THE CONTRACT BETWEEN US

Chapter 4- The First Day

Amelia’s POV

Beep.. Beep..

The shrill sound of my alarm pulled me out of bed immediately.

I stretched to reach for my phone, squinting my eye at the bright screen.

7 a.m.

Today was an exciting day.

“My first day working at Knight Holdings.” I said with a big smile.

For a moment, I laid there,staring at the ceiling while butterflies danced in my tummy.

“I’m doing this for dad and mom to be debt free and proud.” I said to myself.

I turned over to the bedside table, a framed picture with the three of us lying there and I kissed it.

I climbed out my bed and got ready so faster than I ever had. I made sure to always check my time cause I’d be scared if I ran late.

After I got dressed in the outfit I prepared, I took one last look at the mirror.

I made sure I looked good. My hair in a ponytail, wore my glasses to make sure I looked business worthy.

I took deep breaths.

“You’ve got this, Amelia.”

I picked up my handbag and headed downstairs.

Dad was already setting the breakfast table.

“Hope you got enough sleep,” He teased.

“I barely did.”

“Oh, I can see it on your face.”

I poured myself a cup of tea.

“What if I make a huge mess of myself today?”

“I trust you, you won’t.”

“What if I accidentally bump into my boss with a coffee in my hand.”

Dad laughed at me.

“What if I make a mistake?”

“Mistakes happen, and accidents too. Don’t overwork yourself .”

“What if-“

“Amelia.”

I stopped talking.

He smiled warmly.

“You earned that job. They hired you for a

reason.”

I smiled.

“Thanks dad.”

He nodded his head.

His confidence in me somehow subsided my nervousness.

After my tea, I hugged him good bye.

“Wish me luck,” I giggled.

“You already have a lot.”

He stood then kissed my forehead before I walked out the door.

“Goodluck, sweetheart. Remember to tell me everything when you’re back.”

“Thank you, dad. I will.”

The taxi to Knight Holdings was so much shorter than yesterday.

As the towering glass building became visible from the distance, my heart started to beat.

It hit me because it finally really felt real.

I arrived and paid the driver, then walked into the entrance.

Employees were warm around here. Greeting one another as they hurried into the building.

I didn’t know my way around and was too shy to ask.

Taking a deep breath, I walked in.

I immediately locked eyes with the receptionist, then she smiled.

“Good morning, miss Hart.”

I smiled back.

“Good morning.”

“Miss Sinclair has been expecting you.”

“Thank you.”

I made my way to the executive floor , trying not to look nervous.

The elevator doors opened.

Emma was already waiting.

“Hello, miss Hart”

“Good morning.”

“I got a call you were here already, it’s nice to see you this morning.”

“Thank you.”

"At least you made it.”

“Barely.”

She laughed.

“First day nerves?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“A little,” she smiled.

I sighed.

“Don’t worry, it will subside as the days go

by.”

Emma handed me a visitor badge before leading me around the office.

“I will show you around before you officially start , okay?”

I nodded eagerly.

She introduced me to several departments, what they did and who I should ask for help when needed.

To my surprise everyone seemed friendly.

Some smiled.

Some welcomed me warmly.

Some are too busy to even notice a new employee.

“This” Emma stopped beside a desk close to the executive doors, “ is your desk.”

I smiled.

“It looks so nice.”

“You’ll love it later on.”

She placed a small stack of papers on my desk.

“There are just company procedures and policies, how we run at Knight Holdings.”

She winked.

I laughed.

“You read them when you’re free.”

“I will.”

Before I could sit down, Emma’s phone buzzed.

She glanced.

Her smile faded into something more

professional.

“Mr Knight would like to see you.”

“Already?”

Emma noticed my expression and laughed.

“Relax.”

“I’m trying.”

I suddenly felt like I was sweating everywhere.

She walked me towards Sebastian’s office.

When we reached the large sodden door she knocked twice.

“Come in.”

Emma opened the door

“Miss Hart is here to see you , as requested sir.”

“Send her in.”

She smiled encouragingly, then walked

out.

I swallowed so hard and walked inside.

Sebastian Knight sat behind his desk , reading a file.

He didn’t look up immediately.

“Good morning, Mr Knight.”

“Good morning.”

His voice, calm.

Completely different from the first impression he gave at the interview

He finally looked up.

He glanced at me with so much softness, I was sweating in my butt.

“You were early.”

“I didn’t want to be late and busy LA was free today.”

“You’re right.”

He closed the file in front of him.

“Sit.”

I sat quietly.

He studied me for a brief moment, then he slid a blue file towards me.

“That’s tomorrow’s board meeting document.”

I picked it up carefully.

“I need them arranged, error checked and summarized before the end of today.”

I stared at the thick stack of papers.

There’s like over a hundred papers here.

I blinked.

“Today?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Not at all, sir.”

“Good.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“ I don’t tolerate careless work.”

“ If you're unsure about something, ask.”

I hesitated.

“Understood sir.”

His expression remained unreadable.

“You may begin.”

I stood and turned towards the door.

“Amelia.”

I stopped.

“Sir?”

He gazed at me for seconds.

“At Knight Holdings, effort is appreciated.”

I waited.

“But results matter more.”

I nodded.

“I won’t let you down, sir,”

Without another word, I walked out of the office.

The moment I walked out the office I wished I could scream.

“How does he expect me to do all this in a day?”

Emma, passing by overheard me rant and

smiled.

She looked at the file and let out a sympathetic laugh.

“Oh.”

“What?”

“You got the board meeting files.”

She made it sound so bad I got the files

“ Is it bad?”

She gave me a look that answered my question before she even spoke.

“Let’s just say, Mr Knight never gives people this type of important assignment on the first day.”

I stared at the folder.

Then back at Emma.

“So?”

“He expects something from you, either to fail or surprise him.”

I sighed.

“I believe you’ll in fact shock him.”

She then walked away with a smile.

I looked back at his closed office doors for some reason and I felt rage.

I was going to prove to him I was what he needed.

I returned to my desk and placed the stacked folder in front of me.

I stared at it for a moment.

Before flipping pages to look into the papers.

If he expected failure, he was wrong because I wasn’t giving him that satisfaction.

I spent hours reading through the papers carefully, some were meeting notes, financial reports, and few contained information I completely couldn’t understand.

Whenever I came across something, I checked it out on the company’s internal system.

I felt overworked and thirsty, then decided to head to the ground floor to grab a coffee.

I was heading to the elevator but it was closing on me before suddenly it re opened.

It was Sebastian Knight.

I swallowed hard while I walked in and stood beside him.

“Ground floor?” He asked.

I felt my checks getting red. He is so good looking, I felt I would choke in the elevator.

Cleared my throat.

“Yes, sir.”

He pressed on the button, I felt like I was staring so hard.

He glanced at me but remained unreadable.

“Done with the assignment?”

“N- no sir.”

“The day is running out.”

He made himself so unattractive all over again.

I frowned.

“It’ll be done by today.”

“I trust you,” He smirked.

The elevator door opened, he walked out then I followed after heading to the coffee room.

It took me a few minutes till I got my coffee ready. I drank up while thinking of the elevator incident.

He just has a way of ruining the moment, so annoying.

I finished my coffee and placed my cup back properly. Then while I was about to leave, Sebastian entered. On my way out, he called me back in.

“Make me a coffee.”

Commanding much?

I didn’t move to make the coffee, I felt bold even though I could lose my job.

“Please?”

He stared at me and he lit up with a smile.

He came towards me, I felt my body shiver.

“Please Amelia Hart, make me a coffee.”

I was out of my breath when he stared at me.

I proceeded to make him a coffee. It took me minutes, when it was ready I handed it to him.

He took a sip.

“Hm, you make good coffee.”

“Thank you.”

He grinned.

“I am going back to work.”

He nodded.

I stepped out of the coffee room letting out a big sigh. It felt like my breath was taken away during the time I stood there.

I composed myself before anyone could notice me panic and I headed back to the executive floor.

I returned to my desk and got back to working immediately. It took me an extra two hours to get the work done.

It was lunch time and I had barely moved from my chair since the coffee break.

Emma approached me.

“Have you eaten?”

I looked up from my computer.

“Not yet.”

“Amelia.”

“I’ll eat soon, don’t worry.”

She crossed her arms.

“Mr Knight wouldn’t expect you to starve.”

I laughed.

“Are you sure?”

“Quiet sure”

I finally saved my work and stood up.

“Fine. Five minutes”

“Thirty.”

I smiled.

“Twenty?”

“Thirty.”

“You’re strict.”

“You’ll learn.”

We headed towards the staff cafeteria.

“So..”

“So?”

“How are you finding it over here being your first day?”

“Honestly, it’s very intimidating.”

“Everyone says that,” she laughs.

I sighed.

“But he’s not a bad person.”

I looked at her.

“You seem to know him well.”

“I guess, I’ve worked with him for years.”

There was something about the way she said it that made me curious.

There was a bit of silence between us.

“Have you ever fallen for him?”

She scoffed.

“Why the question?”

I shrugged.

“ I was just curious, you aren’t mad right?”

She let out a huge laugh.

“No, Sebastian has never been my type”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She hesitated for a moment before saying something.

“I’m actually more into women.”

“Oh.”My eyebrows lifted slightly.

“What? That surprised you.”

“A little. No wonder you’re so hot and look good.”

“You think?”

“Yes girl.”

I smiled.

“Well now you know.”

Suddenly a call came in and then she glanced at her screen.

“I have to take this.”

“Sure.”

She walked away, leaving me alone.

I grabbed a donut to eat and headed back to my desk.

The rest of the afternoon disappeared.

Some employees started heading out of work.

By five o’clock I was already done sorting out the whole document.

I checked everything again and again until I was sure that the work was good for submission.

I finally printed a summary and gathered information. I did all this in excitement that Sebastian would praise me.

I walked towards his office door with my heart literally pounding out my chest.

I knocked.

No answer.

Knocked again.

“Come in.”

I went in.

“I have finished the assignment, sir.”

Sebastian looked up at me, there was something about his eyes.

“Already.”

I nodded.

He held out his hand then I handed him the entire folder.

He began to read.

No change in expression, nothing.

I stood silently across from him.

Then he stood at one page for a long time until his eyes narrowed .

Immediately I knew something was up.

“There’s an error.”

My heart dropped.

“What?”

He turned the page towards me.

“This figure.”

I looked at it. In fact I stared at it for God knows how long.

“I’m sorry.”

He looked at me.

“Don’t apologize. Fix it.”

I frowned and nodded.

“I will.”

I reached for the folder while doing that he asked a question.

“Why did you make the mistake?”

“Because I was rushing to meet up to the deadline”

He leaned back slightly.

“What have you learnt from that?”

I looked down at the document.

“A rushed work could lead to error?”

“Good!”

He handed me the folder.

“Go through everything again.”

“Yes,sir.”

I turned to leave for the door.

“Amelia.”

I turned.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, okay?”

I waited.

“Be afraid of repeating them.”

This time I didn't respond and I just walked out. His words sat in my head.

When I was out, Emma had just waved goodbye

I was clearly almost the only one in that office.

I went through everything again and corrected my error. Checked every figure correctly, my calculations were right this time.

I took a deep breath while heading back to his office.

Knocked.

“Come in.”

This time when I entered he was on his feet staring at the window.

I walked up to him and handed him the file. This time he nodded at my work.

“Good.”

He looked up and stared at me.

“Thank you.”

A little smile appeared on my face.

“You’ve been approved.”

Those words made me proud of myself, like did a C- f*****g EO tell me this.

It wasn’t much but coming from him made it ten times chilling and more of a compliment to me.

I turned to leave.

“One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“You’ll assist me during the board meeting

tomorrow.”

“Me?”

“You.”

“Are you sure?”

His eyebrows lifted.

“Did you just ask that?” He scoffed.

“I didn’t just want to assume you said that.”

I smiled.

He laughed.

“You could go home.”

“Thank you sir.”

I walked off the office jumping and squealing.

I rushed to my desk to pack, I am practically the only one in this building and well Sebastian.

About to leave the floor, I caught a glance of him through the wall of his office.

He was standing and staring but this time he wasn’t staring at LA, he was staring at me.

We locked eyes for a brief moment then he looked away packing up his desk.

I frowned.

“There was something about him I couldn't understand.” I whispered under my breath.

I left the floor and reached the ground floor. Leaving that building brought calmness to my soul.

I took a cab home.

When I arrived at my house, I paid and walked towards my house door surprisingly it was open.

I threw my bag and jacket on the couch and let out a big sigh.

“Dad?” I shouted.

“I’m over here.”

I found him in the kitchen looking stressed while staring at some papers that played around.

I walked towards him.

“You would not believe what happened.”

He looked up and smiled.

“I’m listening.”

I sat down beside him and immediately went into my rant .

“First, he gave me a very huge assignment that according to Emma he doesn’t give hired employees.”

“Who is Emma?”

“His PA, she is like my friend there.”

“You see at least you’ve started making friends, that's very good.”

“That’s not the point dad.”

He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes.

“He is so demanding. I made a very tiny mistake and he was whining.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

Dad smiled.

“Dad, you don’t understand. The way he looks at you when you make a mistake is threatening.”

“You wanted a job.”

He laughed again.

“I did, but I didn’t expect working for a man that tough.”

I leaned back on the chair.

Despite everything, there were actually satisfying good things about the day.

I smiled to myself.

Then I noticed dad was absent minded and wasn’t laughing anymore.

His eyes had returned on the papers that laid on the table.

My smile faded.

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

He quickly gathered the papers.

“What are those?”

“Nothing.”

“Dad.”

“It’s just business.”

“But you’ve been saying that a lot, I’m not buying that right now.”

He sighed.

“Amelia, don't worry.”

“I do want to worry”

I immediately picked one of the papers and I realized what was going on.

“Amelia!”

“Dad, why didn’t you just say it was about the debt.”

“You just disrespected me.”

“It is NOT disrespectful if I’m also part of the family and have every right to know things.”

Dad stood, took all the papers and went upstairs.

“Dad, I’m sorry for yelling.”

I was so exhausted by the day, I yelled at dad and that was disrespectful but he just walked away.

I felt bad for that cause this is the reason I took the job,and I was going to make everything work for us.

I carried my bag and jacket and went upstairs to my room. I shut my door behind me and jumped into my bed and immediately called Sophie.

She picked the first ring.

“Girl, girl! How have you been?”

“ I’m exhausted from work, you?”

“I’ve been all on my art, been fun tho.”

“A lot happened today Sophie, Sebastian acts like he has a mission on my life.”

Sophie laughed.

“Why do you say so?”

“He gave me an assignment on my first day of work, which I understand but it was stacked, not just that , it wasn’t something he gave employees on the first day.”

“You know what it means?” She said excitedly.

When Sophie says that I know she wants to tease me with words.

“What?”

“It means you are special Amelia.”

She teased.

“Ugh! please. He told me to make him coffee when we were alone in the coffee room .”

“Oh my gosh!”

She screams immediately. Probably wanting to deafen me.

“Amelie, he specifically told you to make him coffee, not just that you guys were alone? Did anything happen?”

“Sophie no but-“ I hesitated.

“But?”

“There was tension that I felt even when it was just us in the building, we locked eyes.”

I found myself thinking of all that happened today with the encounter of my boss.

“WOW! Girl Amelia you don’t know how I’m smiling right now.”

I laughed.

“It’s giving boss and employee..”

“Please, I’m not in his class and that’s not happening.”

“You don’t understand how gorgeous you are but okay Amelia.” She teased me again.

We shared our good nights and all I could think of was Sebastian and then the board meeting.

I took a hot shower to relax my muscles, then got dressed after to sleep.

I set my alarm, prayed and went to bed.

The next morning I left the house, dad didn’t speak to me and I felt bad.

I got to work earlier than usual. The office is busier than usual.

I made my way to my desk and went through the board meeting documents for the last time.

A few minutes later Emma arrived.

“Good morning, miss Hart.”

“Morning.”

“Are you ready?”

I took a deep breath.

“Don’t worry it will be good.”

She smiled.

“You look very beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

I smiled.

Soon after Sebastian was out of his office, he called out my name.

“Amelia.”

I stood immediately.

“Bring the documents, follow me.”

I immediately picked up all the documents and ran after my boss.

Why does he walk so fast?

The board meeting was larger than expected. Several executives and high company owners were seated at this board meeting.

I quietly took my place beside my boss.

I listened carefully to make sure I handed the documents to him at the right time and made sure it was the correct one too.

Watching him in this board meeting was different.

He did not like the intimidating man that threw orders around

He looked like he had a strict goal.

From the way he spoke, the confidence, everyone listened when he spoke.

Lost in thought, I got distracted.

“Amelia, pass the financial reports papers.”

I cleared my throat and gently gave him the papers I summarized.

The meeting was finally over. I waited for him to shake almost everyone in that board room before we left.

I gathered all documents and followed Sebastian to his office.

At the front door of his office he turned back to look at me then stepped a little close.

“Good job, Miss Hart.”

“Thank you.”

I would scream but I had to prove my professionalism.

He walked into his office.

I followed.

The whole afternoon we spoke about the meetings and things that changed.

“You look exhausted.”

He looked at me concerned.

“No, it’s fine.”

A part of me was confused why he cared.

He dismissed me and I left his office. Arranged the documents on my desk, ready to leave.

“Amelia.”

I turned.

Sebastian is standing at his office door.

“Yes?”

“Come here.”

Demanding much, I rolled my eyes in a way he could see.

We were the only ones in this entire building.

“There’s something I’d rather discuss privately with you.”

“Privately?”

“Yes.”

He glanced at the clock.

“Come to my house this evening.”

I stared at him.

“Mr Knight, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

“It concerns work.”

“Can’t we discuss it here?”

“No, we can’t.”

Something about the way he said it wasn’t demanding, he just seemed very serious.

I swallowed.

“What time sir?”

“Eight.”

“Okay sir.”

As I walked away from the building, i felt my heart leave my chest. If work was so important Emma was meant to be the one going.

My phone chimed with a message from Sebastian stating his address.

Beverly Hills??

“Oh his rich rich.” I laughed.

Late that night..

At exactly eight , I stood outside Sebastian’s Knights door.

“His house is beautiful” I said in awe.

I mean, I did expect that anyway.

It was really chilly outside.

I knocked.

He opened immediately and I stood there frozen.

“Are you okay?, come in.”

He stretched his hand and I held it in as he welcomed me.

“So-“ I said.

He looked at me.

My words were starting to be very shaky.

“Uhh..what’s this meeting about?”

He laughed.

“Don’t you want to make yourself comfortable first?”

“Oh oh.”

As I stood in his house, I realized something. The man standing in front of me was different.

At his house I was not an employee.

Not someone who he sent around.

“You look nervous,” he said.

“I guess I am.”

He smiled.

Like an actual genuine smile.

I stared at him but I think a little too much.

He looked so beautiful while doing it.

“What?”

“You smiled.”

His smile widened.

“So?”

“I’ve never seen you like this before.”

He scoffed.

That night, I saw a side of Sebastian I never thought I’d know about.

We talked.

Not about things that concerned the company, documents. None of that.

He wasn’t that tough boss at work, he allowed himself to show emotions instead of hiding behind that cold CEO everyone knew.

The more the night went on I slowly forgot he was my boss and hated the fact I was loving this version of him so much.

“Wine?”

He asked softly.

“Sure.”

He led us to his huge kitchen where he had a wine cabinet, he poured the wine into two glasses and handed me one.

The night was getting dark.

We still continued with our conversations, laughing.

Sebastian’s tonight was warmer and more open. And our eyes met almost every time making it harder to ignore.

“You know..” he paused.

“You’re not like anything I expected”

“Is that a good thing?” I smiled nervously.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

We both laughed.

The room started to get quiet and for a moment none of us said anything.

I could really see his features properly. He was very good looking, his dark hair made his eyes pop out.

Then I realized I should leave and this was wrong.

He is my boss.

I am his employee.

Neither of us said a word.

He moved closer and all I could feel was my chest beating so hard.

I would’ve resisted and left that house, but I couldn't move at the moment.

He leaned in just an inch apart from my lips.

I could feel his warm breath on them.

His cologne scent would drive anybody crazy. He knew what he was doing to me.

Without hesitation.

I closed my eyes and kissed him then pulled back immediately, stepping back. Then he moved closer again this time I moved back till my body was stopped by the counter.

He stared at me and I fell in love with his eyes.

“Why’d you stop?”

His voice.

slightly deep.

It turned me on.

“That was an accident, it wasn't meant to happen, sir.”

He smiled and stared at me.

“You’re very beautiful.”

Then he sent my hair behind my ear. It sent chills through my body.

What was he doing to me?

“I love accidents.” He said, his tone softer.

I had a flash back to when he almost hit me so I was confused on which accidents.

“But sir..”

“Call me Sebastian.”

He kissed me.

This time no one resisted.

That night, the line between professional and personal disappeared.