The Ruthless Billionaire CEO's Toy Girl

Chaptertwo:The firstTest

Sophia sat at her desk, the office noise gradually receding into the background. The papers in front of her had become a jumbled mess of numbers and phrases that made no sense. Her thoughts raced. James had assigned her the job of resolving the contract; time was running out. She had one error, one error she could not afford to repeat.

The weight of her position pressed down like a vice. All day James's frigid gaze had tracked her, an unseen presence hovering over every choice she made. He hadn't said much, but she could feel the pressure increasing with each passing second.

Her fingers hovered above the keyboard. The flashing cursor mocked her, hence reminding her of the deadline. She had only hours to correct everything. Trying to concentrate, she massaged her temples. On the table, her phone buzzed. James texted: "Is everything in order?"

Her breath caught. Though the question seemed straightforward, the consequences were significant. Should she fail, her whole future at Davidson Enterprises would be at stake, not only her reputation.

She attempted to ignore the fear that was creeping into her chest. She could not afford to display weakness. Focus, she told herself. Her heart racing, she retyped the numbers. The last paper unfolded in front of her and she believed she spotted the error, the one that may ruin her all.

A loud knock on the door startled her. James was standing in the entrance when she looked up; his large body blocked hallway illumination. His gaze, frigid and unyielding, met hers.

Ms. Barrett, how are you? Though the atmosphere was charged, his voice remained steady.

Her lips parched, Sophia gulped. Mr. Davidson, I'm about done.

He didn't look away. Well. You had best be. Your first genuine exam is this.

The words hit her like a slap. She wasn't certain whether the approaching quiet that followed his stare or failing him made her more afraid.

In her head, the deadline grew bigger. She had to complete. She had to show she wasn't a failure.

Clicking through the last stages of the transaction, Sophia's hands trembled. Every second felt like a countdown to catastrophe and the pressure had reached a fever pitch. But suddenly, James, she sensed him before she saw him. His presence was inescapable and stifling, filling the space.

Wordlessly, he moved behind her, casting his shadow across her desk. A stark contrast to the chilly office air, she could feel the heat from his body. With him so near, she could not breathe correctly. His presence was too strong, too dominant, almost like a force of nature. Refusing to look at him, she concentrated on the screen in front of her; nevertheless, she could sense his eyes slicing through her like a knife.

You're doing things incorrectly. He spoke in a low, measured growl.

Sophia stopped, her fingers on the keyboard stopping. Every beat resonated in her ears, her heart racing in her chest. She looked up at him, her eyes betraying her anxiety.

Pardon? she said softly, not knowing whether she was correctly hearing him.

Pointing to the screen, he leaned over her, the slight aroma of his cologne flooding over her. Though his fingertips swept gently over her arm correcting her error, the sensation was harsh and electrifying.

"I said you're doing it wrong," he reiterated, dangerously softly.

Sophia experienced a flash of something within her: worry, fear, perhaps even something darker. But his might, the burden of his hold over her, crushed her will.

Warm on her ear, his breath and voice just above a whisper said, "Do better, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Thick and heavy, the words lingered in the air like a threat, suffocating any vestige of reason. Her heart raced and, for the first time, she questioned whether she could still bear the strain.

Reviewing the paper one more time, Sophia sat back with her hand clamped on the desk's edge. She had corrected it. There was no error now. Though it was a precarious triumph, it was nevertheless a victory. The burden was coming off her shoulders. Her fingers tapped gently on the desk, and for a brief minute, she let herself take a sigh of relaxation.

Heart still pounding, she clicked "send" on the last paper. She had managed to finish it on time given the clock was running down. Perhaps this wouldn't be the catastrophe she imagined. Perhaps James would view this as evidence she could withstand the strain.

Her body rigid from hours of stress, she reclined on her chair. She let out a tiny sigh.

Then she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind her. A chill rushed down her back. She already knew who it was without looking.

James

As he came closer, his shadow crossed her desk and her body tightened. She turned gradually to face him. Standing immediately behind her, his gaze as keen as ever. She was unable to read him. His face stayed a blank slate of apathy. But the way he stared at her, something calculated, something that disturbed her, suggested otherwise.

"You may have repaired the deal," he remarked, his voice harsher than ever. "But I'm still keeping an eye on you."

Though straightforward, the phrases sliced deep. She was not yet free. James would not let her ever forget it.

The day's burden on her chest made Sophia recline in her office chair. The calm hum of the workplace seemed oppressive, nearly claustrophobic. Until she looked up to find the sun had set, the glass walls of the building now reflecting the city lights outside, she had not even known how much time had gone. Stiff after hours of typing, her fingers hovered above the keyboard. The agreement was at last completed, but it had set her back more than she had thought.

She had always been motivated. Driven. But James, he was devouring not just asking. Every minute, every aspect had to be perfect; the never-ending need to be better, quicker, stronger was exhausting. She had little slept last night and hardly eaten today. Her body throbbed, her eyes stung, but she had no space for weakness.

The sound of her phone made her jump. James had sent it.

I want you this evening. A prominent occasion. Be present.

Her belly knotted. One more exam. Another opportunity to show herself. She bit her lip to suppress the overpowering feeling of dread that swept over her. How much more could she endure? Was it worthwhile? Could she keep pushing herself in this man's society?

But the reality of her circumstances was obvious. She had no option. Davidson Enterprises was her ticket; without James, there was no future. Typing a fast reply, she attempted to hide the anxiety still in her chest.

Got it. I will be prepared.

The words left her fingers and she sensed something was amiss. She was unprepared. Not in the least. She had no time to linger, though. She was set and the cost of achievement was high.

She looked at the clock and breathed deeply. The night was only starting, and she had no idea what it would bring.

Adjusting her clothing, Sophia stood before the mirror. The high-profile event loomed, its objective as much a riddle to her as James's actual goals. Apart from the need to perform, she had no idea what to expect. James had always been clear: in his opinion, no error was acceptable. Success was about being better than anyone else, not only about doing well.

The woman in the outfit was a stranger; her reflection looked back at her. She was still adjusting to the lady she was turning into. James had a way of bringing out a version of herself she didn't know. Every action she took seemed like a test; every assignment drove her more into a realm of control and manipulation.

Her mind replayed the earlier talk as she reached for the door and took her handbag.

She had believed she understood what she was getting into, but now, standing at the brink of this new, unknown task, she wasn’t so sure. Could she really make it in James’s world? Was she even capable of being the person he wanted?

When she read the text from James, her phone buzzed once again and her heart skipped.

You are representing me this evening, so keep that in mind.

Her stomach turned. That one, so straightforward yet heavy, reminded her of the reality she could not flee. James was more than her employer. He was the one controlling her future, the one pulling all the strings.

Trying to calm herself, she took a long breath and then put her phone in her bag. Doubts were not on her schedule. Not at this time. Not this evening.

The stress inside her only increased when she entered the elevator and went down toward the foyer. This event was about survival, not only her work. Entering that realm left her unsure of what would follow, but she did know one thing for definite: this was her opportunity to show herself, or it might be the end of all.

The opening of the lift doors broke her thoughts. Stepping out, she ran across James's piercing stare in the lobby. His presence served as a reminder of what was at risk. The unspoken challenge in his eyes, however, warned her that this night would alter everything.

Ignoring the flutter in her chest, she stepped toward him, heart pounding. Would she be successful? Could she endure this challenge? The night was just starting, and to avoid coming apart she would need all she had.