Claudia ran into the magnificent building with a document on her right hand. She climb the staircase without caring about her safety. she was unable to use the elevator because she was not a tenant and her deceitful aunt won't bother to help .

She received a call this morning from her aunt, telling her to hurry down to her place and claudia did that because every minute late cause a loss from her income.she ran through the hallway and stopped at the front of a door.she patted her hair quickly and straighten up her about rumpled sleeve before knocking.

"Come in" she heard a lazy voice from the inside which was no other than her aunt.she nervously pushed the door and shut it the moment she was inside.

"Good morning auntie"

"You should be thankful you came on time. I just got a call from a colleague that there's a special job which needs a quick response and the pay is sumptuous" the lady who was sitting on the milky coloured couch said greedily.

The apartment was a portable one and it was close to her aunt's workplace that's why she had rented it, leaving her terrible children for claudia.

After saying all the dos and don'ts the lady looked at the girl enviously. If her children could be just like her it would have been wonderful, but no? they were so prideful and always behave ladylike just as she had taught them.

"I'll go and prepare for it…"

"don't prepare, just go now" Mrs harry said, a bit infuriated. "but my brother's teacher told me to visit the school today tha…" "shut up you idiot,go out there and make money for me or do you want your father to go back to where he has been?" Mrs harry said while raising her eyebrows at the girl.

"No no no… I'll do so now" Claudia said as a deep pain course through her heart.she have been living with this woman for the past five years and she have suffered hell all along. her family wouldn't be in this situation if not her father who made a deal with one of those bigwigs and later lead to the crumbling of his company.

Her younger brother who was thirteen have not been doing well in his studies. she sometimes receive calls from his teachers. for her, she was always running here and there just to please her auntie and het husband.

She walked down the staircase with a heavy heart. stumbling on someone who was heading to her direction, she quickly said sorry and came out of the building.

she hailed a cab and left. Afterwards, she went to her office to get her instrument for the job.

Claudia studied medicine and graduated with a good result. unfortunately,her duvious aunt forced her to become a psychologist using her power and position and had the table turned. After she dropped by and collected her materials she headed for the address that was sent on sms from her aunt.

"Young lady I can't trespass this area, I'm just a cab driver. this place is where wealthy people live." the man said honestly. Claudia swallowed and paid the driver then she stepped out of the car. the place was actually another world to her, the surrounding and buildings were speaking money. she walked into the area and continued her search for the address on her phone. No one to ask for directions.the place seems quiet and it instilled fear inside her.

After over thirty minutes of walking, she finally saw a middle aged man watering beautiful flowers outside a huge black gate. she hurriedly walk to him and greeted "good day sir". the man turned from his work and saw a young lady behind him.she seems to be walking for a long time as her face was covered with sweat.

"how can I help you" the man said without a change of expression "sir,I am looking for this address, would you mind pointing a direction" she showed the man the address.

sigh, this girl did not know this place. the man thought "young lady, this is the mansion on the address" he said. claudia grinned foolishly "ahh…, really?" "yes, I'm the butler please do come in" the man said and walked to the gate. Claudia was stunned for a moment before she followed the man.the pressed some buttons on the side of the huge gate and it opened slowly. Claudia was taken aback,this place is very guarded she thought.

Claudia was awestrucked when she went inside. An eye catching mansion stood boldly with the white paint adorning it.the atmosphere was refreshing, the green garden and flowers were pleasant to the eyes especially for someone like her. all through her years of working as a psychologist,the mansions she have seen was nothing compared to this palace.

The middle aged man saw the girl was surprised by what she's seeing.l and he was satisfied.

Inside the mansion was breathtaking as well, the expensive and exotic things in the living room could feed her whole family for the rest of their life. A man who was in a well tailored black suit walked to them as the butler whispered to him and he looked at the girl with a sinister smile.Claudia was taken aback,she looked behind her and back to the twos at her front, what are they whispering to each other? she thought. Both men looked at her and she stared at her phone, maybe she got the wrong address. The man stood at her front with the dangerous smile still playing on his lip, "Ms bradford nice to have you here" he said flatly.claudia eyes widened, she was definitely in the right address. "My name is Raymond, current assistant of the Dustin corporation".

a ah

"Oh…"

"follow me" Raymond said and walked back inside. Claudia looked behind and saw the butler have left.

While she follow him, claudia saw a man sleeping on the couch. his tall body was laying majestically with one of his leg on the floor and the other on the couch which was left hanging.

She eyed the man nonchalantly.she was not able to see his face because of his sleeping position. She was climbing the staircase behind Raymond when he turned back and narrowed his eyes

"where are you going,your patient is the one sleeping" he said in fear.

Claudia's eyes widened then she ran back to the living room.she stood for some seconds before bending down to check the man's temperature. In a swift movement,her back hit the floor making her whimp. she opened her eyes forcefully, the hit was unbearable and she blackout.

"Keith let her go, she's not a threat!" Raymond shouted from the staircase. fear was written all over his face. his boss Keith Dustin have always been mysterious despite they have been working together for a very long time and his mental illness made it hard for people to understand him.

Keith frowned,his hand on the girl's neck loosened. Raymond rush down from where he was standing but he couldn't do anything as he watch in silence. Keith stood up and straighten his back nonchalantly,his face devoid of any emotion.

"Who's she and what is she doing here" he asked calmly but a bit anger in his voice.

"She's a doctor and a psychologist that Mrs Dustin hired for you" Raymond said as beads of sweat filled his forehead. he was now getting impatient why drake,keith most trusted person have not arrived at least he wouldn't be in this mess.

"You brought a girl to my house without my permission. I think you don't value your job anymore" Keith said but his eyes was fixated on the girl who was lying on the floor.

"Take care of her.and don't forget to tell her I don't want a doctor".he said and walked away leaving the scared Raymond behind.

.

.

.

Claudia opened her eyes slowly as the morning sun rays filled room.she used her palm to shield her eyes and sat up.she groan as a pain shoot in her back recalling all that transpired in the house and how the man hit her, she quickly stood up and came out of the room.

"What are you doing here?" she asked Raymond when she saw him sitting beside her door. "ahh… nothing" he said and stood up. "did you sleep here?" claudia asked again. why would he sleep close to her room she thought.

"No I got here few minutes …"

"He slept there all through the night as a punishment from boss" a voice said. claudia turned to see a man standing close to the railings.

"You... where have you been. I got punished for nothing" Raymond yelled as he stomp his feet like a child.claudia smiled at the bickering men. "so you are his hired doctor?" drake asked looking at claudia. before she could answer a distant voice rang out.

"Drake let's go" was the only word keith said as he walked passed them. drake followed him behind while Raymond and Claudia were left in confusion.

"Keith what about me, I'm not going to sit back here and do nothing" he said angrily.

what did he meant by that claudia thought as she looked at the man named Keith.

"What's up here, I have other places to go." claudia said loudly.but silence was the answer she got.

"Ray babysit the girl" Keith said and walked out with drake. Claudia and ray were left in awe.

Raymond looked at the girl and walk into the kitchen.do she look like someone who wants babysitting? "Let's go to the butler" he said and claudia nodded.

Keith stood at the front of the floor to ceiling window with a cup of coffee on his hand. his posture was filled with nobility and danger at the same time.

"what do you think about the girl? should I send her back or…". Keith frowned and went back to his swivel chair. his expression was unreadable. Drake stare at the man " your mother wants you to come for your grandfather's birthday".

"Enough… I'm not going anywhere.what about the attorney" keith said tapping his fingers on his table.

"he agreed"

"Okay. keep the girl,I'd take care of her" he said. drake felt wind in his ear "are you keeping her?" he asked to be sure of what he was hearing. Keith glared at him and handed a file to him.

"Make sure everything on that file is ready" he said coldly before bringing his head down to his laptop.

Claudia sighed. Raymond told her that Keith would return so she could counsel him but she has been waiting for hours. Raymond who was also leaning on the couch while playing a game with his mobile phone, he saw the angry look on the girl's face.since the morning he have been coercing her.

"Where is he,why can't I see him and it's already 2pm" she shouted furiously. walking towards ray he quickly stood up.

"I'm sorry Ms,as you can see he's a very busy person and he does what he likes so I have little to say in this"

Claudia laughed hysterically "So I should wait for him huh?. I have other clients to attend to or do you think sitting here would give me money?" she asked.

"Ms you got it all wrong, the Dustin family are not ordinary family…"

"I don't care…" she roared and walked towards the door positioning her sling bag on her shoulder.

"Ms bradford please come back here…"

Raymond was confused and frustrated at the same time. This psychologist was more like a psychopath.

"Ms Bradford please stay a little. Keith is a very special problem and only you can solve it," Raymond preached.

Claudia sighed and sat on the couch. Her brother was in school and her wicked Aunt wants money she didn't work for.

Raymond noticed the girls eyes glistening and was surprised but he held himself not to say a word.

The sky had turn dark but there was no sign of her Aunt calls or message and she felt a little relaxed.

The approaching footsteps made her turn in the direction. She frowned that such a man would be this sick and he's from a wealthy family. A man many ladies wish they could be with not knowing he was suffering from depression.

Claudia stood from the couch and looked at him as he came to stand in her front.

"Good evening Mr Dustin," she said in a low voice.

Keith narrowed his eyes at the girl, Raymond told him the girl was making a fuss and shouting to see him was now acting coquettish.

"Ms Bradford, I heard that you wanted to leave and turned my home into a shouting arena," Keith wasn't friendly with his words.

Claudia gulp and her pupils dilated "I didn't mean to, it just that I had to see my brother in school. My Aunt got this job for me and took the earnings because she takes care of us. I wanted to leave so I could earn a little more for myself and my brother," Claudia said all in one go.

Drake who was standing behind was a little confused at what she was saying.

"You can come and go at anytime, you'll be contacted when needed. For now, you may leave," Keith said and removed his hand gloves.

"Thank you," Claudia was a little happy. She rush out of the mansion.

Keith threw his gloves to Drake, "get me new ones," he said coldly and ascend the stair without looking back.

Drake sighed and look at the beautiful black gloves "Just a day and you're not needed again," he said and threw it inside the trashcan at the corner of the living room.

Raymond stood nervously and his heart kept pounding against his chest every seconds his boss glare at him.

"Watch her and follow her anywhere she goes. Those gizzards must've seen her enter the mansion. Understood?" Keith glared at him.

"Yes boss. Claudia is a good one, she also studied medicine...," Raymond paused when he saw Keith fierce gaze.

"Don't call her name without respect. Be formal! I don't want some lady eyeing the men here," Keith mouthed and pulled his coat from the hanger.

"We're leaving."

***

Meanwhile, when Claudia got to her Aunt apartment, the woman didn't say a word of refute.

"How's the young master?" She asked Claudia so she could gossip with her friends about it tomorrow.

Claudia knew why she asked. "He's a no nonsense man. Very strong, and unfriendly," she said and head for the door.

"Wait Claudia, you shouldn't be here because the lady of the Dustin family says the psychologist must live with him incase of necessity," said her Aunt.

"I'm not going back there until when I'm needed. He personally said that...,"

"That's how he behaves Claudia. Obey the lady and live with him. Oh... I heard he's a mafia," her Aunt chuckled wickedly.

Claudia understood the underlying meaning of what her Aunt said. If she misbehaves, he's going to kill her for sure and that sent cold shivers down her spine.

"What about my brother? How will he be able to live without me?" Claudia asked as her voice cracked.

The middle aged woman smiled sarcastically, she now found a way to threaten this stone head girl.

"You'll do as I say then he'll be alright," she said and scowl at Claudia before entering her room.

Claudia felt a pang in her chest. Her brother was the reason she was working to make ends meet so she would be able to care for him when he has finished with his 6th grade education.

She wants to take in her brother but her Aunt always threatens her because she doesn't have enough money to feed both of them in a week not to talk of throughout.

Claudia sniffed and walk out of the apartment and the building. Her tears she had been holding since the morning were now falling as she walk through the less busy streets.

Life hasn't been fair to her. The apartment she lives in isn't free, she had to pay house bills and lots of bills because of the damned greedy landlord. Feeding herself alone was a serious problem and yet... her Aunt doesn't care.

She was crossing to the other side of the street and failed to notice a speeding car. Her thoughts occupied her mind, even when the car horn was honked she didn't notice.

"Stop the damn car you fool!" Raymond shouted at the driver and look at the rear seat where Keith was sitting.

Claudia walk passed the car absentmindedly and even the driver and Keith were dumbfounded.

Raymond paused and looked back again but this time, the glare was sharp as frost. "Drive the car, idiots," Keith rubbed his temples and he wondered if Raymond has a brain.

What piqued his interest most was the crying girl. He had noticed it when she was explaining why she was shouting.

Keith lean against the seat and closed his eyes. He couldn't take his eyes of her and now, she was crying and almost got hit by a car. In his perspective, she was thinking.

"Raymond do an investigation on the psychologist," Keith ordered.

Raymond nodded "Yes boss." He also saw what happened.