hire by the ruthless ceo

chapter 2 Office with the boss

7:00AM sharp.

I was standing outside Mr. Hayes’ bedroom door with my heart in my throat.

_Meet me at my bedroom. 7AM. You're coming to the office with me. -A_

I knocked twice.

"Come in."

Alex was already dressed. Black suit. No tie. Hair wet like he just got out of the shower.

He looked even more dangerous in the morning.

"You’re on time," he said. "Good."

He grabbed his briefcase and walked past me. "Let’s go."

The car ride was silent.

Bentley. Tinted windows. Driver up front.

Alex was on his phone answering emails. I was staring out the window trying not to look at him.

_He’s my boss. He’s engaged. Don’t get ideas, Maya._

*Hayes International. 40th Floor.*

The office was insane. Floor to ceiling windows. New York skyline.

His secretary almost dropped her coffee when she saw me.

"Mr. Hayes," she stammered. "I didn’t know you were bringing... staff today."

"She’s with me," Alex said flatly. "Don’t talk to her."

He led me into his office.

It was bigger than my apartment.

"Sit," he pointed to the couch.

I sat on the edge.

For the next 2 hours I just... waited.

He took calls. Signed papers. Yelled at someone on the phone.

Then his door burst open.

*Mandy.*

In a red dress and fury.

"What is SHE doing here?!" Mandy pointed at me.

Alex didn’t even look up. "She’s my personal maid. She goes where I go."

"That’s not in the rules!" Mandy screamed. "She’s not supposed to be here!"

Alex finally looked at her. His eyes were dead.

"Then change the rules."

Mandy’s face went red. She turned to me. "You. Get out."

I stood up immediately. "Y-yes ma’am."

"Sit down," Alex said. One sentence.

I froze halfway.

Mandy gasped. "Alex!"

Alex stood, walked around his desk, and stopped in front of me.

He held out a contract. "Sign this."

"Sir I don’t-"

"It’s an NDA," he cut me off. "So you can’t talk about what you see here."

My hands were shaking as I took the pen.

As I leaned over the coffee table to sign, Alex suddenly put his hand on the back of my chair.

His chest was inches from my back.

I could smell his cologne.

Mandy saw it. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

Alex didn’t move. "Problem?"

"You’re touching her!"

"I’m handing her a pen."

He said it so calmly. But his eyes... his eyes were warning Mandy.

I signed as fast as possible and handed it back.

"Good girl," Alex said quietly. Only I could hear it.

Mandy stormed out, heels clicking.

The second the door closed, Alex went back to being cold CEO.

"You can go wait in the lounge," he said. "Don’t talk to anyone."

_Yes, sir._

But as I walked out, I heard him mutter:

"She’s not scared of me. Interesting."

---

*A/N: DID YOU SEE THAT?! 😱 He protected her in front of Mandy! Comment 'TEAM ALEX' if you’re screaming rn. Vote + Library for Chapter 3!*......