A Clash of Passions

Chapter 3: Overbearing

__Brianna__

I didn't want to believe it was what i was thinking.

The CEO only came into the office once or twice, and it was usually in the middle of the week, right?

Or at least, that was what Charles told me.

So then, who was that yelling inside the CEO's office right now and asking for the secretary? My anxiety was through the roof!

I remained fixed on my seat and didn't know whether to go in or not.

The person seemed to be talking to someone on the phone. Or yelling at someone, in this case.

It wasn't until Charles came running up to me in my suite to tell me my attention was needed, that i realised that the CEO had been around since an hour ago and didn't find me on seat, especially when lunch break should have ended long ago.

With trepidation, i knocked on the door and slowly entered to see a tall man standing by the window of his office. I saw a back.

He was wearing a pristine white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. He had his back to me with one hand resting casually in his pocket, while the other impatiently tapped away at his phone.

He exuded an air of imposing confidence and arrogance, his body language suggesting a man in control, and my fear increased.

My eyes scanned the sophisticated office to see his suit jacket hung neatly on the rack.

The office was a testament to his wealth and success, and it had breathtaking views of the city below. The space was expansive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the sunlight.

The walnut executive desk had a sleek, modern design. The walls were decorated with beautiful modern art, and there was a comfortable lounge area with a sofa and armchairs. There was nothing cheap about this office.

"Good morning, sir."

I tentatively greeted as i closed the door, making him turn.

My world immediately came to a screeching halt the moment he turned. Nothing could have prepared me for the shock of seeing his face. My mouth was agape. I'd be damned!

Bloody hell! It was him!

The arrogant bully. It was the guy who bullied me in high school!

The very one whom i hated with every fibre of my being. I could never forget that face. He was more muscular since the last time I saw him. His beard was well trimmed. Lips, pinker. He was looking more mature and maybe, even hotter.

Damn you for admitting it, Brianna! I mentally chided myself.

I might also be hoarding the information that he used to be my crush. God, please, not him!

I hated him too much to work for him.

How did i not connect the dots with his name?

Or maybe it had to do with the fact that he went by a different name in school.

My boss was Jeffery f*****g Hamilton!

I resisted the urge to scrunch up my face in anger and disgust.

He stared at me like i was wearing the backside of my clothes, anger evident on his face. Was the anger birthed from the fact that I wasn't here when he arrived, or that he recognised who i was?

"I'm guessing you're the new secretary?"

If he remembered me, he didn't show it.

Well, he just made it a lot easier for me. I definitely wouldn't be the one to let the personal bleed into the professional. I cleared my throat.

"Yes, sir. My name is Brianna Smith."

"I'm so sor---"

"Come a minute later next time, and you'll lose that position."

He cut me off.

"I know you're new and obviously slow too, but lunch break for you is strictly thirty minutes."

He said.

My jaw slackened in shock at his words.

One would think that after all these years, the conceited and proud jerk must have changed, but it was obvious he hadn't.

I was anything but slow, the exasperating jerk!

Despite my boiling anger, i maintained my composure.

"It won't happen again, sir."

I said, through clenched teeth.

"For your sake, it had better not."

He replied.

How in the world could a human being be this rude? I just couldn't fathom it. I wonder how he was able to sleep well at night. My hatred for him trippled, and it was just my first day at work. God help me, 'cause i'd need it!

"Miss Smith, was it?"

And i nodded in affirmation.

"Prepare a detailed report on our third-quarter sales. Include all the relevant data on revenue, customer satisfaction, and new product sales and charts. I'll need it by the end of the day. Do you understand?"

He inquired.

"Yes, sir. Do you have any specific requests for how you'd like the report formatted?"

I inquired, threading cautiously, clearly not willing to incur his wrath.

"I'd like it in a PDF format with a clean, professional layout. Make sure the data is easy to read and understand."

He specified.

"Of course, sir. I'll get right on it."

I said, walking out of the office to do as instructed.

I got to my suite and puffed out an exasperated breath. It's going to be tougher than i thought.

I ignored Kenneth's calls, and immediately got to work on the things the rude CEO asked me to do. I'd call him back when I'm less busy.

I was invested in my work and didn't realise how much time had gone by. My aim was doing a perfect job to prove to the arrogant i***t that i wasn't slow.

When i was done, i forwarded the file to his mail, thankful that i could finally go home now.

"Miss Smith!"

He yelled from inside his office.

I jumped, not expecting that he would yell my name like a barker when he could have just called.

I rushed into his office, wondering what i did wrong.

"Wasn't my instruction clear?"

He asked, his eyes on his computer. I noticed he had undone a few buttons of his shirt.

"I said i wanted the data clear and easy to understand!"

He yelled like a lunatic, making me jump.

"I-i made su--"

"Edit that file and make it clearer, and send it again!"

He ordered. And i assumed the word 'please' didn't exist in his vocabulary.

I nodded grimly and went back to my desk to work on the file again. By this time, it was already almost six pm, and i cursed under my breath. A lot of workers had already left since five.

I forwarded the file to him again, and this time, i made a silent prayer that he didn't have any complaints.

My phone had been ringing non-stop, i knew it was my boyfriend, and guilt enveloped me. I started packing up my things. Ten minutes later, I knocked and entered his office.

"Sir, i just resent the file some minutes ago."

I said, with my bag in hand.

"Yeah, i've seen it."

He said, not sparing me a glance.

He knew how to yell my name like a lunatic but couldn't even acknowledge my efforts or say thank you?

"Okay, sir. I would like to be on my way now."

I said in a flat tone. It was then he lifted his head to look at me.

"Have i dismissed you yet?"