The CEO'S RULEBOOK

Twenty Minutes

Mila’s POV



After what felt like an eternity, trapped in that suffocating space with Mr. Harris’s eyes burning into me with every movement, I finally felt the sweet relief of fresh air as the plane touched down. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, the cool breeze of the city greeted me like an old friend, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere I had just escaped.

For a brief moment, I closed my eyes, savouring the serenity. I inhaled deeply, letting the new city’s air fill my lungs. A smile tugged at my lips, instinctively, as the weight of the flight lifted off my shoulders.

But that fleeting peace was shattered the moment a sharp voice cut through the calm.

“Miss Brown!” Mr. Harris’s command sliced through the air, snapping me back to reality.

I turned, my heart leaping into my throat. His face was taut with frustration, fists clenched at his sides, like a coiled spring ready to snap. The sight twisted something in my stomach.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I muttered, keeping my voice steady, barely. My legs moved before I could think, hurriedly stepping away from him, my pulse pounding in my ears as I felt his gaze burning into my back.

This is going to be a hell of a trip, I thought, bracing myself for what was to come.

Outside the airport, I spotted the chauffeur, holding a sign with “Mr. Harris” written in bold letters. Without hesitation, I rushed toward him, desperate to escape the tension that had been suffocating me for hours.

“Are you here for Mr. Harris of Harris Construction?” I asked, confirming my right place.

He nodded, his polite silence the only answer, before opening the car door for me. My eyes caught the darkening sky, rainclouds gathering like storm clouds in my chest. Time was running out.

I was about to step in when Mr. Harris’s voice rang out again. “You’re taking a taxi,” he commanded, his tone cold and final.

I froze, the words lashing at me like a whip. I spun around, staring at him in disbelief.

“But, sir...” I began, my voice trembling, but the words died before they could fully form.

“I’ve told you before, Miss Brown,” he cut me off, his eyes narrowing with cold contempt. “Never question my orders.” His arms folded over his chest, a mocking smirk creeping onto his face, his posture brimming with arrogance.

I wanted to scream at him, to stand my ground, but the words stuck in my throat. My body trembled with a familiar, bitter fear that clawed at me. So, I did what I always did when faced with his dominance.

“Yes... Mr. Harris,” I muttered, barely audible, stepping aside as he climbed into the car.

“I need you at the hotel in twenty minutes,” he added, the finality of his voice slicing through the air before the car door slammed shut. The engine roared to life as it sped away, leaving me standing there, the chill of the rain now mingling with the cold in my chest.

I stared after the car, my mind a blank slate, paralysed by his control.

How the hell am I supposed to navigate this city? I thought the storm inside me was growing louder as the rain started to fall.

Minutes passed, but no taxis appeared. The rain began to fall harder, the cold sinking into my bones as the night seemed to close in around me. Fear crept up my spine, tightening its grip.

“f**k you, Mr. Harris!” I screamed, the words escaping like a prayer for release. I whispered a silent plea to the universe, hoping for some small mercy.

Just as the weight of the world seemed to crush me, a taxi finally pulled up, its engine purring softly in the rain.

“Miss, do you need a ride?” The driver’s deep, soothing voice cut through the noise in my head, the thick lilt of a British accent carrying a quiet comfort.

“Yes, please!” I gasped, relief flooding through me as I practically dove into the backseat.

“So, where to, miss?” he asked, his eyes glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

“Baglioni Hotel,” I replied, forcing a smile despite the chaos inside me.

The driver nodded, and we were off, the city blurring by as the rain hammered against the windows. The tension in my body started to ease with each passing block, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding.

Leaning back, I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to bask in the quiet, the comfort of the taxi wrapping around me like a shield. The city outside shimmered like a dream, lights twinkling in the distance, the looming figure of the London Bridge a majestic silhouette against the darkened sky. It felt like a fantasy.

I can’t believe I’m here, I thought, a small flicker of excitement breaking through the exhaustion. I’m in London.

But as quickly as the excitement flared, a dark thought crept in: Mr. Harris.

Why does he insist on making my life a nightmare? A wave of anger and frustration rolled over me, and I felt my chest tighten.

“Who the hell does he think he is?” I muttered, my voice hardening. “Abandoning me in a foreign city, in the middle of a storm... I’m his assistant, for God’s sake!”

“Ma’am... we’ve arrived,” the driver’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked up, and there it was, the hotel. Magnificent. Intimidating. Its grand sign loomed overhead like a beacon. I felt a cold knot twist in my stomach.

I handed the driver the fare and stepped out into the rain, the night air biting at my skin.

I gazed up at the hotel, the lights surrounding it making it look like something otherworldly. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever was waiting inside.

Inside the lobby, a small sigh of relief escaped me when I didn’t immediately spot Mr. Harris. For once, I didn’t have to endure the weight of his judgmental stare. I approached the receptionist, ready to check in and escape to the sanctuary of my room.

“Reservation under Harris Construction?” she asked, and I nodded.

She typed quickly on her computer before looking up with a smile. “Here’s your key, Miss Brown. Room 345, second floor.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, clutching the key like a lifeline. With a small, weary breath, I made my way to the elevator.

But when the elevator doors opened on the second floor, a strange unease swept over me. Room 345 seemed... off. The numbers felt wrong, misplaced. After a brief search, I found it, only to discover I’d been assigned a room in the presidential villa, but I didn’t book a presidential suite. Was this a mistake?

But the weight of exhaustion overpowered my confusion, and I pushed the mystery aside for now. Tomorrow, I’d deal with it. Right now, I need rest.

Just as I was about to enter my room, the door to the opposite one opened, and there he was, Mr. Harris, dressed casually in a black tank top and light blue pyjama shorts. His physique was impossible to ignore, but it was the look in his eyes that stopped me cold.

“See who decided to make it back. Why did you take so long?” His voice was sharp, eyes scanning me like I was an insect under a microscope.

I froze. The words, the defence, they all died in my throat.

“I... I...” My mind scrambled for something to say, but no words came.

He stood there, arms folded, eyes narrowing with silent judgment. The tension between us was thick, almost suffocating.

Why does he do this to me?

“Look at me,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

I didn’t want to. Couldn’t look at him. But his gaze pinned me to the spot, forcing me to meet his eyes. The smirk on his lips made my stomach lurch. I tried to steady my breath.

Nothing to say? he taunted, his voice turning cold and final. “I need an efficient assistant, Miss Brown. If you can’t be that... you know what that means.”

The words stung, harsher than a slap.

I flinched, but I forced myself to stand tall, even though every instinct screamed for me to run.

Don’t let him win, Mila. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

I opened my mouth to apologise, but the words that came out weren’t what I expected.

“You’re just an egotistical, narcissistic man!” I shouted, the words exploding from me before I could stop them. “How could you leave me stranded like that? And still expect me to show up on time?”

His eyes darkened, his jaw tightened, and I saw the storm brewing in his gaze.

Before I could retreat, he took long strides toward me, closing the space between us.

I tried to step back, but the cold wall stopped me in my tracks.

“Look at me.” His voice was a dangerous growl.

I couldn’t. I just couldn’t anymore.

I was trapped.