Chapter 8
There were two pieces of hamburgers. Valerie looked up at her again, wondering why she would buy her something. Then again, maybe she was expecting payment.
“Thank you. How much is it?” She asked, opening her purse.
The lady chuckled.
“I don’t need that. I saw you were busy, I just wanted to help. I’m Kathy, by the way” She stretched out her hand and I took it.
“I’m Valerie. Nice to meet you”
“Nice to meet you too”
That was how she made her first friend in the company.
About two hours later, the telephone rang. She already knew who it was.
“Come to my office” he said.
She knocked softly and only entered when he approved.
“You called for me”
Jared shut his laptop and arose.
“We are leaving for the meeting”NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.
Valerie looked lost.
“With me?”
He stopped walking.
“Obviously”
It was the first time she followed him to a meeting. Though she was his personal secretary. It was Will who went with him every time.
She ran to her office and picked up her bag, sheepishly walking after him. More like running, as his walked really fast.
Jared smiled, hearing the pitter-patter of her feet behind him. He knew it was petty of him, but he just couldn’t help it.
The ride to the ground floor was awkwardly silent, especially when she already remembered him.
The elevator opened and we walked towards the car. Will was already at the wheel.
Jared entered the back seat and stared at her, waiting for her to sit beside him, but she misunderstood the look as waiting for her to close the car door after him.
She shut the door and went to sit beside Will. She nodded at him and he replied in kind.
Will glanced at Jared’s disappointed face and shook his head.
The meeting place was a high-end restaurant.
They were ushered in, towards a VIP room. Already waiting was a middle-aged, pot-bellied, bald man.
Everything about him was practically bloated.
He exchanged pleasantries with Jared.
They all sat down. The man and Jared talked at length, while Will typed away.
At one point, Valerie noticed the man was glancing in her direction. She didn’t take it serious at first and even smiled at him. Then it became incessant, that she began to feel uncomfortable.
Jared noticed it too and was about to say something when his phone rang and had to excuse himself.
Now, it was just Will and Valerie with Mr Sawyer. The CEO of Sawyer Corporation.
After Jared stepped out, he didn’t bother to hide the lust in his eyes, disgusting Valerie to no end.
Will, who watched intently and cleared his throat, trying to get the man’s attention. It didn’t work, as the man continued to stare lewdly at Valerie, licking his lips.
“Hey beautiful” His voice was gruff, and he stretched his phone to her. “Your number?”
It took all her willpower to mask her disgust.
“What for, if I may ask, sir?” She asked, trying to look professional. His greasy face was enough to make her puke.
“You can have mine, sir” Will interrupted before Mr Sawyer could reply.
Without waiting any further, he snatched the phone and inputted his number. He returned the phone to the angry man, with a smile.
Coveting a woman his boss was interested in. He was definitely courting death.
Crushing the Sawyer Corporation was like crushing an ant, but Mr Sawyer was not seeing that.
Before he could go on an angry tirade, Jared returned. They ended the meeting towards the evening and Valerie was given the permission to return home.
She thanked them and boarded a taxi.
Jared and Will returned to the company.
Valerie was focused on her phone all through the ride. It was about twenty minutes later that she looked up and realized they weren’t going in the direction of her house.
Her heartbeat accelerated.
“Hey! Where are you taking me?” She could not see his face as he had a black face mask on. His eyes bored into hers as he stared at her through the rearview mirror, scaring her even further.
He took a spray can and sprayed the content. Before she could say Jack, whatever he sprayed took effect and she blacked out.
*************
Sandy pushed the curtains aside and looked outside. Her face clouded with worry.
“She isn’t usually this late”
“She’s probably working late” Layla reasoned.
“She should have called”
“You’re right” Layla nodded.
They tried her number for the tenth time. It was still the same – Switched off.
Sandy paced back and forth.
“We should call the police, right?”
“Let’s wait. She might be working late like I said”
An hour later, Sandy’s phone lit up with a message from Valerie.
‘I will not be able to come home tonight. Go to bed without me’ The message read.
She didn’t state the reason, but the message was enough to ensure that she was okay….. or was she?
************
Valerie’s lids felt heavy, like they were coated in molasses. Her body felt like something huge was pressing on it.
She willed her eyelids upward and looked around through the thin opening.
The place looked like a bedroom and it was dully lit.
She opened her eyes further and forced herself up.
Her head was pounding. She tried to recall what happened and when she did, she covered her mouth in horror. Was she kidnapped? But her hands and legs were not tied, leaving her confused. She searched herself for her phone, hoping to check the time, but didn’t find it.
She stood up but fell right back as the effect of the drug was yet to wear off.
The door was suddenly flung open and two burly men in black stepped in, followed by someone she recognized.
“Mr Sawyer” she muttered.
“Hello beautiful” he said.
“Why did you bring me here? What do you want? Let me go now!”
“Take it easy, dear. Don’t worry, I’ll let you go… only if you do what I want” He said, staring at her lasciviously.