[— THE DANIELS ENTERPRISE —]
Being late wasn't an exception for Helene, she could come in anytime she wanted, just because my dad allows it. The board cared less about her activities as long as she runs her work effectively.
Helene parked her car within the parking lot. Settling, I stepped out in the meantime while she was busy doing some important work on her tab.
The workers who were passing had their eyes on me, whenever they see me, they see the workaholic of the company, the exceptional gorgeous female amongst them except my stepsister. That easy going girl,who is a bit tall and with black braids tied into a bun. Whenever they look into my eyes, they see a portion of the moon inhabiting there.
Didn't really care about my dress sense since I wasn't here to impress anyone, except Helene and her mom. Those two were whores to the core. I had a pair of full a sleeves and ruffled button down shirt and a pleated skirt on.
Helene on the other hand was dressed in a silhouette that accentuates her sex appeal. An outfit that bold and seductive, making her looking like a Greek Goddess. I envied her waist-high even spilt hot dress on few occasion.
Her crimson eyes gave supernatural intents that made the workers fear her in most situation.
Aside from us, another car had parked beside Helene's car. I recognized it, it belonged to our company newly appointed director— Vincent Perune.
The hot charming casanova stepped out in blue tuxedo. His shades reflected the raging rays of the sunlight. His footsteps grabbed our attention. I was the first to notice him before Helene.
His eyes were caught by Helene dressing, studing the slits that went right up to her bikini lining, giving him the right amount of sneak peak he needed to marvel at her smooth legs. The plunging neckline alone provided him appropriate view of her breasts.
But overall, he seemed disgusted.
Even though he was quick about it, I noticed him. Vincent was always the cold kinda guy and wears the same a old lonely face everyday. It like he doesn't know the concept of what I call joy.
He eyes were heavy and unsettling, he took out the shades in his pocket to conceal them. He headed our way.
"Good morning ladies, Miss. Erica, report to my office. " , Politely greeting us as he passed.
I gasped as my face erected with sweetness from it hardening state, responding immediately before he stormed into the office. "Morning Vincent!. ", i tried waving ,but he was long gone. Vincent is indeed a storm, although that when he enters the office. I don't know how he is on the outside, you can't judge a book by it covers now, can you? I don't think so.
So I can't judge Vincent on who he is when he's beyond the office premise.
But there's Helene ...she's just a younger version of my mom. But, with twisted emotions. I call her a whore sometimes because when I first met her, she was the type of girl that will ride any guys cock for money but,
She changed, now she has everything except true love. And on the other hand , am sensing she's sexually attracted to me. Her recent behavior towards me have left me pondering what's up with her.
One moment, we are touching, the other, something disrupt that fantasy. One moment, we are about to kiss but something happens.
Helene jammed her door close before she left for the office. The look on her face was a that of a vexed bull, the look had been knitted with her face since we left, she was just paranoid for some reason, probably it was because of her mother? Or was it Vincent?
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"Sir… You requested my presence. ", I said steadily as stood peeking through the corner of the half open door.
"Come in Erica."
"Alright…", I made my way in and sat on the chair in front of his work desk.
"Coffee?", he offered by I nodded a 'No' In response.
"Alright then…", he placed the mug back on his black desk. His office was always on the dark side of things. It like I had no love for colour in his life but damn, the dark theme is kinda creepy.
"You….", he started. "..Don't know why I called you here, but it nothing serious especially If you see it that way."
"...so it serious then.", I stopped for a short pause, looking away from him. With his shades on, it was hard to tell his thoughts, unless he lips decided to play out his expression.
Vincent handed over some files to me. I collected them, and without thinking twice, I opened it and went through very single thing. It was the company fund… "Are you sure this is right? "
"Well I was hoping you would have answers for me. Someone has been withdrawing massive take outs from our company using your name."
I gasped, I just resumed work and this what am getting as a pay back for trying to runwaway home? Fu!!ck this!.
"Sir… You know me well, what will I do with such amount?"
"You haven't been receiving bank alerts"
"I swear I haven't, It I had know that the money is being transported from the company account to mine then to another I would have reacted. "
"I see.", he uttered coldly.
"Sir you have to believe to me… Am one of the senior finance directors so why would I do this? My job is to monitor to cash flow and financial transactions, but I have been to busy with so many things. "
"Erica!.", He beamed. I kept mute, the concept rage was resting upon him. If I tried to engage, the situation might get worse… "Your sister nor your dad are aware of this---"
"My dad…", I Interrupted. "...of course. "
"Huh?"
"Sir… I think I no who is behind this. "
"Who?"
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After few seconds silence…
"Your dad?! You drunk or something?"
"Oh please, listen… My dad is doing everything to get me fired and thrown out on the streets."
"Weed…"
"No… Serious. He's trying to make me look bad so no one supports me, look, you are pretty much new , and you aren't aware of our family background. "
"Says who? I know you all well… But you, never expected you do this in a life time."
"But-"
"Dismissed. And am giving you only 48hours to return all the money or I will publicly fire you… Never mind that, your dad will have you arrested. ", Deep, mind scratching words dug into my system.
"Am a very generous man…", he got up with his pride over him like a jacket. "...so am giving you just two days to prove yourself innocent or I will make you pay… dearly. "
I guess Vincent isn't the type of man I thought he would be. Jeez! Am so sure my dad is behind this but heavens no why he hasn't reacted up until now… Gosh! How do I get out of this one?
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The rest room was my next destination to cool of. '48hours…', I repeated the word in my head non stop. 'Just 48hours …',
I entered and headed for the ladies room, the sensational aroma of the restroom wasn't powerful enough to drag me out of the pool of confusion that I was in.
Fushh!
I shoved my hands continuously into rushing water, cleansing my face. Yeah, the make up went of ...who needed make up anyways. Satisfied, I turned it of and shook my head before drying my face with the side towel.
My heart still skipped every minute I remembered what Vincent had told me. The running cold waters weren't enough to calm me down. I should have bursted tears out right now but… I can't, it only the weak who cries and I am not weak!
I was about to leave, when a hand slipped through my waist line. Hugging me, looking at the mirror, I discovered a lady was behind me. It was— 'Harmonica Devales',
"Babe, I've missed you!", slight pecks, were all over my neck area. Harmonica was my fellow colleague but also someone that I find perfect.
Since I had no taste for men due to numerous heartbreaks I have received in exchange of my joy, I diverted my sex drive. Harmonica was more childhood friend, we've always been at this stuff since highschool and we took it the next level when we couldn't control our feelings anymore.
Her steel blue eyeballs were the cutest I have ever seen, her beauty… Like the edge of a sharp knife that drives men mad for her but she cares less about them, just me.
Within fallen seconds I was giving in, loosing myself. Forgetting the whole 48hours that I have to prove myself innocent.
"Why didn't you call!...", Harmonica beamed turning me around. Our face locked on each other. "...I was so worried!. "
"... Things got out of hand."
"Got out of hand as how?"
"Helene told me you----"
"Forget that…"
"How can I forget that? You should have come over instead, surely we could have worked things out.", she took a pause. "It like you've even forgotten me."
She was right, I had forgotten all about her until now. I was just to focused on my mom's death and the arrival of her lookalike as my sister. It was so weird that Harmonica didn't notice it.
In fact no one noticed she looked like my mom except ...me.