His Weakness

CHAPTER 2

The elevator ride felt long. My heart was beating loudly like it was about to jump out of my chest. I heard a lot of things about Adam Sterling from magazines and gossip networks. Most of them are about how heartless, cold, and ruthless he can be. I mean, if that was the welcome at the reception, how would Adam Sterling himself be?

The elevator finally came to a stop at the top floor. I stepped into the lobby, my heels echoing against the polished marble floor. I continually reminded myself to breathe.

You got this, Avery. Do it for yourself, for Anna.

I walked towards the glass door, trying my best to be calm and control my breathing. I knocked.

"Come in," a very deep and husky voice said.

I slowly opened the door, and there he was. Tall. intimidating. Sharply dresses in a tailored black suit. Adam Sterling stood behind his polished desk, staring at me like he had been expecting me.

His gaze was sharp and obscure.

"Would you like to have a seat or continue staring?" I lowered my head, blushing in embarrassment. I walk towards the chair and took a seat.

"You're five minutes late," he said, his voice smooth and commanding.

"I-I was downstairs, the receptionist wasn't...." I stuttered

"Excuses will not be tolerated. Don't ever be late again," he demanded

I stiffened, "Yes, sir."

"Anyways...." He stood up, "Follow me, and I'll show you your office.

Wait, did he say office? I get my own office! Wow! This place is way better than my old job.

He didn't wait to see whether or not I was following; he moved, expecting me to keep pace. I hurried after him.

He stopped suddenly in front of an opaque glass door. The office's design was minimalist, and it wasn't far from his own.

"You answer to me. You'll handle my email, schedule, and keep distractions off my plate," he said sternly.

I nodded, "Noted."

"Your work starts by 8:00, but you're to be here by 7:00 with my coffee. Darcy, the receptionist on this floor, will tell you what I prefer."

" There's an intercom....." he pointed to the machine on the desk. "where I'll call you anytime I need you, and most importantly, never enter my office without knocking. Understood? "

"Yes, Mr. Sterling," I spoke

He walked away and disappeared into his office. I just stood there holding my stuff.

What a warm welcome

And officially, like that, my first day began.

After settling down and arranging my office. I headed to the office kitchen, which I had passed earlier. If I were going to survive working here, then coffee was required.

Balancing a cup of coffee in one hand and my phone in the other, I pushed the door to my office open with my elbow. Just as it opened from the inside, I walked into a broad, large chest.

Hot coffee spilled everywhere.

All over him. I looked up, terrified. I just spilled hot coffee on my boss on my first day. I was done for.

He just stood there, his white shirt drenched in brown. He clenched his jaw.

Holy s**t, I am so dead

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry," I exclaimed, dropping my phone and reaching for the roll of tissue paper on my desk. "I didn't know you were in here."

He didn't say anything. His jaw clenched as he looked at me with a murderous glare.

"If I knew you had trouble seeing, I wouldn't have hired you," He said coldly.

My stomach dropped

"I - I'm sorry, please let me help. "

"Just stop," he snapped, holding up a finger.

I froze instantly, still clutching the now-useless tissue in my hand. The coffee stain spread across his expensive white shirt, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.

He looked at me for a long moment before saying flatly, " Miss Gaile, if you planned on attacking someone with coffee, at least aim for someone who isn't your boss."

A few nervous chuckles erupted from some nearby employees. At that moment, I hoped the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

Without another word, he turned and walked off. I stood there speechless, my face burning with humiliation.

Just an hour in, and I almost killed my boss. I am so fucked

I stood there for a minute, staring in the direction Adam Sterling had disappeared. Maybe if I stayed perfectly still, this entire day would rewind itself. Maybe this is all a nightmare, and I'll soon wake up. Unfortunately, none of those things happened.

"Avery," I nearly jumped out of my skin. Darcy, the receptionist, stood beside me holding her tablet. She looked sympathetic, and that made me feel even worse.

"Mr.Sterling wants to see you"

My heart stopped beating for a second.

"Oh"

This is it. I'm done for

Fired on my first day. That's probably a new company record.

"Now?" I asked. She gave me a look that said obviously.

"Now" Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Maybe I should start packing before I go meet him, or wait till he actually fires me. I followed her to the private executive wing. each step feeling heavier than the last. The entire office suddenly felt quiet, like everyone was watching me walk to my doom. People glanced at me as I passed; some looked amused, some looked curious, and one woman actually winced. That's definitely not a good sign.

By the time we reached Adams' office, my hands were damp with sweat. The receptionist stopped in front of the doors and turned to me.

"You can go in"

I nodded. Then continued standing there.

"Avery?" She raised an eyebrow. Right. Moving. I forced my legs to move and knocked on the door.

"Come in," His deep voice sounded even more intimidating through a closed door. I pushed the door open. There he was, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows in a fresh shirt. Of course, he has a change of clothes in his office. I won't be surprised if he has a secret bedroom somewhere.

"You wanted to see me?" I finally mastered enough courage to speak. He turned slowly, his expression unreadable.

"Sit," he commanded. No please. No, thank you. Just sit

I lowered myself into one of the chairs. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. He remained standing. Staring at me. Studying me, like I was some strange puzzle he couldn't solve. The silence stretched and stretched and stretched, until I couldn't take it anymore.

"If you're going to fire me, just do it already," his eyebrow lifted

"Fire you?"

I blinked.

"Yes," His expression didn't change.

"Why would I fire you?"

I'm starting to think this man has memory loss. Maybe the hot coffee affected his brain or something.

"You mean besides the fact that I almost killed you with hot coffee?" his gaze flickered downwards, almost as if he had forgotten about it. Well, if he had, I just reminded him about it.

"That," he said.

"That?"

"Accidents happen," I stared, dumbfounded. Out of every scenario running through my head, this was not what I expected. Not even close.

"Are you okay?" I asked. "Did you hit your head somewhere?"

"Nope, I'm perfectly fine," he looked amused.

"So, you're not angry?"

"Oh, I'm angry." The calm way he said it made my stomach churn.

"But anger isn't a reason to make poor business decisions," he continued

"What does that mean?" Instead of answering, he walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a file.

My file. I recognized the photography attached to the front. A chill ran through me. Why did he bring that out?

If he isn't firing me, what is he doing?

He placed the file on the table and flipped it open. His eyes scan the pages.

"Marry me" he finally said

"WHAT?!!"