Chapter 2: Meeting Adrian Kingston
1090 Words
The morning rush had already begun by the time Sophia pulled Noah's small hand into hers and walked through the gates of Sunshine Academy.
Children laughed as they ran across the playground, while parents exchanged hurried goodbyes before rushing off to work.
Noah, however, refused to let go of his mother's hand just yet.
"Mummy?"
Sophia knelt in front of him, gently straightening his slightly crooked school tie before brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I'll be good today."
Her heart melted with indescribable joy just hearing his sweet voice.
"I know you will."
Noah wrapped his tiny arms around her neck.
"When you come back... can we have pancakes this evening?"
Sophia's smile faltered for the briefest second.
She didn't even know if she'd have enough money for groceries after paying this day's fares and all.
But she refused to let her worries become his.
She kissed his forehead.
"Of course. That's a promise."
Satisfied, Noah beamed and ran toward his classroom before suddenly turning around to wave enthusiastically.
Sophia waved back, keeping the smile on her face until he disappeared inside the building.
Only then did the smile slowly fade.
She glanced at her phone.
The time flashed across the screen.
She was running later than she had planned.
Taking a deep breath, she hurried toward the bus stop, unaware that this ordinary morning was about to change the course of her life forever.
She took the next available bus and rode on to her next destination, the revered cologomorate in the whole of New York city.
Ace Corporation.
A company known for it's unbeatable wealth and good reputation.
She was somehow tensed not because of the company's protocols and all, but because of the big name behind it.
Adrian Kingston.
Rumors has it that he was a ruthless and cold human being.
A no nonsense man.
And the funny thing about this whole thing was that she was going to work with him as his personal assistant.
Sigh.
She just prayed her stay there would last long as she hears that he changes employees like tissue paper.
Any little mistake could cost one his or her job as Adrian wasn't one who was compassionate or merciful.
This was to her the, one of the biggest hurdle in her entire life.
Ace Corporation....
The towering glass headquarters of Ace Corporation dominated the city's financial district area of SoHo, reflecting the morning sunlight like polished steel.
Sophia stopped for a moment outside the entrance.
Employees in expensive suits streamed through the revolving doors with purpose, each moving as though every second mattered.
She silently adjusted her blazer, tightened her grip on her handbag, and walked inside.
The elegant marble lobby was unlike anywhere she had ever worked.
The receptionist looked up with a practiced smile on her face.
"Good morning. How may I help you?"
"Hi, good morning. My name is Sophia Bennett, and am here for the position of the CEOs personal assistant. I was told to report here today by the General Manager."
Sophia introduced herself and explained the reason for her coming.
The receptionist smiled and swiftly made a quick phone call before nodding politely.
"Mr. Leo Harrison will be with you shortly."
"Thank you very much." Sophia replied back with a polite smile.
Moments later, the elevator opened and a neatly dressed man in his early thirties approached the reception area.
"You must be Miss Bennett."
Sophia smiled politely.
"Yes sir."
"I'm Leo Harrison, General Manager. Please follow me."
Without wasting another second, Leo led her toward the elevators.
As the doors closed, he glanced sideways at her.
"You should know something before meeting Mr. Kingston."
Sophia looked at him curiously.
His words suddenly kicked up a sudden instincts inside of her.
It was like a red flag warning or so.
"He values one thing above everything else."
"What is that?"
"Punctuality."
She instinctively looked at her wristwatch.
Her heart skipped.
She was several minutes late.
Jeez.
And this was her first day.
Her only prayer right now was that the cold man in that office should have mercy on her and be kind enough to forgive her for this little mistake of hers.
The elevator doors opened onto the executive floor.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
No one spoke louder than a whisper.
Secretaries typed nervously.
Even the air felt tense.
Leo stopped before a pair of massive double doors.
He knocked once.
A cold voice answered from inside.
"Come in."
Leo ushered Sophia into the office and closed the door behind him.
The office alone was breathtaking.
It was several times bigger and larger than her small cubicle apartment.
It was a pleasant sight to look at.
Floor to ceiling windows, nice artwork design fitted for a king than an executive leader, executive leather chairs, a big mahogany table...
And behind the table sat the one and only, Adrian Kingston who was busy with some paperworks.
"Mr Kingston, your new PA has arrived."
Leo said politely as he took his stand besides Sophia.
"Good morning CEO." Sophia greeted politely, but deep down she was nervous.
A kind of silence which could not be described immediately settled inside the office.
Without looking up from the documents on his desk, Adrian spoke.
"You're late."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Emotionless.
Sophia swallowed.
"I'm sorry, sir."
"Sorry doesn't return lost time."
"I understand. It wasn't intentional. Something I didn't planned at all suddenly came up."
For several seconds, silence filled the office once more.
Adrian finally lifted his eyes.
His piercing gaze settled on her with unsettling intensity.
"I don't tolerate excuses."
Sophia met his eyes despite the pressure.
"I'm not making excuses."
One of Adrian's eyebrows lifted.
"My son had to get to school first. I left earlier than usual, but traffic caused delays I couldn't control. I take full responsibility for arriving late, and it won't happen again."
The office became silent once more.
Leo held in his breath.
This was...
He didn't even know what to say.
Most people would have begged.
Others would have blamed the traffic.
Some would have lied.
She had done none of those things.
She had simply told the truth.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
"You have children."
"A five-year-old son."
"And you accepted a position that demands long hours."
"Because providing for him is my uttermost responsibility."
Their eyes remained locked.
For the first time that morning, Adrian looked at her as more than another employee.
Not with sympathy.
But with curiosity.
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