Chapter 2
778 Words
“You?”
The word escaped Emma’s lips before she could stop it.
The room went quiet.
Standing in front of her was the same man from last night.
Same face.
Same height.
Same presence.
But—
Something felt… off.
The warmth in his eyes was gone.
Completely gone.
Instead, his gaze was cold. Distant. Sharp.
Like he didn’t know her at all.
His brows furrowed slightly. “Is there a problem?”
Emma blinked, confused.
“I… I—” she stammered.
Esty glanced between them. “Do you two know each other?”
Emma opened her mouth—
“Yes,” she said quickly. “We met last night at—”
“No.”
The word cut through the air like a blade.
Emma froze.
She turned to him slowly.
No?
He looked directly at her, his expression unreadable.
“I don’t recall meeting you,” he said flatly.
The embarrassment hit instantly.
Hard.
“But… you—” she stopped herself.
What was she even saying?
The man from last night smiled. He winked. He spoke to her.
This man?
He looked like he could fire someone for breathing too loudly.
“I think you’re mistaken,” he added coldly.
A few people nearby exchanged glances.
Emma felt her cheeks burn.
“I’m… sorry, sir,” she said quickly, lowering her gaze.
“Hmm.”
That was all he said.
Then, without another word, he walked past her toward his office.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
“Good morning, sir,” voices echoed across the office.
No one joked. No one moved unnecessarily.
Strict.
Intimidating.
Completely different from last night.
Emma stood there, still trying to process what just happened.
Esty leaned closer. “You okay?”
Emma forced a small nod. “Yeah… I must have been mistaken.”
But deep down—
She knew what she saw.
Didn’t she?
“Emma,” Esty called gently. “Come, let me show you your workspace.”
Emma followed, still distracted.
“This is your desk. You’ll be working with the development team. Everything you need will be provided.”
“Thank you,” Emma replied softly.
Her eyes drifted—unintentionally—toward the glass office.
He was inside already.
Focused.
Serious.
Not even a single glance in her direction.
About an hour later—
“Emma,” Esty said, walking over. “The boss wants to see you.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
“Me?”
“Yes. His office.”
Oh no.
She stood in front of the door, hesitating.
Then she knocked.
“Come in.”
The same cold voice.
She stepped inside.
“Close the door.”
She obeyed.
He didn’t look up immediately. Instead, he continued reviewing a file on his desk, flipping through pages like she wasn’t even there.
The silence stretched.
Uncomfortable.
Finally, he spoke.
“You’re the new hire.”
Not a question.
“Yes, sir.”
He glanced up briefly, his eyes scanning her face like he was trying to place something… then dismissing it.
“Emma, correct?”
“Yes.”
He nodded once.
“Your qualifications are decent.”
Decent?
Her brows almost reacted, but she controlled herself.
“You resume today. I expect punctuality, efficiency, and zero distractions.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I do not tolerate mistakes,” he continued. “And I certainly do not tolerate familiarity.”
Her heart skipped.
Was that… about earlier?
“If you have any personal assumptions about me,” he added, his tone even colder, “drop them. This is a workplace.”
Emma swallowed.
“Understood, sir.”
Silence again.
Then—
“You can leave.”
That was it.
No welcome. No smile.
Nothing.
Emma stood for a second, almost expecting… something else.
But he had already gone back to his file.
Dismissed.
She turned and walked out.
The moment she stepped outside, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.
Esty walked up quickly. “How did it go?”
Emma blinked.
“I…” she paused.
“He’s… strict.”
Esty gave a small laugh. “That’s one way to put it.”
Emma glanced back at the office door.
Her mind replayed everything.
The man from last night…
The man in that office…
Same face.
Completely different person.
“No…” she whispered to herself.
“That can’t be the same man.”
But why did it feel like it was?
Inside the office—
He paused flipping through the file.
For a brief moment, his expression shifted.
Slightly.
Like something about her bothered him.
Or lingered.
Then just as quickly—
It was gone.
Cold again.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD