Chapter Eight: Living With My Boss

Night descended suddenly like a dark curtain. I couldn't help but think of tomorrow and what it may bring.

I lay down on my soft bed, staring at the perfect white ceiling, probably for the very last time. I felt comfy in the softness of my bed for the last time too and I thought about so many things, the very last thoughts I might give them.

I stayed there in bed, not minding the cold and storm raging from the outside. It didn't really matter to me right now.

I moved my eyes away from the ceiling and surveyed the entirety of my earlier arranged, pink, medium-sized room, trying to find out if there's anything that's not in order. 

When I convinced myself that all things have been given their final touches, I closed my eyes and covered myself with my duvet, after I mumbled a few words of prayer. 

Morning rose quickly, I woke up lazily, stretching my weary arms and legs and yawning heavily, like a tired fellow. I sat down on my bed, wishing myself all the best for the day.

I stood up as soon as I finished. I knew I had to do some things before Mr Bernard came to pick me up.

He has told me earlier that I should be ready by 9am and that he'll be coming to pick me by then. I ran hastily to the bathroom to take my bath and brush my teeth.

I came out of the bathroom soon after, with a white towel, wrapped around my body, from just above my breasts down to my laps. I led myself to my wardrobe to put on something nice. 

I walked to the dressing table to put on some light make up on my weary face, the last I would maybe. I smacked my lips and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked so stunning.

Satisfied with my look, I grabbed my beautiful, black, Louis Vuitton handbag, put on my fancy wristwatch and slipped out of my room. I went downstairs to the kitchen to make breakfast.

As I entered the kitchen, I noticed that everything was still in good form and shape. I did a wonderful job yesterday, putting everything in place. 

I stepped down to my pantry, next door, only to see an empty space. Well, I knew beforehand that it would be empty. What should I expect, when I didn't restock for the last two weeks? It wasn't a surprise to me, after all.

I went back into the kitchen and opened my refrigerator, to find it empty, as well, asides for the hamburger I made yesterday. I am getting worried now. My stomach growled out of hunger.

I opened my kitchen cabinet, next to it. Luckily, I found a bag of Walkers chips. 

I guess that would do for breakfast, with the hamburger in the fridge. I had them and went back to my room, expecting Mr Bernard's call.

I grabbed my phone, to check my messages and keep myself busy with it.

Soon, I heard a car pull up in front of my house. I needed not to be told that my boss is here and the time is here. The time for me to leave this house I've always loved since I began living here.

Without wasting much time, I grabbed my bags and went downstairs. I could hear a knock already, so I rushed to open the door.

"Good morning, Mr Bernard," I greeted.

"Good morning, Alice. Hope you're all set?" He replied.

"Yeah, sure. Let me go get my bags." I said, in a taut voice, hardly looking at his face.

With that, I dashed back into the living room and came out soon after with my bags. I locked up my apartment and headed towards the car, while he led the way.

We got into the car and it began moving soon after. We drove silently for some minutes, my anxiety taking a better part of me throughout those minutes of silence. I could read a thousand and one words the silence portrayed.

After about half an hour's drive, we pulled up in front of a towering, magnificent building, such as I have never set my eyes on all my life. 

At first, I thought it was a remarkable building, a government house or something of the sort, but I realized my thoughts weren't correct when I noticed he was about to step out of the car. I was overjoyed, though too shocked to believe I wasn't dreaming. I just couldn't believe my eyes.

"We're there!" He announced, as he made to alight from the car.

"Oh wow! What a nice place!" I was overwhelmed. 

We took a few strides and appeared in front of the gate. He pressed a little button and it opened magically. I was astounded.

The compound looked very heavenly and well-crafted. The lovely fragrant flowers in the well decorated garden, the large swimming pool and lounge area beside the sky-tall building, the luxury cars parked on the other side, it all smirked of exquisiteness. I couldn't help but admire it all. My boss really had a great taste.

As we got to the large golden door, he pressed another tiny button before it opened.

We got inside the house.

'Oh God!' 

Everything I saw was breathtaking. I thought it was the paradise I read about in so many books. My eyes popped out and I covered my wide mouth with my hands. 

I wanted to scream out loud, but decided to comport myself, since I was in someone's house.

He led me upstairs to my room. There was an elevator, but he decided to use the staircase.

The staircase was long but beautiful. Each stair was red-carpeted and it had a golden banister, the stair lights beaming at every step we took. 

We got a door on the second floor and stopped. He opened the door and ushered me in. I walked in, majestically like a queen, the queen I had always wanted to be.

"This is your room. Make yourself comfortable," he said, in his husky voice.

"Oh wow! Thank you so much, Mr Bernard," I replied cheerfully, admiring the interior of the room.

"You know, you should do away with calling me Mr Bernard. We ain't in the office anymore. You could call me Bernard or Daddy, if you wished," he teased, smiling at me.

"Alright then. Thank you so much, daddy." I corrected myself.

I couldn't succumb to the idea of calling him by his name. He was my boss, for crying out loud, he deserves some respect. I knew calling him daddy wasn't nice enough, but at least, it showed some respect in a unique sense.

"In case you need anything, you can call me. I'm downstairs for now," he offered.

"Okay. Thanks a lot, daddy." I was grateful.

He then walked briskly to the staircase and I could hear him step down the stairs. 

I took my time to survey the entirety of the room, carefully. 

The pink walls, the pink and cream coloured curtains hung by the windows and door, the queen-sized well-arranged bed, the golden mirror by the dressing table,... It was all I would ask for. 

I thought I was living my dream already. But is that really it, when my freedom is withheld? 

I knew I was here for business and not fantasy. I had to do my own part of the deal. I shouldn't be too carried away by what I see. I'm here for some purpose and I need to do it the best I can.

The rest of the day went as normal, until evening, when something happened…