Ch 1

Matilda's POV

"Out of my house. I don't want to see your face ever again" my stepfather told me. He was angry, reason best known to him.

"She's too young to go out to the streets"my mother tried to plead on my behalf. I was being thrown out of my own father's mansion by the good-for-nothing man my mom brought home.

"She's eighteen, she's an adult and she'll manage. She'll survive. I don't want her anywhere near this house, the company or my daughter." he said. I just stared at my mother, she was kneeling to beg this man for me.

He turned to the security guard and said "If she's still here in the next two minutes, forget about getting a job in this life." The security guard looked at me pitifully. He has been serving our family for decades and is about to throw out the daughter of this family.

"I'm sorry young miss."

"I understand" I said. He put my bags outside and urged me to leave. My stepfather had already gone inside.

"Tilly darling, please leave now. You know his temper" my mom said

"Where should I go to?" I was heartbroken that even my mother couldn't do anything. "Go stay with your father's sister and find a job." she brought out a bundle of money and put it in my hand "take this an find your way, but don't ever come back and don't call. I'll be the one to call, okay? Take care of yourself darling" she ran back inside and that was the last I heard from her which was six years ago. And now, this man is telling me rubbish.

"I should convince Romeo Delmont to marry your daughter?" My stepfather, Andrew Cassain called to spoil my day. I don't even know how he got my number.

"I don't even know the guy" I lied

"Don't lie to me. I know you work for him" he said. He really did his homework

"So?" I ask. I'm already getting late for work and I'm gonna receive an earful from the boss.

A knock came on the door.

"I'll get back to you later. I'm very busy" I tell him and without waiting for him to respond, I hung up. "come in" my friend, Sunny comes in.

"Good morning" we greeted at the same time

"You ready?" she asked

"Almost" I replied putting on my shoes and blazer.

"I'll drop you off today,I'm going your way" she said as she sat on my bed.

Sunny is the only friend I have from the rich kids' clique. We've been best friends since we were babies and I stayed at her family house when I was kicked out of mine, but we're grown-ups and we decided to rent an apartment and receive financial assistance only when needed. Not that we needed it though,we both have good paying jobs.

"I heard you talking to someone"

"Oh. That…it was a business call. Some noisy client." I hated lying to her but knowing her, the matter will not die here.

"You get these calls almost everyday." we leave the room and exit the building. We enter her car and she drives off.

>>×<<

"Bye darling, have a nice day and don't let that boss of yours stress you out, okay?"

"Yes ma'am. Bye ma'am" I said as I got out of the car

"Alright,go now, my child." she giggles and drive off.

I turned to look at the Microsoft cooperation where I work. It's a skyscraper and the owner of this tall building is my boss, Romeo Delmont.

I walk inside the building, greeting and being greeted. I ask the receptionist if the boss had arrived

"Not yet" she replied and I immediately felt relieved. Who knows how much he would have deducted from my salary if I had been late today.

"Thanks" I said and headed for the elevator to the last floor which was where I worked. I passed the door of his office to get to my cubicle. I hadn't even dropped my bag on my desk when my phone rang,it was the boss "Yes, Mr president?"

"This is the bartender speaking" came a voice

"Bar?" what is he doing at a bar by this time of the day? "Is he drunk?" I asked

"No…"

"Matilda" came his deep voice

"Yessir?"

"Call the lawyer" he said. What has he done now?

"May I ask why, sir?"

"I'll explain later. Call the doctor as well" I could hear some arguments in the background and before I could say anything,he cut the call.

This boss of mine is hot tempered. Who knows what damage he has done now. "Hello?" said the lawyer from the other end.

"Good morning, Mr Felix. It's Mr Delmont's secretary speaking"

"Yes. How may I be of help to you?"

"Mr Delmont requests your presence so, I will like for you to tell me the time you would be free today so I can pick you up."

"Please hold on" he spoke to someone but I couldn't hear the discussion.

"Miss…"

"Matilda" I said

"Miss Matilda, I'm very sorry but I'm fully booked for today and the rest of the week. How about next week Monday?" he asked

Seriously?! Can this day get any worse?

"I don't think it can wait that long. How about you speak to him directly on the phone even if it's just for five minutes?" I asked. I wouldn't have bothered but he's the best lawyer in town and knowing my boss, my pay will be reduced if this doesn't work out.

"Why don't you give this case to my subordinate" he suggested " she's almost as good as I am"

"All we want is for this case to be won in court." I stated "Give me your best"

"Sure. My regards to Mr Delmont" he said and cut the call

One down, one more to go.

I dialed the doctor's number but it went straight to voicemail. I dialed the number again and same result.

I better start pricing my coffin because my arrogant and hot tempered boss will definitely have me beheaded.

"Did he go on a honeymoon or something?"

****

Earlier At The Bar…

Romeo Delmont had received a call from his friend Dax and his voice was slurry.

He arrived and found Dax and his brother, Dante sitting on bar stools. Dax was trying to drag his wine bottle from Dante but the latter refused to give it to him.

"What the hell happened?" Romeo asked as soon as he reached where they sat.

"Girl problem" replied Dante

"Rome, don't I look handsome enough? Am I not rich enough? Am I not tall enough? Funny enough?"

"I wouldn't say funny enough" replied Romeo

"Can't you just lie this once?" Dax asked

"Who broke your heart?" Dante asked "Is it Rebecca or Jane?"

"Do I look like you? I'm a one-woman-man. Rebecca is just a friend."

"First of, you do look like me. Second,a friend? A friend you couldn't resist having a one night stand with." Dante countered. Romeo quietly stared at his two friends while the bickered.

"Look who's here." a voice disrupted their talk. The three men turned to look at the person that spoke.

"Arthur Danvers" Romeo said through gritted teeth

"Romeo Delmont,"Arthur said with a smirk "and his two minions"

"You just can't resist showing your face to us" Dax said. He was a little sober

"Look who's been downing himself with alcohol over a heartbreak. What a Barbie" he scoffed. It didn't go down well with Dax and he landed a punch on Arthur's face making him spit blood.

Arthur in turn landed a punch which took them by surprise. "Sober now?" he asked and they began fighting.