CHAPTER TWO
1083 Words
Layla's POV
My heart pounded in my chest as the elevator dinged on the first floor.
“The CEO can be a bit…. difficult but you'll do great”
Erica’s statement rang in my head. I could hear the doubt in her voice as the words left her mouth.
“We’re here” Erica's announcement brought me back to reality.
She knocked twice and a soothing well-polished voice replied.
“Come in”
She pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside. I followed suit.
“I brought the new secretary,sir,” she said shakily. I could hear the nervousness in her voice.
“Took you long enough”
The man replied without raising his head.
“I apologize for the delay, sir. I had to interview the intern and provide her with necessary background information about her job description”
“An intern..?” He fired, finally raising his head.
His voice does not do justice to his face. He had a sharp jaw, well carved eyebrows, luscious pink lips and mesmerising blue eyes…
‘Sweet Jesus,was I checking out my boss?’ I screamed inwardly.
“Why is my secretary an intern and since when do we accept interns?” He fired at Erica.
Rude.
“I'm sorry sir, it was so short notice” Erica defended.
“Get me a proper and competent secretary” he said with a tone of finality leaving no room for further talks.
“I am competent” I burst out without thinking.
“What did you say?” He asked with raised brows.
His looks screamed ‘you’ll take that back’ but I wasn't one to back down.
“I am competent” I repeated, clearer and louder.
I could sense Erica's gaze on me and I looked up to meet her gaze.
Her eyes screamed “What are you doing!”
Crap. What was I doing? Did I just challenge the CEO?
I reeled in the realisation of what just happened.
“You're competent huh?”
“Yes sir.” I nodded confidently, but I had a feeling he planned on proving otherwise.
“Fine.”
Relief.
“You have an hour. Organise all projects ever done at Walker in a single file”
I knew it.
“How….?” My question was cut short.
“No questions asked. You can make use of the cubicle outside. You are dismissed”
I hate being looked down on but worst of all, I hate being challenged. I would prove my competence to him.
I stepped out of the office and sucked in a deep breath. Breathing tension free air felt good. What an insufferable man!
“Are you sure you can do it?” Erica asked from behind me.
“Sure,” I replied confidently.
‘i think' I added inwardly. I can't show weakness.
“I wish you the best of luck” she said, turning on her heel.
I walked to the cubicle. They were still files and notes and a name stand that read Bruce. The last secretary must have left abruptly since his stuff was here.
This man's action must have scared him off.
I settled into the seat and brought out my laptop, getting into the task.
—-
Thirty minutes had passed and I had not even covered half of the assignment.
Shit. I was going to fail at this point. I rubbed the side of my aching neck, taking my eyes from the timer I had set.
—
‘.....And full stop.’
I was done. I checked the timer and only a minute was left. ‘What good timing I have’ I thought, giving myself a mental pat on the back.
I walked towards the office and mimicked Erica's double knocking.
“Come in” the voice I've come to find annoying answers.
I stepped in and stopped directly in front of his table.
“Here it is sir”
“You're late”
“By thirty seconds, and only because you took forty seconds to respond to my knock” I stated monotonously.
He dropped his pen and looked at me. His eyes showed irritation briefly before going back to the emotionless state it was earlier.
He picked the file before breaking eye contact. His eyes moved, studying the file while his fingers tapped the table lightly.
A few minutes passed.
“Hmm” he hummed, nodded and passed the file back.
Seriously! A hum is all I get. I was seething with rage inside.
“Ask Erica to get you settled in and also teach you to make my coffee. Dismissed”
I was stunned. Not even a single compliment or apology for doubting me. Pathetic.
I took the elevator back to HR and reported back to Erica.
“You passed?” She asked, clearly surprised.
“Of course. It was a simple task” I boasted.
“I'm glad you got it. Come with me” she urged.
I followed her to the coffee maker and watched as she made the coffee and it appeared…. complicated. Since when was making coffee this intense?.
Erica had the desk cleared and a name tag that read my name was placed. I was also given an identification card.
I sat at my desk scrolling through the documents I was sent.
The intercom rang and I picked it up.
“Coffee” …followed by a beep.
I sighed deeply. Getting adjusted to this rude man will be the hardest part of this job.
I went to the coffee maker and made the coffee the exact way Erica showed me. Confident I made it perfectly, I set it on a saucer and made my way to the office.
Doing the signature double knocking, I entered and set it on the centre table at the side of the room.
He walked towards me and settled into the sofa. I picked the cup and served him.
He took a sip and paused for a moment.
I wondered if he liked it. I wasn't left wondering for long as he spat out the content in his mouth a moment later.
Clash!
The glass hit the floor.
“What in the world is this?” He screamed at me.
I felt my heart leap as I staggered backwards.
“Remake it.”
“Now” he added at the top of his voice when I didn't move.
I slowly walked out the room, my legs barely carrying me.
What have I gotten myself into….?
- Writer
