Twisted: Fate

"I'm sorry Pascal, but I will not apologise!" Ella Smith declared. She looked hurt at the same time, furious. She won't allow herself to be molested simply because she is working as a waitress at the restaurant.

Alex Foster was fuming in rage. How dare this peasant cross him? She doesn't have an idea of who she is messing around with?

He sure knows she is new to New York or she is either too primitive not to know what the name Foster spells. She dares to humiliate him and didn't have a bit of remorse or ready to apologise to him?

"Ella, you have to apologise to Mr Foster if you want to keep your job" Pascal Lucas urged her. This is a situation in which the lower class should swallow her pride and apologise to save her job.

Everyone knows that Alex Foster was wrong. But his name rings a bell wherever it's been mentioned. She just needs to say sorry and that would be all.

"That would be over my dead body" Ella seethed. She eyed the spoiled brat before her and then looked away with her fingers intertwined in front of her.

Festus didn't blink an eye as he had his gaze focused on the bold adamant waitress. He's been by Alex's side for years, but he had never met anyone who had the effrontery to stand up against Alex wishes.

This girl must have a strong heart or should he say she's stubborn? He knows his friend is wrong, he is often wrong when he harasses women.

This is what he had cautioned him against several times. Every woman needs to be respected. He does that to women in clubs, eateries and restaurants.

And often, the women would tremble before him. They wouldn't be able to say a word even if they were not pleased with what he's doing to them.

He was forced to believe that they were quiet because he was a renowned billionaire in New York City and one of the most handsome men in the country.

But this woman before him is brave and in his heart, he applauds her. Someone just has to put Alex in his place and teach him to respect women.

Alex Foster is the handsome billionaire and one of the richest men in New York City. He is tall with a V-line sculptured jaw. He has startling blue eyes and brownish hair. He has thin pinkish lips that complimented his pointed nose.

He is ruthless and everyone knows he doesn't forgive whoever crosses his path. He is a Playboy and doesn't cease to get whatever pleases his eyes and arouses his interest.

He is a lover boy who takes any woman to his bed, he would take a piece of their flesh and pay them off. He never takes any woman twice. He pays them off and never contacts them again.

And one characteristic of him was that he never takes them to his Mansion. Non of his numerous sex partners knew how exactly his Mansion is except his peculiar woman, Lisa Anderson.

She is rumoured to be Alex's girlfriend and the only woman who has access to his Mansion. Many believed she's the only woman who Alex had slept with more than once.

"Alex..." Festus was going to intervene when Alex raised his hand. That was enough for Festus to know that he should be quiet.

Alex's eyes had gone red for rage. He stared at the peasant before him. Once he had admired her beauty a few minutes ago and touched her butt.

But now, he detest her and felt like strangling her right away. But strangling her wouldn't appease him enough. He would deal with her in the entire New York City that she would desire to disappear from the City.

And even at that, he wasn't going to give her a chance to disappear. He would teach her how to respect the high and handsome Alex Foster!

"Not a word Festus" Alex seethed and turned to the manager of the restaurant. "I want this thing fired immediately, otherwise I will close down not only this restaurant but all your branches throughout New York and its environs!"

At this time, a scene had been created and people were now watching from a distance. Though many couldn't get too close for the fear of Alex Foster but they had their phones and were either recording, taking photographs or better still, doing the both.

Pascal Lucas was shivering already. The aura of dominance emanating from Alex was enough to send shivers down his spine.

Close down the restaurants and the other branches? This is too much for him to risk. He really wants to help Ellabut she's stubborn.

All the staff admired and liked her but his job and that of many others were at stake for her. He can't help it. She had refused to apologise and the penalty for her refusal was to lose her job.

"Yes, Mr Foster" Pascal succumbed and bowed slightly before Alex Foster. He turned to glared at Ella with eyes full of emotions "you are fired Ella. Go to the finance department and claim all your entitlement and leave immediately"

Ella nodded as her eyes immediately turned teary. Before her tears would give her away, she turned quickly and made her way to the changing room.

As soon as she got in, she let loose her emotions and her tears ran down her cheeks. She's lost her job.

"On behalf of my staff..." Pascal Lucas was going to apologise when Alex looked at his friend and declared "let's go"

******

Alex Foster was quiet the entire way back to the office. He has never been so humiliated in his entire life.

A mere filthy girl molested him and felt so arrogant to apologise? What nonsense? She has messed with the wrong guy.

He would make her regret ever crossing his path. The loss of her job is nothing compared to what awaits her. He touched his chin as if he wanted to feel the sensation of the slap again.

His palm formed into a fist and he gnashed his teeth. The battle line has been drawn. That girl wants to dance and now, the dancing is about to begin...

Festus kept glancing at his friend. He saw his face was still in a rage. He had already dealt with the girl, why was he still feeling so hurt?

He was wrong and yet, he ensured she got fired. Not every woman can take such nonsense as being disrespected. He harassed her and she revolted.

That's her only way to pay him back in his own coin. And now, he is furious. Anyways, he has to be furious because no one ever did that to him.

He glanced at her for the uptenth time and sighed softly. "Why are you still so furious Alex?" Festus asked, pretending as if he didn't know why.

"Did you see how that bitch humiliated me Festus, how dare she?" He gnawed, giving the space between him and Festus a blow with his fisted hand.

The chauffeur was shocked and looked at his boss through the rear view mirror "Is everything alright boss?" He asked.

Immediately the chauffeur asked, he regretted asking. Who said he could poke his head in matters that do not concern him? His curiosity will one day put in trouble.

"What's your business you bastard? Who asked you to care if I am alright? What if I am not, what can you do about it? Huh, tell me?" Alex yelled at his chauffeur.

"I'm sorry sir" the chauffeur immediately apologised and concentrated on the wheels. He was employed as a chauffeur and did not care about how alright the boss is or not.

Perhaps one of his numerous girlfriends has Crossed his path. Whoever made the books to be like this will never get away with it.

"Sorry for yourself" he snapped at him and hissed. Festus chuckled aloud. This is called transfer of aggression. The fellow has only asked an innocent question and Alex flared up over his concern for him.

"You harassed her Festus, you did. She only did what her instinct came up with" Festus replied honestly.

Alex turned sideways and glared at Festus and then declared "that instinct will make her feel my wrath!"

******

Ella arrived home and as usual, met her mother seated in the sitting room and going through her health journal.

When Ella arrived home, her eyes were red and puffy. Despite trying her best to bottled up her tears and emotions in her heart, they were still able to find their way in her facial expression.

She sighed softly and cleaned her tears for the uptenth time before walking through the door.

Sarah Smith wasn't expecting anyone at the time. When she heard the door open, she startled, raised her head and looked at the direction of the door.

Slowly before her, Ella walked in, her head bowed. She shut the door and tied her best to keep her face away from her mom seeing it.

"Hello Mom" she said and without waiting for her response, she walked towards her room.

Sarah Smith couldn't find her voice immediately and raised her hand to call Ella back but the latter wasn't looking at her direction.

She kept staring at the back view of her daughter and she disappeared into her room. She squinted, this is unlike Ella to arrive home shortly after lunch time.

And walking straight into her room without pausing to ask her how she's doing is not a good sign that everything is fine.

Did anything happen at work? Is she alright? Had she heard unpleasant news? What is wrong with her daughter?

Sarah Smith was asking all these questions in her heart. But she couldn't get the answers to the questions from her heart.

She kept looking in the direction her daughter went. She wanted to walk after her, hold her in a tight hug and ask her what was happening to her.

But she can't stand up on her feet for a while now. She had a stroke which had left her unable to use her feet again.

Ella was the only who stood by her through thin and thick. And now, she's the only source of livelihood for them both. She was indeed blessed to have such a girl for a daughter.

Immediately her eyes had gone moist. She doesn't know what is going on with her daughter and she cannot stand up on her feet to ease whatever it is.

*******

Alex walked into his office briskly. He had that look of don't bother when he got into his office. His secretary kept her distance and didn't bother to tell him that Lusa Anderson had come to check on him.

She promised to check back after her lunch. When she comes back, she could go and see him herself.

Alex sat on his exquisite chair and swivelled around on it. What should he do that would pacify him? He doesn't know how long he was in that thought when Lisa Anderson walked in.

He glared at her. Didn't his secretary know that she shouldn't allow anyone Into his office? He's in a bad mood already and doesn't want any slightest provocation.

"Hello darling" Lisa chimed as she walked towards Alex. Lisa is a young woman who had stayed by Alex for over three years now.

She's twenty five tall and slim. She's a blond with grey eyes. She is accustomed to wearing heavy make-up that makes her beauty hardly recognised because of her make up.

On this particular day, she was dressed in a slit gown that reached down to her feet. Her lipstick was red and her hair was made into a neatly tied ponytail

As she made her way towards Alex, he demanded "who let you in?". That was when Lisa paused in her path and her smile gradually disappeared.

She looked at Alex properly now and realised that his facial expression was cold. Not only was it cold, it appeared Alex was going to tear whoever provoked him into pieces.

"Do I still need your consent before stepping into your office?" Lisa demanded in an apologetic voice. She knows Alex too well, like the back of her palm. If he is in such a mood, tread gently with him not to receive the heat of his displeasure.

"Yes. Do I own this office with you?" Alex demanded as if he had an unsettled quarrel with Lisa. He was glaring at her with so much hostility in his eyes.

"Ok, I'm sorry" Lisa apologised and sighed softly. What kind of a fellow was Alex? One time he sounds romantic and another time, he is Peevish.

"Leave!" Alex ordered. He didn't even care about her apologies. The one he wanted to say the words I'm sorry to him did not. Lisa's apologies made him feel angrier than before.

"Is there a problem? Talk to me Alex"Lisa asked, now walking towards Alex to give him a peek. Whatever it is, she should be able to penetrate through his emotions with her seductive advances.

"I said leave!" Alex thundered. He glared at her irritatingly and Lisa was shocked. For the next few seconds, she was confused on what to do.

She soon regained her composure and walked away from Alex. "Whatever or whoever has crossed you, it wasn't me. Why are you taking it out on me?" She asked, looking aggrieved.

"Spare me that trash and get the hell out of here" he commanded. Without waiting for another word from Alex, she picked up her bag and walked towards the door.

When she got to the door, she turned and glanced at Alex again who had already closed his eyes, to continue in his thoughts where he stopped.

Ella shut the door behind her when she got into her room. She sat at the edge of the bed and started sobbing. She had lost her job and has nothing to fall back to.

Her mom depends on her for survival. She is sick, her medicines, her basic necessities and feeding. All these need money and it is her responsibility to provide them.

There are burdens on her shoulder. What about her bills? How is she going to cope? That bastard ruined her by making her lose her job.

She sobbed. That is the only way she can relieve herself. What is she going to tell her mother when she asked her why she came home early?

"Ella, Ella dear" Sarah called.

Ella heard her mother calling out to her. She stood up quickly, cleaned her tears and made her voice okay as much as she could.

"I will be with you in a jiffy," Ella answered through the door. She rushed into the bathroom, washed her face, applied a little makeup to cover up her puffy face and then looked at herself in the mirror.

Satisfied that she had covered everything up, she put on a forced smile. But looking herself in the mirror, she knew that smile was just superficial and it all appeared too fake to be doubted.

Ella soon came out of her room and went to sit next to her mom. She saw from her mother's eyes that she looked worried already.

"How have you been mom?" Ella asked, smiling at her mother. Her mother's eyes were not looking like she was fine at all.

"I was fine a while ago before you arrived. But now Ella, o can't say if I am truly fine"Sarah replied, she turned herself with all difficulty and cupped her daughter's face in her palm.

Ella looked down fondling with her fingers. Her mom held her face between her palm. If she looked at her eyes, her emotions would take the better part of her.

Sarah looked at her daughter's face and saw it all. She's been crying. Something is definitely wrong. If she thinks she can hide her puffy red eyes from her, using her Makeup, then she has missed it.

"What is wrong Ella? Talk to me" Sarah asked, still holding her daughter's face. They are both each other's confidant and bestfriend. She can always discuss her worries with her.

"What are you talking about mom?"Ella asked, pretending that all is fine. She knows her mother will still eventually know that she lost her job. But not now, at least not today.

"Of course you know what I am talking about. Don't forget I am your mother. I understand you by Expression long before you ever say your first word.

Don't ever make the mistake of lying to me. I want you to tell me what exactly is wrong with you. And why are you home at this time" Sarah asked, her voice filled with complete authority but yet, mixed with emotions and love.

Ella's tears dropped and Sarah pulled her to a hug. Ella started sobbing. Soon her nose became sour and she was sniffling.

"I lost my job mom!" Ella blurted.

"What did you say?" Sarah was alarmed.

**********

" Find out all you can about that woman and bring me answers before the Sun sets" Alex commanded.

Soon he placed his phone on the desk before him. He wants to know everything about that woman. He wants to know where it will hurt her the most.

There must be something about her that he would use in torturing her. In New York City, she will live to regret her actions.

That evening, Alex received a call from his investigator. Everything he needed to know about Ella Smith was there. He got his computer and went through her information.

The next morning, Ella received an email to come over for an interview. She can't remember ever applying in that company for a job. How is it that she received an invitation to come for an interview?

She was a bit sceptical about the invitation. She decided to discuss it with her mother and Sarah said she should go for the interview.

She had already lost her job. She needs another job. And being invited on the platter of gold, she should go.

Ella agreed. The next day the interview was slated for 10am the next morning.

The next morning, Ella got dressed and took her credentials and went to the Foster cooperation. She looked her best and really hoped she would get the job.

When she arrived at the cooperation, she expected to see a lot of applicants. But she was the only one who appeared to have come for an interview.

Anyways, she went to the receptionist and said hello. The receptionist raised her head and welcomed Ella with a smile. She asked her what she can do for her.

"My name is Ella Smith and I am here for an interview..."Ella said. She already liked the warm reception she received. The lady at the reception really is good at her work.

"You are welcome. Sit down please while I send a message to the boss" the receptionist beckoned her to a seat. Just then Lisa Anderson walked through the door.

She looked elegant and classic. Her dress was of the latest Nirvana. Her handbag, her pair of shoes were matched and she walked majestically.

As Ella turned to Walk back and wait until she's called, Lisa Anderson stood on her path. "Excuse me please" Ella demanded.

Lisa paused in her track to look at the girl who just spoke. She looked at Ella from her head down to her toes and assessed what she put on.

It's obvious this peasant has no idea of who she is in that company. She is the boss' woman, Alex Foster's only girlfriend. Everyone accorded her the respects but this fellow is talking disrespectfully to her.

"Who are you and what do you want here?" Lisa asked. From the girl's appearance, it seemed she is from a low or middle class family. Her entire adornment cannot be equated to the watch on her wrist.

"Who I am doesn't matter. I am simply asking that you should leave my path" Ella replied, standing straight and looking at the exquisite lady before her.

The receptionist was already feeling uncomfortable. Everyone knows that Miss Lisa is the boss woman. Even though he has other girls, Miss Lisa holds a special place in his heart.

And he doesn't want any argument to ensue between them both. She doesn't want herself or anyone for that matter to be on the boss' bad side today.

"Em men.. she is here for an interview and I told her to wait..." the receptionist was trying to intervene when Lisa gave a final verdict.

"Her interview has been cancelled" She declared and eyed Ella from her head to her toes in a disgusting manner. She had thought she was here for business or to deliver a message.

So, she wants to work in the Foster corporation and yet doesn't know those who matter to the CEO? She has just lost an opportunity.

"Wh..at?" Ella stutters.