002: Do Not Engage with the COO

-Eve-

Today was my first day at Kings Corp as a marketing assistant, and I should have taken a taxi, or the subway.

I had imagined today all weekend, how I’d walk in with grace, glowing skin, and an iced latte in hand. Instead, I was sweaty, five minutes late, and halfway through a silent panic attack in my brand new heels.

And it was all because of Sal.

She had insisted on driving me, but honestly, an old turtle could have beaten her hand-me-down sedan.

“We’re here.” She chirped. “Good luck on your first day. Oh and try to get yourself a boyfriend so you won’t have to DIY every cold night, you know what I’m saying?” She winked.

I rolled my eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh as I got out. “Thanks for the ride Sal. Please never talk again.” I hurried off.

She yelled. “The rainy season is long, E! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Sometimes, I swore she was the bane of my existence.

Straightening my blouse, I marched into the towering headquarters, clutching my bag too tightly. King Corp’s glass walls gleamed, everything about the building screaming money and power.

My heart raced in chest as the elevator climbed to the 12th floor. This was it, my first big girl job. No more broke night or Sally’s leftovers. Just me, marketing magic and a fat paycheck.

Once I reached the floor, I walked toward the office, and slid the doors open.

“He’s coming!” Someone yelled out from behind, startling me.

I turned, confused. “Who?”

But everyone was already scrambling like roaches under a bright light. Papers flew across the cubicles, heels clacked back to desks. One man even tossed his meal into a trash can like it personally offended him.

And me?

                                                                        

I just stood there, wide-eyed and clueless, like the only idiot who had missed the fire drill memo.

What kind of first day of work was this? My mind reeled.

 Before I even had the chance to come up with a plan, the elevator dinged, the room stilled like everyone in it had held their breath.

Seconds later, he entered.

God damn it. Was he even real?

His cologne filled the space, long before his presence did. Strong. Expensive. Commanding in as though time answered to him, like the rest of us were simply air in the background.

And that face? Sculpted to tempt.

No way had God made that casually. He looked like he’d kissed people breathless, ruined them softly, and then walked away without flinching.

I knew better. I knew better. I told myself.

But when he turned, just a little, and his eyes brushed past mine. Just for a fleeting second, something ignited inside of me. My breath hitched, heat grew from my inside and my legs shifted without permission.

This wasn’t good. This was dangerous. I didn’t know him, but my body reacted like it did.

What are you even thinking, Eve? You’re here for a job, not a sin.

And that’s when it happened, like the universe was trying to save me from myself.

A lady came rushing out from the bathroom behind him, breathless and panicked, clutching her stomach like she’d just thrown up.

He slowly turned in her direction and asked, “Why aren’t you at your desk?”

My heart suddenly skipped, not because of the question, but from that vaguely familiar voice.

The lady stammered something about feeling nauseous, maybe food poisoning, but he didn’t let her finish.

“You’re fired. Security will walk you out.”

Just like that with no warmth or hesitation.

With that, she picked up her bag, then disappeared through the door. While everyone sat there and did nothing. I blinked, trying to make sense of what I just saw, but my heart was pounding too loud to think.

“Excuse me, but sir, you can’t just fire her like that—” I started.

I should have held my big mouth.

Hid gaze turned to me, those blue eyes locking onto mine like they already knew every inappropriate thought I’d had in the last sixty seconds.

“Name?” He said flatly.

“E-Eve Keller.” I stammered, “new recruit.”

He smirked, tilting his head without a blink. Then, coldly—

“Would you rather join her or get a chance to reach your desk, Eve Keller. New recruit?”

I froze. “No sir.”

The way sir slipped out of my mouth made my stomach twist.

“Good choice.”

Who was he anyway and why was the entire marketing department afraid of him?

Before I could melt on the spot, another man appeared. Tousled dark hair, rolled up shirt and grey slacks. The friendly kind of handsome—a complete of opposite of this man from hell.

“Sir, I’ll handle it from here,” he smiled, grabbing my shoulders, and turning me in the opposite direction. Then he softly whispered, “Rule number one, Eve Keller. Do not engage with the COO. Especially if he’s Dominic Kingston.”

A Kingston? My cheeks burned. “Noted.”

“Alex Mayer,” he said with a grin. “Head of Advertising and creative marketing, welcome to Kings Corp. The first few days can be intense, but you’ll get the hang of it.”

So he was in charge. I smiled to myself.

He showed me to my desk then introduced me to rest of the tea before whispering a quick warning about staying out of Dominic Kingston’s way.

But before I could even sit down, a man announced that the COO wanted to see all the new recruits and my stomach dropped.

Why now?

Two of us from the marketing department followed the man till he led us to the conference room. It was quiet when we entered. Twelve of us, all new, all nervous, sitting across one another, unsure of what to speak.

Then Dominic Kingston entered, and in the silence, the air shifted.

He didn’t speak at first. Instead, he let his cold gaze sweep over each of us, as if we were on a trial before walking to the head of the table.

“I’m sure you think you’re here for an orientation, but let me make something clear,” he began in a cold and sharp tone. “Being in this room doesn’t make you a part of Kings Corp. In fact if anything, there’s still a lot of weed to be removed.” My heart skipped.

“Some of you think you’ve arrived. Some believe they’re defenders," he pausing, briefly glancing in my direction, my eyes darted. “The others? They simply lack what it takes to be a Kings Corp employee. With that being said, I’d like you all to rise to your feet."

We did.

“Sit.” He said almost immediately.

We obeyed.

“Stand.”

The confusion was instant, but one dared question him. He repeated it again, faster and sharper, until some caught onto the rhythm. Until they didn’t.

“Stand!”

At least 7 people sat down, because they expected it. This whole time they were more focused on the pattern than the instructions. He told everyone to maintain their positions, and no one dared to deceive him.

My pulse tinged in my ears, and despite the air conditioning, I was sweating.

What kind of test was this? A military drill?

“Everyone seated—you’re fired.” Cold. Detached. Just like earlier.

Something worse than fear gripped me. Was this why the application was so easy, so they could crush our hearts on the first day?

I stayed standing legs trembling as we watched the unlucky few leave the room.

My eyes met his as he began pacing the room as his addressed us.

“To be a member of our team, one must remain focused…” I could barely hear him through my beating heart as he drew closer to my position.

Suddenly, he paused behind me, leaning in closely till I could feel his breath against my ear.  “I like the way you listen to instructions, Eve Keller.” He whispered.

I froze.

That voice.

My stomach dropped. I knew that voice.

He continued. “All of you are officially welcomed to Kings Corp HQ. You’re dismissed.

My legs barely carried me to my desk. That was in the least way normal. I thought. But I couldn’t shake off the tone of that voice. The cadence. The words rolled off his tone. Someone I knew before? My mind reeled.

My lips parted in sheer horror as realization hit me.

No. It couldn’t be. I shook my head. But it was.

“Dominic Kingston is Dom Daddy.”