Alyssa

The fact that I woke up well rested made me curious. Usually I had an alarm to wake me and I was always tired so what was different?

I got up groggily and went in search of my phone. I opened the purse I was with yesterday but it wasn't there. I checked the laundry hamper in my bathroom in case I put it with my dirty clothes but I didn't find it.

I began tearing my room apart. It wasn't in my closet, bathroom or on my desk. I had it all through yesterday so where could it be?

I groaned in frustration, realizing where it was. I left it when I ran away from those men. I knew there was no chance of me finding it so I concluded that I would have to get a new phone.

The only thing that bothered me were the files that were on that phone. They were all for work and very important. If the wrong person found it, it would be detrimental to the company and my life. My only saving grace would be if the person just erases everything without looking at it first.

With a frustrated sigh, I began getting ready for work. I put on a red blouse and slacks. I was in no rush. Looking at my wrist watch, I still had more than an hour to get to the office.

I took a taxi as always but not before having a nice breakfast. By the time I got to the building, I still had thirty minutes but that didn't mean I was going to sit around doing nothing. I reviewed Mr Jordan's schedule and answered a few emails before I heard a voice come through the intercom.

“Alyssa, if you like your god damned life, get to my office now!”

Cautiously approaching the door, I prayed silently that he just wanted to talk and yell at me. My body was still hurting from two days ago and the bruises were still visible, I didn't need new ones. I knocked on the door then heard a him say ‘come in’ before I entered.

Before I could register what was going on, I was pushed into the wall with force and a hand around my throat, choking me. I gasped for air, trying to pull his hand away from my neck but he was too strong.

Thinking about what I did wrong was near impossible because there wasn't enough oxygen going to my brain. My vision was getting cloudy. My knees were getting weak. I couldn't fight anymore.

Luckily, he let me go, throwing me to the tiled floor, my head hitting it with a sickening crack. I gratefully took long breaths, filling my lungs and coughing out. I barely had time to recuperate before he kicked me right in the ribs. Not once, not twice. I received punch after punch, kick after kick but he still wasn't satisfied with the damage.

He fisted my hair, pulling me up with it then slapped me hard across the face. As he fished something out of his pocket with his free hand, I had time to wonder to myself.

What have I done now?

Something bright flashed in front of my eyes that made me close them on reflex.

“Open your eyes, bitch!” He ordered. When I did, I saw that it was his phone in front of me. “What is the fucking time?”

I stared at the numbers written in white. 11:54am. But... but the time on my watch before I came in was 7:54am.

“Answer me when I ask you a question!” He kicked me in the stomach again. “Four hours! You were four hours late! Why?! Sleeping around again, huh?” I shook my head, tears pooling in my eyes.

“Then why were you late? Overslept?” I nodded but he only shook his head. “You nearly cost me an important client today because you overslept? This is why no one will ever want you, lazy piece of shit. Do you hear me?!” I nodded again, the tears falling freely now. “What did I say?”

“No... no one w...will ever w...want me.” I stuttered.

“Now get out of my sight, useless fuck.”

I managed to scamper out of his office and back into mine. The day just dragged on after that. I still didn't know what happened to my watch and why it was reading the wrong time and to be honest, I didn't want to know. It was unnecessary. Maybe it needed new batteries.

At the end of the day, I left and took a cab back to the place I lived with the devils themselves. I hoped that Hailey or Rebecca, her mother, weren't around but as always by hopes were shattered by a shrill annoying laugh.

“Mom, look, the whore got her face rearranged today.” Hailey said, laughing with her mother.

“At least it looks better than before.” They laughed again.

I just simply walked away because if I were to reply and say that Hailey's father was trying to make me look like her only I was supposed to look much worse my aunt, Rebecca would give me another round of beating which I honestly can't afford right now.

I just kept my head down and used my hair as a curtain to cover my face.

“But she still looks horrible.” Her mother said, scanning my body with disgust. “We can't have that at your wedding, Darling.”

“Who says she's invited?” They laughed again.

When I was sure they were talking about something completely unrelated to me, I made my way up the stairs and hid in my room for the rest of the night. Thankfully I had a secret mini fridge I kept ice in so I had no reason to come out.

I just lay on my bed till I fell asleep.

*********

I felt like a zombie as I walked through the building behind Mr Jordan. He had a meeting and as his personal assistant I was supposed to be there with him while I wanted to be resting in my room, trying to overcome the fever I came down with this morning.

It started when I woke up with a splitting headache and extreme nausea. When I finally pulled myself off my bed and looked in a mirror, I felt as if my reflection would break it.

I looked as if I lived in a wilderness with my red hair tousled and large, heavy bags under my hazel eyes. My olive skin was bruised to the point it looked like terrible abstract art. In all, I was a mess and still had to come to work.

Yay.

I was able to get dressed and apply enough make up to cover the ugly marks on my face and neck. The feeling of nausea came when I was in the cab on my way here and it stayed with me, gradually getting worse and now, it feels like I'm going to explode any second.

I felt uncomfortable sitting in the conference room between Hailey and Mr Jordan and the men that looked like father and son opposite us. Lawyers for both parties were present too explaining the terms of the contract that was going to be signed.

“The contract states that Mr Nathan Graham will have to marry Mr Christopher Jordan's daughter within the next few weeks.” Our lawyer explained. “Once that happens, Jordan & Co will have ten percent of the monthly profits of Graham Innovations. Now we understand that Mr Graham has some terms.”

“Yes. I do.”

I looked towards the owner of the voice. He looked as in his mid twenties with curly brown hair and mesmerizing grey eyes. He spoke in a British accent as he explained his terms that I wasn't even listening to.

Hailey got lucky. At least her father wasn't marrying her off to a man old enough to be her grandfather. He was handsome to say the least. Structured jaw, straight nose, tan skin, wearing a suit that made him look like something out of a magazine.

I turned away when our eyes met and focused on the fact that the sandwich I ate earlier was starting to come back up. I needed to leave this room else I would embarrass myself, Mr Jordan and Hailey which would get me in serious trouble.

I spent the next ten minutes holding the vomit down and contemplating on how I was going to tell Mr Jordan I needed to leave.

I got to a point that I couldn't handle it anymore and had to leave. I muttered an ‘excuse me’ and rushed out of he room to the nearest restroom. I doubted anyone heard me and knew that Mr Jordan was fuming already but it was better that puking in the conference room in front of the important clients.

I just hope he thinks the same.

When I was sure I was done, I rinsed my mouth, placing my wet hands on my face careful not to wipe any concealer off.

I stepped out of the restroom, heading to my office when I heard a voice that made me look up.

“Are you alright?”