Chapter Three
1265 Words
Finally, he let out a slow breath, stepping back. But the anger in his gaze didn’t fade.
“Unbelievable. You’re a damn good actress, I’ll give you that,” he muttered.
I exhaled shakily, pressing a hand against the wall to steady myself. “Look, I don’t know who this Jade is, but you’re making a mistake.”
His lips curled into a smirk, but there was no warmth in it. “You really think I’ll just let you walk in here and play innocent?”
I straightened, determined. “You can’t fire me just because you think I’m someone else.”
Blake’s eyes gleamed with something dangerous. “Fire you?” He let out a low chuckle. “Oh no, sweetheart. That would be too easy.”
I frowned. “What?”
He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. “You want to be my assistant? Fine. Let’s play your little game, Avery.” He practically spat my name.
A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.
“But make no mistake,” Blake continued, his smirk turning cruel. “I will make you regret ever stepping into my life again.”
My breath hitched. A cold dread settled in my stomach.
Because in that moment, I realized–whatever grudge he held against this Jade person… Blake Spencer wasn’t going to let it go.
And I had just walked straight into his trap.
Blake straightened, the hostility in his eyes unwavering. “Follow me,” he ordered briskly before striding toward the door.
I hesitated for half a second before rushing after him, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. His long legs carried him forward with purpose, and I struggled to keep up.
“Where are we going?” I asked, but he didn’t answer. He just pushed the door open and stepped out, forcing me to chase after him like a lost puppy.
I barely had time to nod at the confused receptionist before my boss led me down the hallway and into an elevator. The moment the doors slid shut, I could feel the tension thick in the air. He didn’t say a word, but I could see his jaw clenching in the reflection of the metallic walls.
When the elevator dinged, he stepped out swiftly, leaving me scrambling to follow. The moment we entered the production floor, the environment shifted. The air smelled of oil and metal, and the hm of machinery filled the space. Workers bustled around, inspecting car parts, while massive conveyor belts carried gleaming engine components down the line.
Blake walked fast, weaving through the factory floor like he owned the place–which, of course, he did. I struggled to keep pace, my heels clicking against the concrete as I dodged workers carrying heavy equipment.
“Take notes,” Blake snapped, not even glancing back at me.
“What?” I panted, fumbling in my bag for my notebook and pen.
“I said, take notes.” His voice was sharp, impatient.
He stopped abruptly, forcing me to slam on my metaphorical braked to avoid crashing into him. Without warning, he gestured toward a massive engine part hanging from a crane.
“This is an XV-L6 turbocharged engine,” he said, his tone clipped. “Capable of delivering 650 horsepower. Write that down.”
I hastily scribbled in my notebook.
He started walking again. “These engines are tested under extreme conditions to ensure maximum efficiency. We make sure they can withstand temperatures ranging from negative thirty to one-hundred- and twenty-degrees Fahrenheit.”
I nodded as I tried to keep up, but my feet were already screaming in protest. I should have worn flats.
Blake didn’t care. He continued firing off information at lightening speed, moving from one production station to the next.
“This is where the electronic control units are installed. It monitors everything from fuel injection timing to throttle response.”
I jotted it down quickly, nearly tripping over a stray wrench on the floor. Just awesome!
Blake’s eyes flickered back at me, irritation flashing across his face. “Keep up, Brooks. I don’t have time to babysit.”
“I’m trying, sir,” I muttered under my breath.
The tour continued, each step more grueling than the last. He walked faster than necessary, almost as if he was intentionally making it difficult for me. My calves burned, my toes throbbed, but I refused to complain. I dare not.
We finally reached a corner of the factory where an enormous chassis was being lowered onto a frame. Blake barely paused before launching into another rapid-fire explanation. I mean wasn’t he thought to speak slowly?
“This is the body assembly section. The frame is made from a combination of aluminum and high-strength steel, reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity. It’s reinforced to withstand high-impact collisions.”
I nodded, scribbling furiously, but my fingers ached from holding the pen for so long.
Blake turned sharply, and I struggled to pivot in time. The sudden movement sent my heel slipping against the slick floor. I stumbled, barely managing to catch myself on a nearby pillar. Well… that was close.
Blake let out a frustrated sigh. “For God’s sake, do you need someone to carry you?”
Heat flushed my cheeks, and I nearly rolled my eyes. “No, sir,” I snapped, straightening.
“Then act like it.”
I bit my tongue to keep from retorting, but my eyes shoot him glares that could kill.
By the time we reached the final stop, my feet felt like they had been set on fire. Blisters throbbed at the backs of my heels, and every step sent a fresh wave of pain shooting up my legs.
Blake finally stopped in front of a row of finished vehicles. “This is the final inspection area,” he said, arms crossed. “Every car goes through a rigorous series of tests before being approved for sale. If a single flaw is found, it’s sent back for corrections.”
I didn’t even bother writing it down. My vision blurred slightly from exhaustion, and I was sure my feet were bleeding by now.
Blake turned to face me, smirking as he took in my disheveled state. “Tired already, Miss Brooks?”
I straightened my spine, ignoring the way my feet screamed in protest. “Not at all.”
His smirk deepened. “Are you sure? You look like you might pass out any minute.”
I forced a nervous reassuring smile and shook my head. “Not at all, sir. I’m very fine.”
“You’d better be because we’re doing this again tomorrow. Oh wait, did I say tomorrow?” he shook his head like he just made a mistake. “I meant to say… right now. We have more places to cover.”
My stomach dropped. “What?”
“I’m sure you don’t have a hearing problem. Come with me,” he said, turning and walking away, leaving me standing there, barely able to feel my legs.
I exhaled slowly, glancing down at my feet. The blisters were already forming, and I knew walking for another one or two hours was going to be torture.
“If you know you can’t keep up with this job, then don’t waste my time, Miss Brooks,” Blake called over his shoulders when he noticed I wasn’t following him.
I squeezed my eyes shut fighting back tears. “I’m right behind you, sir,” I mumbled, my voice husky out of exhaustion.
Welcome to hell, Avery.
- Writer
