All rights reserved ©2015 by MsDreamerGirl84

"At the end of the day, we must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division." - Jesse Jackson

Clara Bell Bennet's POV 

Downtown Manhattan, New York

NYA Headquarters

"Please pray tell me, sir. You're joking right?" I choked as I slumped my shoulders, crestfallen. 

I can't believe I'm losing the only decent job I'm lucky to land on and of course with the help of my friend Enna, but Enna resigned a year ago. She used to be the Purser or In-flight service manager, that's how I got in this job, six years ago. 

"I'm sorry, Clara Bell. I can't do anything, as well. I just got a message from the top that you are no longer required," Mr. Johnson explained as he shot me with sympathy. "Here's your last pay check." As he stretched his hand with the white rectangular envelope. "I had argued with the HR Department as to why you are fired, but they connected me to the CEO itself and I had no power to defy or even argue with him. I hope you understand my place," he elaborated further, sighing momentarily. 

He handed me a white rectangular envelope which I believe had a cheque in it. I took it with a heavy heart. I have come to love this job and although it doesn't pay much, at least, I get to see a lot of places for free. I don't understand why I was fired. I thought I was doing fine. Four months ago, I was awarded as one of the best cabin crew of the year. 

What happened? 

I heaved a frustrated sigh. "May I know the reason why I was fired, sir?" I asked politely, frustration too clear in my voice. 

The thought of firing me without a valid reason is inequitable. I don't remember violating any of their protocols. Well, except this last flight with that brute. And that was a month ago. And it wasn't a major one? We landed safe and sound. So what would it be? I've been a cabin crew for six fucking long years.

"Do you by any chance did something to Mr. Rafael Valiente that made him upset?" Mr. Johnson asked cautiously, tapping his pen on the table while weighing me up. My eyes snapped back up to him, blinking twice if I heard it right.

Rafael Valiente? The Zeus, I mean conceited pig!

"None, that I remember, sir, as far as I know, he was entertained," I recalled as I mentally cursing that selfish son of a bitch. 

"Then you need to talk to Mr. Valiente itself, Clara," he advised still watching me. "And oh ... Before I forget, he wanted you to have this. If you want your job back, I advise you to see him," he admonished and smiled mischievously. 

Mr. Johnson handed me a small rectangular black business card just like a "suit and tie". Just by the looks of the card, it screams class and luxury.

I scanned the elegant looking card, a big bold letter in gold ink that says, Valiente Shipping Conglomerate. I flipped the card and on the back, I saw his name in a gold ink, with his numbers below his name and email account. His private number was also written with a pen and I'm pretty sure he intentionally jotted it down for me.

That cretin! I don't care if he's a shipping magnate. I'm not going to see him and beg for this job. I'm sure I can find something else, better than this one. I comforted myself, but I knew it was hopeless.

I'm still hoping, though. 

Even when chances are; when pigs got wings.

I got this job because of Enna's connection. And now she can't help me since she's not working here anymore. And, I don't want to rely on her either. She has done so much for me. 

I clenched my hands and gripped the card tightly, not caring if it will get crumpled, wishing that as the card crumpled his black heart would squeeze until it bleeds as well. 

"Thank you, Mr. Johnson," as I slowly pulled myself up "and have a good day, sir." I uttered with a heavy heart and reluctantly left the place.

I was supposed to fly the next day to London, and all of a sudden Mr. Johnson called to see him with urgency in his voice. It never came into my mind that my job will end up today. 

What am I gonna do now? 

I felt like I was transported back to seven years ago when I left the orphanage. I didn't know where to start then I met Enna when I was looking for an apartment to live in New York. I don't know what came into my head why I chose New York. I just found myself heading to New York and stayed in a cheap hotel while looking for a place and a job. I spent my first day in New York looking for an affordable place even just a bed spacer if there's any. 

It was almost five in the afternoon when I decided to have something since my belly is crying for food. I entered a diner and ordered the cheapest food they had. Soon, I was eating alone in one of the tables when a beautiful dark brown haired girl approached me. She was like a split image of Ashley Green. Beautiful and slender.

She has that beautiful fresh-faced I've ever seen in my life, looking so cute and adorable. Her skin is flawless, silky smooth, and bright, with her straight hair that short-cropped to the lower neck, a choice of hair style that is very fitting to the shape of her face, which is oval and looks a bit heart. She also has that darkest gray eyes that look like a storm that complimented her fresh face. The nose is just as cute as her face, small pointed nose, almost chiseled. She has that perfect doll face to put it in one description. 

When she smirks, it's gorgeous. She has that overflowing confidence in her that is so contagious, as well.

"Hi, mind if I join you?" she asked sweetly as she smiled showing me her white sets of teeth. 

"No, no, not at all!" I quickly replied as I smiled back. I wondered why she chose to sit beside me when in fact, there were empty tables around me.

She took the seat across mine. "You're new here right?" she inquired curiously in her friendly tone.

"Yeah" I replied shortly. "I was actually looking for a place to stay for the meantime while looking for a job," I explained. For some reasons, I felt so comfortable with her company. 

"Perfect!" she claps her hands enthusiastically. "I'm living alone in my condo and I was looking for someone who can accompany me. You know? Living alone is kind of lonely," she smiled encouragingly. Her sweet smile is so infectious. She has lots of energy if I must say. "Oh, I'm sorry, it was rude of me. I'm Athena Giudici by the way, Enna for short," she exclaimed as she giggled and extended her dainty hand over the table. 

I smiled. "I'm Clara Bell Bennet. Call me Bell for short," I replied giving her my friendliest smile as I took her hand for a short handshake. 

And that's how it started. 

She was very nice and kindhearted person who offered me a place to live while looking for a job. The first job I landed on because of in dire need of money to pay my rent — although Enna was too generous to offer it to me for free until I was stable — is being a waitress and at the Diner where we met.

What a coincidence!

New York life was hard. I'm glad I have enough money to survive in a month from the money my mom left me when she died. I saved it at times like this.

After a year, I've come to know her and she's a really sweet, feisty, very down to earth, and adventurous girl. She is actually a daughter of a businessman but decided to work on her own instead of their company. She works at the New York Airlines as an In-Flight Service Manager. 

Then one day, she came back from work, she announced happily that the company she was working was hiring ten Cabin crew for the new Boeing they acquired, which is the Boeing 608. I took Tourism two years course so I'm kind of know what to expect in the job. And, I had an experience although it was only for a local trip during my on-job training. And the rest is a history. 

I left the building with a heavy heart and called a cab. I felt the tears that prick around my eyelid. I held it back, as I tried to think what to do next. I guess I have to start looking for another job that at least could help me pay my bills.

At the moment, my head was a blur.

The face of that conceited pig flash through my head and I imagined of smacking, stomping on his gorgeous face until it turned into an ugly creature.

"Argh ..." I unconsciously grunted loudly with my hands' clenching causing the passersby to look at me like I am some kind of a lunatic. Some were looking at me with fear, disbelief, and others raising their eyebrows in curiosity or confusion.

I realized I was in the middle of the busy street of downtown Manhattan, acting like that, in the middle of the sidewalk is kind of strange and surely frighten the passersby.

Ok, relax people I'm not crazy, I thought as I flashed a forced smile to the couples who just shot me a distasteful look as they passed me by.

Before I completely make a fool out of myself in the middle of the sidewalk of the busy street, a cab stops right in front of me. Within a minute, I'm sitting in the back of the cab. 

I gave the address and soon the cab lurched forward and emerge with the traffic.

****

Rafael  Alejandro Valiente's POV

Valiente Headquarters

It's been a month since I talked to Steven Banks, the CEO of the New York Airlines and he promised me to fire her. Steven owes me a lot so he won't turn me down. I made sure that she won't find a job anywhere because I want her to come see me and beg me.

I don't know why I had to go far just to get revenge. As far as reason goes, she didn't do much of a trouble to me. She actually made my flight entertaining, but for some reason, I found myself too affected with her cold attitude towards me after I warned her to leave me alone.

From then on, my whole system was in turmoil and her face was stuck in my head. I was never been bothered this much, not even about Alessandra or even about my first love, Kristela. Her betrayal had maybe made me tougher when it comes to this.

I sighed. I have to see her and I want her to beg me. Why am I doing this? I can't find any reason why, but the thought of seeing her begging me was very appealing and pleasing to me to the point of losing my sanity until I see her again on her knees.

Fuck! I hissed frustratingly.

I found myself tapping harshly on the telephone keypad. "Steven Banks, how may I help you?" A steely tone echoed in the speaker as soon as the line connected. 

"Steven, it's Rafael" I answered with urgency. My fingers are tapping on my desk impatiently.

"Rafael. To what do I owe this honor?" He chuckled, curiosity laced in his voice with a tinge of apprehension.

"I just want to make sure that my words had reached Ms. Clara Bell Bennet!" I casually asked concealing the desperation in my tone.

"If I didn't know you well Rafael, I would think you're too desperate to bed that sexy blonde." He chortled amused, and it ticks me off though I held it at bay.

"I just want to give her a lesson to learn the right way of dealing with me." I don't understand why I need to explain it further. 

"Well, Mr. Johnson called me right after she was fired and she has your card so you don't have to worry about. She'll pay you a visit anytime soon, Rafael." The way he said it, has malice. I know Steven is a teaser but I hate the way he thinks of her as some kind of a bimbo.

I already got what I called for so I bid goodbye before I could say something to that bastard. I put the phone back on its receiver and frustratedly rose on my feet, then watch the clear sky from the top of my building in downtown New York.

My business was based in Madrid Spain, but since the wedding was off, I decided to move here to New York. Supposedly in London, but for some reason, I changed my mind and bought the building Mr. Harrison's business office since he retired two years ago. The building has been in the market for a year. The place was too expensive but I needed it badly. I relocated most of my management team to New York and I'm glad, ninety percent agreed of relocation and was actually excited for the new environment. 

After three months, the news about us and Alessandra dissipated. The paparazzi were then busy getting information about Alessandra's wedding and Stavros. Again, I felt that pain, but I kept ignoring it. It wasn't as bad as the pain Kristela left me when I caught her fucking my best friend. And to be honest, I felt nothing about it right now.

That flight attendant's face flashes in my head again. Squeezing my eyes shut, I imagined her smiling at me, flirting with me. I felt my lower region twitch with excitement and my eyes promptly snapped open. I let out a hissing growl as I occupied the chair again behind my huge desk.

I saw the tabloids about them when they were on the Island of Delos. They looked so happy together. Part of my heart was happy to see them back together. I know my friend Stavros will love her more than I could offer.

A loud rap on my door interrupted my train of thoughts. I looked at the direction of my door, and Katherine sashayed in with hefty of folders in her hands.

"Here are the contracts, sir," she announced as she places it down on my desk. 

"Cancel my meeting with Kristela," I ordered coldly before she spun on her heel to the door. All of a sudden, I'm in no mood to meet her. 

Kristela was my high school first love and first girlfriend, but she betrayed me with my best-friend Lucio. She's working as an interior designer. I had this building redone and my HR Department hired her to do the interior decoration of the building. This is going to be my second meeting with her. I wanted to fire her the first meeting but for some reason, I felt a remorse and I hate myself for just agreeing with all what she had presented. She's good at her job, to be honest.

I found myself watching her intently, assessing how much she had bloomed into. She looked more stunning. Her wavy silky brown hair cascading on her shoulders and back, moving sexily as she talks and moves her head, here and there, as she shows me the sketch of her plan, making her look more irresistible. Her skin was now lighter than before probably of less sun exposure, long lashes and brown eyes, those eyes which I always adored, and always found myself hypnotized when I stared at it.

All of a sudden, a pair of cerulean eyes flashed through my head with her beautiful dimples, creamy glowing skin that only belongs to that flight stewardess. She always has its ways to cross my mind and stuck in my head.

Since that encounter, I had many sleepless nights every day expecting her to show up and beg me to get her work back. 

"I will, Mr. Valiente. Is that all, sir?" Katherine's flirty voice rang in my head pulling me back to her presence.

"That's everything," I dismissed waving her off coldly and settled back on my leather black high-back swivel chair and started rereading the contracts, putting the thoughts of Clara Bell aside. 

****

Clara Bell Bennet's POV

It's been a month since I was fired and damn, life is just unfair. I can't find a job and I felt like crying again, but no. I'm not crying over a spilled milk, but it is not just something, it a job to get me by in this cruel world. 

Argh.

Every company told me that they can't hire me since I had a very bad record, which means the encounter with that jerk had reached the ears of every company, making me impossible to find a decent high paid job.

 I was so furious. Enna didn't accept my rent payment this month because she knows I'm going to need the money to find a job. I felt so deeply indebted to her, although, she doesn't seem to care and she was so generous and really kind and very concern about me. At least, God still loves me for giving me Enna. What happened to me if I didn't meet her?

God has a plan instore for me! I comforted myself.

I found something about that conceited pig when I told her the story. According to her, Rafael didn't just belong to the high society. He's the 5th richest person in the world according to Forbes. One of the most powerful, most influential persons in the world and very infamous of his womanizing ways, not just being called as the black-heart tycoon, but also the most cunning businessman in the shipping industry. If you made him angry, then you found your death, one of the magazines' lines about him. It was also rumored that he is a mafia man, but nobody had proven it yet.

I hate him with every sinew of my body. "Are you sure? You hate him or you fantasize him?" my inner self teased. 

Okay, I admit, most nights, his smirk, his sensual lips, and his green piercing monster's eyes, always haunted me in my dreams. I have never been troubled before and worst because of a man. As far as I remember I cursed every likeness of Adam. 

I can't accept the fact that just the thought of him can have the power of awakening the sleeping Eve that's buried within me. I love to wrap every Adan around my finger. I enjoyed playing to be a seductress, temptress and made them crawl on my feet begging for a kiss, affection, my body. I love to see them beg on their knees, and then watch their priceless reaction when they get nothing. I love to see the disappointment in their eyes for not falling for their charms.

Since I turned sixteen I became a player. I can't count how many man I had dated, but never given any kiss. I know how to play along and get away with their tricky ways. I was called a cold woman by those I dated for they know they never ended just even a simple kiss. I would let them lick my hand, my skin, but never let them land on my lips.

And this is all to blame on that cold-hearted father whom I despised to know as my father. My sweet mother died when I was thirteen with a heart attack and after her burial, my life turned into a hell under his care. I just wish it was my father who died.  Sometimes, life is unfair. I felt my cheeks wet and when I touch it, I realized I was crying. Until now, thinking about my mother, it hurts me. I love her so much. She did all she could do to give me the best, but my father? My own father? He didn't care. He's a selfish bastard who doesn't care about us, but himself, his addiction to gamble and alcohol, and probably drugs.

My head shot up to the door when I heard Enna. "BELL?" Enna's voice echoed around the place. Wiping my tears away with the back of my hand, I bolted up out of my bed and glanced at the clock, it was eight in the morning. I walked out of my door, and I heard her voice coming from the living room. 

"Hi!" her face glowing and as usual wearing an infectious smiles. Her smile withered when her eyes lingered on my face. "Are you alright?" worries replaced that smile on her face as she approached me. She was wearing her work uniform. For the seven years together, I have come to love her as more than a friend. She is like my sister to me. She's two years older to me. 

"Yes. I'm fine," I replied forcing a smile to reassure her that I'm alright. "Did you eat?" I asked sweetly.

"I'll grab something on my way to work," she shrugged. Then, she gave me a kiss on the cheeks. "I'll see you later!" she uttered pulling away, then headed to the door.

"I love you and thanks, Enna!" I said earnestly — sounding so melodramatic but I don't really care — stopping her midway of her stride. 

She turns her head and stared at me. "I love you, too, Bell, and I'm sorry I can't have breakfast with you," she apologized softly, as she gave me a small smile before reluctantly grabbing the door knob. 

"Oh, it's alright. Go, before you get late," I chuckled and waving her off playfully. She giggled as she waved goodbye before walking out the door, closing the door behind her.

As soon as she's out of sight, I let out a wistful sighed. I wished I had a life like hers. 

Shaking the sad thoughts off, I walked to the kitchen and brewed a coffee. I saw the newspaper on top of the island counter. I grab it and settled myself on one of the chairs at the dining table. I started looking for a job, posted in the classified ads. 

When I marked few that I thought I would fit in, I silently prayed to land on any of it. I remember the card. Maybe, I'll just swallow my pride to get my job back. My savings are nearly wipe out. 

No, I battled to myself. I will find a job. I will. I mentally comforted myself all the while, battling with my thoughts.

****

Rafael  Alejandro Valiente's POV

I guess she won't be coming. It's been a week since my last talk with Steven and she hasn't shown up at my office or called me. I lost hope in seeing her again. I thought maybe call Bill, my private investigator to check out on her and her whereabouts. What will I do with this money if I can't get what I want? Money rules, so let this money works its power.

Sweet Lord!

What has that witch done to me? I never felt so desperate in my life. I felt like I was bewitched. 

It's already two in the afternoon and I don't feel like eating. I only had a coffee since five this morning. My thoughts were reeling with her whereabouts. 

I leaned my back on my chair and started massaging my temple. I have a meeting with Christopher, my lawyer, and a friend, in a few minutes, regarding the lawsuits I filed against the team at my shipyard.

My wandering thoughts interrupted by a commotion coming from behind my door and shortly, my door swung open revealing the girl who had caused me sleepless nights, looking like she's ready to kill. 

I shifted excitedly in my chair, holding the smile trying to escape from my lips instead, I smirked.

Katherine was following her furiously, trying to stop her, but she was too fast. "I-I'm s-sorry, sir. I tried to stop her." Katherine was catching her breath as she tried to speak casually but stuttered miserably, while staring at me anxiously.

My eyes darted to the lady who had never left my mind since that day, ignoring my secretary. Seeing her again overwhelms me. I mentally smirked as I met her scorching cerulean eyes boring into me. I wanted to jump for joy but I held that excitement.

I was still leaning in my chair as I crossed my hands on my chest watching her as her chest rose and fell with each breath. She looks damn hot when she's angry. I never liked blondes but for some reason, I found myself admiring her and drawn into her vividly. 

I saw Katherine in my peripheral vision grabbing her by the arm and trying to pull her out of my room. "You may leave us, Katherine!" I snapped icily not bothering to look at her, all the while, I was trying to camouflage the sudden happiness that's rising within me after seeing her. 

"But sir, you have a meeting with Christopher in five minutes?" she questioned making me pissed greatly. 

"What word did you not understand?" I asked in my lowest timbre. She steps back. "Then cancel my goddamn meeting!" I glared at her unconsciously.

"Y-yes, s-sir!" she stuttered awfully as she spun on her heel, but not leaving without shooting Clara Bell a distasteful look briefly and dashed away.

I watch her in amusement waiting for her words, as I tried hard to resist the urge of pulling her into my lap. 

Whoah, wait there! Is it, me? Fantasizing her? Get a grip, Rafael.

"WHY YOU SELFISH PIG!" her fuming words echoed in my room as she narrowed our gap, her cerulean eyes spitting fire and damn, she's turning me on badly.

Sweet Lord! 

She looks so hot with her furious eyes.

........

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