Her Hateful Lover

Ava wasn't sure how her day would go, applying to get a job at the gigantic Gold Ring company. She had so many speculations and her spinning head couldn't get her to rest her mind. What if she says what she wasn't meant to say? What if she doesn't get it right? What if everything goes wrong?

First off, she remembered that the owner and manager of Gold Ring was an old man, perhaps in his late sixties. He was known as Phillip Notre Dame and was one of the most recognized personalities in the entire country. As someone applying for a position as secretary to the manager himself, Ava had to ensure she had all the details correct. This included learning everything she needed to know about her boss-to-be.

Phillip Notre Dame was one hell of a powerful man, perhaps one of the figures who kept the country spinning with the powerful Gold Ring company that he had founded. Gold Ring was the largest manufacturer of drugs and had the biggest supply chain in the city, making drugs that ranged from painkillers to medicines for infections. Anyone could just imagine working as the secretary to the owner of such a foundation. You're like his right-hand man. Aside from the pay that came with such an impressive job, other perks followed. The tips. The connection.

Ava couldn't imagine enough. As a young graduate like her and a woman, this was such an opportunity. As Ava waited in the taxi driving her to the building, she began thinking back on the different adventures she had been through trying to get this job. She was just grateful that, at least, she had come a long way. Surely, many other people were vying for this post but Ava simply had faith that she was going to get it. She had to have faith.

She remembered her mother in the hospital. With her father leaving her and her mother when she was young, she and her mother had to struggle through the ups and downs alone. Now, with her mother in the hospital, it felt like her world was about to turn upside down. She needed major surgery and there was no way it would take place if she didn't step up her game to raise the money for the treatment. That began the hunt for this job. If she got this job, her first-month salary alone would raise all her mother needed for her operation. Yes, the Notre Dame was that bloody rich. They were billionaires!

The car came to a stop at the foot of a large glass building. When Ava stepped out, she stared at the building with her mouth wide open. Indeed, she knew it was a big one. Of course, she had done her research, browsing the company's headquarters before coming here. Still, now that she was right before the building, it felt very different. It was bigger than what she envisioned, towering above her. With her heart pounding, she stepped in and made her way to the receptionist in the foyer.

"Hello, welcome to Gold Ring, ma. How may I help you?" The receptionist welcomed her warmly as she approached the counter.

Such a polite welcome. Perhaps, this one was warning hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly. Ava teased in her head.

"I'm Ava Max. I'm applying for the role of secretary to the CEO?" Ava replied.

"Oh! Welcome." What followed afterward were instructions that led to a large, blank room where she was to wait on a swivel chair with a table in front and another chair opposite of her. Phillip was going to be joining her shortly. As she waited, biting her nails and locking her fingers, she suddenly heard the door open. She rose just then and spoke without even looking back.

"Good morning, Mr. Phillip. Thank you very much for..." She paused and gasped as a young man approached her, followed by another man who looked quite older than the first. Somehow, Ava could just tell that the older-looking man was a bodyguard to the young man and the young man was...

He was simply staring at her as if shocked at being addressed as "Mr. Phillip." For the little time she glimpsed his face, she could make out dark hair that coiled around his face, with sleek, dark eyes and a clean shave that highlighted his edged jaws. She was looking down before she could see any further, flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh my goodness... I thought.... I...."

The young man sighed as he moved and took his seat. "You're early, young lady.... Too early... interviews for this job were fixed at nine. This is ten minutes to nine."

"Oh, true. Sorry about that."

"Well, it's a good thing I love punctuality, just as much as I despise doing more than what is necessary to do, so yeah... you gain points for being such an early bird. You catch the worm. Rufus..."

"Sir..." the guard replied.

"I won't be seeing any other applicants today. Their application is made invalid." The man said. I gasped and swallowed.

"Noted sir."

"Now, to our interview. Your basic introduction?"

Ava fired at everything like her life depended on it. As the questions came, she ensured she answered them smartly and wittily. However, she noticed the man had more of an indifferent attitude towards all her answers. Nothing seemed to impress him in any way. In the process of answering, she stole a glance at him again and again, until she could look him in the eyes. He has deep, piercing blue eyes that make it look like he could look right through you and into your soul. He looked smart, extremely intelligent, and handsome. Ava couldn't deny that every moment she looked up at him, her breath hung in her throat.

Finally, she was done and was about to take her leave.

"Don't you think you'd want to know who I am? You mistook me for my father for some reason."

He was the son of Phillip Notre Dame!

"Yeah, I believed he was the one who was to interview me. I believed he was the manager."

"Well, Miss Ava. I am Calvin Notre Dame. I am the CEO of this organization. You may resume tomorrow. You're welcome."

With that, Calvin stood and strode out of the office with Rufus, leaving Ava baffled.

***

The man lay in the darkness, everywhere around him. He tried to stand just then but stings of pain flashed through his brain as he held his side, screaming. He could feel it. There was more blood pouring out from the tear.

"Help me!' He whispered as he tried to stand. Now on his feet, he peeped out of the window. Someone was walking towards him with a box - a delivery man.

"Help!" He screamed. "Help me! Help me!"

However, the more he screamed, the more his voice died out as nothing came out from where he was below into the world out there, and he was losing more blood.

Slowly... slowly...

He was going to die...