The hallway outside the CEO's office felt colder than the rest of the building.
Jay pressed her palms together, trying to stop them from shaking. Why did the air feel so heavy here? She had worked in offices before. She had faced managers before. But this… this was different.
This was Mark Keifer Watson.
The door opened.
"Go in," the assistant said quietly.
Jay swallowed hard and stepped inside.
The office was huge. Dark walls. Glass windows stretching across the city. Silence so deep she could hear her own heartbeat.
And then she saw him.
Mark Keifer Watson sat behind his desk, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. He didn't look up immediately. He kept signing documents, flipping pages, as if she wasn't even there.
Jay stood awkwardly in front of his desk.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
Fifteen.
Her throat felt dry.
"G-Good morning, sir," she said softly.
No response.
Her fingers tightened around her file.
Finally, he looked up.
And those cold black eyes landed on her.
Jay's breath hitched.
He didn't smile. He didn't greet her. He just stared — observing, analyzing, judging.
"You're late by forty seconds," he said calmly.
Her heart dropped. "I— I'm sorry. The elevator—"
"I don't accept excuses."
Her nervousness slowly turned into slight irritation. "It wasn't intentional."
His eyes sharpened. "Intent doesn't matter. Results do."
The room felt smaller.
Jay straightened slightly, trying to hide how uncomfortable she felt. "I understand."
Keifer leaned back in his chair, studying her resume again.
"You were fired."
She stiffened. "Yes."
"Why?"
"Company downsizing," she replied quietly.
"You don't look competent enough to survive in a competitive environment."
That stung.
Her fingers curled slightly. "With respect, sir… you haven't seen my work yet."
It came out a little sharper than she intended.
Silence.
His gaze darkened.
"Nervous people make mistakes," he said coldly.
"I won't," she replied quickly — too quickly.
He noticed.
He noticed the way her voice trembled.
The way she avoided direct eye contact.
The way she tried to act composed but wasn't.
Interesting.
"You'll be my secretary," he said finally. "You will organize my meetings, handle confidential documents, and you will not question my authority."
Jay nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."
"If you fail once, you're out."
Her stomach twisted.
"I won't fail."
He stood up slowly.
He was taller than she expected. More intimidating up close. His presence alone made her step back slightly.
"Everyone says that on their first day," he said quietly.
For a second, their eyes met.
Jay quickly looked away.
"Report tomorrow. 7 AM. Don't test my patience."
"Yes, sir."
She turned and walked out, trying not to rush.
The moment the door closed behind her, she exhaled shakily.
"What did I just get myself into…" she whispered.
Inside the office, Keifer watched the door for a few seconds longer than necessary.
She wasn't confident.
She wasn't fearless.
She was nervous.
And yet… she talked back.
A dangerous combination.
For the first time in months, something at work didn't feel boring.
And he didn't like that