Chapter 2 Two Hundred Dollars

Bella groaned in annoyance as Holly pulled her arm. She had only just arrived at the office and the blonde woman grabbed her arm with all her might. Bella's smaller body compared to Holly's made it impossible for her to resist as Holly grabbed her arm, resulting in her being dragged.

"What are you doing, Holly?"

"If we're late, you'll get a scolding from Abigail. That nagging woman had sent a message to all employees to be on time. Starting today, we'll have a new CEO replacing Mister Hamilton."

"Why didn't I get the message?" The woman reached into her sling bag, pulling out her cell phone to confirm the message Holly was referring to. "Damn it. My phone's in airplane mode." Bella had a habit of turning off her phone or changing to airplane mode when she wanted to sleep. The reason is simple, because of her health.

Holly and Bella entered the hall, sitting in the back row.

"Looks like we're already late, Holly."

"I hope Abigail doesn't see us," she whispered, so as not to disturb the others.

The two of them searched Abigail's position, making sure that the chatty woman didn't see them coming. Just as they were about to breathe a sigh of relief, Bella met Abigail's eagle eyes. The woman's gaze looked like a predator marking its prey.

"Looks like the universe isn't on our side, Holly." Bella pulled Holly's body closer. "Look over there," she whispered, not forgetting to put on the sweetest smile possible.

"Oh, no! Stop looking at her. Just act normal, like we've done nothing wrong."

Bella knew very well how Abigail behaved. People nicknamed her "lioness" because she was a much older general manager. Her single status was often associated with her grumpy attitude. Many assume that no man dares to approach her because of her authoritarian and fierce nature. However, behind her strict attitude, there is wisdom to be gained. No employee under her auspices is lazy, no employee is jealous of each other, because she always equalizes all employees.

Many people say that Abigail often feels frustrated because she is single. It is said that women who have never had an orgasm will often feel stressed and frustrated. Is this true? However, it is something that is uncertain, because even someone who is single can get a release from a man she doesn't know. As Bella experienced a few days ago.

Remembering it made Bella anxious. She wouldn't get pregnant, right? Hopefully, the man used it safely. Yes, hopefully. She didn't want to be in when she was pregnant, but didn't know who the father of her child would be. Isn't that a very scary thing? Not knowing who owns the flesh and blood inside her womb.

Bella regretted her actions, which were very dishonorable. Just because her lover cheated on her and played with other women, she even happily gave her virginity to another man. Was her grudge healed? Absolutely not. She is even more frustrated because of her outrageous behavior.

Recalling Jack moaning over another woman made her blood boil. The moans and sighs made her instantly nauseous. Although disappointed with the man, Bella was a little grateful for the incident. At least she didn't regret that her relationship with Jack had ended. At least there was no karma she would receive for breaking up with the treacherous Jack.

"Ella! Look at him, he's so handsome." Holly's nudge made Bella's daydream come to an abrupt halt.

"You're hurting me." Bella scolded as she stroked the arm that had fallen victim to Holly's violence. She looked up, narrowing her eyes as Mister Hamilton's grandson was already at the main podium, introducing himself.

Holly smiled brightly. "Looks like I'm going to be very diligent about coming to the office. His presence will make the boring office interesting."

That's how Holly was. She was always hungry for handsome men, especially rich men. However, until now, she didn't have a lover. Admiring many men makes it difficult for her to choose. She said that she would rather get a lot of attention when she doesn't have a lover, rather than getting just one attention from a lover who might get bored later. Quite reasonable, but her attitude led others to label her as an attention-hungry woman. However, Holly doesn't care. It was her indifferent attitude that amazed Bella.

At least Bella has a best friend who can strengthen her when she is down. At least Holly will be at the forefront when others to look down on Bella. Holly and Christy are friends who never leave her in any condition.

"His voice is so sexy, Ella. What if he sighs? That would be so exciting?"

Bella could only shake her head at Holly's behavior. She looked back at the main podium, feeling quite familiar with the face. However, she couldn't remember where she had met him.

...

"Give me the data of all the employees," he ordered Abigail, who was also his cousin.

"All employees? Hey, we have hundreds of employees, and you want all of them? Come on, Gabriel, you don't need to add to my already piling work."

"Then, give me the data of the employees who entered the hall late earlier."

Abigail's brow furrowed faintly. "Do you want to punish her? You don't need to do anything unnecessary. Let me give them some advice. Those two women are giving me a headache."

Gabriel hid his curiosity. "I'm just curious about them. Doesn't our company have strict rules? Why would ordinary employees behave like this?"

"No need, Gabe. You just do your job."

"Why are you insubordinate? Do you want to give up your position now?"

The threat made Abigail let out a long breath. "I don't know why you're so curious about those two women, but I hope you don't play games with them. Both of them are tough women, so you can't easily play with one of them."

'You're wrong, Miss. One of them is a naïve woman. Yes, easily giving her virginity to a foreign man.'

Gabriel smiled slyly. "I won't do it without their consent."

"Gabriel! If you harm one of my employees, then I won't hesitate to tell Grandpa about your depraved behavior."

"Wow, you think I'm afraid of the old man?" He shook his head. "Don't make me talk twice, Abigail. I'm waiting for their personal data."

Annoyed, Abigail walked out of the room. Having a relative like Gabriel was bad luck for her. However, if she didn't become a relative of the Hamilton family, she wouldn't have been able to get a decent job and was far from deprived.

After Abigail's departure, Gabriel smiled again. It was easy to find that woman. The woman who gave him satisfaction and pleasure when his frustrated. Gabriel did not deny that there was a sense of pride in knowing that he was the man who took away her chastity. The sensation was definitely different from what he felt with other women. Narrow, biting, and challenging.

Gabriel didn't understand the woman's train of thought until she willingly gave her body to a stranger, but the man was trust that something had happened to the hazel-eyed woman. Even though she was far from his ideal type, Gabriel couldn't forget the game that night. A hot, passionate game.

A slender and well-proportioned body, prominent breasts, full and thick lips, was his ideal type, but the woman was the exact opposite of what he liked. The woman he slept with that night had a petite body, so petite that he was afraid to mishandle her. Breasts that weren't too big but fit in his hands allowed him the freedom to play with them, and sexy lips that were a pleasure to fondle. Just the thought of it turns Gabriel on.

However, as the hundred-dollar bill filled his brain, a flash of annoyance took over. Gabriel was quite upset. That woman valued his skills at only two hundred dollars. Wasn't that too cheap, considering his undoubted skills and experience? Even the woman moaned loudly when she reached the top. It was like she was mocking him.

Just then, he got a notification on his computer. An email from Abigail containing the personal details of the two women. As he read the profile of the woman who paid for his skills with two pieces of paper with Benjamin Franklin's picture on them, his lopsided grin remained fixed.

"Let's play around, Bella Cameron." His grin looked frightening.

...

"Why are you coming so late, Ella?" She exhaled harshly, then said again. "Unfortunately, the leader just saw you." Then the woman turned to look at Holly. "You too, get over your bad habit of always not being on time. In fact, I sent you a message early in the morning so that you could get ready earlier than usual."

"I have a habit of always setting up the airplane mode whenever I want to sleep, and unfortunately, I forgot to return the phone to normal mode when I woke up earlier. So, I couldn't read your message."

The long-haired woman who always wore her hair in a ponytail looked up at Bella. "I hope you and Holly don't get a reprimand from above, because our new boss asked for your personal data."

Bella's pupils widened, a little surprised and scared about her future fate. It's hard to get in here, so she can't just kicked out. A year ago, she had to compete with hundreds of people to get into this company. At first, she had given a three-month trial period to find out more about her abilities, and because her dedication was good, she transferred to the planning department. Perhaps it was because she had a hobby of eating that Abigail chose her to work in the planning department alongside Holly. Although she still categorized as a new employee, Bella already trusted to hold several projects.

She is know for as a young woman with a lot of skills. When they were filming their new menu, the model couldn't make it because of indigestion, so Bella volunteered to take part. As a result, she rose to fame faster than the other employees who came in with her, as the show they were making was well-liked. Bella used her ability to attract viewers to buy the food products being advertised.

She had never imagined this before, as she was just enjoying the food served by the chef. However, many say that Bella advertises products earnestly and looks more natural than others. When she meets food, Bella seems to forget about her surroundings.

Her hobby is enjoying food, but the fat on her body doesn't seem to want to stick. Unlike Holly, who always regulates the calories that enter her body. Eating a meat sandwich alone makes her body increase significantly. The woman even said that just smelling meat would make her fat increase. It sounds absurd, but that's exactly what happened to Holly, the Mexican woman who moved to Los Angeles, because according to her, Los Angeles is a city where many ethnicities gather.

Holly loves meeting new people who have unique cultures to her. Holly is, so she talks a lot, and the expressive Holly likes to be hyperactive.

"Is he going to fire us?" Holly looked scared.

Abigail shook the file she was holding. She couldn't just let her two employees go. Despite their flaws, always arriving late, Bella and Holly were her best employees. High morale and a willingness to learn were the main things she needed. Although education is also necessary, Abigail feels that persistence is the main option to be an excellent employee in her being. Not forgetting an attitude is also necessary to create a qualified employee character.

"Don't worry, I'll keep you," she promised, allowing the two women to breathe a sigh of relief.

Abigail has a reputation for being strict, but she is also a kind bespectacled woman who always upholds the rights of every employee. She knew who could be retained and who could not. Ever since Holly and Bella came in, Abigail had been the one to mentor them, so she knew exactly what they were capable of.

"Does our new boss already have a wife?" Holly to show strange behavior.

Abigail let out a harsh sigh. "It's always like this. You can't resist the urge to pry when you meet a handsome man." She deliberately did not reveal who she really was. Abigail did not want to admit that she was part of the Hamilton family. She doesn't want people to look down on her and make assumptions about her position being earned through connections and inside influence. Abigail wants to be recognized for her abilities, not her origins.

Holly showed a grin. Come on, Abigail. You must know more about Gabriel."

"He's not married." Abigail clucked her tongue. "He's also single."

The gray-eyed woman opened her mouth in disbelief. "Really? A man as handsome as him is single? This is absolutely impossible." Holly hugged Bella's arm. "Ella, is he my soulmate?"

Hearing that, Bella rolled her eyes in disgust. "You always say that when you meet a handsome man, Holly. Are all single men with good looks your soul mate? Hey, Miss, don't be greedy."

"Wait! Why does that sound absurd?" Holly held her chin, thinking hard. "Is it possible that he doesn't like women?" Then she bit her lower lip, looking agitated. "A handsome, single man only has two possibilities. If he's not an asshole, he must be a same-sex lover." Holly groaned in frustration. "Ah, no. You must find the truth, Abigail." She whined at Abigail.

Abigail's pupils dilated. "Why should I? Am I your helper?"

"You can access more information about him. You have a higher position than us. Please." Holly put her palms together in front of her face, pleading with puppy eyes.

"Get out of my room now. I don't want to keep talking to you. You're giving me a headache."

"Abigail, please!"

"No, Holly. If you want to get close to him, you'd better find out information about Gabriel yourself. Make your own efforts without asking others for help."

With stomping steps, Holly stormed out in irritation. In her heart, she cursed Abigail for being stingy and unwilling to help her.

"Isn't she so stingy?" she grumbled again.

"It's not her who's stingy, it's you who's shameless, Holly. She's your boss. Why do you have the nerve to ask her for favors? She treats you like a friend, but you can't be that insolent."

Holly turned around, giving Bella an annoyed look, her arms folded across her chest. "Why are you defending her? Not like you used to?" Her eyes narrowed, implying suspicion.

"Don't overdo it, Holly. I'm just helping to remind you not to do anything unreasonable."

"Yes, Princess." Holly bowed, as if the one before her was a queen.

"You're overreacting." Bella laughed at her best friend's absurd behavior.