EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS

Episode 2

UNDER PRESSURE

Ruby to the Receptionist. He is brutal and also seems unkind.

Do I need to get worried?

He's kind, the Receptionist replied.

A moment later Alex bombed into them.

It's time to go home.

He turned to Ruby.

“Burning the midnight oil, right?”

Ruby quickly grabbed the file in her hand and shuffled it around. “Just finished. I didn't know you were still here.”

“I practically live here,” Alex said in a crooked tone. He looked at the file in her hand. “Is that Anderson's account?” he asked.

"Yes," Ruby said in a firm voice. “I saw a discrepancy in the numbers and wanted to double-check before sending them.”

Alex's expression softened slightly, "Good catch. Most people wouldn't pay attention."

Ruby hesitated then said, “You expect perfection. I'm just trying to reach the standard.”

Alex looked at her for a moment. His sharp face was unreadable. “There is no standard of perfection, Ruby. It's effort, consistency, the ability to adapt under pressure. That is what I value.”

Ruby blinked, surprised by this insight. But before she could answer, Alex took a step back. “Don't stay too late,” he said and disappeared into his office.

****

The next day brought new challenges. Vicky Lee's appearance wasn't just a rumor. She arrived at the office unannounced. Her designer heels clicked against the marble floor. With flawless makeup and well-tailored outfits, she exuded a confidence that Ruby could only dream of.

Vicky crossed the reception desk, staring at Ruby like an insect under a microscope.

“You should be the new secretary,” Vicky said, with a condescending tone. "Tell Alex I'm here."

Ruby forced a polite smile, “Mr. Thompson is in a meeting. But I will let him know as soon as he is free.”

Vicky scoffed, flipping her curly hair over her shoulder. “Do that,” she said.

When Alex finally came out of the meeting, seeing Vicky made his jaw tighten. Ruby couldn't hear their conversation, but the tension between them became clearer. As Vicky left, she gave Ruby a look that felt like a warning.

That evening, Ruby was tidying up her table when Alex approached. “If Vicky comes back send her directly to me.” He cut off his voice.

"Of course," Ruby said, though she couldn't hide her curiosity.

Alex hesitated, then added, “She is… stubborn. Don't let her frighten you.”

Ruby nodded, smiling at the subtle reassurance in his words.

Ruby felt as though she was being put to the test by Vicky, Alex, and the relentless demands of her profession as she made her way home that evening under the city lights. But she felt a glimmer of resolve for the first time in a long time.

She wasn't just surviving anymore. She was fighting for something better, for herself and for her future. And no matter what challenges lie ahead, Ruby vowed she wouldn't let them destroy her.

The bar was raised, and she was ready to meet them...

****

Ruby's alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., causing her to be unable to sleep. She rolled out of bed. Her body ached from the long hours she had endured the day before. She staggered to the kitchen of her small studio, where sunlight streams through cracks in the blinds. The harsh New York winter left a blanket of snow on the edges of windows, but Ruby barely noticed it.

She arrived at the office before most of the employees, and the sound of the soft moaning of fluorescent lights greeted her as she sat down at her desk. She had just logged into her computer when her phone rang. Alex's name appeared on the screen.

“Good morning,” she said, trying to sound calm.

“Conference room B. Ten minutes. Bring the quarterly projections.”

The call went dead before she could answer. Ruby swallowed hard and fumbled for the document Alex needed. She checked the figures again, trembling slightly as she hurried to the meeting room.

When she got in, Alex was sitting at the head of the long glass table. A group of executives filed in behind her, each exuding confidence and authority. Ruby felt like a guppy in a tank full of sharks.

Alex's eyes stared at her. “Do you have the projections?”

“Yes, sir,” she said, handing him the folder.

He opened it, scanning the pages with the precision of a hawk. Ruby held her breath for a moment, afraid he'd find a mistake. But then he nodded and put the folder on the table.

“Let's get started,” he said in a quick voice.

As the meeting progressed, Ruby watched as Alex instinctively commanded the room. His confidence was magnetic. And although his behavior was sharp, he listened intently to every presentation, cutting through the noise with insightful questions. It was clear why he was the CEO. Ruby wrote down notes harshly, intending to absorb everything.

As the meeting ended, Ruby felt like she had run a mental marathon. She hurried to her table, but before she could sit down, Alex appeared next to her.

“You worked well with the projections,” he said.

Ruby blinked, caught off guard, "Thank you.

“But,” he added. “Next time, I want you to go faster. Anticipate what I will need before I ask.”

Ruby nodded. His words stung despite the tone of his voice. She reminded herself that that's how he works; there's no sugarcoating, no flattery. She couldn't dispute that, despite the hurt, it had motivated her to be better.

****

The remainder of the day passed quickly. Emails, phone calls, and constant work filled every second. Ruby barely had time to eat, not to mention breathing, when it finally hit 7:00 p.m.

“Still here?” he asked, Alex's voice startling her.

She looked up and saw him standing next to the table. His tie loosened, and his jacket was draped over one arm. It was the most relaxed state she had ever seen him.

“I'm just wrapping it up,” she said, trying to hide her exhaustion. He studied her for a moment, then he pointed towards the elevator, “Come with me.”

Ruby hesitated but quickly grabbed her coat and followed him. The elevator ride was filled with silence, the air was thick with unspeakable tension. When they reached the lobby, Alex turned to her.

"You've been doing well so far," he said in a softer tone than usual. “But you are burning the candle at both ends. This job is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't burn out.”

Ruby glared at him, surprised by his concern. “I will remember that.”

Alex nodded. His gaze lingered for a moment before he drifted off into the night. Ruby watched him leave. Her mind wandered. She couldn't tell if his advice was a warning or a challenge. Either way, she knew one thing for sure: she wouldn't let him down.

****

The next morning Ruby was at her desk before sunrise, her determination had returned again. She had barely sipped her coffee when Vicky Lee walked into the office. Her presence was like a wave of cold wind.

“Is Alex inside?” Vicky asked in a sharp tone.

Ruby glanced at the clock. “Not here yet. He usually arrives around 7:30.”

Vicky smiled, “Of course, always on time. Tell him I will be waiting in his office.”

Ruby hesitated, "I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that without his permission."

Vicky squinted her eyes. “Do you know me?”

"Yes," Ruby said evenly. “And I'm sure Mr. Thompson would be happy to see you once he arrives.”

For a moment, Vicky seemed to want to argue. But then, she let out a grunt and walked towards the seating area. Ruby sighed in relief. When Alex arrived, she quickly alerted him of Vicky's presence.

He squeezed the top of his nose and sighed. “Send her in.”

Ruby watched Vicky enter Alex's office, with her heels clicking on the polished floor. As the door shut behind them, Ruby's interest was aroused. Although she was unable to hear their talk, she felt uneasy due to the muffled sound of increased voices.

When Vicky finally left, her emotions were intense. She looked at Ruby before disappearing into the elevator. Alex popped out for a moment, his jaw tightened.

“Reschedule my afternoon meeting,” he said wryly as he walked back to his office.

Ruby nodded, her heart pounding. It was clear from what had happened between Alex and Vicky that the storm wasn't over yet. And Ruby had a feeling that she was about to be caught in the middle of it.