Chapter3
1307 Words
Private
Carlos adjusted the collar of his crisp white shirt and glanced at his reflection in the hallway mirror. His dark hair was perfectly in place, his jawline catching the light, and his almond eyes, sharp and unreadable, sparkled with subtle determination.
'This woman acts like I'm entering her circus... with her as the clown master. You've survived worse than this, Carlos. Breathe. Just take her damn coffee.' He thought.
He smoothed his shirt and held his breath.
Balancing the sleek tray with practiced hands, he pushed open the door to Griselda’s room.
The scent of expensive cologne, musk, and faint cigar smoke hit him instantly. He stepped in silently, placing the coffee cup beside the bed.
"Ma’am..." he whispered, gently removing the sheet from his face. To his horror, he found her leg flung across a pillow in a very unladylike pose.
'Seriously? Who the hell sleeps like this? Pathetic display for someone with so much power.
He circled the bed in mild confusion, scanning for her head under the large, messy duvet. "There you are," he muttered when he finally found her tousled hair. "Ma’am time to wake up." He leaned closer and nudged her hand.
Just then, Griselda’s hand shot up, gripping his wrist. Within seconds, she flipped him, and he landed beneath her on the bed, breath catching in his throat. "M…Ma’am! What are you doing?" He gasped.
"Hmm..." her voice was low and slightly husky, a smooth, commanding whisper murmur, her face inches from his . "The real question is... what are you doing in my bed?"
Her weight pinned him down, and though she wasn't heavy, the sheer dominance of her hold made his heart pound.
"I came to wake you up. It's past your time, ma’am," he whispered beneath her.
"Today's Sunday," she growled softly. "Didn't anyone tell you I don't wake before noon on weekends?"
“I…didn't know I swear.”
She yanked herself off him, eyes narrowing.
"That's not an acceptable answer. I expect proper respect, Mr. Brim. Say it right."
"I'm sorry, ma’am. Please don't be angry." His voice trembled slightly, hands still clutched together. Griselda scowled. "You'll be sorry, alright. Get my schedule. Memorize it. I want it at your fingertips. "And by the time I come back, you had better be in my room with it ready. "Her voice snapped like a whip.
He gulped, stifling nerves . 'First time she raised her voice at me…... So this is the wrath of the devil's boss... charming one second, dangerous the next.
He swallowed hard, nodding. She stormed off into the bathroom. Minutes later, she emerged, wrapped in a silk robe that clung to her form, droplets of water still glistening on her shoulders. Carlos, standing beside the bed with the folded schedule in his hands, instinctively turned his head away.
"Hmm! Shy now?" She chuckled. "You've seen me less than this before, baby. The first day we met, remember?"
His eyes snapped back at her. 'What an arrogant woman.'
"I didn't exactly have a choice back then either," he muttered.
She walked closer, casually patting her damp shoulders with the towel, her eyes locked onto his. "Tell me something... have you ever seen your girlfriend like this?"
He stiffened instantly. "No. But unlike you, I don't ogle people in the morning," he snapped, his voice calm but sharp. "And maybe you should stay out of my personal life, ma’am."
The sharpness in his tone caught her off guard. Her playful expression turned hard.
"Fine, looks like you've forgotten who you're working for." Her voice dropped with warnings.
"You just lost your day off, you'll be working late tonight...under me"
She smirked, enjoying the slight twitch in his jaw. "No, please... I had plans...important ones," he pleaded, desperation leaking into his voice. "Can I do extra hours tomorrow instead?"
"You should've thought of that before raising your voice," she said while pulling on her blazer.
"Actions have consequences, sweetheart."
His fists clenched. 'She’s doing this on purpose.'
"Just two hours, please. I promised someone."
Griselda leaned close, brushing past his shoulder with a whisper, "It's going to be a long night, baby. Take a nap if you want... you'll need it."
He watched her walk out, fuming silently.
'She’s such a manipulative bitch.' His throat tightened as he opened his phone. "Hey... I won't make it today," he said to his girlfriend, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Something came up."
"Are you okay?" She asked softly.
"Yeah. Just work stuff. I'll explain later."
Meanwhile, Griselda walked past Miguel, who had been waiting at the hallway corner with his arms folded and irritation practically vibrating off him. "You weren't even listening," he snapped.
"What?" She asked without stopping.
"You've been ignoring me all day. What's so interesting about that new Personal Assistant of yours?"
She chuckled and leaned close to his ear.
"He’s ... magnetic."
Miguel’s face twisted with jealousy. "He’s just acting innocent to grab your attention."
"Then he’s damn good at it," she whispered, with a slow smirk.
Miguel scoffed and ran a hand through his hair, straightening up. "You always go for the fresh ones, don't you?"
"I go for whoever gets under my skin," she said, walking off without turning back.
Back in her office, she slouched into her armchair and stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment. 'He’s different. Too bold for a Personal Assistant. Too calm for a new hire... and too handsome to ignore.'
"Carlos!" She suddenly called out.
He rushed in after hanging up his call. "Yes, ma’am. What can I do for you?"
"With whom were you talking?"
"Excuse me?"
"I said," she stood up, stepping closer,"who were you talking to just now?"
He met her gaze without flinching. "That's my personal call, ma’am. None of your business."
Her jaw tightened. For a moment, he thought she might yell again. Instead, she smiled coldly, grabbed his wrist, and dragged him toward the records section.
"Here,"she handed him a paper with a list of file codes. "Find all these files and bring them to me in an hour. No delays."
'What's her deal today? Punishing me for having a life?' He thought angrily.
TWO HOURS LATER
Carlos trudged down the hallway, his eyes on the floor with his phone glued to his ear.
"I promise I'll make it up..."
He lifted his head, steps flattering.
'Where is she?'
Gruselda’s black ironwood door stood open.
He pushed gently and walked in.
She sat behind her desk, her towel-dry hair slicked back, the collar of her blouse still damp. Her golden-brown eyes caught onto his with an unnerving intensity.
He swallowed. "Ma’am, here....." He placed the
printed timetable in front of her.
"Good," she said nonchalantly, not even glancing up. "Place them back on the table.Then come see me in ten minutes."
He turned around, seething. 'What an egotistical b***h. One of these days, I'll shove those files where the sun doesn't shine.'
*********
Outside her office, Miguel was perched on the leather couch with his arms crossed, watching Carlos with icy contempt. "Tough day, buddy?" Miguel said mockingly.
Carlos didn't even pause. "Not as tough as yours."
Miguel stood up fast. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me," Carlos said coolly, walking off.
Miguel glared daggers at his back, his fists tightening.
Back inside, Griselda watched Carlos retreating figure on the security monitor and couldn't hide her smirk.
"He’s got fire,“she muttered to herself. "I like
that."
Moments later, Miguel strode into the office like he owned the place, one hand adjusting his collar while the other casually held a drink.
"Don't you look tense?" He teased, leaning toward Griselda’s ear.
Griselda’s eyes wandered. Her tone shifted from tyrannical to teasing.
"Looking for some relief?"
He smirked. "Only from someone with... influence.
They laughed softly.
- Writer
