Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers (2 page)

I turn shaking my head, appalled at Elijah but mostly at myself. I should never have given him such power over me for the sake of some information that I probably would have gotten out of him over time.
Patience is a virtue
- I only wish I knew this before. Although I was not fully acquainted with my patience, I am acquainted with this - I believe that we people are all solely responsible for our own choices. People can influence us but in the end, we walk along the path we choose alone. We have to accept the consequences to our decisions and actions, deeds, words and thoughts throughout our lifetime - I intend on doing this to become a stronger woman.

I wrap my arms around myself for some comfort while I take the lift up to my apartment. The travel from that house of hell thankfully starts to become a blur. I slowly open my apartment door and stand staring in a daze. It feels like forever since I was here. One day can seem like a lifetime and I never understood that quote before. The scent of flowers still lingers in the air - I smile appreciatively, knowing that the flowers make this feel like home to me.

Falling into the comfort of my sofa, I ponder over my own thoughts and decisions and wonder what I should do; what would a strong independent woman do? Firstly, I need to find a new job - God that will take forever! How the hell will I land a well paid job without a referee? I should march back to Dark fucking Lawyers and demand a new position - away from Elijah! No, I cannot do that - can I? I glance at my watch and notice it's five-thirty a.m. - hmmm? He did say that I have to leave my job but I wonder what he would do if I just show up unannounced? He cannot actually sack me on the grounds of being a virgin!

I quickly find my briefcase and search for my contracts. Maybe I should glance over them and see how I feel. While reading over the NDA, I confuse myself further. All these cryptic references play dirty tricks with my innocent mind. Personal relationship; who the hell does he think he is?

"Ugh, this is so frustrating!" I admonish myself while grasping my hair with vexed fingers.

Should I sign the contracts and just go to work or should I admit defeat?
Sign the damn papers and shove them in his Bastard mouth!

I smile weakly at myself, feeling sort of okay for the first time since last night. I'm smart, witty and most of all, hard working; why should I let the likes of him do me out of my job? I know being around him will be difficult but isn't being an adult accepting everything hard and learning from your mistakes?
Yes it is.
I should try to keep my job - I earned it, fair and square.

Before getting ready, I open my briefcase once more. I take out my university graduation present that my mother gave me. It's a gold Mont Blanc pen, and means everything to me; it's the last thing she ever gave me before my father put her away. The sheer thought about where she is makes me shiver inside, so I quickly erase the thought of her from my mind.

I shake my head feeling ardour while staring at the contracts. I want to mentally remember this moment - it will be worth remembering when Elijah sees me sat at my desk - he will look like a wet kipper! I laugh at the thought. Eventually, I sign the contract and the NDA with everything I have. My signature on the NDA comes out a little messy which annoys me but it's done now, there is no turning back. I place the contracts neatly in my briefcase. I go to get showered and try to conjure up the courage for yet another mentally stressful day. I also decide to play by the rules; white it is - white suit, shirt and shoes. My scarf is red but I have to keep some of my personal identity! I will give that Bastard 'what for' if he even tries to take me down. There must be some kind of Law to protect me - he cannot actually sack me on the grounds of being sexually inexperienced. Oh I have the most amazing thought; how delicious would it be if there is a Law protecting me and Mr. Idiot Darks created it! That would be too entertaining.

I have had absolutely no sleep, but adrenaline is pumping through my veins, thankfully keeping me functional. I neatly tie my crazy blonde hair back, restraining it with more means than necessary. I walk out of my bedroom and into my hall. I stare at myself in the mirror. Whoa - my pale face would raise the dead!  I need blusher - and lots of it!

Once I'm ready, I set my legs in motion for work.

As soon as I walk out of my ground floor lobby, the cool spring air hits my face. I'm thrilled by the cleansing feeling, but it's a little chilly - the cold morning breeze still feels bone deep. I was expecting a sunny warm day but I'm miserably mistaken. I take a huge gulp of air and confidently move one step in front of the other through London, mentally goading myself - I will be damned if I cannot control my working life. I will not let an overbearing masochistic Bastard try to bring me down into submission.

Stepping into the smelly underground, I gaze at every person that passes me. I wonder how many of them suffer with an emotionless personality; how many have been through what Elijah has been through?
Too many... probably.
My head involuntarily rocks at the thought.

The train is thankfully here. I quickly barge my way on and get seated. I feel - and probably look - too nervous. I pull my I Pad free from my briefcase and start searching random crap to mentally distract myself.

A man with a kind face full of laugh wrinkles takes a seat next to me. He looks friendly, dressed in a nice blue suit - blue, the colour of loyalty. I smile fondly.

"The angel has arrived." He jokes, instantly grabbing my attention.

"Sorry?" I frown while gazing at him.

"You are completely dressed in white. You look like an angel." He smiles warmly at me.

"Thank you Sir that is... kind of you."

"You are very welcome. I must say, it is nice to see someone famous under normal conditions for once."

"Sorry - what do you mean?"

He looks at me confused and the train arrives at my destination, so I have no more time to ask questions about his bizarre statement.

"It was nice meeting you." I mutter while rising to my feet.

He nods his head as a kind gesture and I leave feeling confused by his comment.

I take my time walking to work but the journey destination is inevitable. Once I see the huge black and white sign for Darks Lawyers, my tummy plummets. Penetration, this is mental penetration! God damn that company - God damn Elijah!

Can I really do this?
Yes you bloody can; get your arse in there and show him that he does not own you!

As soon as I set foot through the revolving doors, I'm taken back by everyone's eyes that are piercing into me. What the hell is going on? I wonder while lowering my head. Maybe it's because I'm un-characteristically dressed?

I finally reach the safety of the lift. I release the breath I was holding while stepping inside. I fall limp against the steel wall - jeez this is going to be harder than I anticipated. The lift flies me up in double time, or at least it seems that way. I start to pace, thinking I have made a mistake – I feel as though I have rushed this.

"Oh why didn't I just leave it a few days? Me and my control issues!" I moan.

I reach my work level and as soon as the lift's solid steel doors open, Jezebel has her daggering eyes locked on me. I ignore her compelling stare, slam my signed contracts on her reception desk and quickly walk into my office.

"Fucking bitch!" I snap under my breath. I am in no mood for her!

My office is as it was - I smile fondly. Wuthering Heights is still positioned on the grand dark wooden book case. My desk is still positioned in the centre of my office, overpowered by the Mac that rests nicely to the right. The city vista is still compelling. I gaze appreciatively while I touch the soft cream curtains. The only thing that has changed in here are the flowers. White roses are positioned in every corner, bedded in cream plant pots. The pots are made from grey stone, they look very Greek.

My mobile phone rings and I'm relieved to see it's Derek. I deflate into my chair and answer.

"Dere..." I start to say but he interrupts me.

"Anile, what the fuck is going on? Have you seen the papers?"

"No why? Derek I need to talk to you, it's important." I say while twirling the office telephones cord through my fingers - I'm mentally hoping it will ring and Elijah will be on the other end.

"It can't be more important than the News of The Worlds front page!"

I try to swallow but my mouth's bone dry - as is my brain!

"What's on the front page?" I ask in a shaky voice.

"Where are you?" He asks quickly.

"At the office."

"Turn on your computer and look on The News of The World."

I quickly switch on the Apple Mac and thankfully it loads quickly. I search for the news paper on Google and when it pops up, I mentally crash. Holy fucking shit!

ADULTERY

Is it a Sin When Separated From Your Spouse?

ELIJAH DARKS

- Currently Married -

Self-Made Billionaire Bags a Hottie -
ANILE GOODEN
aged 22

"Derek." I whisper. I am open-mouth shocked. Fuck this is bad, this is really, really bad.

"You and Elijah are splashed everywhere Anile, and not just on that paper. What the hell is going on? Are you two an item?"

"Derek I have to go." I mutter in a daze. I hang up, absolutely reeling. Fuck, what am I going to do? Do I ring the papers and set them straight? I have to! My father is going to kill me!

I lean my elbows on the desk top while grasping my face in aggravation.

Hester comes walking into my office with shock written all over her face. To my amazement, she's dressed in white - still owning her beautiful bright red lips and long dark brown hair, but still, she's dressed in bloody white!

"Are you okay Anile?" She asks with a deep frown.

I shake my head - my equilibrium has officially dumped me.

"I don't know." I say, gazing up at her. My hands have now lost all knowledge of how to move. They are just resting on my desk top, limp and lifeless.

"Mr. Darks informed me that you will no longer be working here," she says, still looking confused, "please tell me you have seen the papers?" She gasps.

"I have literally just seen them. Hester, I do not know what to do; do you think I should ring the papers and set them right on their stories?"

"No," she forces with a prompt voice, "let Mr. Darks take care of the press Anile - I am pretty sure he is already dealing with shutting them down. Are you still working here then?"

"No... yes... I don't know. I have just given my signed contracts to Jezebel but now I think I'll take them back and leave."

"It will be too late; Jezebel will have posted them into Mr. Darks' office by now. Did Mr. Darks sign his part on the contracts?"

"What?" I shout, eyes agape. I get up from my seat in a frenzy. I try to run to Jezebel's reception desk.

"Anile, stop," she insists while gripping my arm, "did Mr. Darks sign the papers before you?"

"Yes, I think so - I cannot remember." I break free from her grip. Did he sign them?

"It is too late then; you will not be able to leave here without a good reason until your contract is up."

"Elijah does not want me working here - he sacked me."

"That was before you signed your life over to him." She whispers almost too low. I barely hear her.

"They are working contracts; I did not sign my soul to the devil."

She huffs sarcastically which rings my alarm bells. "Did you read the conditions on termination of contracts?" She asks serious.

"No why?"

Shaking her head in aggravation, she drops a bomb. "Anile, you should always read the small print. Mr. Darks states that, 'all Lawyers are bound by law to finish the cases that are submitted to them. Under no circumstances are you allowed to quit a case that has been submitted to you. If a Lawyer quits a case before they have finished it, Darks Lawyers will sue for all obtainable assets from the Second Party or those financially responsible for the Second Party. That Second Party is you, Anile."

Holy shit!

"I did not see that." I whisper breathless.

"I think that is why he gave you such a high profile case - the Timothy Allen case - to insure you couldn't leave without just cause. Anile, Mr. Allen is one of our best customers, and he's so damn famous - I thought the idea of Mr. Darks handing you one of his cases was bizarre."

"I have to see if Jezebel has given the contracts to him." I say.

I walk fast out of my office. I reach Jezebel's desk. Fuck, she's nowhere to be seen, neither are the contracts - double crap! Leaning against the reception desk for support, I succumb to my tears. I cup my face for comfort.

"Anile." Hester joins me with a sympathetic hand on my shoulder, "come back into your office. You look exhausted and we should talk. I am worried about you."

She wraps her arm around my shoulder - I peer up at her affectionately. I follow her while tears continue to prick my eyes. Why did I have to rush this, why didn't I just wait a few days and decide what to do about my job with a clear head?
Because you thought you could outsmart him, stupid!
If I had known the press would be all over Elijah and I, I definitely would not have come back to work. I cannot have people digging into my past - finding out about my mother - shit, my father is going to kill me.