Richard's mind raced with thoughts about the pack of condoms. 'Is he sleeping with ladies who come here for job interviews, or perhaps he's sleeping with the secretary?'
Before he could dwell on it any further, the manager's thick voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you the useless son-in-law of the Lucas family?"
Richard froze for a moment, confused by the abruptness of the question. Did this perverted bald head just call me useless? He pondered, weighing his response carefully. Finally, he nodded in affirmation, knowing that voicing his displeasure would only lead to more trouble.
"What are your qualifications, young man?" the manager demanded, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Richard.
"I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, sir," Richard replied, trying to sound confident.
The manager's smile was thin and mocking. "Really? Your mother-in-law told me you have a bachelor's degree in errand service."
Richard felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment and anger, but he fought to keep his composure. The manager seemed to revel in his discomfort, clearly enjoying the power he held in this moment.
"Is that so?" Richard replied, his tone steady despite the irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "I assure you, I'm more than capable of contributing to your team."
The manager leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he studied Richard, a calculating look in his eyes. "We'll see about that. This hotel requires high standards, and I don't think I need to explain what happens to those who fail to meet them."
The manager smirked, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Don't worry, Richard. I'll give you a job. You'll be my personal errand dog."
Richard's stomach churned at the demeaning title, but he held his tongue, desperate to keep the opportunity within reach.
"Here's your first task," the manager continued, sliding the pack of condoms across the desk toward Richard with a flourish. "Take this pack of condoms and find your way to the executive lounge. The director is there—deliver these condoms to him."
Richard stared at the pack of condoms, disbelief washing over him. "You can't be serious," he said, his voice laced with incredulity. This was beyond humiliating.
"Dead serious," the manager replied, his smirk widening as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying Richard's discomfort. "Consider it a test of your initiative. If you can handle this simple task, maybe we can talk about more substantial responsibilities later."
Richard's frustration bubbled up, but he knew he couldn't afford to lose his temper. This is just a stepping stone, he reminded himself. He took a deep breath and grabbed the pack, forcing a smile as he did so.
"Fine. I'll deliver it," he said, trying to sound composed despite the embarrassment burning in his cheeks.
"Good. Now get going, 'personal errand dog'," the manager quipped, waving him off dismissively.
As Richard turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a long, humiliating journey. But he steeled himself, determined to prove that he was more than just a pawn in this game.
"Come back here, you fool! How can you carry a condom like that without properly concealing it from being seen?" the manager called after Richard, irritation lacing his voice.
Richard turned back, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment flooding him. He quickly grabbed an envelope from the manager's desk, slipped the pack of condoms inside, and hurried out of the office, eager to escape the awkward situation.
As he approached the reception area, he spotted the secretary. She stared at him curiously, her expression shifting to one of surprise.
"What is your name?" Richard asked, hoping for some clarity amid the chaos of the day.
"I'm Eve," she replied with a warm smile.
"Alright, Eve. How can I find my way to the executive lounge? I've been asked to deliver this package to the director."
"Wow, congratulations! That means you got the job!" Eve beamed, her excitement palpable.
Richard felt a flicker of pride at her enthusiasm, despite the ridiculous task. "Uhhm, how do I get there?" he pressed.
"Take the elevator to the top floor," she instructed, her voice steady and clear. "When you get off, the director's lounge will be on your left."
Richard nodded, grateful for her guidance. As he made his way to the elevator, he couldn't help but appreciate her politeness. If everyone could be this polite, the world would be a better place, he thought aloud, a smile creeping onto his face.
After a brief ride, he stepped out onto the top floor, the plush carpet beneath his feet making him feel slightly more at ease. He turned left as instructed and approached the director's lounge, his heart racing with anticipation.
With one last deep breath, he knocked on the door, a female voice called out, "Come in." He was taken aback, wondering if the director was a woman.
As he stepped into the room, he scanned the space, looking for the source of the voice. Before he could fully process what was happening, he felt a presence behind him. A naked woman suddenly grabbed him, pushing him onto the bed.
"What the—?" Richard exclaimed, but before he could finish his sentence, she climbed on top of him. His heart raced in confusion and disbelief.
A camera crew, previously hidden from view, sprang into action, rolling their cameras and capturing the unexpected scene. Bright lights illuminated the room, casting stark shadows that added to the surreal atmosphere.
Richard's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the situation. "What is going on?" he shouted, struggling to sit up, but the woman pinned him down with surprising strength.
"Relax, it's all part of the job!" she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leaned closer. The cameras continued to roll, capturing every moment.
In that instant, Richard realized he had walked into something entirely unprofessional and potentially career-ending. Panic surged through him as he struggled to break free, desperate to escape this bizarre setup.
"Get off me!" he shouted, finally managing to push her away and sitting up to face her directly. The laughter from the camera crew echoed around the room, making his humiliation all the more profound.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" he demanded, looking around for the director, but finding no one else present.
"Just a little initiation, sweetie," the woman replied, smirking as she adjusted herself. "They want to see if you can handle the pressure."
Richard shook his head, trying to make sense of the chaos. This wasn't what he had signed up for.
The naked woman was handed a towel by someone off-camera, and she casually tied it around her waist before turning to face Richard. Her expression shifted from mischievous to sympathetic, though there was still a glint of amusement in her eyes.
"Sorry, love," she said, her tone almost apologetic, "but I was paid to do this. Five million dollars is too attractive to refuse." She shrugged nonchalantly, as if that amount justified everything. "I don't know how you're going to do it, but you're doomed, Richard."
Richard's heart dropped as her words sank in. Five million dollars? Whoever orchestrated this had gone to extreme lengths to set him up. His mind raced, trying to figure out who could possibly be behind this.
His first thought was Katherine. She had suddenly become "nice" to him and handed him that card, leading him straight into this trap. It was clear now that everything—the job, the director, the hotel—was all part of a sinister plan to ruin him.
"You're serious?" Richard asked, his voice barely above a whisper, feeling the weight of betrayal closing in on him.
The woman nodded with a sad smile. "It's just business, darling. Nothing personal. But trust me, they're going to make sure this video ruins you."
Richard clenched his fists, fury bubbling inside him. He couldn't believe it. He was caught in a web of deceit, and with cameras rolling, there was no way to explain his innocence without the footage being twisted.
"This is a setup," Richard muttered to himself. His mind raced with thoughts of how to escape this trap and salvage what was left of his dignity.
Before he could act, the door opened, and the camera crew began to file out, their job apparently done. The woman gave him one last pitying look before she followed them out, leaving Richard alone in the room.
With the damage done, Richard realized he was in the fight of his life, not just for his reputation, but for his future.
Frustration was etched into every line of Richard's face as he entered the elevator. His mind raced, trying to process everything that had just happened, the set-up, the betrayal, the humiliating ordeal caught on camera.
The elevator doors were about to close when a strange-looking man slipped in, his presence unsettling.
Richard glanced at him suspiciously but was too distracted by his thoughts to react immediately.
Something about the man's countenance didn't sit right, but before Richard could fully process the danger, the man moved swiftly.
In one smooth motion, the stranger brought out a syringe and jabbed it into Richard's neck. Richard's eyes widened in shock as he tried to react, but it was too late.
"What the--?" Richard muttered, his voice slurring as the tranquilizer quickly took effect.
His vision blurred, and his legs buckled beneath him as he felt the world spinning out of control.
The last thing he saw was the cold, expressionless face of the man before darkness swallowed him whole.
As Richard collapsed to the floor, the man silently observed his limp body. He pressed a button on the elevator panel, redirecting it to an unknown floor.
Richard was now completely at the mercy of whoever had orchestrated this elaborate scheme, sinking deeper into the dangerous game being played against him.