nto the office, my bre

repared me for this. Standing by the massive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the c

had snapped at. The man I had thought was just some arro

t as he turned around, slowly, deliberately, his icy blue eyes locking ont

cation that he found this situation remotely funny. I

not going to work. He is going to make my life hell. The pay was good,

I had not even bothered to resign from. Five thousand dolla

left, I stepped forward, trying to

hip, making me freeze in place. It was sharp, authoritative, with a deep, commanding

think he is? But the weight of that five thousand dollar paycheck wa

f waiting to see if I would disobey him. The silence stretched between us, thick

, dressed in a tailored black suit that fit his body like a second skin. Everything about him screamed wealth-h

se

y were full, yes, but with a sharp edge to them, as though they had been sculpted by a master. They held a sense of dominance, a dangerous allure. The lines were perfectly defined,

h me? I hated myself even

to me, standing so close that I could smell his expensive cologne-a mix of wood

ushing against his for half a second. His s

ions, company policies. Read it, memorize it. As of today, you will be here on time, no exceptio

my tone low but clear, gripping t

his voice dropping lower. "I do not tolerate exc

company or a military c

tood?"

mix of irritation and

ad not expected me to say that, but the ex

airs to the reception. They will

nodded. "Yes sir," I

ang out again, stopping me in my tracks

ying to keep my f

ce, return here immediately.

r. Of course he is not even going

as evenly as I coul

he elevator descended, replaying the interaction over and over again. He had ignored what had happened at the coffee shop like it was nothing. No mention

r gleaming beneath my feet. I had to admit, the entire place screamed power-cold, immaculate, and intimidating. I felt sma

ture and towering plants that added a touch of life to the otherwise sterile surroundings. As I walked toward the desk, I tried

something on her computer screen, but she looked up as I approached, of

polite but with a hint of pract

trying to sound more confident than I felt. I wasn't sure what I ex

ied, nodding. "Miss

le caught off guard by her

he corners of her lips, as if she already knew exactly who I was. The moment dragged on longer than i

up at me again. I was expecting something a bit more impersonal, but there was

ldn't help leaning in slightly. "Where

few more keys before glancing back up at m

ond, my heart sinking.

this. I had just come from that damn office a few minutes ago, standing there like an idiot, trying not to stammer under his cold

g me all the way back down here, but I forced the words back down. I didn't want to come off as rude o

to keep the annoyance out of

n his bullshit, but I knew better. He was testing me. This man is going to make

mind already spinning. I could feel the weight of the frustration settle

ssert control. I had no illusions about this job now. It wasn't just about getti

the frustration only growing as each step took me closer to the inevitable realization that I was going to have to deal w