Taming The Mayor!

All This Time!

Every morning brought a new beginning for me.

Every single day I had a new enthusiasm inside my heart.

I got out of my bed, removing away the drapes, letting the sunshine hit my face. I felt the rays, heating up my body, generating a wave of energy.

I took a quick shower, picked out another one of my dresses and went downstairs for breakfast. The table was empty, per the unusual.

I called out Genine, my housekeeper to bring me breakfast. I would usually make my own breakfast but today I didn't feel like stepping into the kitchen.

"No Genine... It's my day in the Kitchen.", I heard Grandma call out.

"Alright.... Just don't serve me roasted bread and burnt hash browns.", I replied back mimicking her accent.

"That was one time.", She yelled back, still busy in the kitchen. She would usually take up a day... Any random day and take over the kitchen, torturing the life out of me.

"That was one time during last week and multiple times in the past many years.", I told her back, as I took out my tablet and started surfing through my schedule set up by my assistant Hazel.

"How many times do I have to say? No phone or stuff on the table!", Grandma called out standing besides me gawking me with stereo eyes.

"Sorry.", I mumbled placing down the tab invertedly.

"Here.", She said placing down some waffles inside my plate.

I looked down at the waffles and back at her with pierced eyes. Making out a puppy face.

"No... You seriously have to be kiddin' me.", Grandma yelled with an annoyed expression.

I maintained my expressions knowing she'll melt away in seconds. And so did she. She got up with an annoyed expression and brought out the bucket of ice cream along with some chocolate syrup.

"For once... Try and eat healthy.", She complained and I simply clapped my hands in joy.

"You're twenty three for God's sake.", Grandma begin with her everyday morning rant about my attitude and life.

"Please not today Grandma... I'm actually in a really good mood.", I finished down my waffles and got up pecking her cheeks leaving for office.

On my way out I checked on with Jules... Grandma's caretaker and went through her medicine schedule and doctor's appointment which was tomorrow. I didn't want to miss any of her appointments or let her go all alone. She'd stayed alone enough of her life.

For a sixty seven years old woman, she was quite sleek, given to her diabetes and heart conditions. She was tall just like my mom and had the same dark pair of eyes and hair.

I went into my garage and decided to roll down in my Audi because I felt good about myself for the day. The other two cars parked where a SUV and a Prius that I'd bought for Grandma to drive around although I doubted her abilities to drive and always trusted her with a chauffeur. More like I trusted the chauffeur with her... Because she was more precious than my own life to me.

I rolled out leaving behind the chauffeur to stay at home with Grandma, in case she needed to go anywhere. Which she barely does.

I ran away from Cherwood exactly six years ago this day. Since the past six years I've been through a lot.

I've learned a lot, been a lot, did a lot yet I still remained the same at heart acknowledging that my own self is the perfect me.

As I ran away I came her to Miami, to my mom's hometown. I remembered the last address that Grandma had on her but once I reached there I found out how she sell away the only last thing she was left with that her husband bought her, only to give off the debts that she was involuntarily suffering from due to her son, my Uncle Jack's drug abuse and alcoholism.

She went on to live in an old home and when I finally visited that place I found out about the quality of life she suffered, it pierced my heart.

I decided to help her and get her out of that rat hole she stayed in due to someone else's sins.

I worked hard, day in and day out. I went on to work as a cleaner or sweeper and live in attics or janitorial closets of the same hotels I worked in only to save myself from the burden of rent and saved money to afford a roof for myself and grandma. I didn't quit on studies. I went to a local public school that gave me admission on my academic basis, based on a scholarship.

I finally made it to college based on scholarship and rented out my first apartment where I was able to bring in grandma with me.

She wasn't much an open and a loving person at first but soon she came around and she finally got over the fear or being left alone. I worked as a Bar tender in many clubs that was one of the most difficult jobs for me to cope with. Not only the work but the exhaustion and the harassment that came along was something I tackled along.

I was still in college when I was able to pull of a subsequent entrepreneurship program and earned sponsorship to open my own café. Finally opening my first ever café, down in Miami named after my mom -- Juliet's.

Until that moment I only had the little knowledge of my own about my mother. The night when I moved in to my new apartment that I bought in the central part of the city and brought grandma into the apartment.

She cried with me throughout the night finally opening up about her and my mom's struggles.

My mom belonged to a mediocre family. After she was finally able to put herself in college, she fell in love with dad who impregnated her with Sarah. The two had to get married as my dad's father found out about it and forced this marriage not wanting to let the O'Neil blood drip away. But my grandmother and Aunt Sam never excepted my mom. They always humiliated her for her family background.

So mom had to leave her family behind after dad asked her to. But after grandpa's death mom secretly brought grandma and Uncle Jack to Greenview where she used to meet them and help them out financially until my Uncle got into bad company of drug abuse. He was in debt of hundreds and thousands so he came to dad crying for help which eventually let mom's secret out as dad sent Grandma and Uncle back to Miami. After that day he never let mom meet or even see Grandma. Not even after her death.

I remembered Grandma telling me about my mom at times and defining her as an extraordinary woman.

"Your mom was a fierce woman just like you... She made choices that were here own. She stayed back with your father only for you and your sister. Just like you running away reminds me of her. That's exactly what would've happened if she would've left your father. You're just her. Don't change at heart but be sensible enough to not to make her mistakes."

I knotted these words inside my brain and worked hard everyday to make life better with each passing day.

The people whom my uncle owed money to were some big influential people in Miami, some were big business persons and some were Mafia people. They wouldn't let me expand my business unless and until I wouldn't clear off their debt.

So I had to sell of some of jewelry, some of my expensive assets that I owned or ran away with. Yet I still ran short on money. My grandma told me how my mom left a small amount of money in my name, secretly that would serve as a gift from my grandma on my wedding. That small amount was sufficient enough to help me get rid of all the debts. I called it an early wedding gift.

As for Uncle Jack he did tried coming back into our lives, resurrecting after ages as he saw the debts being cleared. If it were for Grandma she might have forgiven him as she welcomed him back into out new home. But I always doubted him and it was for me that made him go to jail as I eventually found out how he r***d his twelve years old daughter, when his ex wife came into my café one of the days and told me everything.

I was finally able to expand and build my own business. I expanded my business to five branches of my café, with three new restaurants, multiple investments in corporate businesses and I was at the final plan of building my own hotel. My dream.

I didn't had much time to make new friends, except for Chris and Paul with whom I still stayed in contact. As for my family they never contacted me nor did I ever tried reaching them back. I don't even know where and how they are. I never bothered to read or learn about them. I actually left everything behind and killed myself the day I ran away from Cherwood.

At times I remembered them and got misty eyes but I had forgotten to cry like I always used to even at minor inconveniences.

Life became tough but I enjoyed it. I bought myself a huge house and gave every luxury to my grandma that she ever deserved.

I finally stopped my car outside my office tower and gave in the keys to the valet. I made my way up the stairs and went straight ahead into the elevator.

The door opened, revealing my small office floor.

Everyone worked on the same floor and every department was small given to the requirements of the business. I enjoyed working as it was something that I built on my own. I hired all kinds of people, based on their qualifications and I struggled hard to hire people who belonged to small backgrounds and truly deserved those positions. I wanted to give people a chance at life.

Within short and recent time I was able to bring up my company's name among the top list.

As everyone greeted me, I passed down my usual smile, asking them about their families and life. Because I was personally indulged with my employees.

I made my way inside my office greeting Hazel on my way and asking her to come inside.

She was not just my personal assistant but a close friend as well. I hired her based on her qualifications and abilities as she was an excellent candidate for this job. I went through her background and checked she belonged to a low socioeconomic family that was in fact in need of an employment in their home.

After I hired her, she became extremely close to me, just like me she had little to no friends. She told me about her past life and how she got r***d when she was in college. She was in freshman year but she couldn't take any action because the guy was a senior and he belonged to a rich family.

Hazel was the only one who actually knew about who I really was. I hid it from everyone else and only expressed my name as Amy Cole.

"I have got a good news for you.", Hazel announced as soon as she entered my office through her piercing smile.

She stood tall, but shorter than me, her blonde hair signified her beauty and her blue eyes complemented her beautiful pointed facial features.

"What is it?", I asked drumming my pen down the desk giving out the drum rolls.

"I got a call from the Carter Enterprises and they are considering your proposal and have called out a meeting today.", She said cheerily making me jump up with excitement.

"No freaking way.", I jumped up in excitement. "We need to call out a meeting with our finance department and discuss everything with them and even call out our project managing department. We need to discuss every minute detail about this project. It's my entire life.", I paused down thinking how important building this hotel was for me.

The Carter enterprises were the biggest hotel managing directorship of Miami, Florida and even New York and having them as an investor would mean my entire dreams to me.

"Yes, your entire life. But don't stress yourself over this meeting. They've called you in only to meet them at their hotel, they actually judge their candidates and then go for the proposal.", She told me back bringing me down to the reality.

"I think I should go prepared just in case.", I told her back.

**************

I gave myself one final look in front of the mirror. I wore a black dress that hugged my body, and ended up in my mid thigh before walking out of the office into my car. It was sleeveless and didn't reveal much of my cleavage as well. It was perfect for a semi formal meeting and I knew exactly how to tackle such people.

I have read about the Carters and Mr. David Carter and Dean Carter were the two brothers that ran this company with equal influence. Their sons, with each having two had an equal hold on the company.

I didn't read much about them but I was sure that I was going to be interviewed by one of them and they had their ages somewhat between late thirties to late twenties.

I parked my car outside the hotel, keeping the keys to myself. I usually would give them away to some Valet or someone else but today a part of me wanted to take a stroll and walk inside the hotel exhibiting stance and confidence.

I went straight ahead to the receptionist. "I'm here to see Mr. Carter... I'm Amy Cole."

The receptionist smiled my way, gesturing me to follow her, leading me towards one of the corners of the hotel that opened into a restaurant. The exquisite restaurant had tables with couched set at different positions and she lead me to one of the corners.

"Mr. Carter will see you in a moment.", She smiled my way and I sat down at one of couches, that were places right next to each other.

My palms were getting extremely sweaty with all the anticipation and nervousness.

What if he doesn't like me?

What if he found something inappropriate about me? And said no?

Oh God... Just help me out here as well.

My phone buzzed and I took it out to see Grandma's text.

Granny ma: When will you come home? Out on a date? Just open your legs, tonight.

I rolled my eyes indelibly at her text. Whenever I was late she wished for me to be having s*x.

Of course relationships and dating was something that I didn't had time left for. Besides the thought about being with someone always held me back because my heart still lunged at the thought of someone else. Although I knew there was no point of holding myself back for him and he must've been long moved on from me yet I still felt flattered at his thoughts and memories.

"Ms. Cole?", A strong male voice broke my stance of thoughts making me look up at the source of voice.

A handsome, tall man stood looking at me with raised eyebrows.

I nodded in response and he held out his hand for me, "I'm Aron Carter.", He offered taking me completely off guard.

I'd imagined the person interviewing me to be a grumpy, suited person rather he seemed hot and floatable.

His sharp jawline and pointed features screamed beauty and hotness. But I decided to maintain my goal and stay focus. Because he seemed like an extremely professional person and any stupid movement could cost me a lot.

He sat down right next to me, wearing a black suit followed by a white button down. He didn't had any tie on emphasising that he came in for a semi formal meeting.

He sat in and scanned me head to toe taking in a view of how I presented myself.

He took too long to scan me, and his eyes rested upon my exposed cleavage making me feel a bit conscious. I straightened myself breaking his stare off my body.

"Well... I didn't imagine you as such.", He finally spoke as he looked back at me.

"I'm sorry?", I asked him through a fake smile.

"I thought when they said that she's a woman... It would be some sort of old one. I mean look at your achievements in quite impressed. How old are you?", He asked in the most inappropriate way taking me completely off guard.

"I.... I'm twenty three.", I told him back a bit hesitantly.

Although it wasn't the first time any such thing was happening during a meeting or an interview but something was off about this one. His personality gave off a dangerous and notorious vibe.

"Ah...? You've made quite a name for yourself for your age.", He said, picking out a file places in front of him and reading through some pages.

I was reluctant at making any move but I decided to take out my IPad my from bag, meanwhile he texted through his phone.

A part of me was adamant at leaving this meeting but a major greedy part of me wanted this deal to go down because of the hardship I've put to achieve my dreams.

"So what made you work so hard at an early age?", He asked taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves. The popping veins were a huge distraction but I maintained myself.

"Just some hardships and a stance for struggle.", I briefly replied him.

His eyes went around roaming my entire body again. And this time he wasn't looking for a presentation but rather soothing his eyes over my body.

Bad choice of clothes for the day Amy!

"Why don't we order something?", He asked.

Before I could reply he called out the waiter.

"Bring in our finest Champagne for our fine lady.", He ordered the waiter huskily taking me off guard with his choice of words.

"I don't drink.", I leaped out immediately to help him save his finest Champagne.

He looked at me through his c****d eyebrow eyeing me head to toe.

"You actually really don't drink?", He asked through an amused expression.

I nodded in response.

A smirk appeared on his face.

"Fine.... Bring in two Mint lemonades.", He ordered the waiter whilst he still looked at me.

There was an awkward silence after the waiter left. His eyes were fixated at mine and I felt rather conscious and uncomfortable under his gaze.

I looked at him and his eyes locked with mine, giving me the essence of pure lust.

Perhaps I could be over exaggerating or over thinking but I found his gaze extremely uncomfortable.

Soon people around the place had started leaving and the restaurant was becoming empty. Obviously it was a weekday and people left earlier than 10 to their homes.

"Why don't you show me your presentation?", He finally said making me gasp for air.

I immediately opened my tab, opening up the presentation.

"Come and sit here! I can't see it from that afar.", He exclaimed making me look at his two seaters couch. I got up quietly, still scared to lose this contract. It felt like a once in a life time opportunity for me.

Everything is going to go in a good way. He could be a bit p*****t but you know how to handle him.

I sat right next to him maintaining and appropriate distance.

He leaped in closer to me adjusting himself to look at the tab I held.

I gulped down a bit too hard for him to hear but I began going through my ideas for the hotel I wanted to build.

A five star exquisite hotel, near a park lane position at the beach.

As I was going through my ideas I felt his arm going all around my shoulder at the couch behind me.

He leaned back making himself comfortable. By now the entire restaurant was empty.

"Which perfume do you use?", He asked out of blue making me stop midway and ponder upon his question in disbelief.

I turned to look at him and he had opened up the upper buttons of his chest, revealing his muscular chest, leaning back on the couch, eyeing me intently.

"You can have the contract.", He said through a bored expression.

I didn't feel the excitement that I should had when he said those words, I rather felt nervous at his posture and actions.

"Okay....", I said a bit awkwardly trying to get up and pick my bag.

As I stood up, he held out my wrist, pulling me back towards him and I landed upon his lap. He immediately roamed his hands around my waist as a feeling of disgust rushed through me.

I immediately tries moving my hands and remove his hands off my body but he sat still.

"But I need something in return as well.", He said digging his face down onto my neck.

I understood his actions and his words. I froze for a moment, not knowing how to react. I rather had two options at the moment. To let him have me, play me, use me, f**k me and leave me like a lifeless piece of meat and get the contract or walk out of this place with dignity.

And I've always chosen, the healthy thing. Being fierce and making decisions of my own. I can't let him win over me.

I immediately forced his hands off me and got up, walking towards my bag and grabbing it.

"I could get you the biggest investors for your hotel.", He called out and my feet stopped still.

He walked closer, leaning onto my ear, he moved his hands onto my neck, moving my hair to one side as he dug his face inside my neck and sniffed through my skin.

"You're f*****g hot. Let's go to my room and we can discuss things over. You won't even need to worry about your hotel.", With saying that he grabbed my hand started walking out of the restaurant towards the elevator.

Once inside the elevator there was going to be no way out.

I stopped myself and freed my hand out of his grip.

"I'm sorry but I'll pass.", I said looking at the ground ashamed of the decision I was about to make and ruin my life.

"Oh come on... We both know how badly you want this contract. Spend a night with me and I can make you scream so good... You'll love it.", He moved the tip of his finger on to my lips making me flinch.

"No I'll pass.", I said and tried walking away before he held out my arm.

"Don't try me.... I'll have you anyways. It's better you do it on your own, because if you resist I'll make it worse for you.", He said making me look straight into his eyes that had anger and lust dancing inside them.

"Let go off my arm.", I warned him and he didn't stutter.

He stood smirking thinking he was in power, tightening his hold around my arm.

"I said LET GO OFF ME.", I said infuriated with his attitude.

"Or else what? I'll f**k you anyways, so it's better you don't resist.", He said making my blood boil as I lost my patience.

My free hand roamed around a 180 turn, landing directly onto his face. The sound was horrendous enough to grab everyone's attention.

He immediately let go off my arm, holding down his now red cheek.

I straightened myself and starting walking away.

"You'll pay for this!", He yelled out making me stop my pace.

"You'll beg me to f**k you and then you'll see me ruin you into ashes. b***h!"

I didn't bother to turn around or heave a sigh at his threat that somehow did scare me.

I made my way inside my car and immediately left away from the premises of the dirt smitten disgusting place.

It wasn't the first time, when a client or a potential partner tried this on me. It happened multiple times before. But this time it felt more dangerous.

I knew the power that the Carters had and it could influence my company, employees and even their families that were dear to me.

As a flash of a light hit me, I realised I was completely lost in my thoughts as I tried turning my car away from the lane and hit the breaks, stopping at the roadside area.

I heaved a sigh, throwing my head back at the headrest.

My phone buzzed and I picked up only to see Grandma's call.

"Yeah?", I said through my tired voice.

"When are you coming home?", She asked through her usual tone.

"On my way.", I told her looking at my watch.

It was already ten in the evening.

"Great, I've made some mushroom lasagna. Come soon it's getting cold.", She complained hanging down the phone.

She would always call at inappropriate times, complaining about the wrong concerns.

I made my way home, throwing back every thought.

I parked in my car and nodded at the chauffeur who stood besides the guard in front of the mansion, smiling my way.

I went inside and called for Grandma.

She didn't reply which was unusual. She always replied no matter what time I came back home. She never slept without saying me goodbye. I went ahead looking for her towards the kitchen which was empty.

I went towards the lounge and called her name but she didn't reply.

"Care to call for me in a similar manner?", A voice called out behind me making me stop my pace.

My feet went numb, as I recognized the voice.

My entire body rose with goosebumps as my heart skipped millions of beats in seconds, racing in an irregular manner.

I turned around and my entire existence froze at the spot as I saw him.