from Marcus, which I didn't want in any way.

He looks like at me from head to toe and gave a slight nod without any form of expression or word. It made a lump form in my throat. I reached for the buttons but pressed nothing, waiting for an instruction from him.

“Don't you know where my office is?” He said with a deep voice, glaring at me before getting back to his phone.

“So sorry, Mr. Gonzalez. I was…”

“Elevator. Now.” Jerking his head up before returning to his phone.

“Yes, Mr. Gonzalez”