Trapped In Beastly Desires

“To Qynvilee!”

Glasses clinked in the air.

In a restaurant, five women sat at a table filled with many kinds of delicious food and alcohol-free drinks. There was a state of euphoria in the air, an efficacious ecstasy that left a brilliant smile tarrying on the ladies’ faces. All five moneybags gussied up splendidly, no doubt a man could drool at first glance.

“You know what, Kayla. I jumped out of my bed when I heard your company finally hit 5.6 billion dollars today. My man thought I'd gone crazy. If Qynvilee fashion company keeps thriving like this, it will be celebration all the way,” an African American lady raised her glass to the air, swaying it as she danced.

“Guess what, guys. I found a 16-carat diamond ring in Corey’s pocket yesterday, and today his sister told me Corey's planning to propose,” said a ginger-haired woman, and proudly raised her fingers.

The ladies hollered in ecstasy, clinking their glasses once again.

“That reminds me, Kayla.” a brunette lady glanced at a cinnamon-brown-haired lady who seemed a bit withdrawn. “Your anonymous dude, when is he going to put a ring on it? I mean, you're done with the Master’s degree program you said you won't get married until you finish with it. More so, you've got all you want, you're twenty-seven and ready for marriage. Or has Mr. Anonymous decided to wait until you're thirty?”

Except for Kayla, four other ladies couldn't resist the urge to laugh as the brunette’s last statement was hysterical. The ginger-haired almost spat the drink in her mouth, but she closed her mouth with her fingers and giggled.

“Oh, no. Kayla’s family wants her to get married to Nicolas Hudson for her family business. Right, Kayla?” an ash-blond-haired lady asked Kayla.

Kayla was at a loss for words, she gazed at the ash-blond, confused what to say. Then again, her friends gazed at her, expecting to get an answer from her as regarding her relationship.

How could she guarantee her friends that she’d get married when she did not want to marry Nicolas, and the man she loved left her undecided because she only saw him on social media? All Kayla prayed for at that moment was for a miracle to happen so that she escaped the question. Lucky enough, her phone rang.

“I’ll take this.” She left the table. Later, she returned to carry her bag. Hanging the bag over her shoulder, she said with a regretful tone, “Guys, I'm so sorry I have to go. You know, my mom has been out of the country for eight fu— months, and I must see her today when she finally comes home.”

“Never mind, sweetie — just go,” the ginger-haired said and offered Kayla an assuring smile.

“Do enjoy yourselves. I'll be on my way.” She waved them goodbye, and they waved back to say,

“Bye.”

Kayla got to the parking lot. She stood at the front car door, closed her eyes and heaved a deep sigh of relief. She escaped her friends again, all thanks to God.

Opening the car door to enter, her phone rang. She looked to see who was on the phone.

A smile curled on Kayla's lips when she saw it was ‘Chax’. Chax was her social media boyfriend, Mr. Anonymous as everybody calls him. She got into the car and picked up.

★★★

All members of Jonathan family gathered in the large, opulent sitting room. Three ladies sat on one couch, Kayla and Sam, a raven-haired boy, sat on another couch, while Mr. Jonathan, their father, sat on the single sofa. There was absolute silence in the room, the faces of the three ladies creased with jealousy as they listened to their mother’s voice speaking through the phone which laid on the table.

“I’m not letting Kayla marry some billionaire I barely know, Jonathan. This family business rather collapses,” June, their mother, said on the phone.

“What!” the three ladies whispered to themselves, stunned to have heard June say such a thing.

“Special girl,” a brown-haired lady spoke with perceptible jealousy, and tilted her head to the left with her brow quirked.

“I recognize your voice, Maria. I’d love it if you go ahead and marry Nicolas,” June said to the brown-haired lady.

“June. The problem remains that Nicolas requests to marry Kayla precisely. Giving him another of our daughter will be pointless. Or do you have an alternative?”

“What is it with you and this man, Jonathan? We all know the sad story about my father's company getting bequeathed to someone else today, yet I’m not worrying over spilt milk. Nicolas is only there to fund Linksway and not Asrijet, so why is he making choices in my house? Jonathan, I'd advise you tell Nicolas to pocket his money and let my daughter be.”

“She keeps using the word ‘my’, Dad. And you do nothing about it,” the tomboyish girl complained.

“Shut your mouth, Tally. If it pains you that Nicolas wants Kayla and not you, then you're welcome to replace Kayla. At least I won't see you again in my house,” June told the tomboy who just spoke.

“But what if Kayla wants to marry Nicolas? Maybe we can begin the arrangement.” Jonathan glanced at Kayla.

“Kayla, would you like to marry Nicolas Hudson for the sake of Mom and your siblings?” June asked Kayla.

June's question placed a frown on Tally's face. ‘Mom and siblings. No Dad’.

Kayla became edgy to give an answer to June's question because her sisters shot her that shrewd gaze that could seize her breath. If Kayla follows the height of fear her sisters induced, and the anger that her friends were getting married before her, she might end up agreeing to marry Nicolas.

Kayla's sisters had always been jealous of her because of June's love for her, and her achievements.

“Kayla, are you there? Is anyone daunting you? Or is Jonathan discreetly trying to convince you?” Anger grew in June's voice because of Kayla's silence.

“No, Mother. I — I won't marry Nicolas,” Kayla's voice quavered as she answered.

Everyone closed their eyes in disappointment, Maria wagging her head —Kayla refused; the business would keep declining.

“That's my daughter. Should Pinky have been Kayla, I know she'd agreed to marry Nicolas.” a hint of excitement graced June's voice.

“I have a boyfriend, and he's well-off,” a gold blonde lady, believed to be an avid fan of pink, protested in annoyance, frowning. She hugged her pink teddy bear tight and pouted.

“Mom’s coming back home today after the meeting in Wilshire Blvd. Wait for me.”

“Wait. You're home already?” Stunned, Sam asked, a grin widening his face.

“Of course, sugar, I'm home,” June assured. “Goodbye, lovelies.” June ended the call.

Pinky stood up, and glared at Kayla. “Special girl.” She walked out of the sitting room, swaying her hips as she went.

Maria stood up and walked off.

Jonathan’s phone rang, and he excused himself outside to take the call.

“I thought Mr. Anonymous was wealthy, Kayla? Maybe he could save the business, or — Is he headless? Or is he without form?” Tally mocked and quit the sitting room.

“Don't care what they say, Kayla. And don't let anything change your mind,” Having the thought Kayla was hurt, Sam said.

Kayla smiled and stood up, giving him a hand. “Let’s get back to business. And I'll tell you about Mr. Anonymous.”

★

Mild noise from shareholders filled the conference room. Men and women discussed with each other in a low, dignified tone.

Mrs. June Jonathan sat alone. No one cared if she were there, almost like an empty chair sat there. June owned the upper hand when her business was in the shelter of incomparable riches. People feared her then, and avoided her because she was arrogant and aloof innately. This time, their sidestepping her didn't mean they feared her, but rather meant mockery.

June could see people pointing scornful fingers at her and laughing. What can she do? June wore a smile on her cold face, her cherry lipstick could still draw some unsatisfied men as her beauty still popped. June had stood tall for long enough, she was that master people respected; so her setback wouldn't change nor cripple her now.

“Mr. Anthony Kings is here,” a man announced from the door.

All shareholders stood up to greet.

It took June a lot to conquer her pride and get up. Her business was about to be taken away by the man who bought every single share in the business. A man she had barely seen — she sees his secretary more. Had it not been her mismanagement and scam, she would have been whacking everybody in the conference room, this god-damned Anthony would not have seen her shoes.

A bronde-haired man in a navy suit walked inside the conference room with three men in black suit following behind him. One of the men in black carried his briefcase.

June's pride refused to let her look at the man. But when he was walking past the back of the people who sat opposite her, her eyes trailed him.

She only saw the side of his face, and with the little she saw, she knew he’s good-looking. However, his vibe was quite unwelcoming and domineering, the young man might be a die-hard. Of course, he's a die-hard because he didn't intend to shake hands with anyone unless someone holds out a hand to shake him.

June's eyes stopped to trail him, she wouldn't adore a Prince Charming when hers was waiting at home.

Asrijet’s new chairman took his seat; everyone took their seat as well. June beat down her overloaded dignity, flicked her shoulder-length beige blonde hair, and slowly sat down.

Everyone, except for Anthony, noticed June's overbearing movement and flared up within them. A woman had to roll her eyes in anger.

“A heartfelt greeting to you all. And shall we begin?” a smooth, deep, husky voice broke the silence in the room. Following Anthony's voice, the business tycoons started to flip through the pages in the files they had with them.

Anthony flipped open a page in the file before him and asked, “Asrijet petroleum company will finally be bequeathed to me today. I hope Lady Bossy is here?”

June wanted to say a word, but on hearing the name, ‘Lady Bossy’, her voice got trapped in her throat — she was struck dumb by fear.

June wasn't looking at the man who just called her that name, and she didn't want to anymore. Her mouth dropped open, but didn't utter a word — she was afraid to have heard Anthony call her ‘Lady Bossy’.

Only one person calls her that name, and that person was someone she made sure never to remember nor see again. She hoped she wasn't dreaming because if this was her reality, she and her family will be done for; the family business he bought would vanish; her daughter, Kayla, will die.

That one person who called her ‘Lady Bossy’ was a big enemy from the Kings family. Her family and Kings family were big rivals in business.

The boy who called her ‘Lady Bossy’ was sent to jail by her family many years ago when he was a child, and he died in prison.

The boy who died in prison years ago has come alive? If so, then a mighty enemy is back. Her family is in big trouble. Kayla’s life is in grave danger. This must be a dream. Someone should wake up!

Plucking up the courage and hoping it was her mind playing games with her, she looked to the right to see the man who just called her that familiar name.

Upon seeing him, her heart skipped several beats and fell in a chaos. Her eyes widened with terror, as she gaped at the man she thought was dead and gone. The man who would definitely punish her family. The man who Kayla apprehends.

No way! This must be a dream! Clinton Kings, now called Anthony Kings, is back. He's back to put everyone in their places.

June vividly remembered the words Clinton said after the judge gave the final verdict, and the police marched him to the police van to send him to jail. “I’ll come back for you. For all of you. I will kill you, Kayla! For betraying me, I will kill you. Mark my words.”

Right now, June was gaping at the man who swore those words to her family; the man who made such promises to Kayla. And there he was, gazing at her with a mysterious smile on his face.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, June Christopher,” Anthony said.