Chapter 8 Episode 8

Annie couldn't sleep at night. Her brother's tormentor had called several times, threatening him that he had three more days to pay up his debt, else they would come to take Annie away.

Annie needed someone to talk to and so she snuck out of window and rush off to see her best friend, Hana.

Hannah was surprised after she narrated everything.

"Are you serious? That's not possible! What kind of a man is he? Handsome or ugly, tall or short, kind or cold?. What if he is some kind of a psycho?" Hannah asked..

"Now you're scarring me. Maybe I should say no. Why do I always end up in situations like this?" Annie sobbed.

Hannah rubbed her shoulders. "Annie listen to me. You're looking for work, take it. Say yes. How else will you survive if you don't take it?"

"What if something happens to me Hannah? The guy can abuse me or kidnap and sell me, what if he's some beast or drug lord?" Annie replied.

"Think about your brother. He is being tortured, what's more, you will be taken away if you don't get to settle your brother's debt and you grandmother will be kicked out for not paying rent" Hana reminded her.

Annie clapped. "Thank you for reminding me all my problems. Did you really think I forgot?"

"No I'm sure you didn't. You shouldn't blame yourself if something bad happen because you couldn't help" Hana reasoned..

"Take that back, that was mean" Annie wiped her face with the back of her palm.

"Yes because it hurts. But you're the one who said you needed a miracle. Here it is" Hana says.

"Sure but does a miracle have to come at a cost? I feel like I'm selling myself" Annie whimpered.

"Annie" Hana called.

"Don't worry. I guess I will have to call her, I will stay tomorrow" Annie said in defeat.

"Good girl and make sure she pays deposit upfront. I hope the job is still available?" Hannah rubbed Annie's shoulder.

Annie sighed. All she she could do was to hug Hana. She needed that.

* * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * *

Travis got to the office and the first thing he saw on his table was a resignation letter. His errand girl just reassigned. Travis saw no reason for her resignation and he smelt a dead rat.

"Hey, brother" Luke banged into his office.

"What's this, Luke? Why is Etna resigning?" Travis asked.

"Guess she's tired. Don't worry, I will get another girl to do the job" Luke blurts out.

"What did you mean? She's tired, Luke?" Travis asked, he knew something was wrong..

Luke smiled. It was a fake smile, Travis knew.

"Brother I mean she might be tired of working with a perfectionist like you. Hmm why do you worry for just a common errand girl, I will find you another one" Luke rush words.

"I see" Travis said.

"How about we hit the club tonight? New York high class bitches will be present" Luke signalled, only to receive a deadly glare from Travis.

"Such a workaholic" Luke snickered and left his office.

* * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * *

Annie finally arrived at the house in the address. It was one of the building she had never thought she would see in physical. The building was tall, the gates were gigantic and magnificent. There was a bold inscribtion on one side of the building "THE SANTIAGO".

Annie refused to close her mouth which was wide agape.

"I'm sure I don't need to knock, there must be hidden cameras" Annie said to herself. She remained and the gate and started shouting hello. Not quiet long, a young lady, neatly dresses in a white shirt and high waist dark skirt came out.

"Is something wrong? Who are you? Who are you waving at?" Annie was asked.

"Hmm I assume this is the way in?" Annie took her lower lip in.

"You can ring the bell"

"I'm sorry, would it be possible to meet Mrs Santiago?" She asked.

"Yes, come in" she was ushered in.

Annie was stunned at the interior of the house..

"Do you have an appointment?" She was asked.

"Hmmm....I..." She didn't know what to reply so she kept quiet.

Annie was surprised to see Mrs Santiago, swimming like a young lady in the pool.

"Ma'am, you have a visitor" the last who had brought her announced..

Mrs Santiago stopped swimming and took her towel.

"You can leave." Her reply was precise.

Soon she was out of the pool and she invited Annie to seat in the relaxation center.

"Alright I'm listening" she beckoned.

Annie scratched her hair. "Oh well, I've thought about the offer and I've decided to accept it"

Mrs Lila smiled at her response.

"But I only want 200 thousand dollars" Annie added.

"Aahn ahhh I'm so glad. Why only 200 thousand dollars?" Lila asked.

"I don't really want to get involved, but I need 200,000 urgently, you can keep the rest" Annie said.

"That's the best news anyone could have given me" Mrs Lila smiled.

"Ummh so we need to figure out how to gain his trust" Annie fiddled with her finger.

"Listen sweety, not to be funny and there's no other way to say this but we will have to do something about your look, is that even possible...." Lila said. She stood from the chair and went in. She was back minutes later, now dressed in a classy summer wear.

She took Annie out. Firstly they went to a fashion store to shop for wears and shoes.

All the dresses Annie tried on was perfect on her, Mrs Lila was satisfied with what she's seeing. Each of the clothes cling to her like a second skin, she was dazzling in each and everyone of it.

Like a goddess.

"When it comes to men, women need to have techniques and tactics. Tactic number one has to do with your personal appearance. The man we are talking about likes women with impeccable style. Tactic number 2 is about shoes. Shoes without heels aren't shoes but you will wear them as if they are as comfortable as slippers. It needs to look as if you're gliding..." Lila said and Annie walked out in one of the heels, it hurts her little feet and she almost fell.

"Not like that, it looks as if you're about to topple over. Take them home to practice walking in them untill you can walk like a model..."Lila said.

"They are hurting me, I can't walk with them all day" Annie complained.

"You will get over it. Remember beauty and pain goes hand in hand" Lila said.

Annie sighed, wondering what she had gotten herself into.

"But that's not possible. My feet hurts" Annie cried out.

"I told you to smile even if it feels as if you're walking on coals. Men like friendly, positive women right? That's why we keep smiling until the day we catch them" Lila said.

Annie sighed. All the clothes and shoes were packed and she found it difficult to believe that they are all hers.

* * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * *

At home, Annie tried walking in the heels in front of her best friend who wouldn't stop laughing at her.

"Stop laughing Hana, my feet are hurting and my back is aching" Annie said, tiredly..

"Ohh you forgot to smile" Hana retorts. Annie sat tiredly.

"She sounds like a smart woman. Listen you have to tell me if you have any more tips" Hana clasped her hands together. The heels are beautiful indeed. Each and every wear Annie showed her were costly and she doesn't need a soothsayer to tell her that the man Annie will he working for is more than wealthy.

"Okay but they are not meant for girls like us. They are stupid things have never heard of" Annie hissed.

"Hmm so you think I'm stupid?" Hana pouts.

"Then I must be as well, ohh my poor feet" Annie whispered.

"Why are you wearing them? Do you have to keep them on?" Hana asked.

"I need to work with them on. I need to practice walking with them. He likes heels, it's so stupid" Annie hissed.

"Really? She should have found someone who is used to them" Hana suggested.

"That's what I was thinking. Why did she ask me instead?" Annie reasoned.

"Ask her directly" Hana chipped in.

"Aaaah I think it's,better if I dint bother her. She gets annoyed really quickly" Annie breathed.

* * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * *

The next day, Annie arrived at Mrs Santiago's mansion. The woman taught her some little things she needs to know.

"He only drinks a certain type of coffee. Make sure it's ready before he even ask for it and it has to be hot".

"His schedule changes daily but usually he has eggs for breakfast in Thursdays. Not too much starch and the eggs needs to be soft. You just prepare his breakfast because he doesn't have any live in help, well except a woman called mine. He doesn't like people disturbing him or having people around him. He has to see all the latest fashion magazines every month. "

"On weekdays, he wears dark suits and weekends be prefer something light and comfortable. You need to ensure everything get back from the dry cleaner in time even though he wears them only once"

"His taste in ties is important. Light coloured at the start if the week, if he chooses dark blue, it means trouble is brewing" Mrs Lila explained every single thing to Lila before taking her out to the salon where she got her hair washed and done, her nails were fixed and her later they went to the spa to treat her skin.

Mrs Santiago change Annie's phone ringtone to Travis favourite song. She wants him to think they like the same thing. She even gave Annie some books. She would pretend to read them because he likes them.

When Anna got home, she find it difficult to believe that it was her.

Her grandmother was surprised at he new appearance also. Each time she wanted to ask her questions about her new appearance, Annie would quickly change he topic.

Annie was alone in her room when her grandmother banged in.

"That's a lot of money, where did you get it?" She asked.

"I got a new job and that's it" Annie replied.

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"It's true grandma. I promise. I asked for an advance payment to pay Damian's debt and to settle our rent" Annie replied.

"Sounds too good to be true. Must be a huge salary" her grandmother thought.

* * * * * * *

Annie woke up as early as a bird. She started getting ready for her new found job, her new found fate. She selected a yellow body hug gown for that Thursday and got ready.

In no time, she was at the bus station where she boarded a bus to the particular address Mrs Santiago gave her.

Annie wasn't surprised at the beauty of the house. She wasn't expecting anything less.

She saw some guys in black suit, they were so huge and she needed no prophet to tell her they are his bodyguards.

"Good morning" she greeted a middle aged man who was standing beside a dark Lexus car.

"Good morning, you must be the boss new errand girl" the man said and she nodded with a smile. The man returned the smile and handed her the house key.

Annie collected the key and went in.

She dropped her bag carefully on a hairy couch on the living room and found her way to the kitchen.

Firstly, she prepared his coffee, she wondered if it was okay. She doesn't want to get into trouble on her first day..

Annie started preparing the rest of the dishes but quickly swieveledeled her head to the sides when she heard approaching footsteps. Their eyes met and should feel her heart throbbing in her chest. It was him. She was shocked to see him shirtless.

"You must be my new assistant?" Travis asked. His memory flashed back to the kiss at the restaurant but he wasn't sure if it was her, the woman before him looked so elegant compared to the one that he kissed. The one he kissed was looking so humble and simple, the very first woman he would find interesting.

"Good....good morning sir" Annie sturttled.

"You're .......you're....you" Annie stammered.

"Speak up" Travis urged, his eyes staring back into hers only. He hoped she would say what he wanted to hear.