CHAPTER TWO
I stepped into the conglomerate, my footsteps cautious on the glass floor that always made me anxious. The fragility of glass seemed out of place for such a bustling business, where wood or marble would have been a safer, more solid choice.
Workers moved in a flurry of activity, a hive of industry oblivious to my presence. I kept my gaze low, lacking the confidence to meet anyone's eyes.
"That's Derek!" someone called out behind me, freezing me in my tracks.
What did I do this time?
Then it hit me – I was the coffee guy, and maybe I had left everyone waiting for their caffeine fix.
"A cup of coffee latte," a hurried voice demanded.
"Two cups of green tea, no milk," another voice added.
The orders kept coming, one after another, until I escaped to the coffee room, my sanctuary.
I jabbed at the elevator buttons, but the doors didn’t budge. My hands shook, making it harder to balance the tray loaded with coffee cups. A white towel draped over my arm, a constant reminder of the time I spilled coffee on the Financial Secretary’s cocktail dress.
It had been a disaster.
Finally, the elevator doors opened. I looked up and immediately wished I hadn't.
Malika Badu.
Her tall, imposing figure filled the doorway. She had a straight face, scanty lash extensions, and nude lips. She wore a corporate outfit: a long red dress with a high slit that revealed her thighs and a plunging neckline.
I had read Robert Green’s The Art of Seduction, and Malika embodied “The Siren.”
If asked, I'd say her seductive presence was overwhelming. It wouldn’t surprise me if she showed up to work nude one day. On Central News TV, her appearances were so provocative no parent would let their kids watch.
Her every step, every sway of her hips, commanded attention.
I quickly bowed my head.
"Madam," I murmured, not daring to look up.
She walked past, her perfume lingering in the air – a sophisticated Paris fragrance, I guessed.
As the sound of her red-bottom heels faded, I entered the elevator, which smelled just like her. Just like expensive temptation.
I exited on the workers’ floor, distributing the coffees. Distracted, I collided with Yen.
"Aargh! Hot coffee!" she screamed, jumping back and trying to brush it off her blouse.
Laughter erupted around us.
I grabbed the towel and started dabbing at her shirt, but she slapped my hands away.
"You perv!" she snapped. Her almond-shaped eyes blazed, her shiny, possibly oily skin glowing under her makeup. Her red lips matched her hair.
"I'm sorry," I muttered.
"You're always sorry," she retorted, storming off.
"Watch it, blind coffee man. A shirt costs five dollars!" someone hollered.
I bent down, picked up the coffee cups, and nodded, leaving the scene quickly.
I was halfway across the floor when Mustafa blocked my path. He was a towering figure with a thick mustache arching over a forest of beards.
"Ms. Badu needs your attention now," he said.
Fear threatened to overtake me, but I composed myself and followed Mustafa, leaving the workers' area behind. My mind replayed the incident with Yen. Her fierce presence reminded me of Mulan. As I trailed behind Mustafa, a sense of impending doom settled over me.
I reached Malika’s office, the air thick with tension. Just as I was about to knock, my phone buzzed in my pocket. A quick glance showed an urgent message from my landlord.
Eviction notice.
My heart sank. How was I supposed to focus now?
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to push the worry to the back of my mind. My hand trembled slightly as I knocked on Malika’s door.
“Come in,” her voice called, cold and commanding.
I stepped inside, the scent of her perfume even stronger in the confined space. Malika was seated behind her sleek glass desk, her sharp eyes locking onto mine.
“You wanted to see me, Ms. Badu?” I managed to say, keeping my voice steady.
“Yes, Derek. Come closer,” she said, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.
I walked up to her desk, feeling like a lamb approaching a lioness. She looked me up and down, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
“I heard about the incident with Yen. Is that going to be a regular occurrence?” she asked, her voice silky yet menacing.
“No, Madam. It was an accident. I assure you, it won’t happen again,” I replied quickly.
“Good,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “Because we can’t afford any more slip-ups. Especially not with the investors visiting next week.”
“I understand,” I said, nodding.
“Do you?” she challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Do you really understand what’s at stake here?”
Before I could respond, there was a sudden commotion outside her office. The door burst open and Yen stormed in, her face flushed with anger.
“Ms. Badu, I need to speak with you!” she demanded, ignoring my presence entirely.
Malika’s eyes flashed with irritation. “Yen, I’m in the middle of something. This better be important.”
“It is,” Yen insisted, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. “I can’t work under these conditions. That clumsy fool spilled coffee all over me, and now the whole office is laughing at me!”
I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. Yen’s outburst was drawing everyone’s attention.
Malika’s expression hardened. “Yen, control yourself. We will discuss this later.”
“No! We discuss this now!” Yen shouted, slamming her hands on Malika’s desk.
The tension in the room was palpable. I stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do. Just as Malika opened her mouth to respond, the fire alarm blared, startling us all.
“What now?” Malika hissed, standing up abruptly.
People were already evacuating, their hurried footsteps echoing through the halls. I glanced at Malika, who was clearly seething, and then at Yen, who looked just as confused as I felt.
“We need to leave,” I said, finding my voice. “It might be a real fire.”
Malika shot me a withering look but nodded. “Fine. Yen, let’s go.”
We all hurried out of the office, joining the throng of employees heading for the exits. The alarm continued to blare, adding to the chaos. As we made our way outside, I couldn’t help but think that this day couldn’t get any worse.
Once we were safely outside, the fire trucks arrived, and the firemen rushed into the building. I looked around at the gathered employees, their faces a mix of annoyance and concern.
“What a mess,” Yen muttered beside me, crossing her arms.
I nodded, feeling utterly defeated. Just then, my phone buzzed again. Another message from my landlord, more aggressive this time.
I sighed, staring at the screen. How was I going to deal with this? My job was already hanging by a thread, and now I had to worry about finding a new place to live.
“Derek, are you okay?” a voice asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I turned to see Mustafa, his expression unusually sympathetic. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine,” I lied. “Just a lot on my mind.”
He gave me a knowing look. “If you need help, just ask. We’re all in this together, remember?”
I nodded, grateful for his words but unsure of what help anyone could offer. As the fire alarm finally stopped and the firemen gave the all-clear, we began to file back into the building.
The day was far from over, and I had a feeling my troubles were just beginning.
CHAPTER THREEI couldn't shake the events of the previous day as I walked into the office. The fire alarm incident, Yen's anger, and Malika's stern reprimand all weighed heavily on my mind. But what truly surprised me was Malika's unexpected kindness when we were alone later that day.She had invited me to her office, her tone soft and inviting. I had expected another reprimand but instead found myself in an entirely different situation."You seem tense, Derek," Malika had said, her voice a soothing contrast to her usual sharpness. "Sit down."I had complied, bewildered by her sudden change in demeanor. She had leaned in, her perfume intoxicating, and before I knew it, we were entangled in a moment of passion I never saw coming.Now, as I stepped into the office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and guilt. How could she switch from being so harsh to so tender? And why did it feel like there was more to her kindness than met the eye?My thoughts were interrupted by Mustafa.
CHAPTER FOURThe morning started as usual, with the familiar routine of brewing coffee for the workers in the lingerie conglomerate. The aroma of freshly ground beans filled the air as I prepared the orders, trying to push the chaotic events of the past few days out of my mind."One espresso, two lattes, and a green tea," I called out, placing the cups on the counter for the waiting employees.The routine tasks helped calm my nerves, but the uneasy feeling from yesterday's breach lingered. As I handed out the last cup, I heard Malika's voice behind me."Derek, my office. Now."Her tone was sharp, almost angry. I turned to see her standing in the doorway, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and something else I couldn't quite place."Yes, Ms. Badu," I said, wiping my hands on my apron and following her.As soon as we were inside her office, she closed the door with a slam and rounded on me."Do you know what this breach could mean for us?" she snapped, her voice icy."I underst
CHAPTER FIVEThe investor meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m., and the atmosphere at the conglomerate was electric. The conference room was meticulously prepared, with a sleek glass table, plush chairs, and a large screen for presentations. Fresh flowers adorned the center of the table, and trays of gourmet pastries and coffee were set up along the side.As the clock ticked closer to ten, representatives from various prestigious firms began to arrive. There was Amanda Cheng from Lotus Lingerie, a sharp and stylish woman known for her business acumen. Next was Victor Hernandez, the CFO of Velvet Couture, a rival company with a reputation for aggressive expansion. Finally, Emma King from Seduction Silks, whose brand was synonymous with luxury and elegance, took her seat.Malika entered the room with her siren presence, wearing a tailored pant suit which was all revealing her chest line and exuded feminine power. She nodded curtly to the investors, her expression a perfect blend of confide
CHAPTER SIXThe next morning, the office was unusually quiet. The usual buzz of activity was replaced by a tense, almost eerie silence. I sensed that something was off as soon as I walked in, but it wasn’t until I saw the expressions on my coworkers' faces that I knew something serious had happened."Hey, Derek," one of the junior staff members whispered as I passed by. "Did you see the news?""What news?" I asked, feeling a pang of dread.She handed me her phone, and my heart sank as I read the headline: "Major Security Breach at Malwear Lingerie Conglomerate: Sensitive Data Exposed." The article detailed the breach, revealing that confidential information had been leaked, and speculated about the potential fallout. It was already being reported on TV and radio.I quickly made my way to Malika's office, my mind racing. This was worse than I had imagined. As I approached, I could hear raised voices from inside. I hesitated for a moment, then knocked softly."Come in," Malika's voice s
CHAPTER SEVENThe pressure in the office was relentless. The fallout from the security breach had put everyone on edge, and Malika's parents' presence only heightened the tension. Their demands for swift action and accountability were growing more desperate by the day.One morning, Malika's mother, a sharp-eyed woman with an air of icy authority, called her into a private meeting. I watched as Malika walked into the conference room, her posture stiff with tension."You need to find a scapegoat," her mother said coldly, not bothering with pleasantries. "This scandal is ruining us. We cannot afford for the public or our investors to know about our... other business ventures."Malika's hands trembled slightly as she tried to respond. "Mother, it's not that simple. We don't even know who leaked the information yet. I actually don't know what to do now “.Her mother leaned forward, her eyes boring into Malika's. "I don't care. Accuse someone—anyone. The blame must be shifted away from the
Chapter OneDEREK The last tendrils of sleep clung to me like cobwebs as the insistent shriek of the alarm ripped through the sterile silence of my apartment. I swatted at it blindly, the plastic casing clattering to the floor.It was the umpteenth time I have had to knock out my alarm in just a week and there was guilt lurking at me just for the act.I rolled on my bed weakly wishing I could be bedridden even for a minute but nothing was working.Then the sound of my phone jolted me fully awake.My hands danced to the bedside, groping for the flat misery Jenna, my cousin got for me on her bat mitzvah ceremony. I couldn't care less. My hands stumbled upon a smooth surface. I picked it and brought it close to my face.Five missed calls.I tapped on the call log and realized I was going to be needed at work in barely an hour time and the Chief of Staff would not spare me a moment of bliss without her incessant reminders.Women. My life turns out to be hit by a ladies truck. I manage
CHAPTER SEVENThe pressure in the office was relentless. The fallout from the security breach had put everyone on edge, and Malika's parents' presence only heightened the tension. Their demands for swift action and accountability were growing more desperate by the day.One morning, Malika's mother, a sharp-eyed woman with an air of icy authority, called her into a private meeting. I watched as Malika walked into the conference room, her posture stiff with tension."You need to find a scapegoat," her mother said coldly, not bothering with pleasantries. "This scandal is ruining us. We cannot afford for the public or our investors to know about our... other business ventures."Malika's hands trembled slightly as she tried to respond. "Mother, it's not that simple. We don't even know who leaked the information yet. I actually don't know what to do now “.Her mother leaned forward, her eyes boring into Malika's. "I don't care. Accuse someone—anyone. The blame must be shifted away from the
CHAPTER SIXThe next morning, the office was unusually quiet. The usual buzz of activity was replaced by a tense, almost eerie silence. I sensed that something was off as soon as I walked in, but it wasn’t until I saw the expressions on my coworkers' faces that I knew something serious had happened."Hey, Derek," one of the junior staff members whispered as I passed by. "Did you see the news?""What news?" I asked, feeling a pang of dread.She handed me her phone, and my heart sank as I read the headline: "Major Security Breach at Malwear Lingerie Conglomerate: Sensitive Data Exposed." The article detailed the breach, revealing that confidential information had been leaked, and speculated about the potential fallout. It was already being reported on TV and radio.I quickly made my way to Malika's office, my mind racing. This was worse than I had imagined. As I approached, I could hear raised voices from inside. I hesitated for a moment, then knocked softly."Come in," Malika's voice s
CHAPTER FIVEThe investor meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m., and the atmosphere at the conglomerate was electric. The conference room was meticulously prepared, with a sleek glass table, plush chairs, and a large screen for presentations. Fresh flowers adorned the center of the table, and trays of gourmet pastries and coffee were set up along the side.As the clock ticked closer to ten, representatives from various prestigious firms began to arrive. There was Amanda Cheng from Lotus Lingerie, a sharp and stylish woman known for her business acumen. Next was Victor Hernandez, the CFO of Velvet Couture, a rival company with a reputation for aggressive expansion. Finally, Emma King from Seduction Silks, whose brand was synonymous with luxury and elegance, took her seat.Malika entered the room with her siren presence, wearing a tailored pant suit which was all revealing her chest line and exuded feminine power. She nodded curtly to the investors, her expression a perfect blend of confide
CHAPTER FOURThe morning started as usual, with the familiar routine of brewing coffee for the workers in the lingerie conglomerate. The aroma of freshly ground beans filled the air as I prepared the orders, trying to push the chaotic events of the past few days out of my mind."One espresso, two lattes, and a green tea," I called out, placing the cups on the counter for the waiting employees.The routine tasks helped calm my nerves, but the uneasy feeling from yesterday's breach lingered. As I handed out the last cup, I heard Malika's voice behind me."Derek, my office. Now."Her tone was sharp, almost angry. I turned to see her standing in the doorway, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and something else I couldn't quite place."Yes, Ms. Badu," I said, wiping my hands on my apron and following her.As soon as we were inside her office, she closed the door with a slam and rounded on me."Do you know what this breach could mean for us?" she snapped, her voice icy."I underst
CHAPTER THREEI couldn't shake the events of the previous day as I walked into the office. The fire alarm incident, Yen's anger, and Malika's stern reprimand all weighed heavily on my mind. But what truly surprised me was Malika's unexpected kindness when we were alone later that day.She had invited me to her office, her tone soft and inviting. I had expected another reprimand but instead found myself in an entirely different situation."You seem tense, Derek," Malika had said, her voice a soothing contrast to her usual sharpness. "Sit down."I had complied, bewildered by her sudden change in demeanor. She had leaned in, her perfume intoxicating, and before I knew it, we were entangled in a moment of passion I never saw coming.Now, as I stepped into the office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and guilt. How could she switch from being so harsh to so tender? And why did it feel like there was more to her kindness than met the eye?My thoughts were interrupted by Mustafa.
CHAPTER TWOI stepped into the conglomerate, my footsteps cautious on the glass floor that always made me anxious. The fragility of glass seemed out of place for such a bustling business, where wood or marble would have been a safer, more solid choice.Workers moved in a flurry of activity, a hive of industry oblivious to my presence. I kept my gaze low, lacking the confidence to meet anyone's eyes."That's Derek!" someone called out behind me, freezing me in my tracks.What did I do this time?Then it hit me – I was the coffee guy, and maybe I had left everyone waiting for their caffeine fix."A cup of coffee latte," a hurried voice demanded."Two cups of green tea, no milk," another voice added.The orders kept coming, one after another, until I escaped to the coffee room, my sanctuary.I jabbed at the elevator buttons, but the doors didn’t budge. My hands shook, making it harder to balance the tray loaded with coffee cups. A white towel draped over my arm, a constant reminder of th
Chapter OneDEREK The last tendrils of sleep clung to me like cobwebs as the insistent shriek of the alarm ripped through the sterile silence of my apartment. I swatted at it blindly, the plastic casing clattering to the floor.It was the umpteenth time I have had to knock out my alarm in just a week and there was guilt lurking at me just for the act.I rolled on my bed weakly wishing I could be bedridden even for a minute but nothing was working.Then the sound of my phone jolted me fully awake.My hands danced to the bedside, groping for the flat misery Jenna, my cousin got for me on her bat mitzvah ceremony. I couldn't care less. My hands stumbled upon a smooth surface. I picked it and brought it close to my face.Five missed calls.I tapped on the call log and realized I was going to be needed at work in barely an hour time and the Chief of Staff would not spare me a moment of bliss without her incessant reminders.Women. My life turns out to be hit by a ladies truck. I manage