Chapter I

We were brought to a room with all-white backgrounds. And swear, I felt like I was in an asylum. But I have to bear with this. There’s some issue that is needed to be cleared. I have to defend the poor employee here.

I slammed the table. “Don’t fire him! He needs the job!” I said angrily, almost hissing from this kind of tormenting treatment they were doing right now.

Ms. Perry, a 40-year-old woman, whose hair was a bit blonde, gave me a look. “Ms. Merryweather, I’m not talking to you, am I?”

“But...” I closed my mouth when she narrowed her eyes at me telling me to shut my mouth. I rolled my eyes at what was really happening. But I’m getting worried. She’s about to fire him and I couldn’t let that. It’s my fault. They mustn’t blame him for work he didn’t intentionally do.

“Mr. Socrates, we have to fire you. Because of you, you brought the whole company fully alarmed.”

“Please, Ms. Perry, please don’t. I have three children. I’m a single parent. I need this job. Please!”

I massaged my temple. My head is starting to ache. That’s it! I can’t let this go further. I stood up and stamped the table in frustration causing them to look at me. I am not going to stay silent anymore. They need to listen to my explanation. If they wouldn’t want to listen to him, then I will step up and will do in my power as the marketing head to not have this man get fired.

“Listen up, Ms. Perry. Mr. Socrates is not his fault in the first place. It’s my fault. He is a part of my team,” I paused for a moment before I put a brave expression on Ms. Perry. “My apologies for it is my fault why this commotion happened. I should have considered Mr. Socrates’s suggestion but due to my carelessness, it backfired on me for I did not double-check his marketing reports. You should fire me not Mr. Socrates.” Sighing, I bestowed Mr. Socrates a sympathetic look. “I’ll take care of this, Mr. Socrates. I promise.”

I waited for Ms. Perry to respond to my statement. Yes, it’s really my fault. I couldn’t revoke what I said. The damage has been done now. I have to confront it and face the consequences.

“So what now?” I crossed my arms.

Ms. Perry blinked so many times then she stared at me. She awkwardly smiled at me. “Ms. Merryweather, you don’t have to owe this. We cannot fire you. You’re extremely essential to our company. The company needs you,” she said in a polite tone.

I sighed exasperatedly. “But that’s the policy. If an employee had caused an alarming state, this employee must be fired without further ado. I know it is my duty as a marketing head that I should check, recheck, or double-check the whole report. But I didn’t carry it out for I was too busy at that time when Mr. Socrates gave his reports to me. I was too busy creating ideas as to how we will elevate the income we received last year. I’ve been thinking about what marketing strategies we should do. That’s the story. You can ask my assistant for proof. My apologies for the inconvenience Mr. Socrates had done. It really is my fault. You can’t fire me if you want.” I lowered my head to show how sincere I am with this.

Silence overwhelmed us and neither of us spoke. Well, what could I say? They were shocked that they heard me admitting my mistakes. I should have to. It really is my fault in the first place. They are firing the wrong employee here. I have to make justice.

Even if I turned upside down the world, still it really was my fault. It really was.

I hate deafening silence. I think I was just in my quiet room, thinking about what I should do tomorrow morning or whatsoever.

I cocked my head from side to side. “Hello? Is anyone here? Should you suppose to say something, Ms. Perry? I want to know your thoughts about this,” I said, pulling out some confidence.

Ms. Perry blinked so many times before she realized I was here with Mr. Socrates. “Uh... I-I have to ask Mr. Huntington about this m-matter.” She cleared her throat. “But Ms. Merryweather, you have to think all about your decision. We cannot fire you because you’re vital to us. The company needs you.”

“This isn’t fair enough! How about Mr. Socrates? Are you going to fire him?”

“Yes.”

“What?!!” I shrieked. “That’s not fair!” I shouted.

“Minimize your voice, Ms. Merryweather,” said Ms. Perry with her stern voice.

I narrowed my eyes. “Then I’ll file a resignation letter tomorrow,” I said with finality.

“Ms. Merryweather...” I glared at Mr. Socrates when he called me. He has a worried expression on his face. I know he’s worried that what I said is a big threat. Yeah, I’m going to resign even though it will cause me to have no job.

We all knew that being a marketing head was already a high position. Other employees were doing their best to reach this position. They will do everything to remain in that position. Well, in that case, I’m too different from their own purpose.

I’m ready to give up that position just for the sake of Mr. Socrates and so to take responsibility for my carelessness as well. They were being unfair. Firing him wasn’t good. He has a family and he needs this work. While I, well, don’t care if I fucked up. As long as I’m telling the truth, there’s nothing I could be worried about.

I simply just flashed a smile at him, assuring him that I will save him from this. Then I glared at Ms. Perry who was looking at me. “What?” I asked, frustrated. She was losing my patience in this matter. Couldn’t they finish this instant? Why couldn’t they let me resign? That was all I could say about Ms. Perry’s eyes. She doesn’t want me to resign. I rolled my eyes mentally. How pathetic!

I watched Ms. Perry glancing at the two-way mirror. I saw her eyes asking for help. Perhaps, Mr. Huntington, the owner, CEO, and President of Huntington Inc. was behind that two-way mirror.

I could see myself in that mirror as to how I creased my forehead and as how narrowed my eyes on it. I knew he was watching us behind that mirror. This mirror I was looking at isn’t just a simple mirror. Behind it was he could see us. I knew he was looking at me.

“Leave it to me, Ms. Perry. You and Mr. Socrates can go now. Ms. Merryweather and I are going to talk. Alone.”

I shivered when I heard Mr. Huntington on the speaker. I didn’t know why but sudden chills crawled down to my spine. I hissed secretly.

“Yes, Mr. Huntington. As you wish. Let’s go, Mr. Socrates,” Ms. Perry said politely.

I rolled my eyes at her which she dilated her eyes at me then the two of them emerged.

Great! I was alone here. And now, Mr. Huntington, the cruel business tycoon I’d ever known, is going to talk with me.

I pursed my lips tightly and crossed my arms as I sat down and leaned in my seat. Pathetic! Stupid!

Then the door opened. The almighty Mr. Huntington appeared. I caught my breath as I saw his appearance. Again. He walked towards me with confidence and the air of egocentric and arrogant surrounded him. I couldn’t help but gulp at his sight. Ocean blue eyes, chiseled face, prominent nose, and sexy lips which I think he kissed so many women. He looked so dashing on his corporal suit and the brushed-up hair added spice as to how good-looking he was.

I gaped at him when stopped in front of me. Well, yeah, he’s not my type of guy. He’s too arrogant and eerie as far as what I heard about him. Plus, I have seen him so many times and met him in a conference meeting.

I stood up and bowed my head at him as a sign of respect then I glared at him. I suppressed a wry smile. I crossed my arms again over my chest. “I believe you heard our conversation, Mr. Huntington so there’s nothing I can summarize right now, isn’t it?”

He just stared at me for a long time before he spoke with his dark, manly voice. “Why, of course, I am, Ms. Merryweather. I heard it full-detailed.”

I had goosebumps along my flesh because of how deep and dark his voice. I simply heaved a sigh so that he won’t notice me that he creeps inside of me. That is why I don’t want to see him every meeting. His baritone voice was sending shivers down to my spine. To hide it, I sat down and leaned. “It’s my fault. I will resign from this company,” I said without saying any flowery conversation just to prolong this.

I don’t think he and I wouldn’t appropriate it if somehow we impound in this room. I think he was breathing what I am breathing.

“Just because of that, you will resign?”

“Mr. Socrates has nothing to do with this, Mr. Hungtinton. Don’t blame him. Just to save at least his job, I will resign just so you do not fire him.” I stared at his eyes.

“Aren’t you dauntless by just saving him, Ms. Merryweather? How about you if you resign, will you get another job?”

I arched my eyebrow when I sensed there was amusement in his eyes. Oh great! He was making fun of me.

“Don’t worry about me. Even if I lose this job, I can still find one because I have resources.” I cleared my throat when his forehead knitted. I smirked at him.

“Hmm. I bet your resources aren’t resourceful.” He copied my tone. “Such a shame that one of my outstanding employees is resigning for a simple reasoning.”

I secretly gritted my teeth. He was really making fun with me despite his serious appearance. What did he say? Simple reasoning? Is he alright? I have caused an alarming state to his company and he would just simply tell me that it was simple reasoning? I calmed down, relaxed, and glared at him. “Like what I said, don’t worry about me. I don’t care if I am one of the outstanding ones now. All I want is I want you at least fire me or I will resign if you can’t do that,” I challenged.

“Are you breaching your contract with my company? Do you know what the consequences are if you do that?!” I flinched when his voice rose. I looked at him in disbelief. Why was he worried if I breach the contract?

I couldn’t help but laugh at his foolishness.

“What’s so funny, Ms. Merryweather? I don’t think I said any comical statements. This is a serious matter,” he said sternly.

I slowly stopped laughing then I stood up so that we were even and so that I could meet his eyes properly. I suppressed a mocking smile. “You’re quite amusing, Mr. Huntington. I believe that my contract here is now expired. Today is the expiration of my contract with your company and I haven’t decided on renewing my contract. So, no worries, Mr. Huntington. I will resign if you don’t want me to fire. That’s all. Thank you.” I turned my back at him and started walking towards the door where that was the way to go out.

But before I reached the doorknob, he spoke.

“No one turns their back to me while I’m still not done talking to him or her. We’re still not finished, Ms. Merryweather. Don’t you think you’re kinda rude? Is this how you interact with the people you meet?”

I ignored the goosebumps crawling in me and faced him. I placed my hand on my hip and chinned up and stared at his ocean blue eyes. “I believe this conversation is now adjourned, Mr. Huntington. And one more thing, this is me. This is me. This is how I interact with the people who act ruder than me. And this is my first time showing my real attitude. And you can’t stop me from acting like this.”

As I said that with finality, I reached the doorknob and exited the interrogation room. I felt myself breathe in and I, now, couldn’t feel the suffocating place. Meeting the boss of all the bosses was really draining my system. But this was my final. I will resign even though I love the job. I will stand for it for the sake of Mr. Socrates. He has three children and a single parent. I knew that information. So, it would be a pity if they fired him and I knew that it was really my fault.

As I made my way to the marketing department where my office was located, some of the associates were looking on my way but I just ignored them and I sighed with a heavy heart.

I sat in my swivel chair and thought about what I had done while writing my resignation letter. I am not supposed to do this but I left them no choice. I love my job and am willing to sacrifice my skills here but I just couldn’t take the discriminatory treatment here. I had enough of this.

The image of my boss came to my mind. I hissed silently just by seeing his stoic expression. It was so annoying and irritating at the same time. How did I manage to endure myself here with him being here? How did I manage to get out of his vicious grasp when some of the employees didn’t make a good impression with him? I also made an embarrassing action that could lead me to be fired but he never shouted ‘you’re fired’ at me even once.

“Damn it,” I cussed as I massaged my temples. I was quite intimidated by him but I couldn’t help admiring him a little. But still, he was so annoying that at some point I wanted to slap him earlier.

“Ms. Merryweather.”

I almost jumped out of my seat upon seeing Mr. Huntington leaning in the doorway. My heart raced and I felt like blood ran down from my veins. What the heck is he even doing here? He never shows up to my office, eh!

Also, does he even know how to knock? How did he open the door without me noticing it?

I composed in my seat and chained up. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Huntington?” Calm down, Cejay! Don’t be flattered that your boss showed up in a chaotic situation after you announced that you are resigning! Calm down and compose yourself!

His lips curled to smirk. “I want to make an offer, Ms. Merryweather.” He slowly closed the door and I gulped as his eyes were meant for something.

Something that is meant for a business.

“What is i—”

I didn’t manage to finish my question when he suddenly butts in. “Be my personal assistant. That is my offer,” he said casually as he hid his hands on the pockets of his pants.

“You offering me what?”