Alejandro

[CAROLINE]

I heard a loud gunshot. At first, I thought it was aimed at me, so I expected that when I opened my eyes, I would already be dead.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around hesitantly. I saw that the gun that was pointed at me earlier was now aimed in a different direction. I checked my face, my head… there was no bullet wound.

Hell yeah, I’m still alive!

“Clean that mess.”

I looked at Mr. Alcázar again when I heard his deep voice. That voice would have been impressive if he hadn’t just pointed a gun at me. But yeah, I admit I was also at fault.

His men immediately obeyed and went to the body of a man not far away, who was already dead.

I gasped. Good thing the bullet didn’t actually hit me.

Mr. Alcázar then turned to look at me, and I froze. I don’t know what to do. Should I look away or meet his gaze behind those sunglasses? I don’t know. I am panicking and just wanted to run, but I am afraid he might shoot me if I did.

“As I was saying, I hate eavesdroppers. Why were you listening to our conversation? Are you a spy or a detective?” Mr. Alcázar looked at his gun while talking to me.

I don’t know how to answer properly.

“I just heard your conversation by accident, sir. I didn’t mean to listen. I was just too scared to leave because I thought you might notice me and shoot me. I’m just trying to earn a living.” I wasn’t sure if I said the right thing or what he wanted to hear, but I figured there was no point in lying. I didn’t have anything to hide.

“And you expect me to believe that?” He said it sarcastically. His men were gone now, so I somehow felt a little braver to speak. It was more terrifying when there were so many people around me.

“Yes? I mean, why not? I don’t have any reason to lie to you.”

My mouth really gets me into trouble sometimes. I can’t control it. I immediately closed my mouth. I need to be more careful with my words. I might say something that sounds fine to others but not to him. I don’t want a gun pointed at me again.

“Give me your ID or anything that can prove your identity,” he ordered before hiding his gun behind him.

I frowned. Why does he need my ID? And why does he even need to know who I am?

“Why should I give you my ID? Hell—”

“You’re going to give me your ID, or I’ll give you a bullet from my gun,” he whispered while lightly pressing the gun against me again. Everything happened so fast, I didn’t even notice he had taken it out again.

I forced a smile and quickly took my wallet from my bag, handing him my ID. He took it and looked at me for a moment before focusing on the ID. I wanted to roll my eyes at him, but I didn’t dare, he might point a gun at me again. I think I’ve already been threatened multiple times today.

I could only curse inwardly at how intense everything was. I just wanted to work and earn a bonus so I could pay my rent this month.

“You’re a Customs Broker?” he asked, looking me up and down with a smirk. For some reason, it felt like he was insulting me.

“It says so right there, doesn’t it?” I was already getting irritated. I couldn’t be nice anymore. Whatever he does, if he points a gun at me again and actually shoots me, so be it. I’ll just haunt him if my soul doesn’t rest in peace.

“Are you practicing your profession? Do you have accreditation?” he asked again.

I tried to grab my ID back, but he pulled it away and held it up. Since he was taller than me, I couldn’t reach it.

“No.” I replied, slightly annoyed. Would I be struggling like this if I were actually practicing my profession? I’ve been saving up for it. Besides experience, I also need enough money for capital if I want to start my own firm.

“Why? Are you not good enough at declaring goods?” He finally gave my ID back.

Even if he thinks I’m rude for grabbing it from him, I could say the same about him, he’s the rude one. Why is this guy so sarcastic? Everything he says feels like an insult to me.

“Not practicing my profession doesn’t mean I’m bad at declaring goods. In this field, that’s not the only thing that matters to use our license as more than just an ID. We also need money. And those who aren’t lucky enough to start their own firm or practice their profession have to start from the bottom. Not everyone is as blessed as you, sir,” I said sharply.

That was probably too long, and I even got out of breath, but I just wanted to make things clear. Some people think having a license automatically makes life easy.

I saw him clicking his tongue while observing me. I frowned at him because of the way he was staring.

“Are you harassing me? Because if you are, I won’t hesitate to have you arrested,” I said boldly. I don’t know why, but I’m more afraid of being insulted now than of dying. If he kills me just because I stand my ground and fight back, I would accept the bullet willingly.

I saw his surprised expression after hearing what I said. A moment later, he laughed.

“Do you really have the guts to sue me or send me to jail?” he said, clearly irritated by my reaction. His entire presence screams arrogance.

I know he’s like this because he’s rich and probably thinks he can do anything he wants.

“But no, I’m not looking at you in a sexual way, Miss. I’m just observing whether you’re suitable for the job I’m going to offer.”

I frowned, confused by what he said. His words were clear, but I didn’t understand why he was saying that to me.

“Huh?”

He ignored my confused expression and turned away to walk. When he noticed I wasn’t following, he looked back at me.

“Follow me,” he ordered.

I frowned again. First of all, I don’t work for him, so he has no right to order me around. Second, why should I follow him? He might take me somewhere I don’t even want to go.

He stopped walking again and turned back when I still didn’t move. “I know you heard what I said. Don’t make me repeat myself, Ms. Morris.”

I was surprised when he said my last name. He must have seen it on my ID, and now he was using it.

I rolled my eyes but eventually followed him.

We arrived at an expensive-looking car. Another man suddenly appeared beside us and respectfully bowed to him.

“You don’t have to drive the car for me. Just handle the business here,” he ordered.

The man immediately obeyed. The man in front of me opened the passenger door and looked at me.

“Get inside the car,” he said again.

Why does he keep ordering me around? Does he think everyone is his employee?

“What?” I understood him perfectly, but I still acted confused just to annoy him a little.

“You really like pretending you didn’t hear what I say, huh? Do you enjoy making me angry?” he said as he walked closer, a smirk on his face. He leaned toward me, making me step back slightly because his face was too close to mine.

“You will definitely regret seeing me get angry, Miss.”

Because of fear and nervousness from what he said, I didn’t think twice and immediately got inside his car. He went around and got into the driver’s seat, then started the engine and began driving.

I didn’t bother asking where he was taking me. If he planned to do something bad to me, I already prepared my phone in case I needed to call my boyfriend, Oliver.

My phone rang, and I saw a message from Edith.

Edith:Caroline, where are you? You’re not at the warehouse yet. Dylan already went there because our client has been complaining for a while since our company’s representative hasn’t arrived. Please reply.

I closed my eyes tightly. I suddenly remembered I had somewhere important to go, but everything that happened made me forget about it.

“Stop the car,” I said while typing a reply to Edith. I didn’t look at him, so I didn’t know if he was already getting annoyed again.

“What? I’m not going to take orders from you,” he said irritably.

After I sent my reply, I looked at him seriously. He needed to stop because I had to do my job. If I managed to go there now, maybe I would still have a job tomorrow.

“Sir, first of all, I don’t know you. I only followed you because I was afraid you would point your gun at my head again. Second, my job is on the line. I need to go.” If he kept being rude, I would definitely fight back. I wasn’t even afraid of his gun anymore. If I lost my job today, I don’t know what would happen to me.

“So that’s your problem? Then resign,” he said.

I was stunned. It sounded like nothing serious to him, like resigning meant it was easy to find another job.

“Resigning is not an option, sir. I need my job. You have no right to tell me what to do because this doesn’t even affect your—”

He suddenly stopped the car, cutting me off. I looked at him.

Does he want me to die or something?

Even though he stopped the car, I didn’t thank him because I am still annoyed. I turned toward the door and was about to open it when he locked it again.

I looked at him in frustration. Does he enjoy playing with people? Does he enjoy bullying others?

“What the hell?! Let me out!”

I couldn’t hold back my frustration anymore. I was already angry, and I would scream if he still wouldn’t stop messing with me. My patience is already at its limit because of him.

“Listen first,” he said calmly. “What I’m saying is, resign from your job and work for me. I’m offering you a job, as my Customs Broker.”

I froze because of what he said. I couldn’t even explain the sudden feeling I have. I don’t know if it was excitement or fear.

“Work for me, and you can live in luxury. I assure you of that.”

Because of what he said, it felt like I was blinded for a moment, and I unconsciously nodded my head, something I immediately regretted after.