Chapter 4 A Choice

Rage consumed Romeo, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at the broken wristwatch. His jaw clenched tightly, and his gaze shifted to Rosetta, who remained on the floor, visibly trembling in fear.

"How dare you?!" he growled, his voice sending shivers down Rosetta's spine.

"I... I'm sorry," Rosetta stammered, bowing her head and trembling hands. This job was her lifeline, and losing it would be a devastating blow.

"She's done for! How could she ruin his precious wristwatch?"

"She's so clumsy! She deserves this!"

"A lowly cleaner like her? She's surely finished!"

Tears welled up in Rosetta's eyes as her heart shattered into pieces. It was evident that she would lose her job that day, all because of a broken wristwatch.

Before she could fully comprehend the situation, two guards rushed forward and forcefully lifted her off the ground, their stern faces showing no mercy. They dragged her toward Romeo, ignoring her feeble attempts to free herself.

"Let me go! Don't touch me!" Rosetta yelled as they approached Romeo. They stopped a few meters away from him, the distance accentuated by her fall.

All Romeo felt as he stared at her was intense anger. How could she have damaged the wristwatch that had just been delivered?

"Do you realize what you've done? Do you know I could end your life for this?!" he growled, his fury palpable. Rosetta was taken aback by his threat.

"Kill me?" Her voice barely escaped her lips.

"Quiet, Rose. Just be quiet!" her subconscious pleaded, but her stubborn nature pushed it aside.

"Isn't that going too far? It's just an ordinary watch," she said, her eyes glancing at the timepiece lying on the floor.

The intensity in Romeo's eyes darkened, and within moments, his hand was wrapped tightly around her neck.

"Say that again!" he warned, his eyes blazing with anger. How dare she call the wristwatch he had spent millions on a cheap item?

Rosetta coughed, her hand instinctively reaching for his grip around her neck.

"Do you know how much that wristwatch cost me?" Romeo asked, his voice laced with both rage and restraint. His gaze swept over her attire, and he smirked.

"It could buy your entire family's lifetime!" he said. Rosetta's eyes widened in disbelief. Despite her strained relationship with her parents, she would never tolerate anyone insulting them.

"Does she work here?" he inquired.

"I'm not sure, Boss. I'll find out," one guard hurriedly responded. After a brief moment, the guard returned, nodding frantically.

"Yes, she works here... as a cleaner," he confirmed.

"A cleaner?" Romeo chuckled bitterly. A mere cleaner had managed to destroy his prized possession?

"Fire her," he muttered, his anger still simmering, and he walked away, leaving Rosetta standing there, her heart heavy with the weight of the consequences.

Rosetta's eyes widened. This couldn't be happening to her. She rushed towards Romeo, grasping his arm tightly. She dropped to her knees, pleading desperately.

"Please, don't fire me. I'm truly sorry, it was a moment of thoughtlessness," Rosetta blurted out, tears welling up in her eyes. This job was her lifeline, and she couldn't afford to lose it.

"Anything?" Romeo questioned, a smirk playing on his lips. He knew she would never be able to afford the same wristwatch.

Surprisingly, Rosetta nodded without hesitation. "I'll get you the exact wristwatch, just please don't fire me," she pleaded, unaware of the weight of her words.

"Then deliver it to me within 12 hours!" Romeo commanded, before striding away, leaving Rosetta utterly speechless.

"12... 12 hours?" Rosetta stammered, panic rising within her. How was she supposed to acquire the money? She hadn't even had breakfast, and now she had to deliver a wristwatch to him in such a short time frame?

"Sono condannato {I'm doomed}," she muttered under her breath, feeling doomed. With a heavy heart, she dragged herself to the dressing room to change her clothes. However, her moment of solitude was interrupted when Anna and two other girls barged in, exchanging glances before bursting into laughter.

"She's so pathetic! Where will she get the money from?" the first girl mocked, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Probably by sleeping around," Anna sneered, her disgust evident as she glared at Rosetta.

"It's a shame he doesn't even recognize you anymore," the second girl added, taunting her.

"Are you finished?" Rosetta retorted, pulling a cap over her head, determined to shield herself from their ridicule.

"Huh?"

"If you're done, then I'm out of here. Enjoy your day, you jobless fools," Rosetta forced a smile, her voice dripping with sarcasm, before walking out of the room with a bucket and mop in hand.

"That gutsy brat," Anna seethed.

•••

"Good morning, President."

"Good morning, President."

Different voices greeted Romeo as he strode into the colossal company. His black shoes gleamed brilliantly, exuding wealth with each step.

Wearing a stern expression, Romeo made his way to his private office. As soon as he entered, he shed his jacket and casually tossed it onto a chair before taking a seat.

Diego entered, holding a book in his hands. He bowed his head respectfully. "Good morning, President."

"What's on my schedule for today?" Romeo inquired, powering on his computer.

Diego flipped through the book, glancing at each page. "Well... you have a meeting with Mrs. Rhoda at 12 PM, followed by a visit from Mr. Marcus at 2 PM. There's also a board meeting scheduled for 4 PM, and..."

"Cancel the rest," Romeo interrupted, cutting Diego off.

"Sir?" Diego's confusion hung in the air, his smile turning awkward.

"Alright, President," he finally responded, accepting Romeo's decision.

A knock on the door followed, and upon Diego's invitation, a guard stepped in, offering a formal greeting.

"The watch has been repaired, Boss," the guard announced.

Romeo's response was swift and dismissive. "Dispose it."

What?" The guard's eyes widened in disbelief. His boss had spent millions on this particular wristwatch, and now he was being instructed to trash it away. Confusion and astonishment clouded his face, but a sharp glare from Romeo silenced him immediately. He closed his opened mouth and composed himself, understanding the seriousness of the command.

"Right away," the guard bowed respectfully and hurriedly left the room, determined to carry out his boss's orders. As he made his way out, Diego, who had been observing the interaction, approached him.

"Wait... Can I have a look at this?" Diego asked, his curiosity piqued. The guard hesitated for a moment but then handed the box over to Diego. With anticipation, Diego opened the box and a gasp escaped his lips as he laid eyes on the exquisite wristwatch. It was a flawless piece of craftsmanship, truly a work of art.

"I really don't get why he had to throw this away. It just got delivered this morning," the guard voiced his confusion, clearly perplexed by Romeo's decision.

Diego sighed, shaking his head in response. "That's just his personality. He has his own reasons. Regardless, you should proceed with trashing it as soon as possible," Diego advised, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.

His Boss is surely unpredictable.