Just Business

All Rights Reserved for Just Business© by Tajanara Scott aka Afrodite107.

Under no circumstances must this book be copied, vandalized, stolen, changed or translated (without permission), ask and you shall receive. I don't tolerate plagiarism; everything you see is what pops out of my big-headed brain. Thank you and enjoy it.

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Chapter 1.

I've always pride myself in being a good friend, even if it may be my undoing. I gave her a thumbs up as she made her way to the podium. Rachel made no attempt to look my way or at anyone for that matter. She's nervous...I would be too. It takes guts to present your pitch in front of Bryce. Bryce, our supervisor, is a misogynistic dickhead who has shoved himself so far up our boss's ass that he thinks he's untouchable. He likes playing mind games with us underlings. He loves threatening to fire us and deducting our pay. Because I've chosen multiple times to ignore his antics and threatened to report him, he has taken away my vacation days and deducted mine as well as everyone in my department's pay. This has made me less than favorable amongst my peers.

Many have resorted to kissing Bryce's ass and a few women—including Rachel—has slept with him to keep their jobs. Unionising is the only way to stop his tyranny but my sheepish coworkers are afraid of him. It's been three months since my last day off and now he can boast about breaking me into submission. I had to blink away tears when my thoughts went to my grandmother.

Don't let him see you cry. He'll know he's won if you do. I glanced at Bryce, who was trying to strike up a conversation with Celina, the Head Of Production and was failing horribly. Celina shot Bryce a glare that made him back off. He muttered an insult and wrapped his coat tighter around himself. His balding head and his dishevelled appearance made him look 49 instead of 29. When the door opened his brown eyes drifted in my direction. The room went silent and everyone's eyes drifted in my direction as well. I was about to look over my shoulder when someone's coat brushed my shoulder, scaring me. When I did look I got a glimpse of his back before he took his seat.

Bryce waited until the man was seated before saying. "You may begin, Ms Hayes." Rachel fiddled with her notes, cleared her throat and began presenting. The smile I wore for my friend slowly began to curdle as her presentation went on. This sounds very familiar—has she practiced presenting this to me before? No...the last thing she told me about was a design for a portable defibrillator and after I had show her my—motherfucker. No, Rachel would never do that. It has to be a coincidence. There's no way she'd steal from me and present my idea right in my fucking face. I refuse to believe it. Oh? Word for word too? That's fucking great.

Calm down, Sabrina, I thought when I got a glimpse of my shaking hands. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. I flinched when the room laughed at something she said. I've been working tirelessly for this company for years only to be overlooked, overworked and used by the one person I considered a friend. I've endured 5 long years of this bullshit and if she thinks I'll lay back and take this she has another thing coming. I rose to my feet almost drunkenly.

"You conniving bitch." I bellowed.

"Excuse me?" She questioned. Her eyes flittering around the room. There was a hint of fear in those big, blue eyes. She flinched when I tightened my grip on the table. She's never heard me yell or seen me angry before—she probably thought I was too soft to call her out. That's it isn't it? She thought I'd let her take advantage of me and do nothing about it.

"You stole my idea!" I gritted through my teeth, "I came to you in confidence weeks ago, telling you how I planned to get this opening with an idea I spent months slaving over. And here you are presenting it like I'm not sitting right fucking here, you heartless bitch!" I yelled. Everyone gasped and looked between us. Rachel's cheeks was growing redder by the second and her eyes darted to her left. For a second I thought she was about to run out of the room but she manage to calm herself.

"Sabrina..." Rachel began condescendingly, "do you have proof of your allegation?"

"You know damn well I scrapped the idea after your harsh critiques—"

"You really think I stole your idea, don't you?" She questioned and soon began to laugh. "Of all people! I chose you to steal from someone as unremarkable as you?" She laughed harder. It was as if she slapped me. Unremarkable? I had to blink away the tears burning my eyes. Words really do cut deep when it comes from someone you care about. Words are wind. I've heard worse. I've said worst things and lived to regret them but I know for a fact I won't regret this. I took a long and shaky breath.

She flinched when I laughed. "Is sleeping with Bryce considered remarkable these days?" I asked with a smile. Her face fell. "Would you like an award? A ribbon? Your work is mediocre at best yet you call the person who helps you fix your mistakes unremarkable?" Everyone began whispering. Her eyes darted around the room before they shot back to me. Her face was as red as a tomato.

"That's a rumour and you know it!" She spat.

I laughed. "Yeah! I'm sure it is."

"And how's Dylan? Still leaving you for baby mama number—oh what number is he on now—sixteen?" She said. That's a low blow. I stared at her blankly as anger rattled through my body. She smirked. I took off my pump to throw it at her but someone grabbed my arm before I got the chance. I tore my gaze from Rachel and looked over my shoulder at him. My anger crumbled into nothing as I stared into those stern, hazel brown eyes. Fuck. When did he get here? Did he hear all that?

"Pack your things and leave." He said in a tone that could pierce anything. He let go of my hand. I looked at him with widened eyes. No.

"But Mr—"

"Now, Miss Clark!" He roared. I cringed away from him with tears clouding my vision. I tore my eyes away and picked up my bag. I glanced up at Rachel's smug face.

"What about her?" I asked pointing at Rachel. His eerie gaze never left mine.

"Go." He said in a low voice. I opened my mouth to argue but ended up closing it. There's nothing I could say that'll change the outcome and who knows, she could be sleeping with him too, I mean half the building already is. I took one last look at Rachel before walking to the door with what was left of my pride.

"I've seen enough—get back to work." Mr Vyas ordered the moment I walked out the door. I walked to my cubicle with my shoe held firmly at my side. I shouldn't be the only one getting fired, that slut should be investigated or something. She shouldn't get off scot-free. I won't let her.

"I could key her car," I thought aloud as I sat at my desk. I kept my eyes low as everyone began pouring out of the conference room. They were whispering and glancing at me. Rachel and her fellow floor thots laughed as they passed by. I ignored them. Yeah, keying her car won't be enough. I could flatten her ties and smash her windows. My gaze shifted to Mr Vyas, who was leaning against the doorframe watching Rachel. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it when he met my gaze. Ah oh. He narrowed his eyes and swaggered over.

My heart almost hammered its way out of my chest when he towered over my cubicle. "Have I not made myself clear?" He asked in a low voice. When I didn't reply he leaned closer until we were at eye level. I could see the hints of greens and oranges in his beautiful, stern eyes. We never had anything close to a conversation until today. I've been dreaming of the day he'd call me into his office and say, 'Miss Clark you have shown perseverance in the last three months, working tirelessly to meet your quota and it would be a privilege to have you as my Operations Administrator'. That's all I've ever wanted from him.

"Ms Clark?"

"You did, sir." I replied meekly.

"Then why are you still in my building?" He asked. His gaze hardening. I licked my dried lips.

"I don't have a box, sir." I retorted softly. His gaze never wavered.

"Get one from downstairs. You have thirty minutes and if you can't find the door by then—security will be more than happy to help you find it." He said and took his leave. I looked down at my shaking legs, trying my best not to cry. It didn't take long for a tear to fall. I will not let them see me cry. I wiped my face and got to my feet. I could feel their eyes on me as I made my way through the aisles. I wont let them see me cry, I chanted. I kept my head held high and gave them all the finger mentally. Fuck every single one of you and you Rachel—you can fucking choke.

I was returning to my station when I noticed Diana, from a few stations down, was talking to two brawny men from ICE. What's ICE doing here? I was inches from my desk when she pointed at me. My heart skipped several beats when the men looked in my direction. Why are they looking at me? I looked over my shoulder. I was the only one standing in the aisle. I hastily got my phone out to check my reminders. Renew visa was unmarked and two weeks overdue. Crap. I could have sworn I took care of that.

The last two weeks have been hell. Mama has been feeling ill for weeks and her dying a few days ago was simply too much. Then there's Dylan leaving me for that woman again. Or the other one. Renewing my visa was the last thing on my mind but ICE wouldn't give a shit. I know I shouldn't have left it last minute but what choice did I have? Bryce wouldn't even give me an effing day off to take my grandmother to the damn doctor.

The men were almost two feet of me when I dashed for the elevator and dived inside. I slapped the button until it closed in their faces. What a way to put yourself in more hot water. Damn it. I shouldn't have done that. I paused the elevator with shaking hands and sunk to the ground. What am I going to do? I can't go back to Antigua. There's nothing for me there and my piece-of-shit father and his family won't help me. I'd go to Jamaica but I have no family there other than my mother and she's on a cruise with her new hubby.

I soon broke into a hysterical chuckling and sobbing fit. "Fuck my life." I wailed. If I were to go to immigration and explain everything—would they take pity on me? Probably not. I'm a foreigner, I'm not their problem. "Damn it." I hissed in frustration. Marriage would have been my ticket out of this but Dylan is.....'finding himself' again. Oh please. You call sticking your dick in other women finding yourself? I wiped away the tears that escaped and shuddered.

Dylan and I have been together since my third year of university. He was my first boyfriend and my first everything else. I've been nothing but loyal to him and all he has given me is pain and heartache. And my dumbass kept taking him back. It wasn't the green card I wanted....I wanted him and only him. You know what they say—you never forget your first.

I'm not looking forward to telling my mother he left again, the damn know it all is going to have a field day. I shouldn't be worrying about my mother right now—I need to find a way out of this mess and fast. But what can I do that's quick and somewhat easy? I pondered on that for several minutes before I came up with marriage fraud. Frankly, I hate the idea but it's easier and cleaner than laying low and hoping for the best. I need to get Dylan on board with this. I dialled his number. Please pick up....please pick up.

"Hey it's Dylan, I can't pick up right now—"

I hung up and called him several times but they all went straight to voicemail. "Son of a bitch!" I hissed. You're never there when I need you! Rot in hell you cheating bastard. What am I going to do? Do I know anyone that likes me enough to help? I chewed on my lip. Dylan's brother Xavi would help but he just moved to Kenya to work in a clinic for two years. My former classmate, James, stopped talking to me after I took Dylan back last year. And....that's all I've got. Should I ask anyone in the building? Bryce would probably help if I slept with him —but I'm no where near that desperate. I'm close but not quite there.

Most of the men that work here are either married, too squeaky clean to do something like this or are a milder version of Bryce. Not good options and worst of all there's him. I laughed a little. He's the squeakiest of them all and he always has that brooding look. I got to my feet and straightened my skirt. Say I do ask him to be my fake husband.....how can I ask him and not have him slam the door in my face and calling ICE on me? I can say I'm pregnant—no that's too vile. I barely know him so blackmail is out of the question. I chewed on my lip. I could make something up. Ah. This feels vile. I unpaused the elevator and pressed 10F.

My legs shook violently as the elevator rose higher and higher. As the door opened bile began to rise up my throat. It only got worse as I made my way to his secretary's desk. She's a pretty woman with blonde hair and dark grey eyes. She always greeted me with warm smiles and sometimes macaroons. She jumped when I slammed my hand on her desk to stop myself from falling.

"Are you ok, Sabrina?" She asked, "are you going to throw up?" She whispered.

I might. "I'm fine, Lewis—it's that time of the month." I replied with a forced smile. She gave me a sympathetic one.

"What can I help you with?" She asked after offering me a painkiller.

"No thanks. Um...is Mr Vyas in?"

"Yes, I'll ask if he's free." She said and picked up the phone.

"No!" I exclaimed. She frowned and raised a brow at me. "This is important, I have to see him now."

"I can't do that." She began. "I'll never hear the end of it—"

"I'll take the blame if he does," I assured her. "Please, Lewis." She sighed.

"Sabrina...I can't." She whined.

"Please...I'm begging you." I wailed my plead. "I have—I need to see him." She studied my face and sighed.

"Make it quick, he has a meeting soon."

"Thank you," I said and ran towards the glass double door behind her. A rush of cool air enveloped me when I walked inside is office. Ah! What the hell is that? There's a weird sculpture hanging from the ceiling—like some wooden, rotting corpse reaching down to grab you. Very nightmare inducing. Other than that his office was well decorated, spacious and spotless. Grey walls enclosing white furniture and a shit ton of plants.

"Have the shipments arrived?" His voice scared the living shit out of me. He was seated in his large, white leather chair facing the window.

"Yes, and everything has been accounted for. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr Vyas." Said a voice on the speaker as I was closing the distance between me and his desk.

"You too." He said and turned in his chair. We paused when our eyes met. "Ms Clark?" He said in confusion. "Why are you here without my knowledge?"

"Um...." I began and played with my fingers. He checked his watch. Am I really going to do this? To a man I barely know? To a man who has done nothing to me—besides firing me and not Rachel as well?

"I'll have to have a talk with Lewis later," he grumbled under his breath, "You have five minutes left, Ms Clark. You're done packing, I hope?" he asked.

I bit my lip and shook my head. "No." I answered softly. He narrowed his eyes.

"No?" he repeated and sat back in his chair with his brows furrowed. "Then why are you here? To plead for your job?" I shook my head and took a deep breath.

"I know about your illegitimate child!" I blurted, it was the first thing I could come up with. His face was as still as stone.

He blinked at me. "Sorry....my what?" he asked. I looked away in shame before slowly taking a seat in front of him. I sighed.

"I'm talking out of my ass....forget I said anything," I said softly.

"Is everything ok, Ms Clark?" he asked dryly. He must have seen the tear I tried to blink away.

"No, I'm not." I replied, shaking my head.

"Crying isn't going to get you your job back." He said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. I looked at him with a sad smile. I've seen you fire your assistant for spilling your coffee so trust me I know tears don't work on you.

"I know and it's not about my job, it's—" the ringing phone cut me off.

"Excuse me,” he said and answered the phone. "Yes Lewis?"

"Sorry to interrupt but I have two ICE agents who would like to speak to you,” she replied. I swallowed a lump in my throat. He raised a brow at me.

"ICE agents?"

"Yes sir,” she answered.

"Did they give you a reason?"

"No, one moment please,” she said and puts the call on hold.

"Do you know anything about this?" he asked. I bit my lip and nodded.

"Y-yeah....they're here for me."

He raised a brow at me. "Are you here illegally?" he asked.

"I wasn't but my visa expired."

"Hm..." he trailed off when Lewis took the phone off hold.

"They'd like to speak to you about Sabrina Clark."

He looked me in the eye as he said. "Send them in." My heart fell. Did I expect him to help me? Not really but he could have at least listen to my story. I jumped to my feet when the door opened and held onto him instinctively. Shit. Shit. Shit. He stiffened. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"You're going to help me out of this whether you like it or not." I whispered.

"Excuse me?" he asked gruffly.

"Hush up and smile—because they're here." I sang softly. He glared at me and stood up.

"Good morning...well that's too pretty of a word to describe today." He mumbled. He cleared his throat. "You gentlemen wanted to speak with me."

"Yes, we'd like to speak to you about Ms Clarke being here on an expired visa. Are you aware of that?" Said the tallest one, his tag read 'R. Goldstein'.

Mr Vyas glanced at me. "It has been brought to my attention, yes," e replied.

"Good, you are aware she isn't allowed to do so?" R. Goldstein questioned.

"I am aware...hence why I'm al—"

"You can't deport me!" I blurted. The 3 men looked at me.

"And why is that?" Asked Goldstein's partner, S. Richards.

I took a deep breath before answering. "We're getting married," I replied. Mr Vyas stiffened. There's no going back now. I hugged his arm. Damn, what's his first name again? Crap—um...I think it's Aston. Lord, please let me be right. "This-this is my fiancé...Aston."

"Are you sure? Because you don't sound sure." Aston's tone was low and bone dry.

"Of course, I'm sure. Ash. Don't tease me in front of company." I said and flashed a smile at him. Sheesh if looks could kill. I blew him a kiss before turning my attention back to the agents. "I made plans to renew my visa a weeks ago but these past weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster," I began, "first Ash proposes in bed and I forgot my head from my toes....it was so romantic—"

"Where's the ring?" S. Richards asked. I could see the skepticism in his blue eyes.

"I had to get it resized," I replied and lifted my hand. "Long, narrow fingers." I said, wiggling my fingers.

"Ahuh." The agents said in unison.

"You do know marriage fraud means 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, sir?" S. Richards asked Mr Vyas.

"And she will be deported." R. Goldstein pointed out.

"Yes, I'm aware." Mr Vyas retorted. His voice was as rough as gravel.

"When is the wedding?" R. Goldstein asked.

"This Sunday," I replied.

The agents looked at each other. "That's quick—what's the rush?" S. Richards asked.

I looked at my feet. "Well, my grandmother died the evening he proposed and...ah...it's—it's been too hard for me....to focus on planning my dream wedding when she won't be there to see it and—" I began and wiped away my tears— "so....I've decided to have her cremated and sprinkle some of her ashes at our wedding." I finished with my voice heavy with emotion. Hopefully, it was working in my favour.

"Well, I'm sorry for your loss." R. Goldstein said.

"T-thank you," I replied. Mr Vyas handed me a napkin to wipe my eyes. I got a glimpse of his cold, dead eyes and frankly—I'm scared of what will happen if the agent leave without me.

"An official will be checking in and if this....checks out, hopefully, we won't be seeing each other again." S. Richards said. Oh my gosh. It actually worked? Holy shit. I nodded. "Sorry for your loss and please enjoy the rest of your day."

I smiled weakly. "Thank you and you too," I said. When they left I let out a harsh breath. I'm glad that's over. I turned to Mr Vyas. Oh boy. That look alone made me want to jump out a window.

"Marriage fraud, Ms Clark....you're trying to rope me into marriage fraud." His voice pierced through my ears. I squinted at him.

"I'm sorry."

"You're sorry!" he yelled. I jumped.

"I get why you're angry but I didn't have a choice," I confessed, softly.

He scoffed. "You could have gone back to wherever the hell you came from and renew your visa or find some other LEGAL way to get back into the country!" he hissed.

"I'll have nowhere to go!" I hissed back. I wiped my tears and looked him dead in the eye. "My father and his family want nothing to do with me and my mom is on a cruise halfway across the world!" I confessed. "If I get deported I'll be homeless in a country I barely know."

He stared at me. "You better figure it out— I'm not doing this."

"But they think we're engaged—"

"Tell them you caught me cheating or vice versa I don't fucking care,” he said.

"But—"

"No!" He roared. I stared at him through tears. "I want no part of this. I owe you nothing—"

"You're right...you don't." I agreed. I should have known he'd react like this. He barely knows me—why would he risk getting jail time for someone he barely knows. "I'm sorry—I'll fix everything." I said and backed away. I tore my gaze from him and ran for the door.

"Wait," he said. I stopped and wiped my face before looking at him. "Is your grandmother even dead?" He thinks I'd lie about something like that? Are you fucking kidding me? I would never. A wave of anger surged through me.

"Yes, she died from a heart attack—alone because the man you put in charge refused to give me a day off and has been working me to the bone. I haven't had a day off in three months." I screamed at him. "I told him I needed a day off to take my grandmother to the hospital and he refused. So I came home to my dead grandmother." I finished, looking him dead in the eye. He said nothing as he searched my face. I looked away and opened the door. To my surprise Lewis was standing on the other side frowning.

"Are you ok?" she asked and looked over my head at Mr Vyas. She's 5 inches taller than I am.

"Yup!" I cornered with a forced smile.

"Are you sure?" She asked, still frowning. I nodded with a smile. I pushed past her when a tear rolled down my cheek. "Sabrina!" She called after me as I ran to the elevator, sobbing.