Unbridled Obsession -Love & Secrets

Chapter 7

CARINA

“I believe you got the text?” Uncle chided.

“Yes, sir I did”

“So why are you here? Do you accept the conditions?”

I remained silent as tears flowed down my cheeks. My uncle asked me to leave, and he gave me the option of leaving or accepting marriage to whoever he chose for me.


How wicked and heartless could he be? It was no longer getting married to my boyfriend, whom I had known for years, but to a complete stranger. I wasn't cut out for this.


Audrey kneeled in front of her father, clutching his legs and pleading with him to let go of the options he had given me. I pleaded with her after she began crying. 

But he ignored our pleas. Anna was already furious and refused to join us. She asked me to get my belongings and move in with her, but I declined because I didn't want to inconvenience her. Besides, I'm not working right now and would not want to be a burden to anyone. The only money I had on me was a small $20000 from the money I earned from that stranger in the game. 
She waited at our veranda, hoping that I would move in with her.

Uncle continued on his phone and paid no attention to us. His hearts are so cold and he didn’t care where I’ll go or how I will survive.

I pulled Audrey up and urged her to stop crying.” It’s fine, I’ll be fine”. I said tapping on her shoulders.

A great tremor overtook her as tears raced down her cheeks. “You can’t leave me Cari, who will I talk to? I can’t stay without you, not in this state. Where will you go to? How will you cope?”.

I sniffed constantly resisting the urge to continue crying as I pulled her into my arms. “Trust me sis! I will be fine, I will manage”.

I took to my heels up into my room and gathered my things. My heart sank and I covered my mouth with my shaky hands as my eyes moved round the room. I’ve been in it for 7 years and today I am leaving. Not to college, not to my husband’s house, I was asked to leave.

What a pity! And as well a shame! For letting a total stranger ruin my life. I allowed myself to be used, to be his tool, Jaden’s tool for revenge all because I wanted pleasure.

Audrey stood at the house entrance sobbing as I walked in to the living room. I paused to glance at uncle, he didn’t even bother looking at me, he didn’t care. It was even more like he was happy that I’m leaving.

My eyes were red and heavy as I kept resisting the urge to burst out. Audrey hugged me tightly that I couldn’t catch my breath.

“It’s okay cous”, I tapped on her back slowly, “you can always come around Anna’s to see me”. She continued sobbing.

“I’m so sorry Cari!”

“Why?”

“For all these my dad made you go through, I’m so sorry”. She pleaded as she pulled away from me

“It’s alright! That’s life, it happens that way sometimes”.

We made our way out of the house and I turned to give it a last look. The tears I’ve been holding back all came streaming down my cheeks as Anna took my bags from me. She had already hailed a taxi g where she placed them in.

“Let’s go!” she said, pulling my hands as I tried wiping off the tears in my eyes with the other. Audrey watched us leave without moving an inch from where she stood.

I could feel the pains in her eyes. I’ll miss her definitely and will always reach out to her to ensure she’s doing okay.

We arrived at Anna’s apartment before sunset. It is a small apartment with a small cantonment.

Anna placed my bags in her closet as I sat on her bed. She came towards me and sat on the chair across from the bed holding my both hands in hers.

“This isn’t the time to wallow in sadness Cari, some things happen so we can learn and be the best version of ourselves. You endured a lot starting with your uncle, you should be happy you’ve gotten a little freedom rather than been continuously frustrated in that house. Everything will be fine”. She assured me.

“Sure! Thank you, Anna, what would I have done without you?”.

“Thanks for always being there. I really appreciate it, my worry now is landing a job, I need to work so I can assist you around”. I said with my face became pale.

She laughed, “getting a job wouldn’t be an issue. There’s an opening at the company where I work, for a graphic designer”.

“Are you serious?”

“Hell, yeah I am, I already spoke with my HR about you like I knew this would happen”.

“Anna! Thank you so much, you are a blessing to me”. My eyes lit up in joy and appreciation.

“It’s nothing Cari, you are so skilled in designing. Your uncle limited your abilities a lot. You would have been a millionaire by now just from those designs you made for his wretched company. Yet he chased you away, such an ungrateful human”.

“Like you said, I guess it’s all for the best”. I sighed.

“Let me fetch you something to eat while you freshen up. We will meet with my HR tomorrow, be up early please”.

“Sure. I said as Anna entered the kitchen and I removed my clothes to take a shower. It was a long and hectic day, and I needed to unwind.

I took my mind off of uncle and the things he did to me all the years I stayed with him. He always came to my dad while he was alive for any little thing, he never lacked in any way. My dad ensured he was okay yet this is how he chose to repay his kindness.

After freshening up, Anna prepared pasta, and the amazing aroma from the kitchen filled the room. She served it, and we ate.

We talked and laughed on the bed about our college days and how much we enjoyed them. She explained how operations are run at her office, which is a tech company owned by a young and handsome billionaire named Ivor Gibson.

She emphasized that he enjoys getting things done and is very conscientious about time management. She said many things about him, including that he is very mean and does not smile at any of his employees, with him having multiple women around him.

“The atmosphere is usually tense whenever he is around, although he barely comes in. Sometimes twice in a week or even once and whenever he does, he never wants to stand the sight of us like we irritated him”.

“That’s weird, he should be nice to his workers at least”.

“You will get to meet him someday and will witness what I said”.

At least it relieved me of my anxiety a bit, my eyes were heavy and I needed to sleep but I had to prepare some designs that u could show to the HR the next day. I really had to make intriguing designs that would capture his interest at first glance.

When I was finally done, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t. I scrolled through my phone and came across a post. Liam posted himself in the arms of a lady, he even tagged me to it.

How childish! I scuffed, does he think I will start crying? I liked the post and continued scrolling as my eyelids finally closed.

******

It was Dawn already and Anna was already getting dressed.

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“There’s still time, I wanted you to relax a bit before I did”.

I hurried in and out of the shower and got dressed. Arranging my laptop and everything I needed in my bag.

“What are the working hours?”

“For you! I think it won’t be more than 5 hours daily”.

“That’s fair, at least I’ll be able to take up some gigs online or do some other menial jobs alongside”.

“Don’t stress yourself too hard please, you will be paid heavily, why hop on another? Here!” She handed me a pack.

“That’s for lunch”.

This gesture reminded me of my late mum, she never failed to prepare my breakfast or lunch box. I miss her so much.

“Thank you, Anna, I’m grateful”. I smiled.

“Shall we? Are you set?”

“A moment please” I hurried facing the dressing mirror to apply my makeup. I wore a black turtleneck shirt with a white pants and a black shoe, rolling my hair up in a bun. I needed to compliment my makeup to look elegant.

“I’m done, sorry for keeping you waiting”.

“You have always been like this”, she smirked as we made our way out.

We got to Anna’s company and I must admit it is the biggest building I have seen in New York. Igibs Innovation, my friends in tech always spoke about working there, I never knew it was this large. The owner surely has eyes for good things I thought to myself.

Anna was already on her desk busy with work while I waited for the HR in the visitor’s room, he was yet to arrive. I saw it as an opportunity to add more designs to my collections.

“Hello!” A voice came in and I rushed up to return the greetings.

“Gooday sir!”

“You must be Carina, the designer?”

“Yes sir, I’m Carina Macbeth”.

“Okay! My boss just came in and will conduct the interview; please hold for a few minutes."


"Sure!"


I watched him take the elevator and return; he motioned for me to come along with him, and I did.


We walked up to the CEO's office, and he urged me to be polite because he gets angry easily.


I wondered what kind of person he was and he treated others as inferiors.

“Yes Sir, I will”.

He knocked on the door, and a cold but familiar voice entered.


"Come in!"


The HR pushed the door open, and I entered, but he didn't join me.


I was facing the CEO, but his face was buried in his gadget. His cologne was similar to that of the stranger I had a one-night stand with. 


As he raised his head to look at me, my mouth opened and my eyes widened, causing my phone to fall to the ground.