War Zone
896 Words
8:00 AM – The Deadline
Benny's fingers trembled as she clutched the revised chapters, her body screaming from exhaustion. She hadn't slept. Not even for a second,
she felt so frustrated and weak.
After pulling an all nighter fight, fueled with nothing but coffee, rage, and the burning desire to prove Adrian Sterling wrong, she had rewritten every single word.
And now, she had to face him again.
With a deep breath, she pushed open the office door.
Adrian sat at his desk, a cup of black coffee in one hand, flipping through some documents with the other. He didn't even glance up as she approached.
Benny dropped the manuscript in front of him. "Done."
Silence.
Adrian finally lifted his icy blue eyes to hers. "I assume it's better than the garbage you submitted last night?"
Benny's nails dug into her palm. "Read it and find out."
A flicker of amusement passed through his gaze before he took the manuscript and began flipping through the pages.
Benny stood there, forcing herself not to fidget. Every turn of the page felt like a hammer to her nerves.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adrian shut the file.
"Acceptable."
Benny blinked. "What?"
He leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "I said it's acceptable.
Not great. Not impressive. Not perfect, it's just acceptable or should I say, it's just
Manageable".
Her hands clenched into fists. She wanted to strangle him.
"Then I assume I passed your insane test?" she snapped.
Adrian smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "I guess for now."
Before she could unleash the insults sitting on her tongue, the office door swung open.
A tall woman with sleek black hair and sharp cheekbones stepped inside, her designer heels clicking against the marble floor. Ava.
She gave Benny a once-over before turning to Adrian. "The board meeting
starts in ten minutes."
Adrian nodded, and stood up. "Williams, you're dismissed. Get started on our next assignment."
Benny scowled. "What is it this time? Fifty chapters in one night or you could show me the beast in you by making it a Two hundred chapter or more in one night?"
Adrian smirked. "I could if you want"
Ava chuckled. "No. Just a small task."
She handed Benny a USB drive.
"You're ghostwriting Mr. Sterling's speech for tomorrow's investors' gala.
He needs it ready by 5 PM."
Benny's stomach dropped. What?!
She barely survived last night's deadline, and now she had to write a speech for the most powerful man in the company?
Before she could protest, Adrian was already walking toward the door.
"Don't disappoint me, Williams," he said casually, without even looking back.
Then he was gone.
Benny stared at the USB drive in her hand, She felt like throwing it away, but she couldn't, she had no option, she had to endure because she really needed this job, so she could pay of her outstanding debts.
This job was going to kill her.
---
THE SPEECH FROM HELL
Benny sat at her desk, glaring at the blank document on her screen.
What the hell was she supposed to write?
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Every time she tried to type something, her brain short-circuited.
After an hour of pure frustration, she groaned and buried her face in her hands. How was she supposed to write a speech for a man who barely spoke in complete sentences?!
A voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Struggling already?"
She looked up to see Ava leaning against her desk, arms crossed, smirking.
Benny sighed. "Any chance you have some old speeches I can reference?"
Ava chuckled. "Adrian doesn't do speeches. He hates them. That's why you're writing one."
Benny wanted to scream.
Of course. Of course, the universe hated her.
She exhaled sharply. "Fine. I'll figure it out myself."
Ava shrugged. "Good luck, newbie. You'll need it."
Then she walked off, leaving Benny alone with her misery.
She groaned and cracked her knuckles. If Adrian Sterling wanted a speech, he was going to get one.
And if he discredit this one, She was going to march into his office and throw her laptop at his face.
---
5:00 PM – THE VERDICT
Benny stood in front of Adrian's desk again, her heartbeat in her throat.
She had spent the entire day crafting the perfect speech-pacing, deleting, rewriting and questioning her entire existence.
Now, she had to survive his judgment again.
Adrian took the USB from her and plugged it in. His eyes scanned the screen as he read in silence.
Benny clenched her fists. Please don't discredit this one. Please. Oh God help me.
Finally, Adrian leaned back and closed the file.
"It'll do."
Benny's jaw nearly dropped.
It'll do?!
After all that suffering?!
She should have been relieved, but something about his bored tone made her snap.
"You know," she blurted out, crossing her arms, "a normal boss would say 'good job' or "thank you" instead of treating their employees like disposable robots or items"
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "A normal employee wouldn't need two tries to get it right."
Benny's eye twitched. "Unbelievable."
Adrian smirked. "Welcome to my world, Williams."
She glared at him, resisting the urge to grab his stupid designer tie and strangle him.
One thing was certain.
This wasn't just a job anymore.
This was a war zone, only the bravest could survive.
- Writer
