Trapped in His Velvet Cage

Episode12:The Weight of Trust

Zayden sat in his cabin, a storm of authority wrapped in a tailored suit. His jaw was set hard as his voice lashed through the phone.

“If he doesn’t respond, kidnap one of his family members and remind him who he’s dealing with. Don’t waste my time with excuses. Handle it.”

The call ended with a sharp click. Silence filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the AC. Zayden leaned back in his chair, his gaze turning like steel toward the door.

At that exact moment, Harris knocked softly and stepped inside.

“What?” Zayden’s eyes alone demanded answers.

Harris cleared his throat. “The new assistant for the admin department has arrived. Do you want me to call her here?”

“Yes,” Zayden said flatly.

Harris nodded and left. Out in the hallway, Fuggy was perched nervously at the edge of her chair, clutching a file to her chest. When Harris leaned down to her level, his tone was kind but firm.

“Chief wants to see you. Go on.”

Her throat went dry. She smoothed her oversized shirt as if that could help and whispered, “Y-yes…” before standing. With shaky hands, she knocked at the door.

“Enter,” came the curt voice from inside.

Fuggy pushed the door open. Zayden was still turned away, one hand resting against the desk, the other tapping against the armrest as he finished his call. His voice was sharp, commanding, and merciless.

“If he calls me again with such petty matters, remind him I don’t negotiate with fools. Threaten his assets, his reputation—I don’t care how. Just get it done.”

The line went dead. He turned slowly, and for the first time, their eyes met.

For five long seconds, Fuggy forgot how to breathe. His eyes were sharper than glass, his expression carved from stone. She raised her head just enough to meet his gaze, then immediately dropped it again.

Zayden tilted his head, smirk cutting through the silence. “Hooo… so it’s you. The girl who just ruined my morning.” His lips curled into a mocking smile. “And now you’re telling me you’re the new assistant for admin?”

Fuggy’s lips trembled. “I… I-I didn’t know y-you were the same person… my b-boss,” she stammered, her voice a whisper, broken by nerves.

Zayden tilted his head, smirk still in place. “Unbelievable. Out of all the people in this city, they send you to work under my roof. What are you—mute? Or just too clumsy to string two words together?”

Her face burned, humiliation pressing down on her shoulders. “I… I won’t repeat it, sir. I’m sorry.”

Something in her voice—fragile, trembling—made Zayden pause for half a second. He masked it with irritation, leaning back in his chair.

“Fine. Just don’t cause trouble again. And do me a favor—stay out of my sight.” His tone dripped with annoyance, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity.

“Yes, sir,” Fuggy whispered, bowing deeply. But as she bent forward, her oversized glasses slipped from her nose and clattered to the floor.

Her heart stopped. She dropped to her knees, fumbling blindly along the carpet. “S-sorry… sorry… I’ll find them… I’m so sorry…”

Zayden pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. “Unbelievable. Another clumsy i***t. Just find it fast and get out.” He didn’t even look at her as he spoke.

Finally, her fingers brushed against the frames. She snatched them up, shoved them onto her face, and scrambled for the door, whispering one last apology before fleeing.

Zayden watched her go, his expression unreadable. Then he muttered under his breath, “As if I didn’t already have enough useless people here. Now another one shows up. And this one looks worse than the rest…”

He sighed and pushed the thought aside, returning to his work.

Out in the corridor, Fuggy pressed her back against the wall, her chest heaving. Why… why did it have to be him? Out of everyone, why my boss? She gulped water from the dispenser, trying to calm the trembling in her hands.

Her face was pale with shock, her lips trembling as she whispered to herself, First day… and I’ve already made a fool of myself…

Harris reappeared, giving her a small smile. “So… your work starts here. Don’t mind the chief. Good luck.” With that, he left her to face the office on her own.

Fuggy forced a shaky smile, but inside, her heart sank deeper. Good luck…? I think I’ll need more than that.

Fuggy’s first day at the company had been nothing short of a disaster. From printing stacks of documents to running files across floors, the office seemed determined to make her life miserable. Some colleagues deliberately added confusing tasks, misdirected her, and whispered as she passed. She didn’t complain; she didn’t know how. Saying no wasn’t her style.

Carrying a precarious stack of files, she tripped slightly near the stairwell. Papers fanned across the floor. A staffer smirked. “Careful there, new girl. You’ll get the chief angry before lunch.”

Fuggy’s cheeks flushed. Why me? Why did I have to bump into him yesterday? She bent quickly to gather the scattered papers, muttering tiny apologies under her breath.

Harris appeared quietly, noticing her struggle. “Careful, Miss Fuggy. You don’t want to fall on your first day.”

“I… I’ll be fine, sir,” she whispered, still crouched.

Harris smiled faintly. “If you need help, ask. No shame in that.”

She nodded, though inwardly she thought, I can’t even ask for help… I have to survive today.

Meanwhile, Zayden was buried in work in his cabin, his eyes sharp and focused. He barked orders over the phone with cold efficiency, dismissing an underperforming manager with ruthless precision. His voice was sharp, unwavering. Fuggy, delivering files to another floor, accidentally overheard his conversation. She froze, realizing the man she feared so much was powerful and dangerous, not just intimidating.

Back on her floor, she dropped another stack of files. Whispers erupted. “She’s hopeless.” “The chief’s going to explode today.” Fuggy’s face burned crimson. She kept her head down and muttered another apology.

By mid-afternoon, Zayden summoned someone into his cabin. “Enter,” his voice commanded.

Fuggy stepped inside, head bowed. “Y-yes…”

Zayden’s piercing eyes looked down at her. “Again? I told you to stay out of my sight. And yet… here you are.”

Fuggy stammered. “I… I didn’t mean to—”

“Oh, let me guess,” Zayden said, mocking, “you fell for me at first sight? That’s why you’re making excuses to see me?”

“N-no! I… I’m busy. I…” she trailed off, her voice barely audible.

“Busy?” he repeated, voice sharp. “So you won’t fall for me? How… disappointing. Fine. I won’t even think about it. Bring me a dark coffee. Five minutes. If you’re late, there will be consequences.”

Fuggy bolted, heart hammering, nearly tripping as she ran past snickering colleagues. Returning just in time, she handed him the coffee, head bowed.

“Two seconds late,” Zayden said, eyes scanning her intently.

“Only… two seconds, sir?” she whispered in disbelief.

“Yes. Only two seconds,” he repeated flatly.

She nodded, retreating to her desk, cheeks burning, chest heaving. Leaning against the water cooler, she sipped water, trying to calm herself. How is he so… terrifying? And why do I keep thinking about what he said?

From his cabin, Zayden watched quietly, expression unreadable. Inwardly, he thought, Clumsy, inexperienced… yet somehow, she keeps getting up. Let’s see how long that lasts.