Chapter Five

Stella’s POV

The vibration of my phone sent me jumping out of bed in panic. I turned around only to see it was my alarm set for 7:00 am.

Right on cue, my head slammed. I quickly held it as I tried to think of last night’s event.

The concert. The mail. The…

“Shit. What time is it?” I looked around for my phone to look at the time.

8:24 am.

I’m officially finished.

I quickly ran into the bathroom, had my bath, brushed my teeth and fixed my hair in record time. I don’t think I have ever been this fast in my life before.

I swallowed some painkillers, put on my shoes and ran out the apartment.

Thankfully, I knew where the office was, so I didn’t get lost.

By the time I made it there, it was already 8:50 am. I am almost an hour late on my first day.

I paid the taxi driver and rushed into the building.

I was just about to get into the elevator when someone behind me spoke.

“You’re late,” he said, like it was already a verdict.

I turned around ever so slowly to look at the accuser.

Liam Blackwell.

Tall. Unimpressed. And absolutely aware of it.

A little boy stood beside him, studying me like I was a puzzle.

“I’m sorry sir.” I bowed my head.

“Looks like you are. I have business to attend to. Move out of my way.” He said.

I quickly moved out of the way to let him and the little guy walk into the elevator.

Should I take the stairs or wait for the elevator? I contemplated.

I’ll wait. Stairs are stressful.

As soon as the elevator got back, I quickly entered into it and pressed 7th floor.

The elevator moved silently and before I knew it, the doors opened to the 7th floor.

“Where is Rose?” Mr. Blackwell asked the receptionist.

“She took her maternity break already. She left a replacement.” The receptionist answered, her voice shaking.

“And where is the replacement?”

“I’m here, sir,” I said timidly.

Mr. Blackwell turned slowly.

And just like that, my first day officially began.

“Weren’t you by the elevator few minutes ago?” Mr. Blackwell asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know what I meant by that?”

I shook my head.

“Use your words.” He  said.

“No, sir.”

“That meant you were late. And on your first day at that? You’re fired.”

I don’t know whose gasp was louder. Mine or the receptionist.

“Mr. Blackwell, please.” I pleaded. “This will never repeat itself.” I said.

“And that’s supposed to convince me? What time was on your letter?”

“8 am.” My voice betrayed me. After all the screaming last night, it just began to crack. Right where I was pleading for my life.

“And you showed up by 9am? An hour late? Very competent for your first day. How did Rose hire her?” He muttered the last part.

“I’m sorry sir.” I said.

“On a condition. You will have a trial week. Three strikes and you’re out.”

Hope sparked in my chest.

“Yes sir. I promise to do everything I can.”

He didn’t look at me again as he made his way to his office with the little boy’s hand in his.

“Hi, I’m Vanessa.” The receptionist said as she approached me.

“Hi.” I composed myself. “I’m Stella.”

“Nice to meet you. Sorry about the circumstances surrounding it but it is nice having someone about your age around here.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” I smiled at her. “I should probably meet him to discuss my week trial.” I nodded towards Liam’s closed office.

“Good luck.” Vanessa said. She also pointed my office to me which was fortunately beside Liam’s office.

I quickly dropped my bag in the office and walked to Liam’s office.

I knocked the politely.

“Come in.” Someone yelled from inside.

I promptly went in only to find the little boy grinning at Liam mischievously.

“Kaleb,” Mr Blackwell cautioned him.

He didn’t look a bit apologetic about it so Mr Blackwell just shook his head and gave up.

“How may I be of help to you, Ms…?” He racked his head for my name.

“Stella Kingsley.” I provided.

“How may I be of help to you, Ms Kingsley?” He repeated his question.

“I wanted to know what you meant by a week trial. Do I have to do something for the week?” I asked, confused.

He looked at me without saying anything or blinking. Just stared.

Just when I thought he zoned out, he replied.

“Seven days, seven rules. You break one, you earn a strike.” He said.

Seven rules? How was I going to survive? Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed earlier. Who was I joking with? I don’t have a choice.

“Yes sir.”

“Your rule for today, I must not get to any meeting before you. You come after me for even one meeting, you earn a strike.”

He said and went back to his computer like he wasn’t talking to someone three seconds ago.

“Yes sir.” I replied but it was of no use.

I walked out of his office back into mine. I crashed into my chair and almost let out a scream before I remembered his office was beside mine.

The building should be soundproof, right? And is that a linking door? A door between my office and Mr Blackwell’s office?

Another scream bubbled in my throat but like a pill of good luck, I swallowed it.

I turned my chair back to the table and saw a neatly scrambled words on a sticky note.

Username: BW secretary

Password: Blackwell?4

I guess that was for the laptop. I logged in and the first thing that popped up was Mr Blackwell’s schedule.

And on his schedule, he was supposed to have a meeting… NOW!

Crap. I jumped from my seat, grabbed the nearest pen and book and ran out my office.

Wait, where was the venue? I ran back into my office and checked the schedule.

Board room 3.

I had no idea where that was.

“Vanessa, hi. Please where can I find boardroom 3?” I asked in a rush.

“On the left side of the second floor.” She answered like she knew the reason for my urgency.

“Thank you.” I said and hit the road.

The elevator was available, thankfully. I walked in and shut the door.

“Come on. Move faster.” I said to the elevator.

When it stopped on the second floor, I literally flew out of it. At this point, there was no use of my running again because Mr Blackwell already got to the meeting before me.

When I got to the left side, Vanessa didn’t specify which left side because there were so many corners here and many left sides.

I walked calmly, looking at the top of each doors before finally finding board room 3.

I was not the most religious person but I made the sign of the cross before I entered.

On entering, whole room turned to look at me. I simply just bent my head and went for the last empty seat.

Mr Blackwell was still looking at me after I sat down as if compelling me to look at him. I finally gave in and he just gave one small nod.

Day one, strike one.