Bound by the Contract Vow

Emma Anderson rolled in bed and struggled in her sleep state to find the switch to the alarm blaring unforgivable in her ears. Cool breeze seeped into her room from the half opened window and she wished she could just lay in bed all day. As she smiled at this tempting thought, images of Hardcase her boss flashed through her mind and she jerked herself out of bed waking up with full force.

Now wide-eyed, she knew she couldn't waste a minute more if she didn't want the wrath of hardcase willy.

She was out of bed in a flash to prepare for work, she got gloomy just thinking of the day ahead with her boss.

Doing a last minute check around her apartment, Emma locked her doors and kept the keys under the flower pot just by the door as she smiled. She didn't know of other places but Hamilton a small city in the outskirts of New York is as peaceful as anywhere can be, with it friendly neighbors, good social services and good security system. They hardly had a fight, except a few brawls from kids here and there and the gangs knew more than to cause a scene on the street. She waved at Duffy the neighbors dog who came wagging her tails as soon as she saw emma expecting a bite. Emma knelt on a knee and rubbed Duffy crooning, " Sorry Duff, Next time I promise you a treat.

She went straight to her RV parked on the front porch and took a minute to admire it as usual, a morning ritual she never missed. Her six(6) Months old baby still looked fairly new and shown in the morning light. She Unlocked the doors with care , entered and zoomed off to work.

As she swerved the car into the lot, she saw the security guy waving at her and she smiled right back. She was in high spirits, probably because she had a smooth ride to Willy and Associates where she worked as a Lawyer.

She stepped into the office and immediately felt the tension everywhere and wished she had tiptoed, her instinct told her something was amiss and today was not going to be friendly.

"Hi" She mouthed to May who's eye was glued to her laptop screen typing frantically away.

May mouthed her response back and Emma confirmed something is really wrong, she checked her wristwatch and noted with relief that she was few minutes early.

She went into her office and barely laid her butt down when May's head came through the door in a low voice

"Williams calls for you in his office now!"

She was about to ask May what it was about but she was gone as fast as she came in.

Shaking her head, she slowly made her way to Hardcase office. Her boss Williams Lawson who every one gave an evil nickname or the other was an Handsome devil's mix of a man. He's sharp cut masculine features drew both gender to him while he's devilish like attitude drove them back.

He's a pro at what he does and he owns Willy & Associates, One of the most successful and popular Law firm in Hamilton. He is also a successful businessman who inherited the family's business and has since expanded it into other cities and countries alike. The sound of the Lawson's name brought smiles to the ladies face and intimidated fellow men. Emma at few times almost asked him why he was running Willy and Associates at all, given how rich he is, without working his generation would have a free walk throughout their life.

Emma was about to knock on his door when she heard angry male voices from the closed door in an heated argument, she wanted to leave and come back but she dreaded Willy's wrath, now that she knew that something was definitely amiss. She stood there contemplating whether to leave or to knock when the door was flung open at her face. Her mouth went "Oh oh" but the man responsible for her expression didn't even look her way and he just stormed off. She caught a glimpse of Hardcase Looking grim just as she concluded she wasn't ready to face Williams just yet, she turned and she was about to Tip-toe off, when Williams barked

"Yes Emma, what do you want"

Emma frowned really?! "Erm sir, May said you called? He looked lost for a while and was like, oh yeah, I need the full files on The Taylors case, every damn thing we have on it.

She nodded and turned to leave when she heard him say again and " I want them today miss"

Oh miss? Emma thought really? It's not Emma anymore, it's now Miss. She was still pursuing this line of thought when he thundered " Cat's got your tongue, Ma'am?

Oh now it's ma'am?

Emma !!!

Sir? Oh yes sir, I heard you quite right. He feigned a disbelieving look and said " I doubt that though"

"I'm sorry sir"

You're sorry?

Yes sir? Emma gave him a questioning look

For?

Oh God! she thought inwardly, what did this case of a man want with her this morning.

" I'm just sorry " she winced unintentionally.

He opened his mouth to probably lash at her but Emma was quick to rush out of his office purposely banging the door on her way.

She released her breadth once she was out of harm's way, That was close, she thought aloud.

Williams was flabbergasted by what happened, did she just walk out on him? Or run out rather? He almost laughed at his own dry joke. Not that she committed any crime but Emma was one to always get in his bad book and he never think she's ever been in his grace before. She was one stubborn girl and he must admit albeit only to himself that he admired that about her. She's not like one of those people who kiss up to his feet just to get in his grace and today is not one of his good days either. Williams couldn't help the hint of a smile that played on his lips. He admired Emma's boldness and refusal to be belittled.He felt sorry for her and felt sorry for himself, the conversation he just had is not helping his mood at all.

He went deep in thought and occasionally shook his head, he was at a crossroad and does not know which direction to head to, he wished he was back home in Manchester. He would have just gone into his farm and speak to his fishes, they always seemed to have the answers to everything. He smiled in spite of himself, back home, he had more animals companion than humans, they seem to soot his sores.