He trudged on with the resilience of a bad habit.

His long strides were now uneven, and that lofty gait had given way to a limp that made him appear like an old hag. Only that his teeth were still intact.

Intermittently, he would rub the swollen cheek where the balled fists of one of Nelly's older brothers had left a testimony. 

Alas! It was a bad one, because in a long while to come , Frederick would not only nurse his swollen cheeks but also the reddened eyes and severed muscle on his left leg.

Earlier that day, Frederick had called Nelly into his office to announce she was due for promotion.

The tall blonde radiated a smile that warmed his heart.

But it wasn't just about the smile.

Nelly was strikingly beautiful. She was too perfect to be human.

And having nursed his fantasies for awhile, he found chance smiling down on him with the perfect hold.

"Who wouldn't do anything to shine?" He thought inwardly and licked his lips.

" Indeed you are due, Nelly," he said sofly  and got up from his chair," but these things don't come free of charge, you know? So I will leave you to make a choice," he said and pinched  her cheeks. 

Looking straight at him unfazed , she asked, “ choice of what?”

" Choice of how you gonna pay," he snapped.

To be continued…