First day part 2

That voice. I froze. The air in the office shifted, like the temperature had dropped a few degrees, and my skin prickled with an awareness I despised—and recognized.

Kael.

His presence hit the space like a dark wave, swallowing every sound, every movement, until the only thing anyone could focus on was him.

Slowly, I turned my head. And there he was.

Black suit, crisp white shirt, tie knotted with meticulous precision—he looked every bit of the powerful, arrogant bastard that he was. His piercing green eyes locked onto me first, the ghost of amusement playing in their depths, before he finally acknowledged the rest of the office.

Everyone was staring now. No one dared to murmur this time.

"Miss Thorne," he continued, voice smooth but carrying the weight of authority, "is no longer just an employee of this company. Effective immediately, she is my executive assistant."

The office erupted Into gasps and whispers that died down in an instant as he scanned the room.

'What?'

'Wasn't she packing her things just a few days ago?'

'What's going on?' 'This doesn't make any sense.'

Sarah's jaw dropped.

Mr. Phillips, who had only just sat down, shot back to his feet. "Sir—What?"

Kael didn't even spare him a glance. His attention was on me, a smirk curling at the edges of his lips like he was enjoying this. No—He definitely was enjoying it.

I clenched my hands into fists beneath the table, nails biting into my palms to keep from reaching for his throat—or his collar.

Executive assistant. Right. The title sounded more like a prison sentence than promotion. And I agreed to it without any argument. Because I was desperate. That meant I'd be stuck to his side, dealing with him every damn day. How convenient.

Kael took a step closer, voice dipping slightly as he addressed the office at large. "Anyone who has a problem with it can take it up with me."

Silence.

Of course. No one would dare challenge him.

Bastard.

I forced my expression to remain neutral, swallowing down every curse that threatened to escape. I refused to let him see me falter.

Instead, I leaned back in my chair and crossed one leg over the other, tilting my chin up. "Well," I drawled, looking at Sarah. "Looks like I don't need to explain anymore."

Kael's smirk deepened, his eyes dropping to where my skirt stopped. Caught you.

He had won this round.

But I'd be damned if I let him win the next.

I should've expected him to make it worse.

Kael didn't just declare my new role—no, that would've been too easy. He had to dangle it over my head like some twisted test, watching to see how I'd react.

His green eyes flicked down to me, still seated at Sarah's desk while everyone else stood. "Follow me to my office now."

That condescending tone alone was enough to send a violent shiver of disgust down my spine. Ugh! Satan help me, because God wouldn't agree with what I had in mind.

But then he tilted his head, his voice sharp and clear just enough to let everyone around us hear. "I do hope you prove your worth, Miss Thorne. It would be such a shame if everyone here has to see you discarded like a liability. For the second time."

The 'the second time' was a dagger, purposefully drilled inside me to stir the anger that sat at the bottom, untouched. "This fucking—"

I could feel every single pair of eyes drilling into me, waiting to see if I'd snap, if I'd spit in his face or storm out. After all I was the office 'ogre'

Oh, I wanted to. Maybe the monitor would be a good start. And then the printer. Or maybe the scanning machine would be better. Or the air conditioner—if I could lift it.

Instead, I forced a tight-lipped smile, locking away the heat rising in my chest. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of disappointing you, sir. After all you've awarded me a second chance to prove myself."

The amusement In his gaze deepened, but he said nothing. Instead, he took a step back, waiting.

Asshole.

I turned to Sarah, who was still wide-eyed, completely thrown off by the absurdity of it all. I rested a hand on her desk and sighed. "I'll explain later."

She nodded slowly, though she was clearly dying to pull me aside and demand every detail. Oh! My sweet angel.

I stood, smoothing down my skirt, and with every ounce of dignity I had left, I walked past Kael and toward the elevator, refusing to let him think he had any control over me.