C6 CHAPTER SIX - WOE IN ITS RAW FORM

“No! This can not be. The Agency can not dismiss me because of Gretchen’s accusations. They have to hear my side of the story at least!”

Clarissa said in a rush, frantically trying to call the CEO of the Agency, amidst the non-stop notifications she was getting from all her socials.

“I believe that the suicidal attempt was intended. She must have planned it out to ruin you.” Cassandra replied furiously, she was boiling with anger.

After a few rings, the CEO picked up.

Clarissa quickly cleared her throat before speaking, “Good Morning Mr. William, I’d like to talk to you about the dissolution notice I got from the Agency this morning.”

“Hi Clarissa, yes? Speak to me.” Mr. William replied curtly.

“The Agency should listen to my part of the story before casting me out of the team. I swear that I’m innocent Sir.” Clarissa pleaded.

“Clarissa, I’ll tell you this for free, the Agency is in no place to hear from you. The incident is a big one, it’s bad PR, And who knows what transpired?” said Mr. William scoffed.

“Mr. William, I did not do those things, you know me. Please.” Clarissa pleaded again, her voice breaking.

“Do not get me wrong. I do believe you. But right now, associating with you is bad PR. It is not good for us. I mean, all the eighteen sponsors for your summer exhibition have withdrawn. We can not afford to lose traffic, we are at a dead end. I’m afraid I can’t help you, Clarissa.” Mr. William replied coldly.

“But please hear me out, at least ask me what transpired between Gretchen and me.” Clarissa persuaded just as the line went off.

“WILLIAM IS A FUCKING BASTARD! Did he just hang up?” Cassandra shouted, pacing angrily around the sitting area.

“The line is dead, yes he hung up,” Clarissa replied stunned at what happened.

“This man used to adore you! I can not believe he did not think twice before dropping you off, over some false allegations.” Cassandra shouted again.

Clarissa was in a daze, still finding it hard to believe that the Agency she toiled and worked for was dropping her off in seconds over unconfirmed allegations. Her phone rang, it was Jane. She allowed the tears to fall as she picked up.

“Hello Boss, I heard the news. Are you okay?” Jane said worriedly.

“Hi, Jane, I’m okay,” Clarissa replied struggling to hold the tears back.

“That’s a relief Boss. Your office has been locked and is not accessible at the moment, so I could not pack your stuff. I’m sorry.” Jane continued.

“It’s okay, thank you. We can do that at a later date when everything dies down.”

“Also all your portraits at Marble Arts have been sent back, they stated that your work can no longer be used for the upcoming viewing event,” Jane said in a low tone.

“WHAT? HOW? My goodness, oh no.” Clarissa sobbed and crouched down. The tears dropped incessantly from her face.

“I’m sorry to break this news to you Boss, I just thought it would be better to let you know than to let you find out later.”

Silence …

Clarissa could no longer muster the strength to hold her phone anymore, she was now crying profusely.

“Hi Jane, please call back later. Thank you for being so supportive.” Cassandra said into the speaker and ended the call before Jane could reply.

“My life is officially a mess. What did I do to Gretchen to deserve this? It hurts so much.” Clarissa sobbed as she continually hit her chest with her fist.

“My darling Rissa, do not do this, please. Cry all you want but do not say negatives.” Cassandra cooed trying to wipe Clarissa’s tears with a tissue.

Clarissa did not say a word, she sobbed her heart out. She felt overwhelmed by the intense betrayal. The pain seared through her body and an excruciating migraine struck her forehead.

Cassandra seemed to understand her best friend’s silence. Without saying a word, she stood up and brought a blanket, then she sat on the floor and cuddled Clarissa, patting her back at intervals.

*******************

“Mi amour, welcome to the nightlife! Tonight I want you to forget all your worries and party away.” Cassandra shouted over the loud music.

Cassandra smiled for the first time that day and nodded in response to what her BFF said.

Earlier, Cassandra dragged her for a hot shower and insisted they spend the night out partying. Clarissa had agreed and here they were.

They were in a private club, exclusive to only billionaires and very few celebrities in the country. So many activities were going on and Clarissa felt grateful to be there. She drank shot after shot of tequila - it was patron en Lalique.

Bit by bit Clarissa loosened up and began to dance alongside Cassandra. They were having fun.

“Champagne Please!” Cassandra yelled at one of the many waiters parading the place with trays containing flutes of exotic champagne.

“Cheers to living the best life ever!” Clarissa shouted excitedly before downing her champagne in one swig.

They were both drunk but Clarissa was more drunk.

Her phone rang. She furrowed her brows when she realized it was her mother, she turned to make a sign to Cassandra to inform her that she was going to the restroom.

Drunk, Clarissa staggered into the hallway and headed to the elevator as the restroom was on the eighteenth floor. She stepped into the elevator and bumped into a sweet-smelling, tall, and well-built frame.

It was Ethan Grayson, a billionaire and CEO of Grayson Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the USA. He was retiring to his suite after a long night of drinking alone.

“Hey be careful!” Ethan said as he stepped backward.

“Oh-oh, so sorry, I apologize. Uhm I’m okay.” Clarissa apologized drunkenly and laughed awkwardly in a bid to ease the tension.

“What sort of lady walks about on heels while drunk without support?” Ethan murmured inaudibly, glancing briefly at Clarissa, before pressing the thirty-first-floor button on the elevator.

Clarissa squinted at her phone trying to pick up her mum’s call. She picked up right there in the elevator because her mum was calling nonstop.

“Clarissa Earhart! Where have you been? I called severally.” Mrs Irene Earhart yelled over the phone, sounding concerned.

“It’s okay mum, Cassandra is in NYC, to see me. She dropped by, this morning.” Clarissa replied struggling to avoid slurring.

Mrs Earhart sighed in relief. “Thank Goodness, I was so worried when I saw the news. I’m still in Paris, let’s meet when I’m back.”

“Okay mum, see you soon,” Clarissa said.

“Alright my child, I love you.”

“Love you, mum.” Clarissa ended the call, subtly noticing that her mother had avoided mentioning the scandal over the phone. She appreciated the gesture as she would not want anything to disrupt her good mood.

“Aren’t you coming out?” The billionaire asked staring blankly at Clarissa. The elevator had gotten to the thirty-first floor.

“Oh, yes, right, thanks” Clarissa mumbled. Ethan’s masculine voice jolted her out of her train of thought.

Ethan nodded and proceeded to his suite, as he was about to unlock the door with his fingerprint he heard Clarissa scream.

“Ouch, my ankle! That hurts.” Clarissa cried, rubbing her ankle furiously. She had sprained her ankle because she had her heels on in her drunken state.

“Are you okay? Can you walk?” Ethan asked concerned.

Suddenly, Clarissa felt a familiar tug, it was her bladder. She had to find a restroom immediately. She tried to stand up and she winced at the sharp pain from her left ankle.

“I NEED THE RESTROOM PLEASE, NOW!” Clarissa yelled at the CEO urgently.

Sensing the urgency in her voice, the billionaire picked her up in his arms and carried her into the restroom in his suite.

“Here, I will take my leave. You may use the restroom here. Ethan said briefly and left immediately.

Still drunk, Clarissa was extremely pressed and in the process of removing her leather pants, it was too late, she felt the gush of warm urine all over her thighs down to her legs.

“Shit, shit…” Clarissa swore under her breath.

Quickly she removed her clothes, there was no towel or clothes nearby so Clarissa decided to remain naked while she tried to squeeze the urine out of her clothes.

Ethan grew impatient and worried cause Clarissa had yet to leave the bathroom. He was aware she was drunk and wondered if all was well.

After five minutes, he decided to barge into the restroom to see what kept the stranger in his restroom stuck. He knocked thrice but got no response and barged into the ensuite bathroom.

Ethan gasped as he saw Clarissa naked, bent over the hand basin trying to wash something.

“Holy shit” Ethan groaned, heat spreading across his groin immediately.

Still drunk, Clarissa turned back and saw the billionaire at the door.

“GET … OUT!” Clarissa yelled drunkenly.