CHAPTER TWO:THE CEO’s OFFICE
955 Words
The email came at 9:17AM.
‘TO:Emily Carter
FROM:D.sterling
SUBJECT:see me .Now.
My Office. Floor 32.
*******
Emily stared at the screen.
Her fingers went cold.
See me . Now.
Two words. No explanation
The girl at the desk next to her,Mia,
Leaned over.”oh.That’s not good.”
What?”Emily whispered.
“Mr. Sterling never emails . He calls you.
To his office.”Mia’s eyes were wide. “You must have messed up the payroll files already .”
But Emily hadn’t even touched the payroll files.
She’d only been here for 20 minutes.
Her heart started doing that same pounding thing from her nightmare.
Men with power take things. Then they leave.
Her mom’s voice in her head.
“Go,”Mia said. “Before he comes out here.”
Emily stood up. Her thrift- store blazer felt too tight all of a sudden . She smoothed her black skirt with sweaty palms and walked toward the big glass door.
*****
DAMIAN STERLING,CEO
She knocked.once.
“Come in”
His voice was low . Deep. The kind of voice that didn’t ask twice.
The office was massive. Floor to ceiling windows. A desk that cost more than her mom’s car.
And behind it, Damian Sterling.
He was standing, looking out at the city.
Tall. Black suit. No tie . Sleeves rolled up like
he did been working since 4AM .
Dark hair. Jaw that could cut glass.
He didn’t turn around.
Miss Carter ,” he said.
“Yes,Mr.Sterling.” Her voice came out smaller than she wanted.
“I need your resume.”He finally turned.
His eyes hit her and Emily forgot how to breathe
Gray . Cold .Assessing her like she was a problem to solve.
You have a 4.0 from state. Worked two jobs
Through. College.No family support.”He listed it off like facts on a board ,”
“Impressive,”
Emily blinked,”thank you , sir,”
“Don’t call me sir ,”He walked around the desk, Each step was slow .Deliberate .
“Call me Mr .Sterling,or Damian, if we are alone,”
The air in the room got heavier,
“Are we…alone,Mr.Sterling?”
“We are now ,” he stopped a foot in front of her , close enough that she could smell his cologne . Expensive . Clean, Dangerous.
He picked up a folder from his desk . Her file .
“Accounting made a mistake with your salary offer.”
Emily’s stomach dropped. “What mistake?”
“ they offered you 45k .” He opened the folder.”I’m doubling it.”
90k
For an entry- level job.
Emily almost laughed. “That••••
That’s a mistake.”
“No.” His eyes didn’t leave hers .
“It’s a correction.”
She shook her head I can’t accept that . I didn’t earn-“
“You did .” He cut her off . “You are going to be my personal assistant “
The room tilted
“I’m sorry?”
“Personal assistant. To me.” He said it like he was offering her coffee . “ my last one quit . You start today.”
“ But I was hired for Accounting-“
“Consider it a promotion .” He set
The folder down. “90k. Your own office.
You report directly to me.”
Emily’s brain was screaming. This is wrong. This is too much. Men don’t give things for free.
“Why me?” The question came out before she could stop it .
“Because you looked scared when you off the elevator.” His voice dropped.”and I’m tired of people who aren’t scared of me.”
There it was.
The truth . He wanted someone who wouldn’t fawn . Wouldn’t flirt.
Someone broken enough to be careful.
Just like her dad had wanted someone desperate enough to stay . Until he didn’t
“I don’t-“
“You have two options, Miss Carter.” Damian walked back to the window . Hands in his pockets.
“Take the job . Or pack your things and leave Sterling corp by noon.”
90k would pay her mom’s rent for a year.
90k would mean no more nightmares about bills.
90k came from a man who look at her like he could see through her .
Emily swallowed.”I will take it “
“Good .” He didn’t smile. “ your first task . Tonight . 8pm . Dinner meeting with a client. You’ will be there .”
“ Alone? With you?”
“Alone. With me .” He turned , and for half a second something flashed in his eye. Not cold. Hungry.
“ Don’t be late, Emily.”
He said her name like he, did been thinking about it.
She nodded and got out of there as fast as her leg would carry her.
*******
Back at her old desk , Mia grabbed her arm , “what happened??”
“I…I’m his new personal assistant.”
Mia’s mouth dropped ,”the CEO?
On day one ? Emily, everyone’s gonna talk.”
“Let them talk,” Emily whispered.
But her hands were shaking.
Because Damian Sterling didn’t just give 90k to a random girl.
And men who wanted things always came to collect.
Her phone buzzed.
New message. Unknown number.
‘ 8PM. The Sterling Hotel. Private dining room. Wear black.
-D’
Emily stared at the text .
Her dad left when she was four,
And now the most powerful man in the building wanted her at dinner . Alone
************
What did he want from her
- Writer
