The Nightmare Client
For the short period of time that I’ve been with him. All I can say is that he’s always on the phone. For the whole time that we’re eating our meal, he picks up an unending number of calls.
”I’ll call you later.” his favorite line so far.
I just stayed silent as I ate the food that’s being served on us. I badly want to avoid looking at him and having any conversation.
”Yes. Shop for her clothes and…” he said while he talks to this ‘one’ call.
”What else do you need?” he asked me. My eyes widened a little. I blinked because I don’t know why he’s suddenly asking me.
”Do you need anything? Except for clothes and other amenities.” he continued.
I timidly shook my head. He just looked at me and continued talking to the caller. I just listened to him until he’s done.
A well groomed woman suddenly came out of nowhere and walked into his side.
”Mr. Lee has arrived already.” she informed him.
He shifted on his seat and his forehead made a crease.
”Alia is still not done. Let him come in with my permission later.”
The woman nodded politely. I fixed my posture and put down my fork immediately.
”Uh, no. I’m done already.”
Their eyes both went into me. His eyes bore into me, he signed the lady to leave before speaking to me.
”Finish your food. The client can wait.” he said simply.
I shook my head and chewed the last fragments of food in my mouth before drinking water. “I’m done.”
We're back to the staring match once more. Something seems to be sucked out of me by the way he looks at me. I'm not sure if it's because he intimidates me, but his eyes and appearance are so incredibly enigmatic that I'm unsure of how I should feel.
Before addressing the woman and asking her to make room for his "client," he sighed.
”Let me see the contracts first.” he commanded.
He got up and sat down next to me. I shook my head in discomfort. I observed him yanking the chair away from mine. I exhaled a glob of air. That's great.
He started to, I suppose, read it after he had opened a folder. Or scan it? I'm not sure. The papers had the same names at the end every time I side-eyed them, and I could only make out paragraphs.
Aciel Evans
Chief Executive Officer
While reading it without speaking, my mouth split open. Aciel? I believed his name to be Evans. That's his last name, then? Every time I said his name, my tongue would touch the tips of my teeth, giving me an unsettling sensation.
”Mr. Evans! How wonderful to finally meet you!” In the entire VVIP room, a crooked, hoarse voice ruled. Due to his booming entrance, I was a little taken aback.
I didn't turn my head because I didn't think it was my duty to. I'm only a plus one here, and if I say or do anything, the meeting will be ruined. I sensed the man seated next to me getting up, perhaps to greet his own client.
I stayed silent. My mind was just left in the thought of knowing his name.
”I’m glad that we are able to arrange this meeting, Mr. Evans.”
”My pleasure too. Should we get this done, right away?”
”Of course! That would be better.” The man laughed.
Aciel sat next to me once more. I voluntarily turned to look into the man who will soon be seated in front of Aciel. My stomach churned as I caught a glimpse of the elderly man's face. As I stared at him with trembling eyes, I pinched my hand under the table.
He didn't appear to have noticed me yet based on his lack of interest in me. But once he was properly seated, his eyes focused on me and spoke for me. Though he appeared a little shocked, his face immediately broke into an evil crooked smile.
I immediately bowed my head and clasped my hands. Being a fidgety person, I couldn't help but keep pinching my hand. How come he's here? What the hell is that bad guy doing here?
”I see, you’re with somebody, Mr. Evans.” he said.
I didn’t even move.
”Yes. Should we just get to the signing right away?” Aciel said.
The man laughs exactly as he appears to. An old, evil man's croaking laugh. That one is he. That one businessman, to whom my father sold me for a week and who horribly mistreated me.
I was unable to support my head. Simply put, I want to disappear like a bubble. I don't want to look into his eyes and think about everything he did to me. Aciel's phone rang, and he excused himself just as time was running out for me.
”I’ll just take this call, excuse me for a second.”
My worn-out gaze fell upon him. Looking at him, it almost seemed like I needed his assistance, but all I saw was his back as he walked away.
He began talking to me as soon as Aciel left, "You've come a long way now, young girl.
My thoughts stumbled as I was only focused on the water on the table with my eyes. Nearly running out of breath A scene of him beating me and tying me to the bathroom slowly came to mind.
”Mr. Evans is a big deal, how much did he pay your father? ”
The more he spoke, the heavier my chest became. I was unable to bear to look into his eyes, so tears filled my eyes.
"Your price is inflated, I bet. Your body appears more developed and grown-up now than it was before,” he chuckled.
Numbness. I unknowingly began to catch my breath as I almost lost all feeling in my body. To my horror, I rose before he could even touch me and quickly fled from that room as he attempted to reach for me.
I started crying because my head was no longer working. Running for my life, I hurried through the hallway with the red carpet. I can't! I'm not going to stay there with him!
”Alia!”
My first reaction when I heard my voice was to quicken my steps. I spotted two men in black at the end of the corridors, and they were immediately informed. They obstructed my path, so I chose to stop. I immediately removed the hand that was holding my arm because I was so terrified for my life.
”Stop! Stop!” I yelled and shut my eyes tight as tears continued to flow into my cheeks.
”What happened? Alia, what’s wrong?”
When I opened my eyes, I recognized him. The thing I detest the most about him are his eyes, which are hazel and turn dark brown. Similar to how my feelings shifted the moment I saw him. After emerging from the danger, I felt at ease when I saw him.
My knees began to give way, and I sobbed. He caught me in time as I was about to fall to the ground. As he imprisoned me in his one arm, I sobbed and buried my face in his chest.
”What happened?” His tone is full of weariness. His palm tried to make my face look at him but I just buried my face more into his chest.
”Alia, tell me.” he’s almost begging.
I sobbed and said, “I wanna go h-home.”
His hold unto me tightened. I heard him utter soft curses.
”Yes, we’ll go home.” He whispered into my ears and more other words that would calm me down.
He gave orders to some of his men for reasons that I was no longer able to comprehend. I simply cling to him for dear life while sobbing uncontrollably.
