Chapter 5: The New Project.
528 Words
Asher’s POV
I walked into the HR department, scanning the room until my eyes landed on Rachel. Efficient. Loyal. She understood my need for precision—without question.
"Rachel," I said, voice clipped. "A minute."
She looked up, already sensing urgency in my tone. "Yes, Mr. Gold?"
"I’ve assigned the Smith account to Emma’s team. It’s a priority, and I want it done flawlessly. No errors. No excuses." My gaze sharpened. "Make sure they understand that."
Rachel nodded, setting her tablet aside. "Understood. I’ll speak with Emma now."
"Also," I added, "I expect a progress update every forty-eight hours. Personally."
She blinked once, then stood. "I’ll take care of it."
As she left, I leaned back slightly, my jaw tight. The Smith account wasn’t just another project—it was make-or-break for our upcoming investor meeting. And I wasn’t in the mood to clean up anyone’s mess.
---
Emma’s POV
My coffee had just cooled when Rachel walked into the finance department, her steps brisk. Something was off—her expression was more serious than usual.
"Emma, do you have a minute?" she asked, her tone low and direct.
"Sure." I gestured to the seat in front of me. "What’s going on, ma'am?"
She sat down, no small talk. "Asher Gold just briefed me on a new project. The Smith account. He’s assigned it to your team."
I raised an eyebrow. "That’s big. What's the catch?"
Rachel sighed. "He expects perfection. His words, not mine. Zero delays. Zero errors. He’ll be monitoring everything closely—and wants updates every two days."
My stomach tensed. "And the deadline?"
"Two weeks."
I blinked. "That’s... tight."
She nodded. "He’s willing to assign more resources, but he said—and I quote—‘Don’t waste my time.’"
My jaw clenched. Typical Asher. Demanding, blunt, and completely unapologetic. "Alright," I said, voice steady. "We’ll get it done."
"I knew you’d say that." Rachel stood, giving me a rare smile. "Just… keep the pressure from boiling over."
As she left, I exhaled slowly. This wasn’t just any project—this was the kind that made or broke careers.
I got up and headed to the main department area. Tiara was packing up, her bag slung over her shoulder.
"Tiara," I called.
She turned, surprised. "Yes?"
"How was your first day?" I asked, smiling.
She smiled back, looking exhausted but exhilarated. "It was great, thanks for asking. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
I nodded, my expression serious. "Good. Because things are about to get intense."
Her eyes widened slightly. "What do you mean?"
I lowered my voice. "We’ve got a major project starting tomorrow—Smith’s account. It’s coming directly from Mr. Gold."
"Mr. Gold?" she repeated, clearly recognizing the weight of his name.
"Yep. And he wants perfection. Fast." I looked around, raising my voice. "Everyone, listen up!"
The room quieted.
"We’re starting the Smith financial project tomorrow. Deadline: two weeks. This one’s high-pressure, and it's being tracked by the Asher himself. Be ready to come in early. And be ready to deliver."
I met Tiara’s eyes again. She looked nervous—but also… ready.
I just hoped she’d stay that way.
---
- Writer
