All for the Money

"So this is what it came down to?" Anthony remarked and looked at Faith with disgust. As if she was a piece of trash.

I guess I deserve it, Faith thought. It was never meant to be like this. She was never meant to stoop so low as to offer her body to this well-respected and powerful man that was standing in front of her. She was supposed to come to the office, work hard, and leave. The only interaction she was supposed to have with him was at the office when she occasionally brought him coffee and paperwork for him to sign.

But that's not how things turned out to be. Here she was, standing in front of him, asking him to spare her life.

She felt beaten, humiliated by her boss, but she couldn't blame anyone but herself. If she hadn't done what she did. If she hadn't stolen, things would've been much different.

Faith was the oldest of her two sisters and the breadwinner. Her middle sister Jody went out of state for an internship, and her younger sister was still in high school. Their father was suffering from a chronic illness that rendered him paralyzed. She had no choice but to take responsibility and support her family.

She was grateful to find a job as an office clerk at the DeMarco corporation. The pay wasn't outstanding, but it was good enough to feed her family, so she didn't complain.

She didn't meet Anthony DeMarco, the CEO of the company, right away. She only saw glimpses of him which were enough for her to feel flustered.

He was six foot 3 with broad shoulders and a muscular physique. His eyes were an intense shade of blue. So blue it reminded her of the ocean. He had an incredibly handsome face, but he never smiled. She wondered if he ever smiles for the woman he loved. The women in the office whispered about his good looks and serious demeanor, but Faith never participated in their gossip.

What was the point anyway? She wouldn't get a guy like that in a million years. Her features were ordinary. Anthony DeMarco was way out of her league.

His personal assistant Diana called for her one day. Diana was usually friendly with Faith, and they occasionally had lunch together.

"Hey, what's going on?" Faith wanted to know.

"So..this is awkward, but I need a huge favor from you," Diana said.

"From me? What can I do?" Faith asked.

"Well...the thing is, I have a family emergency, so I have to go to Florida for three months. I was supposed to find a temporary replacement for Mr. DeMarco, but things had been so hectic that I couldn't interview anyone properly," Diana said.

"And?" Faith urged her.

"I was thinking. Maybe you can do it?" Diana looked at her expectantly.

"Me?" Faith was shocked at her proposal. This would mean she had to be close to Anthony, and the thought itself was intimidating.

"Yes. Please, Faith? I don't trust anyone else, and Sir is very particular about everything. I know how efficient and organized you are, so you'll catch up in no time," Diana said. "Besides, you'll be getting extra money on your check for three whole months!" she chirped.

I suppose that sounds nice, Faith thought to herself.

On the day after Diana's departure, Faith stood in front of Anthony for the first time. She had never seen him up close like this, so it was making her nervous. He was even more handsome up close.

"You are Diana's replacement?" Anthony asked.

"Y..yes sir," Faith mumbled.

"Speak up. I can't hear you," Anthony said sternly.

"I am sorry, Sir. Yes, I am her replacement," Faith said quickly.

Anthony stared at the woman in front of him intently. She was completely opposite to Diana. Diana was a beautiful, assertive woman who was quick on her feet. This woman seemed timid, and her appearance was plain. What was Diana thinking using her as the replacement?

"Get me a cup of coffee. Two sugar, no cream," he ordered.

Faith nodded and hurried off. She quickly grabbed a coffee mug, poured black coffee, and then stirred in two spoons full of sugar.

"So you're replacing Diana?"

Faith turned around as she heard Mary Jean's voice behind her. "Oh, no, it's not like that. I'm temporarily standing in until she gets back," she said quickly.

"I see. Gosh, you're so lucky," Mary Jean cooed.

"I am?"

"Are you seriously asking? I mean, have you seen that man? He is so handsome. Everyone is so intimidated by him, but I bet you will be able to get close to him." Mary Jean gushed.

Getting close to her boss was the last thing Faith wanted. She was too busy busting her butt to get through the day. "I am just here to work," she smiled timidly.

She hurried back to the office.

"Go ahead and set on the table," Anthony ordered.

Faith did as she was told. Perhaps a little too hastily. Her hand shook as she tried to put the mug down, and the hot coffee spilled on her arm. She gasped. Not because the liquid burnt her skin, but because some it splashed on a file on the table. She was so screwed.

"OH MY GOD, Mr. DeMarco! I'm so sorry!" Faith looked at him wide-eyed. She was horrified. She was already making a terrible impression on him.

He stood up abruptly and walked to the other side of the desk while Faith frantically attempted to save the papers and wipe down the desk.

"What is the matter with you?" Anthony barked.

"I'm really sorry. It was an accident. I will clean this up immediately!"

"I'm talking about your hand. Why aren't you taking care of it? Are you dumb?" he said gruffly and grabbed her arm, then pulled her toward the bathroom.

Is he worried about me? Faith thought to herself.

Anthony turned the faucet on and held her hand under cold water. "Have it treated as soon as you leave this room; otherwise, it'll scar," Anthony said.

"Yes sir," Faith whispered. Warmth spread through her body as he held her arms. Too bad it was just for a brief moment.

She grabbed a cold compress and some bandages from the first aid kit box and used them to treat her wound then went back to work. She didn't want to go to the hospital and waste a workday. She couldn't afford it.

But she couldn't last an hour in the office without being called into the boss's office again.

"Ms. Williams, why aren't you going to the hospital?" Anthony asked. He seemed irritated.

"There is a lot of work left, so I thought..." she couldn't understand why she felt so tongue-tied in front of him. Get it together, Faith, she scolded herself in her mind.

"Go home, Ms. Williams. You're excused for the day. Get your burn treated. I will not risk a lawsuit when you are injured in my company," Anthony ordered quietly.

Faith looked down. "Yes sir," she said. This wasn't good. Going home now would cut her hours short.

"Don't worry about the hour cut. I told Nancy to adjust your timesheet in the computer so you will get full day's pay," Anthony declared as if he read her mind. "Also, send her the bill from the hospital, and the company will take care of it."

Faith released a sigh. Anthony DeMarco wasn't as cold as people said. She mumbled thanks and packed up her stuff.

On her way from the hospital, she stopped by the pharmacy to pick up her father's medicine. The pharmacist saw her from the other side of the counter and smiled brightly.

"Faith! Hi, I didn't expect to see you here so early," he said.

"I had to take care of some things. I was just wondering if you had the prescription ready?" she looked at him expectantly.

"Of course," he nodded and took out a bag.

Faith's heart twitched as she saw the amount written on the cash register. Forty-five dollars! As far as she remembered, she only had twenty-dollar left in her bank account as she had to pay one of her father's medical bills.

"Something wrong?" The pharmacist looked concerned.

"Um...I think I'll come back for this. Hold onto it for me, would you, Cameron?" Faith laughed nervously.

"Are you sure? You said he needed it, right?"

"Yeah. I'm sure. I'll come back," Faith quickly said and left the pharmacy before he could ask any more questions. How embarrassing.

Her father was waiting for her by the door.

"Where is my medicine?" he asked. Gee dad, a hello would've been nice, Faith thought to herself.

"I couldn't get them today. Don't worry. I will as soon as possible," she smiled at him reassuringly.

"I NEED THEM! Can't you do anything right, you stupid bitch!" his voice grated harshly.

"Dad, please..."

"You're useless! I raised a stupid, worthless daughter! Go get my medicine right now? Do you think just because I'm in a wheelchair, you can treat me like this?" he picked up a vase and threw it at her.

Thankfully, she was able to catch it before it shattered. "Dad, just calm down, okay. I told you I would get them as soon as I can. I'm the only person who earns a living in this house, so I have to wait till I get paid again. Why can't you understand that?" Faith tried to explain calmly even though she had to explain the same thing several times before.

"Oh, so just because you earn a little bit of money, you're suddenly better than everyone?" her father sneered.

"How can you say that? I am trying my best!" Faith cried out. She didn't know how long she could take this.

"And who knows where you actually get money from? God knows where you are going and who you fucking because I don't see you doing anything more useful than to use your whore body..."

Faith tuned him out and strode up the stairs, so she didn't have to listen to more of his ugly words. Her sister Mary peeked out of her room with a terrified expression on her face.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Faith sighed. "I'm fine, go back inside. Dad isn't feeling well as you heard," she smiled weakly.

Mary nodded and closed the door.

Faith let herself fall on the bed and close her eyes. Another day in paradise, she thought bitterly as she fell asleep.

Faith adjusted to her new position within two weeks. To her relief, she didn't have to interact with Anthony as much. Most of the time, their meeting lasted for only five minutes or less.

They were small tasks. The coffee here, sign documents there, nothing she couldn't handle. And the pay was good. At least enough to cover bills and medicines for her impatient father.

Things were going well until one day.

On one Sunday afternoon, she heard the dreadful news about her father.

She was making coffee for Anthony as usual when the receptionist Lana came into the break room.

"Um...Faith, you have a phone call," she said.

"What's the matter?" Faith looked at Lana, whose face was pale as a ghost.

"Um...you better take this call," Lana quickly said and left.

Faith felt nauseous. She had a bad feeling about the phone call.

"Hello?" she picked up the phone and waited for the other person to speak.

"Faith, this is your uncle Rudy."

Uncle Rudy? She hadn't spoken to that guy since two years ago. Why was he calling all of a sudden?

"What's the matter?" Faith demanded to know.

"Mary called me. Your father, he...he passed away this afternoon," Rudy exhaled.

Dad died? Faith stood there dumbfounded. She didn't know what to feel. It was almost like a relief. Faith quickly shook her head as if to shoo the bad thoughts away. She should be sad, not relieved.

"Is Mary okay?" she asked her uncle.

"Yes. Just come home quick," Rudy said and hung up the phone.

Faith put the receiver down and walked to Anthony's office in a daze. But not before she finished making the coffee. It was as if nothing was wrong.

She placed the coffee on his desk and just stood there.

"What is it? Do you have something to say to me?" Anthony gave her his usual cold stare.

"Is it okay if I leave early?" she whispered slowly.

Anthony wrinkled his forehead. "For what? There are plenty more to do around here."

"My father...um....he died," her voice came out hoarse and shaky.

She thought she saw a hint of warmth in Anthony DeMarco's eyes. "Is that so? I'm sorry to hear that. You may leave then. Let Ms. Nancy know, and I'm sorry again," he said.

She nodded and hurried off.

It turned out her father had experienced a seizure and was taken to the hospital, but he didn't make it. Faith took off a few days of work and took care of everything. By the time the funeral was over, she had no money left in the bank.

Which means she has to work an extra job to take care of Mary.

The following week, she received news from the bank that her house will be taken away soon if she doesn't make payments for the mortgage. She had been delaying it since most of her money went into her father's treatments. She was at a loss. She had no money and no relative who could help her. How would she feed her sisters? Where would they live if the house was gone? She had to think fast.

An idea came into her mind. She was responsible for bringing the expanse papers to Anthony and have him sign them and approve them. Then she got to take the company credit card from Nancy so she could order office supplies. Anthony was a busy man, so he never looked at those papers. What if she makes up a fake paper and has him sign it and keep the money to herself?

No, that would be stealing. The poverty was making her lose all sense of morality.

But desperate times call for desperate measures, so one day she did it. She took the company credit card and paid for the mortgage payment.

Another week went by, but no one said anything. Maybe no one suspected her after all.

She was in the break room preparing coffee for Anthony, then all of a sudden, she felt a presence behind her. She was startled as Anthony stood by the door, staring at her intently.

"Faith, may I see you in the office?" he said and walked away.

Anthony never personally called her in, so Faith was scared. He knows! She quickly went into the office.

"Close the door," he said grimly. Faith obliged.

"I want you to take a look at this expanse report," Anthony said and gave her the piece of paper.

Faith took it in her trembling hands. She already knew what it was, so it was pointless to look at it now.

"Care to explain what happened?" he retorted.

"I am sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't mean..."

"DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL, Faith Williams?" he roared. Faith recoiled at his sudden outburst.

"No sir, I don't, I swear!" she said and burst into tears.

"Do you realize this is stealing? Do you think this company is here to cater to your personal needs? Tell me why I shouldn't fire you and call the police to drag you into jail?" he asked.

"Please...forgive me. Just this once. Please!" Faith begged.

"Why would I do that?" his angry eyes bored into hers.

"I'll do anything. Anything you want! I have to support my sister. She has no one," she cried, but Anthony didn't say a word.

"Please...Mr. DeMarco...there must be something I can do for you to stop you from reporting this. Anything? I'll do anything you want." she whispered and impulsively grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes.

"What are you suggesting, Faith? Are you offering to sleep with me?" his blue eyes burned into her.

Faith flinched. She didn't realize what she was doing. But if it came down to this, she was willing to do anything to save her family, even if it meant offering herself to her boss, as he crudely put it.

"Would you accept if I did?" she said quietly.