Cougar Boss Read online

  Cougar Boss

  Kerry Belchambers

  NOTE: If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that it is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, locales and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  CCOUGAR BOSS

  Copyright © 2019 by Kerry Belchambers

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, save for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

  Cover design by Kerry Belchambers

  Independently Published

  First edition: August, 2019

  Published in the United States of America.

  Acknowledgements

  I started working on this book a few years ago and in the beginning, it was a therapeutic way of getting my mind off of things that were troubling me at the time. As the pages continued to flow, the story took on a life of its own and basically wrote itself.

  These characters came to mean so much to me, they became real and I’ve learned a lot from them. In time, the online support I was getting from my readers was so encouraging, I forgot everything I was going through and just wrote.

  I’m blessed in a lot of ways, but I’m entirely thankful to my God, who gives me the strength to keep on going and to keep on writing.

  I thank my Wattpad family for their love and support, as well as my real life family for being so patient with me. I hope to make you all proud.

  For Rose

  Prologue

  Book One: Olivia

  I was late for my interview. One I’d worked so hard to get. A former employer had recommended me for a personal assistant position at a CEO’s wife’s mansion, where she preferred to work from, which I found a bit odd, but she was paying well and I had student loans and bills to pay.

  I hurried along, hoping she’d give me a chance. I was ten minutes late. If I failed to land this job, I’d be kicked out of my studio apartment.

  The moment I arrived, I was instantly intimidated by the extravagant house staring back at me. It felt as if I had no business there.

  The mansion must’ve housed about thirty rooms and a dozen bathrooms or so. Workers were everywhere, and the compound was larger than three football fields.

  The mansion was in a private estate which took approximately twenty minutes to get to from the main road, where the rest of the world, or rather poor people like myself, barely managed to exist.

  This was a different universe and I was an intruder, wearing four-inch heels I’d gotten weeks earlier, which were squeezing the life out of my toes and a grey pantsuit I’d gotten using the remaining money I’d had left.

  If I didn’t get this job, in a week or so, I’d be living on the streets. I’d already asked too much of my best friend, Rex, and I couldn’t bring myself to ask him to help me more, even though I knew he’d be more than willing to come to my rescue despite the fact that he was a struggling artist with as little to nothing as myself.

  At the entrance, I was met by a serious looking middle-aged British butler. British. Talk about exaggerated wealth. Or perhaps I should’ve been grateful because it might’ve meant this ostentatiously wealthy people would pay me well. But then again that was if I passed the damned interview I was late for.

  “I’m here to see Mrs. Gallagher about an interview on the personal assistant job,” I said as the butler looked me up and down. He looked like a bouncer from a high-end strip club.

  “You must be Ms. Olivia Williams.” His tongue was heavy with that English accent.

  “I am,” I said.

  He let me in. I was awestruck by the expanse space, elegance and luxury that immediately assaulted my eyes. I’d seen these kinds of homes in movies and extravagant home shows, but I’d never quite pictured it in reality.

  The human-sized crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling was the first thing that captured my eyes, then the artsy and luxurious looking, embellished unending staircase which seemed, as if, ascended to heaven.

  My studio apartment was a quarter of a quarter of the space which directly met me at the entrance of the mansion.

  “Second floor, third room on the east wing,” the butler said.

  Third room on the east wing, even the White House paled in comparison to this mutant of a house.

  After the shock, I rushed up the stairs.

  “No running,” the butler said after me, forcing me to slow in my step.

  I straightened up my outfit and windblown brown hair at the door, and took a breath before knocking. I didn’t know who or what to expect on the other side as I’d not had enough time to prepare or research the position I was supposedly interviewing for.

  I’d planned on doing so, but last-minute studying for assignments and constant countless side jobs to make money for bills that seemed never-ending had taken up all my time. I hoped the recommendation, coupled up with my skills would land me the job.

  I didn’t have full details on how much I’d be earning or when payment would be due; I hadn’t had time to research on that either. I’d been too busy and desperate for the next job.

  After knocking twice on the giant, shiny inlaid wooden door which was as intimidating as the rest of the house, a voice spoke from the other side, telling me to go in.

  Mentally preparing myself and fully unaware of what to expect, I pushed the doors open, only for it to bump me back when I tried to walk in. On my second attempt, I realized it was a pull-not-push door.

  Trying to hide my embarrassment, I walked in hoping my future boss hadn’t noticed the mishap. When I approached the large mahogany desk, I was glad to note her attention had been elsewhere. “I’m Olivia Williams, I’m here for the interview,” I said when she didn’t barge.

  My heart was thudding loudly in my chest.

  “You’re late, Olivia,” she said.

  I was so used to being called Livvy, when she called me Olivia, I felt like a child being scolded by a parent for something wrong I’d done.

  Other than that, her voice was firm, calm and composed, which scared me because I knew there was a countless number of people who could’ve been present for the interview but I was lucky enough to be the only person available on such short notice.

  “I’m sorry, I…”

  The truth was, I’d been late getting out of my last job. It’d been my last day, and I’d changed my outfit in the car on my way to the interview.

  I couldn’t tell her so.

  I’d planned on telling her I’d gotten lost due to inaccurate Google Maps locations or I’d been stuck in traffic and considering the distance I lived on the opposite side of the paradise I’d just stepped into, the excuse didn’t sound too farfetched for me so I doubted it’d sound absurd.

  What sold me out was my poor state of being unprepared. If I’d known what to expect, I’d have been a bit better off.

  She looked up and turned her attention to me.

  My breath caught in my throat and I swear I could feel myself shrinking. She looked like she was in her early to mid-thirties, her eyes were a clear bright blue and her flawless face was astoundingly stunning.

  She was the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes on in my entire life.

  It caught me off-guard.

  She looked at me, having momentarily abandoned whatever she was doing on her laptop, and gracefully directed me to a seat across her expertly-carpentered mahogany desk with her perfectly manicured fingers.

  Reluctantly, I approached the chair while I hungrily feasted on the most thrill
ing sight to ever cross my eyes as I sat down.

  Her hair was a dark honey color, like a late evening sunset across the sea. I envied her husband’s freedom upon his fingers running through its soft silky texture.

  For a person with grown children, she didn’t seem to have the body of one who’d bore two, for every curve and crevice was in place, and every inch of her body and being was as perfect as the kingdom she ruled.

  “I’m throwing a charity ball at the Eden plaza in a week. You’ll find all the necessary details in these files. I need you to go through them. There’s a list of three hundred people here. I need you to reduce the number to fifty so that by morning I can send out the invites. I’m giving you a week; this is your project. It requires a lot of work and attention to detail. If you manage to make this charity ball a success, we can discuss a longer term of employment.”

  I froze in place. I’d carried a file full of documents revolving around my skills, educational background and what-not. I’d expected questions and the whole shebang that went on during job interviews, but this, this was new.

  For some reason, I was pleased by the turn of events, but I realized I was equally as scared because, what if I failed?

  Mrs. Amelia Gallagher was trusting me with a project without checking out my background experience to see if I was qualified to know what I was doing.

  I wasn’t an event planner. I didn’t know the high rollers of this community she dominated, yet she was giving me this huge responsibility. Was this how obscenely wealthy people conducted their interviews?

  But then again, a previous employer had personally recommended me to her and I didn’t know exactly what she’d said.

  “Do you have any questions?” Mrs. Gallagher asked.

  My mind snapped back to the present. I looked at her, once again awestruck by how beautiful she was. I’d never heard of her, yet at that very moment she held the key to my future.

  I’d be lucky if I lasted that one week.

  “Where would you like me to work from?” I asked.

  She took the phone and almost immediately spoke into it, asking someone to come up to the office.

  She had so many employees I wondered why she even bothered lifting a finger when someone she’d hired could lift it for her.

  “How old are you?” she asked when she placed the phone back in its cradle.

  “Twenty-eight.”

  I was on my fourth-year of my Masters in Business Administration, and had done a lot of other studies before deciding to settle for the corporate world. I expected her to ask me more questions, but she turned her attention back to her laptop.

  A couple of breaths later, a knock came at the door, and the butler walked in.

  “Francis, I’d like you to show Ms. Olivia Williams to her office,” she said.

  My office? I got an office?

  “Yes, of course, Mrs. Gallagher. Ms. Williams, this way, please.”

  I got to my feet, took the iPad on the desk with the information regarding the charity ball event and followed after Francis.

  “Olivia,” I paused at the door when she called after me.

  “Yes, Mrs. Gallagher,” I said nervously, realizing I’d already started working for her. “If you have any questions, I want you to feel free to ask me. I don’t want you making any mistakes,” she said.

  I nodded, pleased by the thought that she was willing to help me if or when I got stuck. At least I had a lifeline, though I doubted she’d take too kindly to me asking her questions after every five minutes. Hmm, maybe it was a test.

  I nodded and left her office.

  I expected Francis to walk me farther down the hall, but my office was directly facing Amelia Gallagher’s office.

  “This is where you’ll be operating from.”

  I walked into an office that was probably three times the size of my studio apartment and slightly resented myself at the realization of how poor I was.

  Amelia Gallagher’s office was larger than mine and as expected, each corner of it was coated in luxury. It was heaven compared to my office, but nonetheless, what I walked into was more than anything I could’ve imagined.

  I didn’t know what I needed all the space for, maybe I’d find out.

  The office was neat and elegantly furnished.

  There was a large window with the view of a tennis court. Wait, these people had a tennis court in their backyard?

  “I expect everything is to your satisfaction,” Francis said.

  I couldn’t help wondering how long he’d worked for the Gallaghers and if he‘d ever gotten used to being around such extremities. “It is, thank you,” I said.

  “I’ll leave you to it then, good luck,” he said on his way out.

  I wanted to ask him a few questions but seeing as this was my first day, I doubted he’d be willing to answer. His loyalty was to these people and I was an outcast to him as much as I was to them.

  I placed the iPad on the desk and went to sit behind the comfortable leather seat. I sunk into the softness and exhaled in pleasure, taking in everything on the desk. When the initial shock wore off from the luxury I’d come across since the moment I’d stepped into the Gallagher residence, I turned my attention to the work I’d been assigned by Mrs. Amelia Gallagher.

  She had a lovely name, Amelia. It suited her. Noticing I was getting distracted, I focused on the work at hand.

  Apart from a few names of very rich and influential people on the list of three hundred, I barely recognized anyone else. I switched on the Apple iMac and went online to figure out who the rest were.

  I was gifted with a photographic memory and my IQ was well above average so going through the list and doing background research on those names was my forte; a strong suit that’d gotten me far in my school years as well as my professional background.

  I applied my focus and attention to my work and got so completely busy and carried away, I didn’t realize how fast time was moving until I was interrupted by one of the household employees, a kind old woman who brought me lunch.

  I wasn’t hungry until I took the first bite of the mouthwatering grilled chicken and spinach salad.

  It was amazing to me how these people lived this way on a daily basis while the rest of us barely managed to survive.

  I retreated back to work, knowing I was being slow due to the extensive research. I needed to minimize the number of people on the list but I didn’t need to examine every detail of their life, but then again, I was better safe than sorry. I had a feeling Mrs. Gallagher would need reasons as to why I’d chosen the specific fifty.

  By five in the evening, I was supposed to be winding up for the day. I’d gone through the entire list five times and had only chosen thirty. I needed to finish the assignment before the following morning if I wanted this job.

  It was probably going to be the best or the worst job I ever had, but I was certain the pay wouldn’t be so bad. All I needed to do was prove myself to Mrs. Gallagher even though I knew very well that I didn’t fit or belong in that world.

  I wasn’t sure if I’d be allowed to go home with the work and I didn’t know if they’d ask me to leave since my working hours were over, but I stayed until that moment would occur.

  Sometime around eight in the evening, there was a light knock on the door. Francis walked in and for a moment, I thought he’d come to ask me to leave but, he surprised me when he placed a plate of food and a bottle of water on my desk.

  By that time, the entire family must’ve already gotten home or so I assumed, perhaps had dinner and were probably somewhere doing what rich people did after a meal.

  “Thank you, Francis,” I said, expressing my gratitude.

  He nodded.

  On his way out, I asked, “Do you think I’m in anyone’s way if I stay longer and finish up?” I needed to know if I’d be asked to leave and didn’t want to go home with regrets.

  “The doors lock at midnight so until then, you can resume with your duties,” he said.

/>   I exhaled and got back to work.

  Half an hour to midnight, I was double checking the names and details. The second I was finished, I sent the data to Mrs. Gallagher and notified Francis of my departure.

  When I got into my crappy little car, I drove past the fine imported vehicles on the parking lot that hadn’t been there earlier when I’d arrived, and drove out of the Gallagher residence, wondering if I’d last a week.

  Chapter One

  I stood nervously in front of Amelia Gallagher, Queen of the Gallagher Palace, and waited for her verdict on the list of names I had compiled. I’d arrived half an hour early and the house had been quiet and empty with no sign of life present.

  Francis had met me at the door, formally greeted me as though we were business associates then let me in. An hour later, Amelia Gallagher had called me to her office. Elegantly dressed like the royal highness herself, I’d been stunned a second time by the regal appearance of the woman.

  She wore an exquisite pearl necklace with quaint expensive matching earrings, a white blouse that exposed her chest but covered her cleavage, tucked under a nicely fitting silver-colored skirt. She was like fine delicate china.

  “This is the final list?” she asked.

  I’d gone through it over a hundred times and I was certain those were the best guests to invite to the charity ball event. “Yes, it is, Mrs. Gallagher.”

  “Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Calloway, Patterson, Zeigner, Peiser…” she trailed off.

  “You didn’t say what I should base the list on so I checked their background, their line of business and philanthropic work they’ve been involved in for the past year and made the list from the most generous to the least in terms of donations.”

  I was so nervous while I explained, my hands were slightly shaking but I forced myself to be steady. If Mrs. Gallagher noticed the lack of confidence in my work, it’d be enough reason for her to fire me.