The Billionaire's Bargain

Chapter 1

Ariel's POV

...Twice Shy

I startled and dropped the stack of papers in my hand, then scampered to catch the flying sheets as they floated around the office.

"Who is this?" The CEO asked from behind me as I practically squatted by his feet, tugging at a sheet of paper under his sole. Glaring down at me, I swallowed and rose, opening and closing my mouth and unable to explain myself. Was he angry? Would I lose my job on the first day? These thoughts ran through my head as I rose to full height, which was still nothing compared to his towering frame which easily dwarfed me.

"I believe that you can speak, miss, so you had better start talking before I have the security throw you out. What are you doing in my establishment? Dressed like a homeless person and getting in my way?!" He snapped and I jerked back, still unable to speak. What could I say that would make sense? A secretary? A personal assistant? I hadn't even clearly looked at my appointment letter to see what my job description was, I had simply been excited to resume that morning.

"She's your new assistant, Mr. Stone." The HR manager said, and I sighed in relief as she thankfully answered that question for me.

"This?" Sylvester Stone asked, his face clearly speaking volumes. He was unable to believe what his work force had been reduced to. With a bird's nest for a hair? What do you mean my personal assistant? What happened to Sonia?" He asked and I could feel the embarrassment wash over me. Yes, I had run out of my shampoo and didn't pay attention to the flat tonging iron that morning, but I had beautiful hair - or did I? My hand subconsciously went to touch it.

"You fired Sonia, sir." The HR manager responded with a wince.

"So you hired her?" He asked, his gaze raking through me, his distaste apparent on his face.

I held my breath as he kept his gaze on me and I had to cast my eyes down, praying the humiliation would be over before any more crowd gathered at the lobby.

"Uhmm... Sir, she is highly qualified and... The only one that applied." The portly woman said and gave a sheepish smile.

Sylvester glared at both of them and then turned to his accountant and deputy accountant who were right beside him. "Meet me in the car." He said and left the scene.

Half the office had already gathered at the spot, giving me pitiful stares and some even smiling sadistically at the scene.

Gina, the HR manager walked to me and with a tap on my shoulders, smiled and helped me pick up the stray sheet of paper. "He's a handful, but I think you'll live, just get out of his way the best you can." She said and left me standing there, no doubt looking as clueless as I felt.

From all the words that went about in the office rumor mill, Sylvester was constantly in a bad mood, he had been since he broke his engagement with his ex-fiance, Vanessa, right on their wedding rehearsal night. To me, it didn't make sense, after all, the press had it that he was the one who broke it and not the other way around.

Determined to get her pay, she resolved to tolerate everything the arrogant CEO would throw at her, as long as her payday waited at the end of the month with a fat allowance.

That same evening, tired and a little groggy with sleep, I arrived in a taxi from the cafe and restaurant stop I'd made, ready to deliver orders to the staff.

Gina had informed me that I would be working late that night and maybe I just had ill luck or these were all signs that I should quit the job, but then, I might have been too dumb to ignore them all. After all, Gina had also mentioned that I would be paid for the extra hours. Apparently, I was the only one who had no experience with the task of the night and I'd become a glorified cleaner and errand girl. I decided I could use the extra money. I was neck deep in debt and it was not like I had anyone to go home to, not if I excluded the tabby that had found its way into my apartment and somehow became roommates with me without my own consent.

Swinging the door of the taxi shut and balancing boxes of takeouts and bags in hand, I got into the elevator and rose to the third floor where almost half a dozen staff worked, some on their laptops and others discussing some grand financial scheme or the other.

I handed out the meals and coffee for those that ordered before taking Mr. Sylvester's order to his desk. His office was a piece of work alright, large enough that half of it could fit in her apartment, the walls were painted a stone gray and the furniture could not be any less masculine. Even the fragrance in the office reminded me of everything a man should be. Sitting there, eyes fixated on his computer was Sylvester and I approached him cautiously and dropped his noodle soup and chopsticks on his desk. "Your order, sir." I said and he did not take his eyes off the screen, "Can I get you anything else, sir?" I asked and he merely waved me away with his left hand.

Out of the office and heaving a loud sigh of relief, I turned and walked to the cubicles to pack up some of the empty styrofoam cups when I heard a voice behind me.

"WHO SERVED THIS?!" It was unmistakably Sylvester's voice and I froze right where I stood, my hands clutching an empty cup and my purse.

Many eyes turned to me and there was absolute silence in the hall. "I won't ask again." He said, his voice cold and menacing. I had to spin to meet his gaze and slowly raise my hand.

It was my worst decision that night. One second, I was staring into his obsidian eyes and the next, I could feel the noodles seep into my hair and wet my shirt.

"You are as incompetent as I thought. That's $20 off your pay, now get out." Sylvester snapped and flung the bag of coffee to the far end of the room.

I squeezed my eyes shut, praying that it was a bad dream and I would wake up soon.