The Billionaire's Match

Chapter 5

Olive’s POV

I have survived at Grey Capital for close to a month, and yes, I do mean survived. It hasn’t been easy. I met more employees, both the nice and the mean ones who think it is their right to harass anyone that isn’t them.

The most difficult part of it is Nicholas. He has never missed out on an opportunity to insult me, whether it’s in public during board meetings or privately, where he would reprimand me and throw foul words at me.

It’s the beginning of another week and I woke up with a bad headache, feeling drained and exhausted. I knew I was going to be late for work, so I called June to inform her in advance that I was sick.

‘You know you shouldn’t go if you’re not feeling like it.’ Ria’s caring voice came from across the table while we were having our breakfast.

‘As much as I hate it there, I need the job. And I plan to keep it.’ I took one last bite of my pancake and dropped my fork.

‘I’m leaving. Have a nice day. You shouldn’t be late to work because of me, I can take care of myself.’

‘Oh my dear Vee, you overestimate yourself.’ She let out a loud laugh.

‘I’m on a break, that’s why I’m not at work. You’re not that important for me to skip work.’

I grabbed my stuff and walked to the door, while she giggled behind me.

‘We both know you love me so much, you can’t live without me….’ewww’ She cut me short and I just rolled my eyes.

‘Have fun surviving a free day without me.’ I shut the door before she could give any reply, preparing my mind for what was coming.

‘Morning Meeka.’ I greeted the bubbly receptionist who I was fond of already.

‘Sheesh. Ten o’clock. You’re really asking for it girl!’ She exclaimed at the time I decided to come in.

‘Don’t be scared, I called earlier. He’s not having my head today.’ Meeka laughed at my comment as I walked towards the elevator.

‘He’s in a bad mood. Good luck surviving that.’ I saw her wave before the elevator door separated us.

‘Dearest, how are you feeling? You didn’t have to come in today. You're even burning up’ The wrinkles at the corner of her eyes scrunched up as she smiled warmly at me.

‘But of course I did June, else I would be jobless. She laughed before she updated me briefly.

‘He is at his nine o’clock meeting, which would be over anytime soon. After that, he has a meeting with Dave from P.R. He will update you on the rest.

‘Thanks, June. You’re a lifesaver.’ I took the stack of files from her desk and walked to my office, which is located between June’s station and Nicholas’ office.

I was sorting through the files and taking note of some issues I noticed when I heard voices.

‘I look forward to working with the amazing Nicholas Grey.’ Nicholas shook hands with a chubby short man who looked to be in his forties as soon as they came into my line of sight.

‘It would be my utmost pleasure.’ He returned politely.

It has always surprised me how polite and humane Nicholas can be to clients and how brash he is to his employees, me especially. Just then, he looked directly at me.

Some employees who were in the meeting walked off with the guests while Nicholas walked into my open office, never breaking eye contact.

‘Nice to know the company affairs have to be at a standstill just because you have a simple headache’ What! That is very unfair. So just because I am an employee, I’m not allowed to take care of myself when I’m ill?

Of course, I can’t say all that out loud.

‘Sir, I only came in late to prevent the ill feeling from escalating. If I was in a hurry, I may not have made it to work before breaking down completely.’ I paused to gauge his reaction but he was emotionless.

‘And besides, I informed June beforehand and she offered to help me with some tasks until I was fine enough to come.’ He gazed at me intently, showing no emotion before he finally spoke up.

‘You are fired.’ All my senses were heightened upon hearing his verdict.

‘What? I didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t fire me for being a bit late because I had to take care of my health.

‘It appears you know how to run my company more than I do. Why not take over running the company immediately? I had stepped out of line once again.

‘I’m sorry sir. I bowed my head in remorse, hoping he would change his mind.’

‘Pack up all your belongings. June will send you an official email. As soon as you receive it, you can take your leave and make sure you never step foot on this property again.’ He walked away.

I can’t believe he just did that. I fell back in my seat defeated. It had barely been a month, and I already lost my job twice. Who would hire me with such a record?

Just then, a thought popped into my head. Ethan. I will call him when I return home. He should be able to help me out one more time.

While I was almost done packing up my stuff, the intercom on my desk buzzed and I desperately hoped he had changed his mind.

‘My office, now!’ His gruff voice came through and he hung up immediately.

I wondered what ridiculous task he had for me this time, perhaps he just wanted to hurl insults at me as usual. I picked up my notepad and pen just in case and walked to his office.

The door was already open, so I let myself in.

‘Sir, you called me.’ The atmosphere was tense and I could tell it was a serious matter. Dave, the guy from earlier was curled up in one of the seats at his desk, looking like he just saw a ghost.

‘I have a proposal for you, one in which you don’t have a choice.’

My heart rate quickened. Why call it a proposal if he didn’t plan to give me a choice in the matter? What could he possibly want from me?

‘What proposal?’ I questioned. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind but none of th

ose thoughts came close to what I heard next from his lips.

‘Marry me!’

‘Whatttt!!!