Eighteen years later.
"You're fired!" Alexandro Kings shouted at the man who cowered by the wall.
The poor man expected this verdict but when it came, it still filled him with trepidation and anxiety. "Please sir, I'll rectify the situation."
"Don't bother, the deed's been done. No fucking way of rectifying it." He barked.
"Please sir, I have children at ho...."
But he cut him off, "That one's not my issue, James. You fucked up at your work. That child died because you didn't do your job. You're the manager of that orphanage for crying out loud!
because of that, you're fucking fired. Use the door or I'll throw you out myself!" He glared at James, at this rate, James knows better than to keep begging.
James jerked upright and scurried out of the office.
His secretary, Mrs Brown--more like personal assistant--shook her head slowly, she kept her voice as soft as possible because knowing Sandro for as long as she had, she could recognize this particular mood. She waited patiently till he walked out of his office.
"The fifth, Sandro."
He moved his eyes to meet hers, "What?, Maria."
"James is the fifth person you fired this month." she said quietly.
"He is?, I didn't realize. Go back to work, Maria. I'm not in the mood." He growled.
Maria knows when to choose her battles, after knowing him for five years. Seeing the way all those muscles that was barely hidden in the suit jacket rippled momentarily, she knows that this is not one of those moments.
So, she nodded her head and led herself out of the office. He was built like a tank. Like a wrestler. And, he has the moods to go with it.
He sure looks like he wants to beat someone up now and that was also the reason why she turned and walked out of the office.
Not because she feared he was gonna beat her...never. But because he was trying not to throw something in rage.
As his secretary, her office was just outside his. Her heels clicked the ground as she walked to her chair and lowered her self in it.
The first call came in immediately and she proceeded to answer it. As she did, she heard the loud crash of a glass from the inner office. Followed by another crash and another crash.
She sighed. There goes the new flowers she used to beautify his office, this morning. At least they have served their purpose, which is to serve as a let-out for his anger.
It's either the flowervasts or real office properties that will cost him a fortune to replace. Something he does without breaking much sweat.
"Oh, yes,, sir. Have a nice day." Mara Brown said witha sweet smile at last before she hung up the call
The door opened and the newbie, Kara, walked into Maria's office, her brown eyes wide with fear. She must have overheard the boss with the fomer manager. His barks and growls can be quiet scary.
"Who's he, Mrs Brown?" she whispered as she took the seat opposite hers, her wide eyes beseeching hers.
Maria smiled sadly as she dropped the telephone. She focused on the girl, "Alexandro Michael King. Thirty years old and climbing fast.
He's an half caste, from an Italian mother and a Nigerian father. He was raised in Italy by his aunty from the maternal side, Aurora, my good friend. but he came back to Nigeria six years ago to take over the company when his Uncle died. He owns a lot of businesses including the best orphanage here.
Before he took over the company, he was a well-known fighter. He's skilled in kung-fu, Taekwando, hand to hand, etc. A very handsome devil, I tell you. With the bluest eyes you've ever seen.
That shirt he's wearing is trying to tame the rippling massive muscles he possesses, every man in this company knows when to choose their battle especially when he's in a bad mood..like right now." She paused, "They call him.... The blue-eyed devil."
"Really?, isn't that nick a little overrated?" Kara was so taken by this story. Of course, it makes her more scared of her boss but thst was beside the point.
Maria smiled sadly, "He's got the bluest of eyes. And, you won't fault them about the 'Devil' part of it though. Just make sure to keep out of his way, Kara. Trust me, that is the best advice anyone who works in this company can ever give you."
Then, the older woman smiled and added, "Either that, or you should transfer to another branch."
Karla was now looking so terrified. "What about his parents?."
"No one knows about them, he never talks about them." No one talks about them, not Sandro or even Aurora.
"Oh God!, what if I don't get my job done well. Will he beat me?" Karla shivered visibly and Maria had to laugh.
"No dear. I've known Sandro for a long time. He's a nice man even if it's hard to see, but when he's angry or in a bad mood...which is almost all time. He roars, barks, throws things, even deck the guy responsible but he never beats a woman. I've never seen him try it at all.
Cassandra who works at the down floor did something that the boss would have decked a man hands down for. He was so angry, he was practically spitting fire but he never laid a hand on her out of anger."
Karla breathed deeply, "That's comforting."
"Don't worry about it, just try to get your job done and there won't be a problem at all." Maria encouraged the young woman.
"OK, I will. Thanks, Maria." She got up and walked towards the door.
"And, Kara?" Mrs brown's voice filled the air again.
Kara turned behind, "Yes?"
"He might never lay his hand on any woman but bear in mind that he hates our gender so much, and no one knows why exactly. Just do your work appropriatingly and stay out of his way."
"Noted, ma'am. Thank you so much." She turned and walked out of Maria's door.
Maria looked back at the closed door of her boss and shook her head. He has so much bitterness in him.
She doesn't know his story, but she really hopes that one day there won't be a bitterness left inside Sandro.
And she also hopes that the day comes pretty soon...because he's gradually loosing the last shreds of his humanity.