chapter 2:the unexpected encounter

I sat at my desk, trying to process the information I had just received. Betty, the woman who had bumped into me and spilled coffee everywhere, was not only the head of the department but also the CEO's personal assistant. I couldn't believe it. Why did I always seem to find trouble on my first day?

Just as I was trying to calm myself down, I heard a voice behind me.

"Hey, newbie, I see you're getting settled in," the voice said.

I turned around to see the boy who had warned me about Betty earlier. He was smiling at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah, trying to," I replied. "But it's not easy when you've got someone like Betty breathing down your neck."

He chuckled. "Tell me about it. She's a piece of work, isn't she?"

I nodded in agreement. "So, what's your name?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"I'm Alex," he replied. "And you are...?"

"I'm Camila," cami for short I said, extending my hand.

Alex shook it, and we exchanged a friendly smile.

Just then, the door to the department swung open, and a tall, imposing figure walked in. He had piercing blue eyes and chiseled features that seemed to command attention.

"Ah, Ethan Blackwood," Alex whispered, nudging me. "The CEO himself."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Ethan's gaze swept the room, his eyes lingering on each of us before moving on. When his eyes met mine, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.

"Good morning, everyone," Ethan said, his voice low and commanding. "I trust you're all settling in well?"

There was a chorus of "yes, sir" and "good morning, sir" as everyone scrambled to acknowledge him.

Ethan's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned to Betty. "Betty, I need to see you in my office. Now."

Betty's face paled, but she quickly composed herself. "Yes, sir," she said, hurrying after him.

As they left the department, Alex turned to me and whispered, "Well, newbie, it looks like you've got everyone's attention. Including the CEO's."

I felt a flutter in my chest as I wondered what Alex meant. Was it a good thing or a bad thing to have Ethan Blackwood's attention?

I brushed it off and focus on my work, it was past 9 and I just finished the load of work assigned to me, I looked around and i was the only one in the office, fuck..... when did everyone leave, just then it occurred to me alex had actually told me when he was leaving, he had wanted to stay with me but i refused and urged him to go home. I checked out from work and got home, I no longer had the strength to cook so I just freshend up and dozed off.

I work up in the morning and it was far past 8, I jumped up from bed and hurriedly freshend and dressed up,I got to the office quite late the department buzzed with activity. People chatted and laughed, and the sound of keyboards clacking filled the air. I tried to sneak in without being noticed but unfortunately for me I got caught and by the worst person.

And Where do you think you are sneaking in to huh?How clumsy and useless could you be, do you think this is a playground where you can walk in anytime huh? Betty scolded me, I got really annoyed I know I was late but she has no right to call me useless, I couldn't retaliate, I didn't want to lose this job it was hard for me to get and I heard she's the CEO's P. A she could actually report me to him and that's exactly the last thing I want right now.

I'm sorry miss Betty it won't happen again I said trying to calm myself down, sorry for urself she hissed and walked out of the office

I tried to join in, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. Every time I looked up, I caught Alex staring at me, a knowing glint in his eye.

I began to feel like I was in some kind of spotlight, and I didn't know how to escape it.

Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed, my phone rang. I answered it, hoping for a distraction.

"Camila Smith," I said, trying to sound professional.

"Camila, it's Ethan Blackwood," the voice on the other end said. "I need to see you in my office. Now."

My heart skipped a beat as I processed the request. What did Ethan want with me? And why did he need to see me so urgently?

I looked up to see Alex watching me, a concerned expression on his face.

"I'll be right there," I said, trying to sound calm.

As I hung up the phone, Alex mouthed "good luck" at me.

I smiled back at him and mouthed thank you

I took a deep breath and stood up, smoothing out my dress. I had no idea what I was walking into, what if Betty had actually reported me for being late because I see no other reason why he would summon me all of a sudden,ahhhh... fuck you Betty I cursed underneath my breath.

With a sense of trepidation, I made my way to Ethan's office, wondering what lay ahead.