The Dawn

Chapter 3

Ria's PoV

Have you ever been in one of those situations where time just stops moving? Altogether? Where everything happens in slow-mo and you can literally see your doom approach you?

Yup. That was the exact same situation inside Andrew's office right now. Andrew stared at me, Devon stared at him and then me and I just stood there feeling highly uncertain of what to do or say next. I mean, I had literally insulted the guy infront of 15 other people and even an old granny. If he gave me the job after that, it would be a miracle.

"Have you guys met bef- do you guys know each other?" Devon asked, bewildered.

His question snapped Andrew of the trance or shock he'd entered and he quickly shook his head briefly.

"Ah yes. We did have a little run-in at the Sweet Delights bakery some time ago." He replied with his thick Aussie accent. I would've drooled if I hadn't been gripped by fear with my heart beating so fast, he could probably see it throbbing in my chest through my blouse.

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. He wasn't supposed to reply so pleasantly. He was supposed to yell at my face and tell Devon to drag me out of here because I insulted him and that he would never give the job to someone who basically schooled him in public.

But he gave Devon, what seemed genuine to him and extremely forced to me, a smile. He then turned his steel grey eyes toward me and gave me a sort of challenging look. The one you give when you know the entire situation is under your control and you can make the circus monkey dance to your tunes.

"Have a seat miss...?"

I cleared my throat to try and cover up my confusion, fear and uneasiness. "Patricia. Patricia Cooper."

"Yes please. Have a seat." He motioned to one of the two black chairs infront of his desk and sat down in his own. I looked at Devon uncertainly, who took my confusion as nervousness and smiled encouragingly at me.

"Sit Ria. Feel at home. Nothing to be nervous about." He walked forward and sat down on one of the chairs as well.

I sat down feeling hella confused now. Andrew had his eyes laser-focused on me. But his expression was completely blank, so it was hard for me to tell what he was thinking.

He began to conduct the interview and all of the questions were ordinary, nothing too hard or something I couldn't answer. I began to relax a bit mid-way. Maybe he decided to let go of the whole incident because he realized I was right and he was wrong.

After about an hour or so, we were done with the interview and Andrew confirmed that he'd be giving me the job of his PA. Devon showed me my office, with a desk, a computer and cabinets and everything. I was supposed to start immediately.

"Okay so I guess we're all done with the interview," Devon said as the three of us stood inside my tiny office. "I better call into work. Mr. Fitzpatrick's getting mad I'm not answering his calls." He turned to me and patted on my head. "Work hard. Call me when you're done. Since it's your first day, free pick and drop service for you!"

I chuckled and nodded. I was still a bit unsure of what this guy might do to me once Devon left. It was obvious he was just being nice because Devon was here.

He gave Andrew a side bro-hug thingy and then opened the door, closed it behind him and left.

I turned towards my new boss and gave my biggest, and probably my most fakest, smile ever. But before I could open my mouth or move as much, he exploded on my face.

"You?! How dare you waltz in here like that after what you did at the bakery?!" He shouted. I flinched from his harsh and loud tone but didn't say anything. I mean, I couldn't just yell back at his face and get fired within a few hours.

"I uh, I didn't know it was your company," I replied cautiously. "But I do feel sorry about the events of that day."

No I don't.

"You think I'm going to buy your 'oh i'm so sorry' speech? Save it." He growled.

"Then why'd you hire me?" I asked him, not because I was trying to put up a fight or anything, but because I was genuinely curious as to why he didn't just tell Devon what happened that day and fire me even before he gave me the job.

"I can't tell Devon about what happened. I'd already promised him his sister-in-law would get the job. And I don't go back on my word," he replied. "Do you really think you can stay here for more than 2 weeks?" He continued, an arrogant smirk on his face.

"Do I sense a challenge?" I raised an eyebrow. He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. He suddenly walked close to me, his nose merely inches away from mine. I dared to look up into his grey eyes.

"No. Not a challenge. A promise. You will turn in your resignation in 14 days all on your own."

I knew I wasn't supposed to say that. I knew I was supposed to recoil and stay low and avoid any danger to my exposure. But what came out of my mouth were words that weren't mine.

"We'll see about that Mr. Andrew. We'll see."

I moved away from him because this much proximity was beginning to make me dizzy. I straightened my blouse and fixed my jacket. Then I looked at him again.

He looked at me with a weird sort of expression before walking out the door. The door swung shut behind him and I nearly collapsed.

"That jerk! Does he really think I'm going to crack under pressure? Well he has decided to mess with the wrong person then." I dusted my hands and smirked.

Before I could look around though, a musical tone blared around the office and took me by surprise, causing me to stumble forward and fall on the desk. Before my face could hit the hard wood surface and break, however, I quickly slapped both my hands infront of me and broke my fall.

Irritated, I looked sideways to see Andrew standing near his office door, repeatedly pressing a button what looked like was causing this blaring noise in mine.

I huffed and walked out the door, across the corridor and into his office. I flung the door open and stepped inside.

"Yes sir?" I attempted to say cheerfully.

He shook his head and motioned me to step out. "You didn't ask for my permission before coming in." He said smartly.

I took a deep breath.

Cool down Ria. He's your boss. You can't kill your boss on your first day of work.

I stepped out, closed the door and knocked on it this time. After I heard him yell come in, I stepped back in.

"Yes, sir?" I said through gritted teeth.

"That's better. I want you to go to the special relations team and get me the file on 'Global Constructions'." The jerk ordered, sitting at his desk.

"And how am I going to know on which floor is their office?" I asked. This building was like 12 floors long and each was as big as a mall's. How was I going to find the special relations team without having to tour all of it in these killer heels?

"I don't know. Get a map or something. But I need the file in 10 minutes or else I'm going to penalize you." He replied, another challenging look in his eyes.

Oh no. I wasn't going to back down. No way.

"Alrighty then. I'll be right back with it sir." I forced out.

"Remember. Ten minutes." He pointed towards his wrist watch.

I quickly backed out of his office and practically sprinted down the corridor. The secretary was still not at her desk. No help from there. I quickly took the elevator and pressed the ground floor button. Then I closed my eyes because I was alone and beginning to feel slightly uneasy.

Once the elevator dinged, I opened my eyes and hurried out. The heels were really slowing my pace down and I had only 9 minutes left. I practically sprint to the front desk.

"Excuse me. Where is the special relations teams' office?" I panted to the lady behind the desk.

"On the 4th floor. Third door to the left." She smiled. Well at least someone here is kind and helpful.

I hurriedly thanked her and took off running towards the elevator again. The doors closed just as I reached it and up it went. I literally wanted to facepalm myself. I looked at my watch.

Only 7 minutes left. Only one way to get there on time.

I took off my heels, grabbed them in my hand and took off running for the stairs. Climbing two stairs at a time, I reached the 4th floor in about a minute. I was thankful that I decided on jeans this morning and not a pencil skirt. I got quiet a few weird looks from many people but my concern right now was to not give that jerk a chance to penalize me or whatever. I quickly dashed into the office, asked for the file and once they handed it to me, sprinted for the elevator. This time I made it on time and once I entered I slipped on my black heels back on my aching feet.

The people at the Special Relations office looked at me as if though I was some loon. Of course a girl with heels in her hand and hair all messed up had just barged into their room suddenly, they were bound to be surprised. Thank God they handed me the file after only a question or two and didn't call me a hobo and throw me out.

I looked at my watch again. 3 minutes left. The elevator stopped at 8th floor and I quickly walked out and ran down the hall. Once out his door and seeing as I still had two minutes left, I smoothed my hair and clothes and quickly caught my breath. I didn't want the jerk to know he was overworking me and winning at it. I was about to push it open when I remembered he had specifically told me to knock.

I made a face and knocked.

"Come in!" He yelled.

I fixed a smile on my face and walked in, feeling extremely triumphant.

"Your file." I said smartly, placing it in on his desk. I noticed he had been joined by two other men. One had black hair and was dress in jeans and a t-shirt. The other was dressed formally and had brownish hair. Both stared at me as I gave Andrew a challenging look.

He looked at me with slight annoyance, slight amusement.

"Alright. Why don't you bring three cups of coffee as a reward?" He smirked.

I narrowed my eyes feeling agitated. Must he do this to get on my nerves?

"Wait. So this is the new PA? The one who is teaching you mommy lessons?" The black haired dude said. All three of us shot him weird looks. Andrew seemed irritated by this statement.

I tried to suppress a smile but I couldn't. So he bitched about me to these guys.

"Shut up Drew. And you," Andrew turned his attention back to me,"leave. The coffee isn't going to make itself is it?"

I grumbled something about him being a douche and left to mix 3 mugs of coffee. I walked into my office and noticed that I hadn't seen the sink, coffee maker and sandwich maker beside the window on the counter. I raised my eyebrows, impressed.

So he does care for his employees a bit. But whatever. He's still a jerk.

I brewed the coffees and made an extra mug for myself. Then I walked back over to his office. I could hear the three of them talking from outside.

"Listen," Andrew was saying, "I know how your dad can get Parker. And I really wish your company gets the contract but if the meeting of next week is successful for us, my dad won't let me drop it."

So the brownish haired guy's name was Parker. Before I could be classified as an eavesdropper, I knocked quickly.

An hour or two went by and Andrew didn't buzz for me. So I just spent that time putting my stuff in, which I told V to send over, inside the cabinets and also went to take my ID from the receptionist on the first floor. The secretary, whose name was Flora, was on a sick leave today that's why she hadn't shown up when I was running up and down the corridor. As I was busy arranging different files and putting them in different places, a heard the door open.

"Ah why work so hard? Andrew isn't hard to impress." A voice, which I think belonged to the guy named Drew, spoke.

I straightened up from infront of the cupboard I was currently arranging and turned to look at him. He'd walked in alone. I took a close look at him and realized he was devilishly handsome too. I mean, not Andrew level handsome, but really handsome.

His hair was messy and fell over his forehead. His t-shirt stretched across his chest defining his muscles. He had captivating blue eyes and a smile that could kill girls.

"He is. Well he is just the best boss ever." I said through gritted teeth and a fake smile.

"You look so happy, it seems you got constipated or something." He laughed. "Don't worry. You can complain about him to me. I won't tell him." He winked at me.

I shook my head. "Well it's only my first day here. And he made me run up and down in 10 minutes for a file. I wonder what he might make me do next." I mumbled grumpily.

"He isn't a bad guy. He's just... strict. But I assure you, once you get to know him he is an amazing guy," Drew smiled, "and quite the ladies' man." He added.

I rolled my eyes. "The day I get to know him will be the day of my funeral."

"Enough about him though. What's your name?" He prodded.

"Patricia but you can call me Ria." I smiled. He seemed like a nice guy.

The door swung open and Andrew, with his usual grumpy face, and Parker, who seemed a bit shy, walked in.

"Well Ria if Andrew bothers you, you come straight to me and tell me. Okay?" Drew said aloud purposely.

"Drew. Stop flirting with the staff," he turned towards me, "and you. Shouldn't you be working?"

I gestured around the office. "Well I was done doing the arrangements here. And you didn't assign anything to me either."

He quickly started listing things off that I had to do. I gaped at him.

"It's only my first day and you're making me do 12 chores?!" I almost yelled but managed to keep my voice from getting higher.

"Do it or leave it." Andrew shrugged. He walked out of the door followed by Drew and Parker.

I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I kept chanting in my brain the rest of the day like a mantra.

When I got home that night around 9, I felt every inch of my body ache with a terrible pain. That dude is going to get a great punishment from the heavens one day. Cursing him under my breath, I slumped on my couch.

I hadn't even groaned from the pain yet when I suddenly heard a noise from my bedroom. My senses quickly became alert as I got to my feet.

Oh my God they're here. They found us. They know where we are.

I panicked. What if it really was them?