Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Pearl's POV

“Good morning, Mother,” I greeted as I walked past her into the kitchen, the walk was at a quick pace as I was getting late for work. I needed to get to work by seven-thirty instead of eight which was the normal resumption time because bitchy charlotte said so.

I picked up an apple from the bowl of fruits sitting on the kitchen table, I took a bite as I saw my mother glaring at me.

I swear, I almost choked.

“Good morning, Miss” She quoted and I rolled my eyes. I dropped the apple back into the bowl and that earned me a smack on the back of my head.

“What the heck, mother? Why did you do that?” I yelled.

Instead of responding she ignored me, removed the apple from the bowl, and tossed it into the dustbin. She turned to look at me while a hand was against her waist.

“Why are you up so early? Is your work related to slavery?”

I shook my head, not as a response to her answer but as a way of saying I was tired of listening to her constant sarcastic way of speaking.

“Not at all. I’m just needed as early as possible,”

“What’s the name of the company?”

I groaned.

“I never mentioned it was a company,” I told her.

“You don’t dress that way to work at a store, darling,” I looked down at my outfit and I saw she was right. There was no way I would be working in a store and wear a Dolce and Gabbana designed dress with a heel that high.

“It’s just a law firm, nothing serious. They needed someone with experience related to something I have and they gave me a shot,” I lied.

It wasn’t necessary but it was needed. I don’t know how they would react when they find out I was working with Lucas Anderson since there happened to be fallout and my father is being saved by his son, more like threatened.

“Whatever you do, be careful out there. Uncle Thomas really likes you,”

“Yeah, whatever,” I quickly picked up my bag as I left the house as I’m reminded of my future engagement with Sebastian.

One more reason why I hate my life right now.

As soon as I stepped into the office, the first person I saw was the really nice receptionist I met yesterday. She was putting on her bold red lipstick and I smiled as I walked up to her, though she couldn’t see me as her back was turned to me.

“If I could look so good with that red lipstick like you do, I’ll be walking on clouds,” She turned and smiled.

“You’re early,” She noted and I nodded. She was dressed in a black gown with red sneakers that made her look so bold and I like her already.

“Lucky me,” I spread my arms wide as I smiled weakly.

She turned to fix her small makeup bag before turning to face me.

“Did you get the job yesterday?” she finally asked.

“Why do you think I’m here?” I asked.

“Wow. Congratulations. That’s so nice and I hope we get along,”

“If I keep resuming at this time and I get to see you before this place gets crowded, I think we’ll get along just fine,” I assured her.

“That won’t be a problem. I resume earlier than others. Anyways, I think I should introduce myself. My name is Rose,”

I smiled. “My name is Pearl,”

“Great. You should resume early since the devil in the black suit will arrive anytime soon and you deserve to breathe like a million times before he does, cause once he arrives, he takes your breath away,” She winked at me.

“Devil in the black suit?” I asked.

“You know who I’m talking about even though I can’t say his name,”

I laughed, already knowing who she was talking about. “Like Voldemort in Harry Porter,”

“Like Voldemort,” She responded.

I left the reception after having a good laugh at the new nickname Rose had formed for Lucas and I can’t help but wonder if he was still like that. Dark, evil, and manipulative just like high school. I gathered some of the files that bitchy Charlotte had left on my desk and placed them on the low-rise shelf that was in the corner of the office room, leaving one on the table to go through.

I was busy reading through the file when a knock resounded on my door and before I could say anything, the bitch barged in.

“I didn’t ask you to come in,” I told charlotte.

“You’re not the boss here,”

I smirked as I took in her form.

“Your boss wants you in his office,”

“Yes ma’am,” I gave her a small bow and she glared at me before walking out.

When I thought my morning had started good, the two new nemeses in my life decided to grace me with their presence.

I knocked on his door twice before I heard the word, instructing me to enter. I stepped into the office and I saw Lucas engrossed with his iPad. He didn’t even look up.

“Good morning, Mr. Anderson,”

He finally lifted his eyes. As our eyes met, Lucas didn’t look away and I saw his gaze shifting down my body, lingering on my chest before he looked away.

I wanted to say, what the hell, pervert? But I kept mute.

“What do you want?” he suddenly asked.

Wait! What!

“Charlotte said you called for me,”

“Is this an act to get my attention, Miss Augustus?”

“Your attention, for what reason exactly?” I asked. “You would be the last person I would want to get his attention, L.A.S.T,” I spelled out.,

Lucas stood up from his chair ad walked towards me so quickly that I thought he was going to attack me but as he moved closer, he stretched his hand out as if he wanted to touch me.

“I hate you, Pearl,”

I sighed. “Mr. Anderson, hate is a really big word, and to save you the stress of seeing someone you hate, let me go, sack me and I’ll walk out of this place happily,”

“Have you forgotten who is helping your father stand on both feet?” He asked, his voice thick as fuck.

“That’s the only reason why I came back today,” I replied.

He moved so close to me that I could smell his aftershave cream on his face. His plump pink lips directly at my temple.

“You grew taller,” He observed.

As I took an attempt to move back, he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Are you still a virgin, Pearl?” He asked, making me flush with embarrassment. His lips were in close proximity to mine.

“What the heck, Luc… Mr. Anderson?”

He suddenly grabbed my butt making me squeal. “Remember what I told you then, Pearl, if any other man apart from me takes your virginity or tries to kiss you, I’ll kill them. Your body belongs to me, me only,”

He growled.

“My body belongs to nobody,” He smirked.

“I’m nobody. Go get ready, we have a meeting to attend”