Chapter 2: Unspoken Rules
533 Words
Isabella barely had time to settle in at her desk before a sharp chime interrupted her thoughts. A notification on her computer screen signaled an email from Mr. Blackwood.
Subject: Meeting Notes – Now.
Her pulse jumped as she clicked it open.
Miss Carter, bring a notepad and step into my office immediately.
She rolled her eyes. No greeting, no pleasantries—just a direct order. Figures.
Straightening her blouse, she grabbed a notepad and stepped inside his office. He was already seated, typing away on his sleek laptop. His piercing gaze lifted to her the moment she entered.
"You're slow," he remarked, without missing a beat. "That will have to change."
Isabella bit the inside of her cheek, forcing a neutral expression. "I'll adjust."
His lips twitched slightly, as if amused by her defiance, but he didn't acknowledge it. "Sit."
She did, pen poised over the notepad. "What do you need me to take down?"
"A list of expectations," he said, leaning back. "I demand efficiency. Precision. Discretion. And I do not tolerate incompetence."
She jotted down his words, resisting the urge to point out how condescending he sounded. He continued, his voice smooth yet firm.
"When I give you a task, I expect it done immediately. When I call, you answer. No excuses. And most importantly—" He leaned forward slightly, his sharp blue eyes locking onto hers. "You do not question me. Understood?"
Isabella held his gaze, pulse quickening at the sheer authority in his tone. "Understood."
A slow smirk played at his lips. "Good. Let's get to work."
She braced herself for what that truly meant.
The meeting dragged on, with Alexander listing off task after task, each more demanding than the last. Isabella scribbled furiously, barely keeping up with the pace of his clipped, authoritative voice. When he finally stopped, she exhaled quietly, rolling her aching wrist.
"Is that all?" she asked, lifting her eyes to meet his.
Alexander’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. "For now."
She stood, turning to leave, but his voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Miss Carter."
She turned back. "Yes?"
He stood, walking around the desk until he was just inches from her. "Let’s get one thing clear—you may work for me, but in this office, I own every second of your time. Are we clear?"
Her breath hitched at his proximity, his scent—a mix of cedar and something undeniably masculine—clouding her senses.
She swallowed hard, steeling herself. "Crystal clear, Mr. Blackwood."
His smirk deepened. "Good. Dismissed."
As Isabella left his office, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just stepped into something far more dangerous than she had anticipated.
Back at her desk, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had worked for difficult bosses before, but Alexander Blackwood was something else entirely. He was intense, demanding, and frustratingly captivating.
Her phone buzzed. Another email from him.
Subject: Urgent Task.
Miss Carter, I need the quarterly reports on my desk within the next fifteen minutes. No delays.
She sighed, clicking out of the email and gathering the reports. This was going to be a long day.
- Writer
