Chapter 2: Hell
1294 Words
Working under the new CEO was like being tossed from calm waters into a hurricane. For four years, Ashtine Maze had mastered routine, punctual meetings, predictable memos, and a quiet corner office. But now?
Now she was secretary to Rich Dawson, a cold, calculating, and impossible to read. Hell wasn’t fire.
Hell wore a tailored suit and drank espresso without blinking.
“Ashtine,” his deep voice called through the intercom, sharp as a blade.
“Where’s the file for Crestwell Holdings?”
She pressed the button. “On your desk, sir, third folder from the left. Color-coded, labeled, and tabbed.”
Silence.
''This tab is crooked,” he said.
She blinked. Shocked. Was he serious? But she just took a long, deep breath.
Inhale, Exhale
“Yes, sir. "I’ll straighten it right away,” she said through clenched teeth.
She stood, heels clicking against the marble as she stepped into his office. He didn’t look up and he never did. He was always glued to a screen or flipping through papers like every second was a war.
But today, he glanced at her.
And held that glance.
Just a second longer than necessary.
“You’ve been here four years?” he asked suddenly.
“Yes,” she said, cautiously.
“No scandals. No complaints. No mistakes?”
She folded her hands. “None that were mine.”
He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. ''Humble and bold. Dangerous combination.”
She didn’t reply.
Rich reached for his coffee, took a sip, then gave her a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Let’s see how long you last.”
Her jaw tightened. “As long as I need to.”
Their eyes locked up and tension thickened in the space between them. And at that moment, Ashtine realized…
Hell wasn’t hot.
Hell was cold.
And it called her by name.
Ashtine goes to the rooftop even if she doesn't like it, but I think she needs it and, for the first time since she joined Dawson Enterprises, Ashtine Maze stormed up the rooftop stairs like a woman on the edge of homicide.
Her heels clacked in fury. Her fists clenched around a folder she might set on fire later.
“ARGHHHH!” she screamed into the open sky.
“I swear, if I had a knife and one free pass, I’d stab that arrogant, cold-blooded, ego-worshipping.....”
“Let me guess,” a voice drawled behind her. “Tall, dark, rich, and emotionally unavailable?”
Ashtine froze.
She turned sharply and went face-to-face with a man leaning against the railing, sleeves rolled up, shirt slightly unbuttoned, expensive watch gleaming, and a grin that could make the sun blush.
He was trouble and he knew it.
“Who are you?” she snapped.
He pushed off the railing lazily.
“Zeke Alaric. Friend of your charming dictator, err, boss. And you must be the secretary who just shouted murder wishes into the wind. Bold.”
She crossed her arms. “He sent you to check if I jumped?”
He chuckled.
“Please. Rich barely checks if someone’s breathing unless it affects his quarterly earnings. I came for fresh air. Got a bonus show instead.”
She rolled her eyes and turned away, muttering. “I’m going to jail. One of these days, I’m really going to strangle him with his own tie.”
Zeke moved beside her, hands in his pockets.
“You know… most people don’t last a week under Rich.”
“Well, I’m not most people.”
He smirked. “Clearly. You’ve got fire. I like that.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “And I like peace. Too bad your friend is allergic to it.”
Zeke laughed. “Welcome to Dawson Enterprises, sweetheart. "You’ve officially entered the lion’s den.”
Zeke tilted his head, eyes still fixed on her with amusement.
“You’ve got a mouth like a sailor, an attitude like a queen, and nerves of steel. I’m intrigued.”
Ashtine arched a brow. “You say that like it’s a compliment.”
“It is,” he said with a slow, lazy grin. “Name?”
She paused, considering whether to give it. But what harm could it do?
“Ashtine,” she finally said. “Ashtine Maze.”
Zeke’s grin widened. “Beautiful name. Fits you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t flirt. I bite.”
He stepped closer, whispering playfully, “Maybe I like danger.”
Before she could roll her eyes into next week, Zeke’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. His expression shifted immediately but still casual, but no longer playful.
“Ah. Speak of the devil.”
He swiped to answer. “What’s up, bossman?”
Rich’s voice crackled through the phone. “Where are you?”
“Roof,” Zeke replied. “Needed air.”
“I need you in my office. Now.”
Zeke mock-saluted the phone. “Copy that, CEO hahaha”
He hung up, slipping the phone back in his pocket. “Duty calls.”
Ashtine crossed her arms. “Back to kissing the tyrant’s ring?”
Zeke winked. “Something like that. But hey, don’t disappear. I like our rooftop therapy sessions already.”
He turned and strolled toward the door, calling over his shoulder,
“Nice meeting you, Miss Maze. Try not to murder anyone before lunch.”
Ashtine stared after him. Trouble, she thought. Absolute trouble. But he made her laugh.
And right now… she needed that more than she wanted to admit.
After a few minutes on the rooftop, Ashtine finally regained control of her emotions. She smoothed her blouse, adjusted her skirt, and took a deep breath.
“I will not let that man ruin my paycheck,” she whispered, straightening her back. “Not today.”
As she descended the stairs, footsteps echoed from the floor below.
Her heart dropped.
Coming up were two men and one with a devilish grin and casual swagger, the other with a sharp jaw, stormy eyes, and the emotional warmth of a glacier.
Zeke spotted her first.
“Well, well. Maze of fire and fury,” he greeted with a smirk, giving her a playful wink.
She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Alaric of chaos and charm.”
Rich, however, didn’t spare a smile. Just a glance. Sharp. Cold.
“Late again?” he said dryly, scanning her from head to toe like he was reading a spreadsheet and finding errors.
“I wasn’t aware my lunch break was up for interrogation,” she replied evenly.
“You don’t get to vanish without telling your superior where you are,” he said, stepping aside as she reached the bottom step. “Unless you’re aiming to get fired.”
She tilted her chin, her voice calm but cutting. “I was on the rooftop. If you've checked the employee handbook and which you clearly haven’t, staff are entitled to use the rooftop during designated breaks.”
Zeke raised his brows, trying not to laugh.
Rich's eyes narrowed.
“You have a clever mouth, Miss Maze.”
“I have a clever brain. The mouth just comes with it,” she answered, holding his gaze.
For a second, Rich said nothing.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked off, his silence thunderous.
Zeke let out a low whistle as they walked behind him. ''You’re playing with fire, Ashtine, and you’ve got guts. He usually eats people like you for breakfast.''
She smiled. “Funny. I was thinking the same about him. And let’s see if he chokes on me,” she muttered, squaring her shoulders, leaving Zeke dumfounded but with a smirk on his face.
- Writer
