The Devil's Stolen Kiss

5

Chapter 5

Maya’s POV

I stood there, paralyzed, as the realization of my careless mistake settled into my bones. The smirk on Ryan Jade’s face was sharp enough to draw blood, and his blue eyes tracked every tremble of my hands. I looked at the man who held my dream in his hands and I couldn’t help but tremble and blame myself.

Why did I have to curse back at him? If only I had apologized for the kiss and walked off last night, I wouldn’t be in this mess. And if only I had walked past him without cursing at him unprovoked, maybe I wouldn’t be trembling so hard right now. My whole effort flashed before my very eyes as my knees shook.

"I-I am so sorry, sir, I swear it." I stammered as I dared to move closer to his desk, hoping he would accept my apology. "I had no idea who you were. The gala... the entrance... I was out of line. Please, if you could just let me explain—"

"Explain?" Ryan interrupted, as his eyes held no sign of pity. If anything, he looked even more predatory than ever. He stood up, his tall frame towering over me immediately as I resisted the urge to run for the door.

"What is there to explain, Miss Willy? Last night, you behaved like a desperate p********e, throwing yourself at a stranger in public just to get a reaction." He jabbed. “Don’t you know prostitutes don’t ever come close to me? And even if I wanted to take a woman home, you’ve got no chances in getting my attention.”

His words hit me hard, making me gasp. My cheeks reddened with a mixture of shame and fury that I had to choke back. I wanted to curse his very lineage for daring to call me a p********e, but I didn’t dare to. I wanted to scream at him, to tell him about Marcus and the pain that had driven me to that moment, but I knew it was all excuses and Ryan wasn’t a man that built his empire on those.

I needed him to know he cannot talk to me in that manner, but at the same time, I needed this job more than I needed my pride because my bills were accumulating already and this has been my dream job since forever.

"Sir, please," I whispered, my voice shaking slightly from trying to hold back my desperate tears. "It wasn't like that, I swear it. I am not a p********e. I was hurt and reckless, so I acted without thinking. Please, I've worked so hard for this interview.” I begged. “I am a dedicated worker.”

"You're a liability," he hissed, as he walked around the table to stand in front of me. "You are loud, reckless with words, impulsive, and you clearly lack the basic decorum required to work in this building. You insulted me twice before you even knew my name, so why on earth would I hire someone so utterly insignificant, cheap, and rude?"

I bowed my head in shame as I stared at my trembling hands. He had a huge smirk on his face, knowing I was right at his mercy. "I'm begging you, sir. I have nothing else to fall back on. Just give me a chance and I promise I'll work harder than anyone else in this firm. I was wrong for throwing myself at you at the gala.”

“But there’s nothing special about you. You’re only begging now because you need this job. If not, you wouldn't hesitate to cuss at me one more time. If I chose to employ another person, they would also promise to do all the things you’re begging to do now.”

He had a point. I already lost.

I didn’t know what to say or do again. There was no amount of convincing that would make him change his mind. In my desperate need to get revenge on Marcus, I offended the wrong person. For a moment, there was silence in the office as I waited for him to call security to have me dragged out of his prestigious company. But then, he let out a cold laugh.

"You should consider yourself exceptionally lucky, Miss Willy," Ryan said. "My previous secretary decided to snitch on my private dealings to my rivals, and I am in dire need of a replacement immediately. Despite your appalling personality, your resume is the only one that fits my specific needs."

I quickly looked up with hope flickering in my eyes. "Thank you so much, sir! Does that mean…”

"It means you are on probation," he snapped, moving back to his chair and pulling out a folder. "I don't hire people I like, I hire people who are useful. But understand this now. If you so much as breathe wrong, you're gone before you can say Jack Robinson. Now, listen carefully to me."

I clamped my lips shut and watched as he opened the folder and began to spell out his rules in a cold voice.

"Rule one, My time is more valuable than your life. You will be here an hour before I arrive and you will leave only when I dismiss you.” He looked at me to make sure I was listening and I nodded, so he continued. “Rule two, You will not speak to the press, my rivals, or even the other workers about my business. And rule three, Your personal life no longer exists. If I call at three in the morning, you will answer. And rule four..."

He paused, his eyes boring into mine with warning.

"Do not ever touch me again, ever. If you attempt another stunt like the one at the gala or anywhere at all, I will ensure you never work in this city again. Am I clear?"

I swallowed hard as I processed his words. Never have I experienced a man who laid out written rules to his staff. I didn’t know if it was because we already got off on the wrong footing, but still, I couldn’t dare to refuse.

“If you’re not fine with my rules, you can take your skinny legs and leave my building this very instant,” he said, when I didn’t speak up.

With a sigh, I looked up at him with my shoulders slumped in defeat. “I agree, sir.”

“Good.” He said in satisfaction. “We have so much work to do.”