The second encounter

                      ~JESSICA~

The air in the office seemed to grow colder by the second. His piercing gaze pinned me to the spot, leaving no room for escape. I clenched the strap of my bag tightly, my mind scrambling for something—anything—to say.

Daniel Sutherland. The man whose sharp suit only emphasized his raw authority. His broad shoulders filled the space with an intimidating presence, and the angular features of his face radiated a quiet fury. How had I not realized it sooner?

“Miss Adams, wasn’t it?” he said, his tone clipped, dragging me out of my panic-induced haze.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

His lips curved into a sardonic smile, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “Of all the applicants in the world, fate really had to pick you.”

I swallowed hard. “Sir, if you’ll let me explain….”

“Explain?” He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. “Oh, please, by all means. Explain how slapping the CEO of Sutherland Enterprises qualifies you to be his secretary.”

“I didn’t know you were….” I started, but he cut me off with a raised hand.

“Save it.” He walked around his desk, his movements deliberate and predatory.

 “Do you know what I despise most, Miss Adams? Chaos and disrespect. And that’s exactly what you did to me the moment you barged into that club.”

I blinked. Barged? If memory served, he’d been the one who’d provoked me with his arrogance, funny looks and condescension. But now wasn’t the time to argue semantics.

“Sir,” I said cautiously, “I sincerely apologize for my actions that night. It was a mistake. I had no idea you were... well, you.”

“Again, I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing” I quickly added.

“Trying to use that as an excuse?” He sneered.

“No, Sir. I was just…”he cut me off again with a raised hand.

“Someone who wishes to be my secretary should not be seen in a club drunk as hell and causing chaos” he said sternly and I swallowed hard.

Was I supposed to apologize to this man for trying to drink away my sorrows and getting drunk??

His eyes narrowed. “ You said something about not knowing it was me. And now that you do know, should I expect you to slap me in this office too?”

“No!” I exclaimed, horrified.

“Oh, I forgot. There's no alcohol here to make you get drunk, so you can do the slapping” he taunted me.

“Sir, I'm sor…” I started, but was interrupted by him.

“Leave my office. Now!!” He ordered.

My eyes widened and my mouth flew open in shock.

What did he just say?? He's asking me to leave his office??

“Sir, what…did…you just…say??” I stuttered, removing my glasses as if it was preventing me from hearing well.

“You heard me right. I just asked you to leave my office. I can't work with someone like you. Someone like you doesn't deserve to be my secretary” he repeated and my heart sank into the bottomless pit with disappointment.

Surprisingly to both of us and even unknowingly to me, I knelt down immediately and grabbed one of his legs.

“Please,Sir. Don't do this to me. I'm sorry” I pleaded.

I was swallowing my pride and being shameless right now but I didn't care. I needed this job, no matter what!!

“Let go of my leg” he said, trying to free his leg from my grip, but I clutched harder.

“Don't let me kick you off. I said you should leave my office. Do you want me to call the security to throw you out??” He barked at me.

“Sir, have mercy on me. Don't send me away, please. I really really need this job, Sir. This is like a dream come true for me. I'll do anything you want, Sir, anything at all. Please, don't take this job away from me” I begged desperately, as tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably.

He was surprised to see the tears rolling down my cheeks.

He studied me for a long, tense moment. The silence was suffocating. Finally, he exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose as if warding off a headache.

“Fine, let me go” he said and I blinked rapidly at him.

“You're going to give me the job?” I asked.

“It seems you're not planning on letting go of my leg if I take my job back” he said with a slight chuckle.

Good! Glad he's able to read my mind!!!

“Let me go, first. And please, stand up” he said.

Reluctantly, I left his leg and stood up slowly from the floor, preparing to hold any part of his body again if he tries to act funny.

“Sit,” he ordered, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

I obeyed, perching on the edge like a student summoned to the principal’s office.

“I should fire you right now, and it's not because you begged to keep the job,” he said bluntly, leaning back against his desk and crossing his arms.

I winced but stayed quiet.

“But,” he continued, “I don’t have the luxury of time to find another secretary. This week is critical for the company, and I need someone now. So here’s the deal.”

I straightened, hope flickering faintly.

“You’ll stay on probation for one month,” he said. “During that time, you’ll do exactly as I say, no questions asked. You’ll prove to me that you’re more than just the woman who slapped me at a club.”

“Understood, sir,” I said quickly, relief flooding my veins.

“But let me make one thing clear,” he added, his tone darkening. “If you mess up even once, you’re gone. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” I replied, nodding vigorously.

He studied me again, his gaze searching for... something. Whatever it was, I hoped he found it because I wasn’t sure I could take any more of his scrutiny.

“Good,” he finally said. “Your desk is just outside this office. Wendy will show you your duties. Now, get out of my sight.”

I stood so quickly I nearly knocked over the chair. 

“Thank you, sir,” I said, bowing slightly before scurrying to the door.

As I stepped out, Wendy was already waiting with an amused smile.

“How’d it go?” she asked, her tone light but her eyes curious.

I forced a smile. “Oh, you know, just your typical ‘meeting the boss’ scenario,” I said, brushing off her question.

She chuckled. “You’ll get used to him. He’s all bark, no bite. Well, most of the time.”

I wasn’t so sure about that.

                       ~DANIEL~

I was so surprised to see the lady who slapped me at the club again. Surprise was an understatement. I was shocked to the bones.

I knew I was going to see her again, someday, but I wasn't expecting to meet her again like this.

The moment she left the room, I sank into my chair, running a hand through my hair.

Jessica Adams. The audacity of the universe never ceased to amaze me.

I could still feel the sting of her slap, though my bruised ego had hurt far more than my cheek that night. But I didn't retaliate because I knew she was drunk, and it wasn't exactly her fault.

But now, seeing her standing in my office, dressed in her professional attire, eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination, glasses that made her look like a nerd, I couldn’t help but be intrigued.

I was surprised when she knelt and desperately begged for me not to send her away. Why was she so desperate?

And the way she grabbed my leg?? It was so funny that it took everything in me not to laugh at that moment.

That girl! She wasn't an easy one.

She was trouble. I knew it. But there was something about her that made me want to watch her fight her way through my world.

“This should be interesting,” I muttered to myself, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. “And I'll make sure I have all the fun I can.”