The billionaire's Torment

Nora

The metered taxi deposited me, Nora Reidy, at the corner of my intended destination. My neck worked overtime as I studied my environment. Downtown Bluewaters was cleaner and less crowded than my noisy, overcrowded stomping ground, the upper part of town.

The upper part of town hosted a cauldron of races, blacks, whites, browns, any colour you know, Bluewaters had it. Her e prominent race appeared to be white.

The stationary and moving cars looked expensive. The few people l saw on the street wore costly clothes, shoes, and accessories. I felt underdressed in my washed-out jeans, scruffy sneakers and a sweater that had seen better days.

I turned a corner and the Ratliff offices came into sight. I uncapped my liter bottle filled with iced water from home. l could not afford to pay for the taxi and buy bottled water at the same time. I gulped down the water and studied the building.

All my hopes were pinned on this building. If l failed to get the job today, my world faced total collapse.

You see, my beloved granny was dying; she needed a kidney transplant. We could not afford the surgery. Our family was dirt poor. Our relatives ignored our plight and refused to help.

My life was in limbo right now. My university results were yet to come out. I was a medical student who had just finished her studies to become a neurosurgeon. My attempts to get a job bombed. At twenty-five, l still lived under granny's roof.

Two glass doors faced me, l pushed my wavy brown hair from my face, craned my neck, and looked at the tallest building in town. At the top, the words Ratliff Airlines Group were written in gold against the black backdrop. My gaze moved to the door again, and l sprinted inside.

The security guard stopped me as l made my way towards the reception area.

" Sorry, miss, where are you going?"

I backtracked and halted in front of him.

" To the CEO's office, I have an interview there."

" Ok, miss, floor 29. Good luck."

I nodded and started towards the elevators. There were two, one on the far left behind the receptionist, the other on the far right. There were about a dozen people in front of the right one. I decided to take the onethath was clear.

As l passed behind the receptionist, she swivelled around in her chair.

"Miss, you can't use that elevator, please use the other one."

I ignored her and went on my way. Why wait when the other elevator was clear?. I pressed number 29 and waited, then I heard,

"I'm sorry, sir, l tried to stop her, she ignored me."

Quick footsteps fast approached me. I watched the elevator intently as it came down. The elevator door opened. As I stepped forward, a hand roughly pulled me back. My water bottle flew over my shoulder and hit something or someone.

The chaos that followed was instantaneous. Manly voices shouted simultaneously.

"Hey"

Sir, are you alright?."

"What are you doing?."

At the same time, l was pushed into the midst of heaving bodies. Pain shot through my cheekbone as a fist or an elbow grazed against it. I came face to face with a dripping white shirt, moulded to a broad chest.

Manly nipples pointed at my face. In the confusion, before l processed what l had seen, l was shoved towards the adjacent wall. My back hit the wall, the pain paralyzed my legs. My butt hit the floor as the starch went from my knees.

My tailbone screamed in pain. The secretary stormed towards me in red stilettos and a black tight skirt. She stood over me and barked,

" Miss, do you want me to lose my job? Didn't I tell you not to use that elevator? Now you have poured water all over the CEO. That's the CEO's private elevator!"

" Sorry."

I mumbled and peered between her long, bowlegged legs.

A black suit clad man was trying to dab at the chest of a tall man, who swatted his hand away. The way the water cascaded down his chest, l was sure it ended in unmentionable places.

The tall man'sface was familiar. What did l do to myself? This was Maxwell Ratliff, Bluewaters's bachelor billionaire. He was rumoured to be short-tempered and rude.

" Frank, bring that insolent girl here."

My heart rate sped up in flight mode. The man called Frank trotted over to us, and the receptionist moved out of his way. He hefted me off my feet. My spine screamed in protest. Maxwell Ratliff's bad reputation made me plant my feet stubbornly. Frank dragged me, my shoes scuffed the floor, crrrrr as l resisted. Frank deposited me in front of the angry man.

I raised my eyes, my gaze met the blackest, maddest eyes I had ever seen.

" Who gave you permission to use my elevator?" A deep voice demanded. I touched my cheekbone and winced. The pain was long gone,

"You slapped me!!

Two fat tears dropped from my eyes. I observed Maxwell and his men's reaction through a sheet of tears. They stared at me dubiously, their facial expressions were like: What's this girl talking about? I got caught in a lie. I chose drama over answering why I opted for the CEO's elevator.

Maxwell glared at me for a minute, then made up his mind. He moved his hand, shooed me off like l was a chicken,

"Take her away before I lose my temper."

Frank dragged me again, this time towards the door. We stepped outside,

" Miss, these people are not like u; they value their property, you can't just pitch up and use the boss's elevator."

I sniffed and used the back of my hand to wipe my tears, Frank gave me his handkerchief. I wiped my face, blew my nose, and clutched the handkerchief in my hand.

Frank sighed,

" Miss, where were you going?"

" These people called me for an interview only to treat me like a dog."

Frank extended his hand,

" Give me the letter, let me see if l can direct you to the correct department."

I patted my pocket.

" Oh my phone."

" Forget the phone, miss, l will get it, just hand over the interview letter."

I fished the letter from my pocket and handed it over.

Frank studied it and handed it back,

" You mixed the buildings, you are supposed to go next door through that gate."

Frank pointed to a small gate on the left side. I felt stupid, l would run if l could, but I needed this job.

" Wait here, l will bring your phone." He brought it back a few minutes later,

"Its screen is broken, but it is still working."

" Thank you." My phone was my life

l did everything on it, from my assignments to job hunting. I trudged towards the small gate, my hand on my aching tailbone. I pushed the gate, a huge structure building came into sight.

The signage of Ratliff Restaurants was boldly written in black, against the white backdrop. The double wooden doors were ajar, l stepped in. The cool air from the fan caressed my face. Waitresses and waiters bustled about in black and white uniforms.

I approached the one who looked less busy,

"Hello, can you direct me to the manager's office, please?"

The waiter jerked his thumb over his shoulder, l followed his thumb.

I knocked on the expensive wooden black door.

" Come in."

A singsong voice intoned. A kind, beautiful face with a wide smile greeted me as I came through the door.

" Welcome, you must be the interviewee, Nora Reidy. Right? I'm Marylin Ratliff."

Well, this was promising, a kind boss. " Yes, mum, I am."

She pointed to the chair,

"Sit down and tell me about yourself."

Damnit, the part l hated with everything in me. Nobody wanted to narrate their poverty-stricken life, especially to strangers.

I stared into her kind eyes. I spilled everything, from my childhood to date. She listened with rapt attention, her chin in her hand. It took a long time to get to the end of my life story.

" You got the job."

What! No questions about whether l had experience or not? A knock landed on the door, and before Mrs Ratliff answered, my nightmare walked through the door.

Nora

Maxwell Ratliff entered the room with urgent footsteps. Did this guy follow me here?My eyes tracked his movements as he circled the table. He stood beside Mrs Ratliff.

He raised his head and his sharp gaze fell on my face. He frowned and scowled down at me. I pressed my shoulders against the chair and straightened my legs to make myself smaller.

Marylin beamed at me.

"Nora, this is my son Max Ratli.."

This man was my employer's son? Why did l not think of it.? The same surname on both their businesses. Maxwell removed his dark eyes from my flushed face. He addressed his mother, his voice irritated.

" What is she doing here?."

His deep hostile voice inquired. Marylin glared at her son.

" What? Max behave please, this is Nora Reidy, my new employee."

Max stared daggers at me,

"Fire her."

Fire me? Before i even started? The man was not only rude, he was also cruel. I gave my employer a quizzical look. She was staring at her son with burning eyes.

"Why would l do that? l don't meddle in your affairs, don't meddle in mine."

Max drummed his fingers on the smooth surface of the table, his intense black eyes bore into mine.

" She is a mess and clumsy, she will cost you customers."

Mrs Ratliff's gaze moved back and forth between Max and I.

" You two know each other? Perfect."

I kept quiet because i didn't exactly know the rude louse in front of me.

" Mum, were you listening to anything l said? She is not fit to work for Ratliff Restaurants."

As the duo argued about me as if l was not there, l took the opportunity to study Maxwell Ratliff thoroughly.

He was a six footer, his broad shoulders filled the suit jacket nicely. He had changed into a new suit. His jet black hair shone with good health. His neat trimmed beard had me fantasising about nuzzling my face against his. I had a thing for bearded men. His symmetrical face was a sight to behold.

When he opened his lips, his white teeth gleamed like ivory. I watched as he tried to sabotage my chances at a job.

"Look at her, she is ogling me like a fool. She is absent-minded, she is going to mix up the orders. Mum, fire her. She didn't sign anything yet, right?."

l blushed as two pairs of eyes observed me curiously. I slapped myself mentally for daydreaming.

Marylin glared at him,

"Get back to your own playground, leave me alone."

Max raised his hands,

"Ok, don't come running to me when she starts to cost you money."

Max pinned me with a stare before he sauntered to the door.

"Hold on, come back here."

His mother called him back.

He came and stared down at her,

"What t now mum?."

Jeez, what a rude jerk.

"You know your grandfather has been on your neck about a grandchild. We waited and waited but you failed to deliver. I have a solution for you. Her."

Marylin Ratliff pointed her manicured finger at me.

Max snorted and started to leave,

"Stop right there young man. l'm serious, so is your grandfather. Take this seriously too, you know the consequences if you don't. Your grandfather is running out of patience."

" Mum, you are killing me here, she is a ruffian. You should have seen her after she poured water on me. Instead of apologising, she went on a rant. She will disgrace me if i marry her."

"Come on baby, it was a small tiff between you, forgive her."

They went back to talking about me as if l was a commodity, as if l was invisible. I became irritated.

I stood up abruptly and pushed the chair out of my way. "

"I'm sorry Mrs Ratliff, l don't appreciate you and your son talking about me as if i'm a thing. Yes I spilled my guts to you, but l was looking for a job not marriage."

Mrs Ratliff sheepishly rubbed her nose,

"See, l told you mum, she is a sniper."

Marylin turned on him,

"Shut up, she is right. We discussed her as if she was not here. Nora l'm sorry, please forgive me and my son."

Max walked rapidly to the door,

"Bye mum"

He waved before he exited and closed the door behind him.

There was an awkward silence between us after Maxwell left. I cleared my throat,

" Mrs Ratliff, do l still have a job?."

Marylin smiled at me,

"Of course you silly child, you do. You didn't do anything wrong, instead l wronged you. You can go home now, we will tackle the paperwork on Monday. l suddenly have a headache."

I stood rooted to the spot, there were so many questions in my mind.

" Mrs Ratliff, can l ask you a question?." She nodded.

"Is Maxwell handicapped somehow? Why doesn't he find a wife for himself?."

Marylin threw her head back and laughed. " Nora,my son is more than capable. The problem is his grandfather is seeking a particular woman for him. Max's circle of females are vain and snobbish. We don't want that type in our family. You are exactly the type we are looking for."

I raised my brows,

"Why? Because I'm poor and wretched in your eyes?."

Marylin got to her feet and halted in front of me.

"Listen daughter, don't ever look down on yourself like that again. You have achieved so much against all odds. At a young age. Hold your head high, be proud of your accomplishments, ok? I'm a good judge of character. l marked you good as soon as I laid my eyes on you"

I nodded my head vigorously, tears clouded my vision. No one had ever praised me for my achievements except granny. l felt in my heart her praise was genuine.

Mrs Ratliff wiped off my tears with her soft hands,

"Stop crying, give me a smile."

I gave her a weak smile.

"That's my girl. Come to work at eight o'clock on Monday. My driver will take you home now. Greet your grandmother for me, ok?."

I sniffed,

"Yes Mrs Ratliff, l will."

" Come on, stop with the Mrs thing, it makes me sound so old. l don't have a grandchild yet you know."

She winked playfully at me. I said my goodbyes and the Ratliff driver took me home.

My granny was so happy when I told her i got a job. Her wrinkly tired face split into a wide smile. I decided to withhold the marriage nonsense from my granny.

I rested in my room the whole day, thinking about what happened at the restaurant.

I liked Marylin so much, she was down to earth despite being so rich. Her son was another matter. Maybe he inherited his father's traits.

I shot up from the bed, unlocked my phone and searched for him in the local newspapers. I was not active on social media. l knew next to nothing about Max Ratliff, besides the common news that he was a bachelor billionaire.

The tabloids described him as a 31 years old multi billionaire. He owned an airline business, had shares in the family construction business. He also had his hand on many other business ventures. They also mentioned he went through women like an electric razor. What a sleazeball.

On Saturday morning l did my routine, then decided to sweep the yard. Afterwards l rested on the rickety chair on the porch.

At around ten o'clock, a fleet of armored black SUV's sped into my yard. I watched as the middle one opened and the last person l expected at my house stepped out. He strode towards me, his sharp black eyes intent on my face.

Nora

I watched as Maxwell Ratliff bounded up the steps. I mentally observed my house from a stranger's perspective; chipped blocks, rusty roof. A house that appeared ready to give up the ghost anytime. His presence made me uneasy. To meet me at his workplace was one thing, to follow me home and witness my living conditions was another.

My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. He halted in front of me, l peered at him.

" Hello."

Hevgreeted in his resonant voice.

"Hi, armored SUVs, is that not an overkill?."

I joked to hide my uneasiness.

He looked over his shoulder,

"No it's not. My father was nearly unalived sometime ago. The culprits mistook him for me, so they are a necessary devil."

My eyes widened,

"You are a Mafia Lord?."

His deep throated laughter surprised me. His scowling face yesterday made me think he was incapable of such an act.

"l'm not, but l have Mafia friends. We had a meeting that day with one of them. My dad went home while l finished up at the office. They ambushed my car and nearly offed him."

"Jeez, you live a dangerous life. What brings you here.?"

I got to my feet and eyed him quizzically.

" Can we go inside and talk?."

He requested politely.

I hesitated for a moment. The inside of my house was as bad as the exterior. I took hesitant steps towards the door, opened it,

"Come in."

He stepped inside, his eyes roamed the interior. He opted to keep quiet, which l was grateful for. We remained standing. With his stature, his behind would sink in my old sofas, which were stuffed with old pillows.

He watched me closely before he intoned,

"You and l started on the wrong foot. I'm sorry my men manhandled you. The reason i'm here is because l thought about what my mum said. I have done my research, your grandmother is very sick. I can help, but you have to help me in return."

My mind churned, help him? How? I had nothing in the world. I wrung my hands, nervous.

" My living conditions are bad, as you can see. Unless you are offering to lend us money, l don't see how l can help you."

Max tossed a mysterious smile my way.

" What I have in mind doesn't involve money. You were not listening to what l said just now. I said l have thought of what my mum requested of me. I agree with her. I will marry you, but it will be a contract marriage."

My face heated, my hands trembled, l hid them behind my back. Fury took over my senses.

"Rich people are the pits, you have money. You can help without expecting anything in return but no, you have to extract the last drop of my blood. See yourself out."

I turned to go to my bedroom, the bedroom door slammed somewhere, a walking stick hit the floor, hard. Granny shuffled into sight.

" I heard voices, hello young man."

Max's baritone filled the room as he returned the greeting.

My grandmother sat down and studied Max with a keen eye.

" Take a seat, young man."

The only seat left was the worst in the house. If Max sat there, it would take strength to haul his backside out of that sofa. Max looked at the sofa dubiously. Eventually he sat down and his butt sank right in. His long legs flew into the air and hit the floor with a thud. My hand flew to my mouth, a giggle exploded from my mouth.

Max's expression was priceless. It served him right for imposing himself in a world foreign to him.

He introduced himself, granny did the same.

" Mrs Reidy, the reason l'm here is, l want to marry your granddaughter. It's not a common marriage. I need to get married for reasons you will know later. I'm aware you need a kidney transplant. I can help, but your daughter has to marry me first. She is giving me the run around. This is where you come in. Please, let her see that the arrangement is beneficial for both of us."

Lord, this man was a snake. My grandmother' s brain must be whirling with images of her under the knife, with a new body after the surgery. Good job Maxwell Ratliff. Granny monitored my reaction for sometime, l had none. My gaze fixated on the old clock on the opposite wall. She patted the sofa,

"Come, have a seat."

I sat down and sulked. Granny's gaze went back to Max,

"Can you give us a minute?."

Max nodded, tried to get on his feet, he could not. His backside was wedged in the hole. I grudgingly helped him up. He strode out and closed the door behind him. Granny and l sat in silence for a minute. When it appeared she had no intention of speaking l encouraged her,

"What is it granny? You sent Max out for a reason."

She fiddled with her walking stick.

"Nora, my granddaughter, don't think l'm being selfish, but my will to live is strong. I want to live. Maxwell is giving me that chance. I have suffered all my life. With you being a Dr, l thought my life will change for the better. Fate had other plans for me, before you even got your certificate. l need a break. Please baby, for my sake, accept his offer. I'm begging you."

A sharp pain assaulted my chest, my breath hitched. l put a hand on my chest to calm my spiralling emotions. Marry Maxwell, how? The man was a total stranger.

I held my granny's frail hand in mine,

"Granny, l want you to live, that's why i'm going to work on Monday. I don't need to marry a stranger to take care of you. We will get there, don't worry."

I rubbed her hand softly.

"Baby, time is not on my side. Dialysis is taking its toll on me. l don't have much time. Please."

I removed my hand from hers. My gaze went to her old face, crisscrossed with numerous wrinkles. At 72, she was not too old, but the hard life and sickness had aged her.

I decided to give in for this woman who gave up her middle age to raise me. Who forfeited the chance to find love to nurture me. Who took care of me when my own mother abandoned me, for a man. My mother was alive, but her whereabouts were a mystery to me and granny,

" I will do it granny."

My grandmother threw the walking stick away and hugged me for a long time.

" Bring the young man in, let's tell him the good news."