HIS CONDITIONS

ERIKA P.O.V

There stood my idol and the science god himself Mr. Christopher stone, there was a hint of amusement in his face when he saw me standing before him grinning like an idiot but quickly it turned into his usual serious expression.

"And what do you think you are doing standing there grinning like an idiot," said Mr. Richard in a loud screeching voice and broke my fangirl moment.

I came out of my trance and quickly went to stand beside Daniel who was nervously fidgeting fingers, Mr. Stone has that effect on people, he is so intimidating that people tend to get nervous around him but Caroline didn't look nervous like Daniel and me and she was standing a little close to Mr. Stone smiling.

she must be really brave I thought and saw Mr. Stone glaring at Mr. Richard but why?? and then he looked at the three of us and said "You three..I know that u were late today, I will kick your asses out of my lab for your next mistake, now hurry up" he said in a cold voice.

I tried to adjust my hair which was falling on my face much to my irritation and noticed that ed's cap flew away " my cap..oh it's there, just a minute " I said and ran towards my cap and caught it before it flew away further, feeling happy that I didn't lose my friend's gift I smiled looking at my cap and ran back to my team members who were looking impatient.

" i..i.. am sorry ..it's my best friend's cap, can't lose it"I said nervously seeing the impatient looks on their faces, Mr. Stone looked at me seriously.

"one more mistake Ms. whatever your name is... I don't know about your cap but I can guarantee you that you will lose your job" Mr. Stone said pointing his forefinger at my face in a warning manner.

I looked into his eyes for a second and got scared after seeing his serious expression and immediately lowered my head "i ..i.. I am sorry sir, won't happen next time" I said nervously at which he didn't say anything but stared at me seriously. After staring at me for a few seconds he went inside without a glance and we all followed him inside his private jet.

"bloody attention seeker" I heard Caroline muttering to herself with an irritated expression, what's her problem ?? why's she being rude?? i don't even know her for god's sake I thought.

Mr. Stone went inside his private cabin with Mr. Richard following him and we three sat in a cubicle with Daniel sitting beside me and Caroline on our opposite seat. A pretty girl in a black and white formal outfit came to us with some refreshments, I didn't take anything because it was my first time traveling by flight and Mr. Stone's warning earlier made me more nervous.

if I eat anything now I will definitely throw up so I politely declined and sat silently looking outside the window "Are you sure you don't want to eat anything?? it's a long journey you know... first, we will land in Jamaica and from there we will go to Mr. Stone's private island by helicopter so you better eat something" Daniel said offering his fruit salad but I shook my head in a no.

Till now I didn't think about this long journey and how far I will be away from my family and friends, with all the emotions overwhelming me a lone tear escaped my eye which I quickly wiped it turning to the other side.

I didn't want my teammates to notice me crying because so far both of them have been coping well with everything but I have already been warned by Mr. Stone so I didn't want to embarrass myself more by crying in front of my teammates.

Mr. Stone and Mr. Richard came out of the cabin and sat in another cubicle beside us. They were discussing something seriously checking some papers, I was too nervous to look in their direction but I noticed Caroline staring at Mr. Stone with a smile on her face,

soon pilot announced that the flight is taking off and asked us to fasten our seat belts which we did immediately and the flight took off, I felt nervous and closed my eyes tightly gripping the handle of tightly. Then I felt a warm hand holding my hand softly, I opened my eyes and saw Daniel looking at me with concern.

"is it your first time traveling by flight??" he asked, at which I nodded looking at him nervously.

"it's ok... I .. I can hold your hand if you want" he said with a sweet smile and I heard Caroline scoffing loudly but I was not in a state to care about her so I nodded at Daniel and tightened my hold on his hand.

I felt like Mr. Stone and Mr. Richard were watching us but I didn't dare to look in their way so I closed my eyes.

"it's ok now ..you can open your eyes," Daniel said after a few minutes leaving my hand, I simply nodded and sat comfortably, I thought to introduce myself to Caroline after all she is my teammate and we have to work together for next 6 months.

"Hi... I am Erika Williams" I told her with a small smile at which she gave me an annoyed look and said "Caroline king". For some reason, I felt like she was looking down on me like I don't belong here,i didn't understand the reason so i observed her.

she was wearing expensive clothes and shoes, she must be rich, is it because I am looking poor ?? but she was fine with Daniel, I mean he was also looking simple not wearing any branded clothes, so why is she being rude to me??

Later Mr. Richard came and sat beside Caroline "so... guys I really hope you are serious about what you have signed up for because for the next 6 months you will work continuously, Mr. Stone wants both of you to study these notes to familiarize yourself with the project information" he said handing them each a file.

I thought he would give me a file as well but he didn't say anything to me nor he gave me any file, he just continued discussing with the two of them regarding some lab equipment and research notes completely ignoring me.

After a few good minutes of discussion with Daniel and Caroline, he turned to me and said"I am sure you must be wondering about your work Ms.Williams, Mr. Stone asked me to inform you that he will assign you your duties during lunch break"

with that, he went back to his seat and started sorting papers while Mr. Stone was typing something on his laptop. I looked at Mr. Stone curiously, thinking about what kind of work he would assign me, then he suddenly stopped typing and looked at me staring into my eyes, I immediately turned my head and looked away, how did he know that I was looking at him?? i thought.

Daniel and Caroline started discussing their work while I sat there silently listening to their discussion, I dozed off into a deep sleep while listening to their discussion. I woke up to someone tapping on my shoulder and saw Daniel.

"Sorry to wake you Erika but Mr. Stone has asked you to come to his cabin now" he said at which I nodded and went towards Mr. Stone's cabin nervously.

I knocked twice on his cabin's door and heard a "come in" in a deep voice, I hesitated for a few seconds and slowly went inside and saw him typing something on his laptop sitting on a couch.

"y..you..a..asked for me, sir??" I said nervously fidgeting my fingers and my legs shaking.

"what's your name??" he asked in a serious tone without looking at me.

"Erika Williams sir" I replied almost in a whisper.

"speak loudly" he said angrily, I flinched at his tone and said a little louder than before "Erika Williams sir" lowering my head.

"look at me when I am speaking to you " he said and I looked at him, he walked two me in two big strides and stood before me, I had to crane my head upwards to look at him because of his height.

He stared into my eyes deeply for a second and said"No..your name is not Erika"

I got confused and stared at him in confusion" your name is -5 from today onwards as your score is -5 in the test" he said clearing my confusion.

I felt embarrassed at the mention of my marks I have scored in the test and lowered my head staring at the ground hoping it would swallow me and save me from this embarrassment.

" you should work harder than the other two of your teammates" he said giving me a paper that looked like some timetable.

I felt really grateful to him at that moment for being so kind but why me?? he could have given this chance to another candidate who scored better than me!! I thought.

"As for your duties, you will cook my meals according to my diet schedule, clean my office and sort my files, I want everything to be organized and my room spotless 24/7 " he said and went back to his couch.

What?? am I not here to assist him in project042 ?? among all the duties he has assigned me I don't see anything related to project-042.

Though he is my idol I can't waste my time just being an errand girl for him "But..but ..sir I have applied to work in your team for project-042" I said slowly still looking down.

He chuckled "Do you really think you deserve a place in my team with your score..huh??" he said going back to his couch and gesturing me to follow him.

"Then why did you select me and made me sign the contract sir..if I am not up to your standards??" I asked a little angrily, following him and looking into his eyes.

"whoa...you got angry huh? I must say you have got more courage than IQ..but I don't want rebels for my project I want a capable team member" he said and shoved his hands deep into his pockets.

"I will give you a month time to show me how determined you are to work on this project, you will get to attend my classes and access to my library to prepare for the project, is that ok Ms.-5??" he asked standing too close and looking into my eyes, all my courage vapored with his close proximity and I lowered my head nodding.

"But how would I prepare myself for the project with all the chores you have assigned me sir.." I asked nervously still staring at the ground.

"There is no free meal in this world Ms.Williams , I took you in my team despite your worst performance in the entrance test so I need something in exchange" he said lifting my chin and staring into my eyes, standing too close our faces almost touching.

He stared at my lips and then my eyes, I got scared and turned my face to the other side and asked "what do you mean by that sir?"

He sighed and said"Don't worry Ms.-5 I am not interested in you, I need personal cook so you will cook and clean in exchange for my classes, if I am satisfied with your work in a month I will add you to my team but if I don't like your work in this span of time I will send you back without involving you in my project, so...Ms -5 now the choice is yours if you don't want to do it tell me honestly, I can send you back once we land in Jamaica," he said sitting on the couch and opening some old book.

He really scared me for a second but if he wants me to cook for him in exchange for his classes, it's ok .. I can cook for him, after all, working in his team has been my dream for 4 years,despite my worst performance my Idol is giving me a second chance to prove myself?? that's really nice of him I thought.

" Ok, Mr.Stone I will cook and clean for you. Thanks for giving me this chance, I will definitely do my best to join your team," I said excitedly with a big smile, he stared at me for a few seconds and cleared his throat.

"As I said earlier I will only involve you in my project if I am satisfied with your work, now sort these papers according to date" he said showing some scattered papers on his desk and started reading some old book on Herbology, I always felt curious about old books and I really love their smell, I can read them when he is not around I thought and started sorting the papers.

while I was sorting the papers I felt his gaze on me and I turned to him to see if he needed something but he immediately looked back at his book without saying anything. I guess he must be checking that I was working properly or not?? I may not have performed well in the exam but I will give my 100% in whatever task he gives me from now onwards i thought.

so I started sorting more carefully. After a few minutes, I felt hungry, since I didn't eat anything properly from last night my stomach growled loudly making me embarrassed, I slowly looked at Mr.Stone thinking that he might have heard but he was completely involved in his book and i left a sigh of relief.

I heard a small knock on the door and looked at Mr. Stone expecting him to say something but he didn't, he turned the page lazily and continued reading so I went to the door and opened it to see Daniel standing there with an orange juice bottle in his hands.

"I know that u didn't eat anything from the morning so I thought you might be hungry" he said handing me the small bottle,this guy is really sweet i thought.

"Thank you, Daniel... I am starving you know" I said taking the juice from his hands and drinking it, "you are welcome..do you want me to get you something to eat??" he asked but I shook my head in a no, and he left.

I came back to see Mr. Stone staring at the bottle in my hands then he called someone and asked them to bring lunch for both of us. The same girl who brought us refreshments before came inside with a trolley of food and started serving food for Mr. Stone.

"EAT.." I heard him saying but didn't understand to whom he was talking, so I continued my work "you want an invitation card to eat lunch??" he asked while serving food on a plate, was he asking me to join him for lunch ?? I stood in my spot still confused about what he was saying.

He shook his head in annoyance and gestured to the spot beside him on the couch, should I sit beside him?? I slowly went to the couch and sat beside him nervously,

I felt like I was dreaming... I mean getting selected in his team, being in the same room with him, and having lunch with him, am I using all my luck in this life ?? I have never thought I would live this day i thought staring at him.

"stop staring and eat" he said without looking at me and eating his food fast, I took a sandwich and started eating as fast as I could because I didn't want to waste his time eating slowly but I started coughing with food stuck in my throat.

"drink.. drink some water" he handed me a bottle of water which I took and gulped it fast and coughed more.

"Are you a kid?? Why are you eating so fast if you can't handle it?? " he said and patted my back and handed me a tissue.

I felt really embarrassed "I thought you would be angry and kick me out if I eat slowly and waste your time," I said still coughing, he stared at my clumsy state for a second and laughed showing his perfect teeth, whoa... he is so handsome when smiling i thought.

Later I have cleared the table and went back to my work, after some time when Mr. Stone went outside I looked around and sat on his chair feeling tired after standing for so long. I tried to imitate his serious posture and laughed at myself for being so weird and resumed sorting the papers sitting on his chair.

I don't know when but I dozed off sitting in that comfortable chair, I felt someone caressing my face softly which made me wake up to a startled Mr. Stone, his expression changed into angry, and he loudly clamped his book on the table.

"who do you think you are to sit in my chair huh..do you wish to be fired before you even start your work??" he shouted.

I quickly got up hitting my leg to the table wincing in pain and said"sorry..sorry sir.. I was just tired.i..i..i didn't know when I fell asleep" I tried to explain but he looked at the other side and said "OUT..GET OUT".

I got too scared to move so I just stared at him in fear "I SAID GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE" he yelled scaring the hell out of me and I ran out of his cabin.

I went and sat beside Daniel, he gave me a worried look and asked "are you Ok??" at which I nodded slowly tears forming in my eyes.

"you should know your place Ms.cook otherwise you will be kicked out before you cook your first meal for Christopher"Caroline said smirking.

she was right though I should have known my place and behaved but wait a minute... how did she know that i am here to cook for Mr.Stone??

Did Mr. Stone tell her?? but why would he discuss it with her ?? she is also a new team member like me right!!

After a few hours, we were announced that we are gonna land and asked to fasten our seat belts which we did immediately. Daniel held my hand again,I felt really comfortable and safe with Daniel, he seems like a nice guy and I felt happy to have a teammate like him.

we have landed at Norman international airport in Kingston city. when we came out the sun was already setting and two cars with Mr. Stone's company logo were waiting for us.

I saw Mr. Stone walking towards his car with Caroline running beside him, they both looked like they were discussing something serious, Mr. Stone sat in the driver seat with Caroline sitting beside him. he glanced at me once and continued his discussion with Caroline starting the car.

Daniel and I sat in the other car with Mr. Richard sitting beside the driver, Mr. Richard was smiling to himself looking at the car before us in which Mr. Stone and Caroline were in. I felt a little confused at Mr. Richard's behavior but I didn't want to think about unnecessary matters and with that we headed towards Mr. Stone's apartment.