Chapter 4 First Night

Natasha

Having been Bruce's secretary for two years, I knew how rare it was for him to get drunk. He drank like every other person but never enough to get drunk. He loved to be clear headed every time.

Whenever he got drunk, it meant something really bad had happened. Maybe it was because of Mac Group stealing our project? I doubt it, it wasn't enough for Bruce to get drunk.

Anyway, I arrived at the Royal bar and rushed towards Bruce's usual seat. He was there and he looked wasted. The barman was a new one.

He winked at me. "Your boyfriend?" The barman asked.

"No," I replied. "How much did he drink?"

"Not enough to get drunk. He is bad at holding his alcohol, it seems," The barman retorted. "I'm a great drinker. Are you free this weekend? Let's have a drink!"

"Boss?" I called Bruce, paying no attention to the barman.

I checked his pocket and found his car key. I tapped him gently, hoping to rouse him.

"Why are you ignoring me?" The barman asked.

I turned towards him and he seemed taken aback by my sudden gaze.

"Focus on your job, lad. I'm not interested in having a drink with you!" I told him plainly.

Bruce woke up so I didn't need to engage the barman further.

"You are here, cutie!" Bruce said as he smiled at me. He was totally drunk.

I heaved a sigh and helped him up. I wondered if he had forgiven me and would accept me back as his secretary or if he was only acting this way because he was drunk.

I helped Bruce into his car and drove him.

All through, he either stayed quiet or said incomprehensible things. The security guard at his house knew me so I was allowed entrance without question.

"We are here!" I told Bruce. He didn't answer but he opened the door and staggered outside.

I held him and helped him into his room. I tucked him in and while doing this, I wondered if he was my kid.

As I was about to leave, he held onto me. I turned around. "Don't go," He said in a voice that sounded more like a whisper.

"I have to go, boss. It's late," I muttered. However, he wasn't listening.

He dragged me to bed with him and held onto me. My first instinct was to push him away but it dawned on me that he wasn't a predator. He was more like a kid in dire need of love.

He wrapped his hands around me and held onto me as if I was his last hope. I recognized that move and I pat him gently, soothing him. I will leave after he falls asleep, I told myself.

** "What the fuck!"

Bruce's voice woke me up from my deep slumber. He had jumped off the bed and I did the same right after opening my eyes. I had fallen asleep while soothing Bruce.

"What happened? Why are you here?" Bruce asked. He looked in dire need of answers.

"Yesterday, you called me. I picked you from the bar and brought you home," I explained.

"I called you?" Bruce asked and began to laugh. "How would I call someone who betrayed me for another company? That's impossible!"

Fuck! I closed my eyes and reopened them.

Bruce found his phone and he seemed to be going through his call logs. His countenance changed when he found out he had truly called me.

"I was drunk! You should tell me why you spent the night here in the same bed with me? Is this your new plan with Baldwin? You want to ruin my image with a scandal now!" Bruce retorted angrily.

"No, you held onto me," I told him. "I wanted to leave but you refused to let go of me."

"Impossible!" Bruce exclaimed. "How come I have no memories of that? Just tell the truth. Your new plan is to blackmail me, huh! Did you take pictures? You didn't rape me, did you?"

"Stop being dramatic and listen up!" I shouted in frustration. I got his attention, alright.

"Everything happened coincidentally. My boyfriend, Michael, stole the documents without my knowledge. I have no ties with Baldwin or Mac Group. That is the only truth!"

"Why should I believe you? Do I look like a fool that can be played?" Bruce asked, showing no emotion.

"I worked for you for two years, boss. Did you have no trust in me?" I asked him plainly.

"I did..." He replied. "Not until the first place you entered after I fired you was the head office of Mac Group. You tell me you have no connections to Mac Group? Stop being shameless and get out already!"

I took a deep breath. "I didn't go there for the reason you think! I went there for..." I was saying when he interrupted.

"I have no interest in your lies," Bruce said while acting nonchalant.

"However, there will be an issue if you overstep your bounds. A scandal about me and you won't be appreciated. We never had sex, I can tell that. Don't push your luck!" He moved towards the door and opened it.

I knew better than to stay behind. I left on foot, more discouraged than I was yesterday.

** "It didn't go well," I told Marie simply. She sighed on hearing this news. I put on a fake smile, assuring her that everything would be fine.

"I will get us a new house with my savings. It will be smaller than this place though."

"Yeah," Marie muttered. She looked nervous. I didn't think much of this and proceeded to look for houses.

I found one that fitted my budget. I was going to show Marie but she wasn't at home. I concluded that she had gone to Bajie, her boyfriend.

I was going to transfer the money in my savings account to my regular bank account when I found out.. Savings balance: $0.00

What the fuck!