well polished corridor. She felt annoyed and irritated because of the way Andrew Cross spoke to her during the interview. She expected a simple, normal interview, instead, she was interrogated and

th hers. A cold chill ran down her spine. "No you didn't, but I assumed..." Elena managed to speak but Andrew interrupted sharply before she could finish talking. "You don't assume anything when working with me. Get that in your head", he said then paused a while then said, "Take a seat". "Omg, what does he want now?", she thought then sat quietly trying to avoid his gaze. He studied her for a while. "I didn't employ you because of qualifications or abilities but I employed you because you interest, me", he said playing with a pen in his hands. Elena's expression changed. "Seriously? Is that how you employ people? Based on your interest? Is that how things are run here?", Elena asked, already agitated. "He smirked. "Seems so Miss... Santiago. It's well effective. Steele and Cross Enterprises is one of the renowned companies in New York". She didn't want to continue the conversation any further so she just went straight to the point. "What do you want from me, Mr Cross?" He gave a faint smile. "I want obedience, loyalty, hard work and silence. You've got your answer". "Yes. And how do you expect me to forget the fact that I was interrogated like a criminal just for a job interview?" She said, unable to control the anger in her. He smirked, "If you are so delicate, you shouldn't be here". Those harsh words shut her up for a minute. Her heart throbbed and burned with silent anger. "Let me make something clear to you", she spoke, voice firm. "I'm not here because I fancy being intimidated by you, I'm here because I'm in need of a job. So I'm not going to let whatever you do to me get to me. You're welcome to try but I'm not shaking". There was a sudden wave of silence that lasted for a while. Then Andrew stood and walked slowly round Elena, he was so close that he could feel her warm breath on his skin. Elena froze. He stared at her with so much interest. Like he was trying to discover secrets hidden in her eyes. Elena felt something strange stir in her. Something she couldn't explain. "It's going to be fun working with you, Miss Santiago", he said sarcastically, and moved away from her heading to his window. Elena released a breath that she didn't realize she was holding. "Leave", Andrew ordered. She left without uttering a word but those last words kept ringing in her ears. _It's going to be fun working with you._ It felt like her warning than just a mere statement. Her first day of work was filled with so many instructions, files and phone calls. The assistant that worked before her clearly left unfinished tasks for her. She had to attend to incomplete files, pending letters and meetings scheduled here and there all at once with no space to breath. She tried to sneak out during lunch time but unfortunately she couldn't. As she was about approaching the elevator, she heard Andrew's cold voice from the office intercom. "Miss Santiago, where do you think you're head