The Last Wife

nine

• kill in a blink •

"Did you send the emails to the clients?"

I nod at Erik as he stands behind my desk.

"Yes, sir."

"Have they responded?"

"Not yet, sir."

"What about the documents I asked you to bring to my office?"

"They are on your desk, sir."

He stares at me suspiciously before he makes his way to his office. Just a few minutes later, he demands for me to go to his office.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"These are not all the documents I asked for!"

"Yes, they are."

"So you're calling me a liar?"

"I didn't say that."

"That's what you are trying to imply, Mrs. Ford." He snorts. "I want all the documents now."

"Please excuse me, sir." I turn back to leave the office.

He suddenly stops me at the door.

"Mrs. Ford?"

I turn back to look at the devil dressed in a suit. I don't know how an angel like him turned into this demon.

He smirks at me.

"This whole act you're putting, I'm not buying it for a single second. I have a gut feeling that you're up to something. Whatever it is, just keep in mind that I have my eyes on you."

I smile at him.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Mr. Hunt. I'm just doing my job as a secretary like you wanted. Still not happy?"

"How can I be when I have to see you every damn second?"

"You can fire me, you know?"

"And let you get away with everything you did!" He snorts, rage burning in his eyes. "I think the f**k not!"

"Can you please excuse me? I have some work to do, sir."

"Not so fast."

He suddenly stands from his desk and struts towards me. He pins me to the door and bends to whisper in my ear.

"I. Have. My. Eyes. On. You."

He tucks a tendril of hair behind my ear and looks down at me, spite in his eyes.

"Keep that in mind, Ruby."

I look up at him, searching for something in his eyes. Something like warmth or kindness or desire or... love. But I find nothing. His eyes are just cold and without emotion.

"Please excuse me, sir."

The tension between us is overwhelming. I feel like I'm drowning. My heart pounds hard against my chest with him this close to me. I find it hard to breath with our bodies pressed so tight against each other.

"Don't do something stupid, Ruby. Because I'll make you regret it."

His eyes linger on my lips before he steps back and lets me leave his office.

****

The next morning, I get to work extra early.

I know that Erik is worried. Scared, even. He thinks I'm upto something because I do everything he asks me to. I don't complain. I don't rebel. I'm the obedient secretary and that puzzles him. It scares him. He thinks that I'm hatching a revenge plan.

But that's what that stupid contract expects of me, right! The stupid contract that he used to trick me into being his secretary. From a whole CEO to a secretary! Unbelievable! What's worse is that the contract doesn't allow me to quit. I can only quit after one year of working for him. And the worst thing is that I sold my thirty percent shares to him when I foolishly signed the contract. Now he fully and legally owns the company.

How could I be so dumb? So f*****g foolish! Why didn't I read through the contract? How could I trust him? After everything he has done, how could I still trust him?

Even after a week of working for Erik, I still beat myself up every damn day! I still can't believe I was so blinded by love. A love that doesn't even exist! This man clearly doesn't love me! His love for me died when I cheated on him! I had a hard time accepting the bitter truth! I thought there's a part of him that still loved me. A part of him that still cared about me...

But he doesn't. He hates me.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ford."

A familiar voice greets me as I work on my desk. I can't believe it when I look up and see his face.

"Alex?"

"I prefer Mr. Morales."

"What the f**k are you doing here!" I hiss.

"Exactly what you are doing." He grins. "Working."

"Working?"

"I'm the new IT guy." He winks.

"What!"

"I'll explain everything over coffee during tea time. See you then."

I watch as Alex walks away, socialising with the other colleagues. It's his first day here but he has fit in so well.

Why the f**k is he here?

That bothers me. I know he's upto something. And it's not something good...

"Drooling over the new IT guy?" Erik leans over my desk, staring at Alex.

"I thought the company had enough IT guys."

"I thought so too until I checked the new guy's papers. Damn! You would be impressed too. He's very promising."

"He applied for the job?"

"Yeah, he sent me an email. Despite the impressive papers, he has a very touching story."

"A touching story?"

"It's confidential." He changes the subject. "Please bring me some tea in my office. Oh, and set an appointment with the new IT guy in the afternoon. We need to chat."

I don't know... something about Alex and Erik 'chatting' gives me chills. What if Alex says something he's not supposed to say and he's then forced to kill Erik? I know how impulsive and extreme my brother can get. He can kill in a blink. It would kill me if he does something to hurt Erik...

As I stare at Alex sitting at his desk and chatting with the other colleagues, I can't help but wonder...

What the f**k is going on in that little head of his?

****

"I want to kill Erik."

Sitting at the cafe, I choke on my coffee.

"You can't do that."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't drive a stake through his heart."

"Are you serious?" I ask in horror.

"Just kidding." He giggles. "Relax."

"And how the f**k did you get the job?"

He laughs in amusement.

"I sent Erik an email, desperately begging for the IT job. I used fake papers by the way. Knowing the history of his mother, I lied that my schizophrenic mom had committed suicide recently and my dad died years ago. Now I was left all alone with no job and no family. The story instantly touched his heart and now I'm here. Having coffee with the lovely lady sitting infront of me."

I shake my head.

"I can't believe you would go to such extremes."

"Anything for you, sis." He winks.

I narrow my eyes at him.

"But I still don't get it. Why the f**k do you want the job? It's not like you need it."

"I desperately need it."

"Bullshit!"

He laughs.

"You're the one who is always pushing me to work. I guess I'm tired of being the lazy little brother. You should be clapping instead of yapping."

"I'm not yapping!" I scowl at him. "I'm f*****g worried! What if someone discovers the truth about me and you? We might end up in jail, you know!"

"I'm the chicken here, remember?" He giggles. "Chill, I've got everything under control. Stop worrying, Isabel."

"Ruby!" I hiss. "Now, are you going to tell me why you applied for the job or are you going to keep feeding me bullshit!"

He sighs.

"Fine! Because Erik messed with me when he decided to mess with you. And now he has to pay the price."

"Oh my God, Alex! You're about to do something stupid!"

"Look, I'd rather do something stupid than watch you be his slave, Isabel! He played you and now I'll do him dirty."

I bury my face in the palm of my hands.

"Okay, so what's your stupid plan?"

"You'll see for yourself..."

"God! Atleast tell me!"

"I won't tell you."

"Why!"

"Because you'll try to stop me."

****

Happy Valentines Day ❤