In the Boss’s Arm

CHAPTER5

I needed a job, and now I’ve got one. No complaints. I glanced at the time: it was past 2 p.m., and I hadn’t had breakfast yet. My stomach rumbled, reminding me I needed to put something in it. Turning off my laptop, I rose from my seat and stepped out of the office, heading toward a nearby café for brunch.

As I entered the elevator and the doors were about to close, a young woman around my age or maybe a bit older rushed in.

“Hey, sorry, can I join you?” she asked cheerfully.

You already did.

“Sure, it can fit more people anyway,” I said with a light chuckle.

She laughed and nodded agreeably. “I don’t think I’ve seen your face before. Are you a new employee?”

“Oh, yes I am. Started today,” I replied.

“That’s great! Welcome to Emporium De Fragrance. I’m Madilyn,” she said, extending her hand for a shake.

Okay… she seems friendlier compared to the witch at the receptionist’s desk I encountered this morning. “Kate, nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her hand.

“So, which department are you in?” she asked, flashing me a warm smile.

Department? What department am I in? I hadn’t even asked earlier. I forced a crooked smile and shrugged. “Well, I don’t know yet. I’m just a secretary to Mr. Leon.”

A sharp gasp made me turn to her, and her eyes widened. “Mr. Leon’s secretary? Wow, that’s quite a position. He’s known for being, well, intense.”

I raised an eyebrow, unsure how to respond. “Yes, I’ve already noticed.”

Madilyn’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Well, if you need any tips or just want to talk, let me know. It’s a tough environment here, but we all get through it.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” I said as the elevator doors opened.

We stepped out together into the lobby. “I’m heading to lunch. Do you know any cafés around?”

“Yes, I do. I thought I was the only one who didn’t eat lunch on time,” she giggled, and I smiled. “You can join me.”

I nodded. “That’s fine, thanks.”

We were almost at the entrance when the door swung open, revealing none other than Mr. Leon and a young guy by his side. Once again, I froze. He had mentioned earlier that he would be out, but I didn’t expect him to return so soon. Then again, I should have taken a break, right?

“Your boss is here!” Madilyn whispered urgently beside me.

I gulped and gave a small nod. “I can see that.”

“Going somewhere, Kate?” Mr. Leon’s gaze pierced through me as he halted in front of us.

“Yes, Sir. I—I was going to get some lunch. I didn’t have breakfast this morning,” I stammered.

“You still have a lot of work to do. I didn’t hire you for breaks. Come with me this minute!” he ordered, turning on his heel and walking away without waiting for my response.

Madilyn gave me a sympathetic look before I turned to follow Mr. Leon. As we walked back toward the office, my mind raced. I had barely started the job, and I was already getting a crash course in Mr. Leon’s expectations.

“Brother, you should have just allowed her to go for her lunch,” the young guy, whom I presume is Mr. Leon’s brother, protested.

“Quiet!” Mr. Leon roared at his brother. Poor thing.

I felt shivers run down my spine. Is he also this cold to his family? Ha! If this is any indication of what is to come, I need to stay on my toes and be ready for anything.

We reached the office, and Mr. Leon strides into his spacious, meticulously organized room. The room is bathed in natural light from large windows, but the atmosphere feels cold and tense. His brother heads to the window, looking out as if contemplating something serious.

I stood near the door, feeling like a mannequin in the middle of an intimidating display. The silence grows heavy.

“Pick this up and start working on it immediately. If you don’t finish it, you’re not going home. Am I clear?” Mr. Leon’s voice hardens, his eyes locking onto mine with a steely gaze.

Fear crosses my face, but I try to mask it with a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, Sir.”

“Get to it!” he barks. “And you’re staying on that desk over there to work so my eyes will be on you,” he added.

I quickly move to the desk and see a stack of files and a pile of documents waiting for me. My hands tremble slightly as I sort through the papers, trying to prioritize the tasks. I feel Mr. Leon’s gaze on me as he settled into his chair, his presence an almost palpable weight in the room.

The clock ticks loudly in the silence, each second dragging on as I work through the paperwork. The documents are disorganized, and I struggle to make sense of them. My mind races, thinking about the daunting expectations set by Mr. Leon and the harsh reality of working for someone so intense. The tension in the room seemed to grow thicker with each passing moment.

The young guy by the window, who I assume is Mr. Leon’s brother, occasionally glances at me with what seems like a mix of curiosity and sympathy. I wonder if he’s used to this environment or if he’s feeling the same tension I am.

I focus on the task at hand, desperately trying to keep my mind off how oppressive the office feels. My fingers fly over the keyboard, organizing files, and updating records as quickly as possible. Every time I hear Mr. Leon’s footsteps or the faintest sound from his direction, my heart skips a beat.

Hours pass, and my concentration falters only briefly. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me of my skipped meal. I try to ignore it, focusing instead on the task at hand. I don’t want to give Mr. Leon any reason to doubt my dedication.

As the day drags on, I can’t help but wonder how I’ll manage this demanding pace day in and day out. The thought of being late and the pressure to perform perfectly weigh heavily on my mind. But I push those thoughts aside, determined to prove myself. I need this job, and I need to succeed.

Finally, as the sun begins to set, I finish the stack of files and take a deep breath. My hands ache, and my back is stiff, but I feel a sense of accomplishment. I glanced at Mr. Leon, who is absorbed in his work, seemingly oblivious to the passing of time.

Taking a moment to straighten up, I gathered my courage and approached his desk. “Mr. Leon, I’ve completed the tasks you assigned. Is there anything else you need?”

He looks up from his paperwork, his expression inscrutable.