"Grriiiing, grriing…"
A screen light suddenly came on, and a shrilling ringing of the phone filled the air. A slim hand stretched out in the dark room and the phone was lifted off the table.
"90 degree clubhouse," a male grumpy voice muttered, sounding dispassionate and tired.
With a huff, Sky picked up the call.
"I am on my way," she mumbled into the phone, before ending the call.
With red, sleepy eyes, Sky glared at her phone's screen.
"11: 50 PM."
Unhurried, she got out of bed, and freshened off, before picking up her purse from under the lamp and exiting the room.
She soon came out of a four-story building complex, and hopped into a taxi that was waiting for her.
Two months ago, Sky Rivers thought picking up her boss whenever he got drunk was a flex. An opportunity to establish a solid, friendly relationship that could lead to something more.
Though she dared not think too much about that 'something more', her best friend, Lory, convinced her that the possibility was very high. So she eagerly became Ocean Woods' emergency contact. He is tall, handsome, and one of the most prestigious, and eligible bachelors in Chelsea City.
And she was secretly in love with him.
Despite Sky's reserved nature, and her highly tolerant demeanor, it took Ocean Woods just two weeks to wear her out. Not only was she picking him up from random clubs and bars every night, but back at the office, he also transferred all his aggressions to her. The man hated her and blamed her for his breakup. In a week, he would threaten to fire her at least twice a day.
A few minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of Club 90 Degrees and she got out with a weary sign. When she came to pick him up from this same club two days ago, the entrance was crowded and bustling. Today being Monday, everywhere was quiet. Sky hurried to the door and stepped in.
The bar was dimly lit and empty except for one VIP table. On a three-seater couch, Sky spotted Ocean, passed out.
She walked over and picked up his car key and wallet.
"Miss, you have arrived." A young man of about 22 years exited the bar and walked over to the VIP table.
"Yes. Did he come with his car?" Sky asked casually.
"Yes, Miss."
The boy bent down and carefully helped Ocean to his feet.
To keep him standing, the two of them had to edge him on both sides with his hands swung across their shoulders.
Using the back door of the bar, they slowly made their way to the car park where a Black Benz was parked among other cars. A few meters from the car, Sky pressed the car key and the doors clicked open. When they got to it, the young man carefully used his free hand to open the back door and they carefully guided Ocean's slumped body into the back seat.
Once he was tucked in and buckled up, Sky removed some cash from Ocean's wallet and handed it to the young man. He took it, gave a slight bow, and walked away.
Sky got into the driver's seat, buckled up, and started the car. As she made her way onto the express road, she couldn't help but ask herself if the salary was worth the stress.
It's not that bad. Just suck it up. It's not as if you are not gaining anything. She mused inwardly.
Though Ocean was unfair to her, the thought of not seeing his face scared her. Her one-sided love was going nowhere, but her heart wasn't willing to give up.
20 minutes later, the car entered a luxurious estate and stopped in front of a four-bedroom, three-story, detached duplex. The car honked, followed by the flicking of the headlights. After some rustling and the sound of some rushing footsteps, the gate swung open and Sky drove in.
By the time she parked the car, the elderly gateman was already on standby. The moment he saw Sky, he hurried to the back seat, opened the door, and carefully maneuvered Ocean's body until he was out of the car. Sky hurried to the front door. After opening it, she hurried back to help the man. They moved Ocean into the well-furnished house and settled him into the largest couch.
Sky removed his shoes, wristwatch, and loosened tie. She then covered him with a duvet. She entered the kitchen, filled a glass cup with water, then gulped it down. She came out of the kitchen carrying a jug of water, a glass cup, and a medical ziplock bag containing some satchels of drugs, — in a tray.
Once she placed the tray on a stand close to Ocean, she turned around and exited the house.
In the past, after getting Ocean to the house, she would unbutton his shirt and wipe his body before leaving. This wasn't because she wanted to act like a pervert, but because she wanted to make him feel comfortable and have a good sleep. Before her parents' demise in a car accident years ago, this was how her mother treated her father whenever he returned home drunk after hanging out with business partners. Sky thought it was a standard way of taking care of drunks. But when Ocean found out, he rebuked her and even deducted her salary.
By the time Sky got back home, it was past midnight and she couldn't fall asleep until three in the morning. By 5:30 AM, she was up and out of the house again.
As Ocean Woods' secretary, she always made sure to get to the office ahead of others as her boss refused to let anyone except for his secretary and his assistant have access to his office. That left the cleaning of the office to Sky.
"Where is this damn girl? Sky!"
She was just making her second cup of coffee when Ocean's angry voice blasted through the last floor of Emerald Technology and Investment Company.
Caught off guard, Sky shivered and the mug in her hand dropped. Luckily, she came back to her senses before it hit the floor. Stepping back just in time, she was able to avoid getting splashed with hot water.
Wondering what she had done wrong this time, she dashed out of the kitchenette and hurried into Ocean's office.
Tall and imposing, with sharp features and eyes sparkling with hardly restrained rage, Ocean Woods stood by his window, glaring at the beautiful view of the always bustling business district of Chelsea City.
"S-sir?" Sky stuttered the moment she stepped in.
Due to a business meeting Ocean didn't want to attend, Mark, his assistant, had to work out of the office, leaving Sky to bear the full brunt of Ocean's irrational anger.
"Where did you go?" Ocean asked in a relaxed tone that would make one doubt if he was the one who shouted just now.
"I was in the kitchen…"
"Did I hire you to eat?"
"..."
There was no use explaining as it would only make him more angry, so Sky just stood there with her hands humbly folded behind her back, and her head bowed.
"Ask BDD to pick this file up. I want it back before 2 pm."
"Yes sir."
Instantly relieved, Sky relaxed. Stepping forward, she picked up the bulky file and stepped away. Just as she was about to leave the office, she received news that brightened her eyes.
"Once it's noon, we are going shopping."
"Yes sir."
Back at her desk, she made the call and then started clearing up her table for the day. They were just 40 minutes shy of noon.
Three months ago, Ocean Woods' long-term girlfriend and a popular influencer, suddenly ghosted him. After being gone for four weeks, the news of her wedding and subsequent honeymoon hit the internet, sending shockwaves into the hearts of the netizens and completely chattering Ocean's heart.
Since then, Sky's job has become a nightmare.
The only good thing was that since that incident happened, her wardrobe had greatly improved. Not only did she automatically become Ocean Woods' plus-one at all his social events, but each event meant a new dress, a new pair of shoes, a bag or purse, and most importantly, jewelry.
Her salary for the past two years added together can't even serve as a deposit for some of the jewelry Ocean has gotten for her in the past two months, but the sentimental value they have to her can't be bought. For Sky, those gifts were a sign of hope, and she told herself that going out to shop with him was the same as going out on a date.
If he hated her, why buy them for her? Why take her out, introducing her to his circle of friends? Why insist on choosing what she should wear and how to wear them?
As a multi-millionaire and a young and handsome bachelor, Ocean wasn't deprived of girls. Beautiful women from prestigious homes tried to seduce him after Amanda's betrayal, but he rejected them all and chose her to be his partner.
Sky was sure that somewhere in Ocean's heart, he liked her and would eventually accept her. All she needed to do was hang in there and bear it all.