na'

oughts as it opened. I stepped onto the Executive floor

Why did Mr Matteo want to meet me all of a sudden? I was just a new

was this just something else entirely?

way, p

ound of my footsteps sounding like echo after echo. They were f

. His dark hair always slicked back, the expression on hi

" Marcie sai

e. My reflection in the glass mirror showed a compos

usted my blouse, lifting my chin to brace myself. The doo

made of black marble, tall and infuriatingly calm, a

o Rom

whose dark eyes had just landed on me like a sniper's lase

ut you, I mean I'm looking at you right now

d slowly, refusing to show the doubt rising in

... No, scanned me. As if he was reading every one of my

Alina. It's not every day people like

he feeling he wasn't seeing the words. Only what he wante

fact that he brought that up casually as if it was noth

e now. Ready

n me. Still studying me. Then, without so muc

one to the

ow

embled through the speak

fectly tailored suit. "Follow me." He said.

could seat at least twenty. Executives filled the room, some

like a graveyard. He didn't waste time,

g through the room. "Effective immediately, my current

arted her lips to speak while still in shoc

sh her words. "This decision is final." He turned s

l take your pla

looked at me like I was a ghost about to destro

e board member spoke. "With all due respe

m. It was venom wrapped in silk. "She has a fresh

ut potential. This seemed to be personal. And s

icking angrily as Matteo turned to face me again, nothi

all my schedules, contacts, and reports. If something'

out to leave my chest. He took a step closer, standing talk over me, his brea

e was so low only I could hear. "But as my assistant, just know that yo

e even more determined. "I'm not afraid of a litt

e the boardroom quickly, whispering and avoiding every ey

ed by the door for a moment, looking over

ready, Mis

burned

king for me will