Cold Romance: The Seduction Game

Ciara's POV

" Get your lazy flat ass outta there, Ella!" I screamed as I've always done.

Not like I was ready for work yet.

I quickly took my hair in my palms and squeezed them through a band I found in Ella's wardrobe.

" I'm done" Ella said, damping her skin with a towel.

"Shit! What have you been doing?" I was beginning to scream.

Her face sobered up. She quickly put on her lotion.

"Don't forget to use sunscreen." I reminded her.

"There's no time." She snapped as if she wasn't remorseful.

We had intended to leave early today.

My boss is returning from Italy, and I wouldn't like to get late to work today. Who knows if he's some cracked up jerk who likes bullying staffs?

I'm just a marketer anyways.

I've done my job well in the past years. I most definitely won't get fired immediately. A pay cut would be detrimental to me.

Ella had white casts on her skin after using the sun block cream.

I guess that's what I get from a two dollar item.

I shrugged my shoulders. It's at least better than getting sun baked.

I took my bag and sighed heavily.

"You ready?" I nugged my head at her.

"Yeah" she replied, grabbing her bag.

******

Jason's POV

"Mr. Morel. How do you do?" I took his hand with an evil smirk. He tried to pull out, but I had gripped tight. He stopped struggling.

"I suppose you are back to Newyork city." He cut in with an equally evil grin. He didn't reply my greetings. I left his hand.

"And I believe someone doesn't want somethings found out." This time, I grinned.

He stopped smiling. His forehead cringed and his nostrils became wider, revealing how ugly he was.

I think he should have gotten a nose job done at least, to hide this hideous look.

My gaze did not leave his face. He was becoming uncomfortable.

Finally, he cleared his throat with a wry cough.

"Yes, Mr Jason. Welcome back." That was all he said.

I already started walking, as gracious as possible. What I wanted right now was to intimidate to avoid getting intimidated. I don't feel like a pushover, but amongst these traitors, precautions has to be put in place.

Heads went down as soon as they saw me pass by. Those who stood aloof had their eyes gazing, almost bulging out obviously calculating the cost of my whole outfit. They wouldn't even dream of affording such.

I don't know about their next lives, but not in this lifetime, at least.

Ryan punched a button on the elevator, then we waited for a second. The doors gave way. We went in.

Both my hands in my pocket. It most definitely makes me look hotter, especially when I tilt my head to the side.

The doors were about to meet each other. A hand parted them open.

My phone beeped. I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at the screen, scrolling.

I wasn't in a hurry. Whoever came in stood ahead of us, bowing her head down as if she was a ghost.

As soon as we got to the 10th floor, we alighted.

Her steps were hasty.

The air in this floor of the building was tensed as expected. I'm the hot looking CEO everyone had been expecting.

Why wouldn't they be so tensed up?

"Good morning sir." Everyone was saying with their heads low. They all had their name tags at their breast pickets with their working identity cards hanging on their necks.

I don't do formalities. I didn't reply anyone. I just walked to my office. The doors parted automatically.

I sank into the chair.

Ryan stood with his hands interlocked.

What's up with the tensed look he's wearing?

"C'mon, have a seat." I signalled at him.

"Thank you sir." He replied sitting opposite. I was nearly laughing.

The window blinds were designed in such a way that I could see my staff, but none of them could see me.

"C'mon Ryan..." I faked an Italian accent. We both chuckled.

"How was the act?" Ryan leaned closer, winking.

"You should mind your company instead." I waved jokingly.

"Yeah." He replied.

"That's why you need a personal assistant." Ryan chipped in.

I was mute for approximately five seconds, then I grabbed my pen and played with it.

"Who do you recommend?" I winked. He's my best friend. I'm fine with whoever he chooses. Even if it's the devil.

Chuckles.... It can't be.

"All products of the company need good sales." Ryan began, with seriousness in his pitch.

I nodded.

"To get good sales, the marketing department is highly needed. Even the department in charge of production does not have a say in the sales." Ryan emphasized.

"We need to find the back rock of the marketing department."

Ryan concluded.

I clapped.

"Wow! Bravo!" We both shook hands.

"What do you take me for?" He winked.

"My buddy of course." I pointed.

"After we get a PA, let's party." I winked.

"Yay.... You've got it bro!" Ryan shook my hand again.

Ciara's POV

"Miss Ciara." Tiffany called. I waved at the chubby brown skinned lady. Her once curly hair looked neat today, because it was flat ironed. She really prepared for our boss's coming.

I guess I'm the only one who wasn't to excited. I can see that Mr Marcus already bought a new tie. He always wore a dark blue checked tie. Today, he's on a wine colored tie.

The only preparation I made was to dry clean my clothes and wash my hair for the new week, as I have always done during the weekends.

My hair was beginning to get messy at the front. My glasses kept falling below my nose bridge.

"Any ideas yet?" Becky arched her brow playfully.

I shook my head, sighed heavily and sank into my seat. I haven't even thought about a marketing strategy for our new product yet. I'll do that later. I'm not the only staff in this department.

"Ciara Gibson!" Our head of department called.

"Coming through." I shifted my chair backwards to give me some space to stand up conveniently. I made sure not to put on a grumpy face. He placed some stacked up files in my hands.

"The boss wants everyone's file." He said.

Okay, am I going to give this to the boss?

My skin felt goosebumps, as there were many eyes prying on me.

I looked back at them. Everyone quickly looked elsewhere, mostly into blank screens of their computers.

"Me?" I blinked severally.

"Yes, Ciara." He was starting to glare.

"Do you have a problem with that?" His forehead folded.

I shook my head, indicating a 'no'

"Or would you like something extra added to your file.?"

"No sir." I quickly replied.

Tears nearly welled up in my eyes.

Why do they always toss the trashy strenuous work to me?

Yet I'm still filling in for a promotion.

I've been working for five bloody years already. I'm no newbie.

I found myself turning towards the boss's office, damn nervous.

I could hear my own heart beat.

Does the boss want to lay off workers?

What would I do if I loose this job?

Ciara's POV

I rushed to the elevator, files clutched to my chest. I hit the button for the 10th floor and began flipping through the files. I found mine and scanned it quickly. Everything looked good - no negative comments or issues... Well, I guess so.

I did notice some extra notes at the bottom, but I didn't bother to read them.

Next, I found Tiffany's file. She was always late, and it was clearly documented. I felt a little bad for her.

Then, I saw Becky's file. It was surprisingly thick, with lots of pages detailing her performance. I wondered what could have caused her file to be so extensive.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out onto the 10th floor. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the meeting with my boss, Jason. As I approached the secretary's desk, I sucked on my lower lip, a nervous habit.

The secretary looked up at me and asked, "Can I help you?" She looked authoritative, with her small glasses perched on her tiny nose bridge.

"I'm here to see Mr. Jason," I replied, trying to sound confident.

The secretary nodded and picked up the phone. After a brief conversation, she waved at me. "You may go in."

I took another deep breath, squared my shoulders, and pushed open the door. Just as I was about to touch the door handle, it twisted by itself. "Ciara!" Ryan called.

I waved without smiling, feeling a growing sense of nervousness. Jason, my ex-boyfriend and now my boss, looked up at me with an air of superiority. His emerald green eyes seemed to bore into my soul.

"Ciara Gibson..." He called my name in a tentative tone. "Mr. Marcus asked you to deliver these files, huh?"

I nodded, feeling a surge of nervousness. "Yes, sir."

Jason's eyes roamed over me, making me feel uncomfortable. I could sense his disdain, his belief that I was beneath him.

My stomach tightened with the tingling nostalgic feelings from the past.

After what felt like an eternity, Jason handed me back the files. "You can leave."

I turned around and left, still feeling dazed. My hair was messy, with strands falling into my glasses. It was very unprofessional of him to send me out without even a sac letter.

I chose to take the stairs, hoping to relieve some stress.

As I descended, I heard Becky's voice, her words carrying on the air.

"...Are you sure the boss isn't laying off workers?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

I stopped on the stairs, listening intently. Becky's conversation was hushed, but I could make out the words.

"That's a relief," she said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Then, why did he ask for our files in the marketing department?"

Then I heard her gasp after some seconds. "No way! Is there going to be a promotion?" She giggled, like she ever merited the position of a marketer.

Pttttt...

"I'm yet to get the idea for the new item," she said. "Aye... She's gonna tell me before the meeting. She just hasn't had time to think of an idea." Her tongue clicked in mockery.

I didn't understand that part of their conversation, but I kept listening. "She went to deliver the files, as a pushover, she is." She laughed.

Oh... Who went to deliver files?

Me!!!

Am I a pushover?

I sighed.

"I'll ask her when she returns," Becky said. "I really need to get credit for this as well... To boost my chances of getting promoted."

Tears welled up in my eyes. I've always come up with little marketing schemes, which I told Becky about. Due to my lack of confidence, I usually let her present my ideas at board meetings. Has she been getting credit for my work?

Hot blood rushed through my head. Deep down, I wanted to confront her, but this is a professional setting. I wouldn't dare. I saw her smirk after making more demeaning comments about me before she left.

After a while, I went back upstairs, staggered to my seat, and sank into the comfortable chair. I began to sob on my desk, my head down. I really am a pushover. That's why Jason did all that to me back then.

"I think everyone is gonna do a presentation today," Tiffany said.

Mr. Marcus came in, slapping his palms together. "Everyone, get to work. I want 'em real ideas!"

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Let's get to work," Mr. Marcus said, patting my back. "You good?"

"Yeah," I lied, still feeling shaken.

"Hey Ciara." Becky said, touching my shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay? Wouldn't you like to get some rest?"

"I'm good," I told her, shifting away to remove her hand.

"Any ideas for the product yet?" Becky asked, tilting her head.

"We'll all get to do a presentation," I reminded her.

She closed her eyes and cussed. "You know the presentation wouldn't do you any good. You're not..."

"I'm not what?" I raised my pitch.

She sensed it and revealed her bitchy look. "Why don't we do what we always did?" She smirked. "I'll give you five hundred dollars immediately."

My eyes shone. My salary was cool, but an extra $500 would do some good. I can just come up with a nice idea and sell it to her, then I'll think of a better one for myself. Fair! Isn't it?

Ciara's POV

I don't even remember the product. Oh! It's about a linen fabric.

"What's the deal?" I asked Becky.

"I'll send $500 to you now, you just have to give me that hit idea for the product."

"What's the product?" I needed a reminder.

"It's just a linen fabric. We need to come up with something to entice the public."

"It's summer, " I folded my arm while explaining the idea I had figured out now.

"What would you say about linen and summer? Is it not going to make a hit if you make white coloured linen?" I tilted my head.

"What's the scope?" She asked. Her red witchy lips pursed, clueless.

" Linen fabric is comfortable during summer, due to its light texture, but it can absorb ultra Violet rays which is harmful to our skin. The white color blocks ultra Violet rays better than other colors, so all products should be made in white." I explained.

"Genius idea, Ciara." She giggled.

"The money?" I reminded her.

Her face squeezed, then she unlocked her phone, tapped her phone sreen, as well as her shoes.

Does she have to be so dramatic?

We already made a deal. How would I come up with a better idea to overshadow hers now?

I unlocked my phone and gave her my QR code. She scanned it.

In few seconds, I smiled at the beautiful alert.

This is probably God sent to relieve me of the reality that I might loose my job.

"We're good?" She opened her arms proudly.

"Yeah." I nodded, raising my chin triumphantly.

Again, Mr Marcus clapped his hands, like it was some encouragement or something.

"Hurry up everyone. Move to the meeting room."

So soon!

My brain rummaged on a cloud of thoughts. I was trying to figure out a hit idea also.

I grabbed my pen and my jotter and stroked my hair a bit to smoothen the spiking strands.

I breathed out heavily, squared up my shoulders as high as possible and walked into the meeting room. Compliments were exchanged as professional as possible, mostly by shaking of hands.

I found my favorite spot, stood in front of the chair and waited for the boss.

Speaking of the devil...

He kept his face straight. What does he feel like?

Pttttt...

As soon as he took his seat, the rest of us did the same, as a normal business etiquette.

He adjusted his coat, crossed his legs and dropped a pen on the table. Then, he began to look at our faces one after the other. My heart was giddy up.

Okay, let's get this straight - I'm done with this job soonest.

"I heard the marketing department has been doing well lately." He stated, then locked gaze with me.

I'm not good at staring. I quickly looked elsewhere, at Mr Marcus who was now speaking.

He stood up as though his butt was electrified.

"You can sit..." Jason waved, as if he was that cool.

Well... He was cool in our early years.

"Our pleasure sir. We've only been doing our jobs." Mr Marcus bowed, his forehead nearly touched the table. I pinched his arm. He smiled at me and raised his head.

"I'll like to test this department." Jason put his hand on the table, leaned forward and observed everyone's expression. Of course, the room was dead quiet.

"Sir, permit me to say that we have some strategies to put in place for the linen fabrics at hand. Don't we?" Mr Marcus grinned at us with pleading eyes. We all nodded in affirmation.

He looked relieved.

An evil smile escaped from Jason's lips.

"You already prepared for that, knowing I'll be present." Jason smiled openly.

Yeah...

I've been able to think of something, this moment.

"How about a surprise?" Jason stood up and began a demonstrative talk.

"I want you to convince customers to get silk clothes this summer."

There was commotion in the meeting.

Who wears silk clothes during summer?

What does he want?

"Whoever is able to come up with something, would get an automatic promotion. " He stated and sat down, ticking his pen. He eyes crawled over my skin.

I was thinking. At least, this should secure my job, if not a promotion.

"No one is allowed to use a phone" he added.

I saw Becky galre at me from the corner of her eye.

Is there any person who would get a silk cloth during summer?

I nearly scoffed aloud.

Becky's hand popped up, so did my eyes. What did she come up with?

Jason signalled for her to stand up.

I don't know what she wants to say, but it can't be cool.

"Thanks for this opportunity sir." She began.

Her skirt was looking short, as usual, but I think she raised it higher this time.

"We could make silk pillowcases" she stated bluntly. I wanted to laugh.

Jason just nodded. "Everyone knows pillowcases are made of silk." He said.

I wanted to add to that anyways.

The unimaginary happened. I raised my hand. It is now or never. I just have to think about something to say. Jason took his eyes off me. He was deliberately ignoring me.

"Uhm sir..." Mr Marcus signalled Jason and pointed at me.

I quickly stood up as nervous as a new bride.

"Unlike linen materials which are light and body tight, but looks cheap... " I swallowed and paused.

"Silk is soft as well, but it has its own luster, shine, strength and durability..." My colleagues were clapping already. My head was pounding. I still have more to say. Jason looked like a beaten lion.

"Silk is the epitome of luxury and elegant appearance. To sell silk, sir..." I paused and looked at Jason. "We need to select a lightweight silk material that is breathable and comfortable to wear. We can work with the production team to ensure that styles made suit the summer." I finally stated.

Swears ....

Jason wanted to cry.

I sat down and sighed loudly. I must be grateful to whatevear gave me this confidence.

The meeting was closed. One thing was certain- I still have a job.

I can just do some prayers to get a promotion.

Should I visit a Buddhist temple?

Or a church down Cobblestone street.

It's been a long day. All I need now is a long night rest.

My phone rung.

It was an unknown number. I swiped to receive the call.

" Am I speaking with Ciara Gibson?" The man asked.

"Yeah. How may I help you." I rubbed my forehead.

"This is Ella's homeroom teacher." His voice was in a haste.

I stood up and pressed the phone to my ear.

"What happened?" I asked.

"She passed out during break." He broke the news.

My world spun. Why would she pass out?

I ran my hands through my hair and cussed.

"I'm on my way." I cut the call and quickly packed up my things.

Ella was always poor in health, but she was just fine this morning.

Becky stood in my way.

"Hey!" She called in the most bitchy way I ever heard.

"Fuck!" I nearly screamed, although I already used the 'f' word.

What does she want?