6. Shocked

Madison's POV

Recalling what happened that night, my vision still gets dizzy. As planned, he was drunk and Sasha took pictures of us dancing; enough to make anyone believe. I had enough proof against him. But seeing Lush, breaking down was not a good picture. She was in a precarious position and I couldn’t handle myself, seeing her shatter like that. Though, she herself decided to go back to her hometown in Canada, as she wanted to clear her head and she promised me she won’t have any contacts with “that bastard” anymore, I was still worried. But well, for the most part at least, she was all safe and secure.

Although a huge part of me felt bad (before that incident with him), because even if Ethan was a womanizer, this time he did not do anything, he was simply getting seduced. Yes, it was me, who took advantage of the fact that he, trusted me enough to come to that party and I broke it, for my own benefit. But, in the very end, the somewhat, positive image of him in my head, absolutely shattered, when he laid his lips on me.

When he kissed my neck.

I don’t regret slapping him, but noticing how the initial planning and the ‘ball being in my court’, made me decided to gain benefits of the situation, I couldn’t completely abandon him, after making him drink a sleeping drug. When I saw that Ethan, passed out on the floor, a part of me suggested it was not safe to leave him there. No matter how much I hated him, my conscious didn’t allow me to leave him like that. I had to help him. And I did, because that was the most I could do.

It was a new morning and I was on my way to the office, as my holidays were over and work days started again. I enjoyed my vacations whole heartedly, though a minor portion of it was ruined by that nitwit, I still had fun. These holidays were adorned to me because our CEO, Mr. Brandon Brown was retiring (handing over the position to his son) and these holidays was the last gift, he gave us before leaving.

At least for once, he made a decision that was beneficial for me. I would be lying if I said, I wasn’t happy seeing the old Brown leaving, and excited to be working under that gorgeous younger Brown. I just know it would be amazing to be his assistant, taking note of how sweet he is. Eevn though, I still hadn’t encountered his professional side, I was positive.

I skipped those thoughts as I reached the office and as expected was greeted by Sasha, with the warmest hug and the prettiest smile. "Oh Lord! It feels like it's been years, since I saw you here.”

“I missed you." I said as she replied chuckling. "I missed you more, love. So, how are you?"

"Been good." I knew she’d get me, even when the words were limited. It was the level of comfort and connection, I shared with her, that was beyond words. She nodded again, with her sweet smile as she hugged me one last time before saying, “It’s all for the best.”

The floor on which my boss’ cabin was located, was usually very silent. Since all the main working spaces are on the loert floors, twelfth floor was not just drop dead gorgeous but even horribly silent at times. Because, now I have grown used to being here for a few years, I don’t get as scared. But I remember getting haunted by these office walls, especially during my late-night shifts.

I was always allured, by the dark brown and silver aesthetic of this floor which was particularly different from the rest of the silver-white settings of the office. The brown walnut wood dominated the idea of the company being owned by the ‘Browns’, it was a sight to adore. Luckily, unlike other storeys, this floor had a carpet path to walk over, because I simply didn’t like my heels announcing my occurrence to my boss, each time I walked down to his cabin. 

I always used to stay in Mr. Brown’s cabin, even though I had a personal cabin for myself as well, I still usually had to be present in his cabin. Mainly because, Mr. Brown was a little too precise about work being ‘done on time’ and according to him, me taking all the files or work to my cabin, would just result in me trying to juggle the work, the whole day, between two rooms, which was not wrong entirely. So, I took his advice and only went to my room when the work was loaded in sacks of unread files.

As I reached the room, I softly knocked on the door, two times (like usually) before saying, “May I come in, sir.”

a voice, new and nice, came from inside "Come in." I got a feeling that I had heard this voice before, which heated up my cheeks as a picture of Theodore Brown evaded my mind. It was a vain attempt even trying to hide my blush, which assumed and hinted the best outcome of the scenario.   

The room was cool and silent, as the sun rays made their way inside through the huge glass. I only heard the voice of my heels stamping on the floor, before I reached the rug in front of his huge desk and a man talking on the phone. Slowly shifting my eyes to the figure, who was looking outside the window, with a phone in one hand and the other in his pocket, I could presume, he was really hot, probably looking even better, from the first time I saw him. My memories of our last meet were faded, but a smile invaded my face, knowing I’d be able to create the clearest picture of his beautiful face, in my head.

The very idea of being able to spend time working with an excellent human, made me happy to core. I was already drooling over his light brown hair, shining brightly in the sunlight, with his veiny hands looking extremely stunning and of course, his deep heavenly voice. His body shape, even from the back was pleasingly marvellous. The only word that came in my head was 'perfect', because that’s what his aura suggested.

"Good morning, sir, I'm Madison Smith, your assistant...." He turned around and my heart skipped a beat, I simply couldn’t finish my sentence.

My eyes were about to pop out, my mouth hung open and a huge part of existence as if shattered. I felt my whole world collapsing right in front of my eyes. My hands got numb from the cold. I was shocked and refused to believe what was in front of my eyes.

My new boss was ETHAN BROWN? He was THE Brown?!

Why God? Why? Why do you like to do this to me? Am I not a good person? Why do you keep giving me so much trouble? My gaze shifted to him and I saw his left brow raised up, as he looked at me with an amused look, as if he was making fun of me deep within.

“Will you not slap or push me today? Because that’s usually how, all our encounters end up.” He smirked. He knew what he was doing.

I was silent as a dead corpse, not even moving an inch. A part of me was horrified while the other was angry.

“Say something Maddy, I won’t bite you. I promise.”

“Hel-llo, sir.” I managed to let out.

“Sir? Huh? That’s not how you address me usually. You call me a bitch. Which is literally a female dog, but okay, I’ll accept that too.” He chuckled, with a hint of sarcasm. I knew he was pissed. Majorly pissed. 

Cold sweats escaped my scalp, running down my temple, to the side of my face. I was blank and out of words. I didn’t even know how I should be reacting. Should I be angry because of what he did? Or should I be scared of the fact that he is my boss and my job literally lies in the palm of his hands, which he can flick away any second, he wants? Angst and anxiety were filling me up to the brink.

"But Maddy.” I looked up. “I’m impressed.”

“That bar scheme really worked. Lush hates me now.” My heart started racing even faster. How the fuck does he know? Does he know everything? Fuck! I’m so done.

I gulped hard, making my dry throat watery. I looked anywhere but him, I didn’t have the courage to make eye contact with him. The very idea of him being dominant over me made me horribly uneasy. I didn’t like him being in control.  

Suddenly he started walking towards me, looking at my face with narrow eyes. In reflex, obviously, I moved backwards, till the time he came close enough to tower over my small figure, leaving no room for space. I felt suffocated, yet a big part of me couldn’t help, but adore how handsome he looked. Though almost like a Satan, he looked devilishly alluring, but I could see the situation going in the worst direction possible.

He was standing inches away from my body, as I could feel him being in slight contact with my handbag, which I held it close to my chest. The air around me, as if frozen, was sending me shivers all through my entire body, up and down in a continuous motion. I was terrified, yet the scent of his cologne kept invading my thinking process; which didn’t make things any better.

A minute of brief silence before he said, "I was thinking how to take revenge on you and see, you yourself came to pay for your sins." with a straight face.

"I'll l-leave this j-job!" I stuttered, because in that moment, the feeling of being inferior to my boss was dominant. I’m never like this, but deep within I was somehow at fault too. Maybe the guilt was making me reconsider every single word that left my mouth, as a result of a scared inconvenience.

He raised his eyebrows and said "Okay. You can leave the job.” My eyes almost fell out at his comment.

“But then I'll make sure, you don't get a job anywhere.” If breath could leave your body while you are alive, then the moment I was in, could be the live demonstration of the same. I could feel the numbness of my feet, making me feel like I was standing on a huge ice brick.

“Your house and car will be taken away, as well. I'll put a charge of breaching of privacy on you, because you were found leaking important details, of our upcoming project with the rival company."

My eyes became larger and I stuttered angrily, "Bu-ut I did not d-do that!"

He chuckled and said "I know. But how will you prove it?”

He came even closer, with our faces were inches apart and he looked straight into my eyes, as he continued, with an evil smirk, "I’m capable of making your life a living hell. You know that right?"

He stepped away then and walked towards his seat, as he sat down majestically on his throne. "Now the final decision lies on you. Go ahead and do whatever you want to. But before that…” He had all my attention again. “Get me a cup of coffee."

Coffee? bitch COFFEE? SURE! I’D RATHER FEED YOU A YEASTY HAM PARFAIT AFTER STEALING IT FROM JAMES CORDEN. 

Why did it have to be him out of all the men in the world?