Internship Duty

Chapter Eight : Internship Duty

Nova POV 

I was replying to one of Tyler’s numerous texts where he was “checking on me” when I bumped into Aaron, the cold and corporately rude personal assistant to the CEO, who hasn’t physically come to the office since I started my internship.

“That is the problem with you Gen Z’s… always glued to your phones.”

He adjusted his brown suit and the folders that had almost fallen from his hand from me rushing into his path.

“I’m really sorry, Aaron, I—”

“It’s Mr. Smith to interns. We’re not on a first-name basis.”

That’s a first. I’ve always known him to be standoffish and rude, but not particular about names. I didn’t know he preferred the full corporate culture, since I’ve never had a one-on-one interaction with him.

He’s fond of addressing interns generally like we’re a group of kindergartners, and no one is bold enough to question him since he’s the overall head representing the CEO. His words stand.

“Apologies, Mr. Smith.”

I met his gaze and plastered a forceful fake smile on my face.

“You will be in charge of picking up lunch orders for the administrative department this week.”

“But sir, I’m—”

“If you’re not ready to obey the rules of the organization, it’s best you seek internship elsewhere.”

We were at the end of the large office space, and with his loud voice and dramatic gesticulation, the whole room was focused on us.

“At Alpha Corp, we thrive on discipline, consistency, and commitment. Therefore, any form of disobedience from you—”

He pointed straight at me, and I could hear gasps, snickers, and throats clearing in the background.

Aaron is definitely set on embarrassingly making me the scapegoat of his loud outbursts today.

“—or any other intern, or staff in this organization will be punished with consequences. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir,” everyone barked out, but he was focused on me.

Was I supposed to scream? It’s not as if I’m being spanked or physically disciplined.

“Am I clear?”

He’s definitely focused on only me. Does he have a personal problem with me?

“Yes, sir,” I answered in a normal voice, still holding his gaze.

“And personal entertainment such as magazines, novels, and phone conversations are prohibited during work hours!”

Now he just hit the nail on the head. The other additions weren’t necessary. I’m the only one who comes to work with novels, magazines, or comics at times, and I’m the only one caught red-handed pressing my phone.

“Yes, sir,” I chorused with the others.

“The Chief Executive Officer will be coming around this week. Let’s all be on our best behavior.”

“Yes, sir.”

He hadn’t gone far when my phone rang out. Who the fuck calls when I barely just escaped being sacked?

Thank goodness Mr. Smith had already left the room. Some of the people were looking at me and whispering.

No time to overthink things, it’s almost 12, and I have to pick up lunch for everyone in the administrative department, which is over 50 people.

How I’ll do that within the one-hour break and still have time for my own personal stuff remains a mystery to me.

My phone rang again. I didn’t bother to decline Tyler’s call before I switched it off.

He’s done enough damage for the day. So much for “lose your v-card to him.” Katie and Lena can try their best but I’m not frolicking with a guy who doesn’t even know how to be a guy. I’m better off single.

By the time I came back upstairs to deliver the lunch, everyone was at their desk even though it was still break time. I went to deliver Aaron his lunch at his cube near the CEO’s office, and I needed to keep my phone hidden to avoid another embarrassment.

I was trying to pocket my phone when I crashed head-on into a firm and masculine chest, spilling the coffee and food on his crisp suit.

He didn’t scream or make a sound. I could hear Mr. Smith shouting in the background, but I’d already tuned him out.

I’m in hot soup—literally—and I find it hard to believe I just drenched my CEO in coffee.

He was still as a rock, and my gaze inched higher, slowly, to the coffee dripping in quick succession onto his luxurious-looking shoes.

“I apologize for my carelessness, sir,” 

I finally squeezed out.

“And clumsiness,” 

Aaron’s voice boomed in the background.

“And clumsiness,” 

I repeated after him quickly before I worsened it.

“And disobedience,” he added snarkily.

I could envision myself kneeling over his torso, squeezing his arrogant throat until it snapped and he died, easing me of this gruesome, humiliating experience.

“And disobedience,” I added.

“And—”

“Enough.”

A familiar voice, belonging to the CEO we’ve all been expecting, resonated through the room.

The voice sounds so much like Grant—Mr. Calloway—but I remember Lena telling me her dad is into tech firms, and this is definitely not a tech firm.

Just to confirm my thoughts about his identity, I looked up to meet the familiar grey eyes already boring into my head.

“Mr… Mr. Calloway, I’m truly sorry.”

“To my office. Now.”

I scrambled into the private office as he went into the adjoining bathroom.

It’s one of two things, either I’m asked to leave the office and my internship comes to an abrupt end, or I offer to pay for the laundry of his suit. I’m not sure I can afford whatever price he calls, but one can hope.

After a few agonizing minutes of dread, the door opened, and he stepped out in another crisp and brand-new Armani three-piece suit.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Calloway, I—”

“Are you really sorry, Nova?”

His voice was steeled and controlling, with no hint of emotion.

“Yes, sir,” I didn’t hesitate.

“Lock the door behind you and come here,” he said, patting his lap invitingly.

I hesitated before locking the door, then focused on the danger behind the desk.

“On your knees, Nymph. It’s time to do the only thing you don’t get clumsy with.”

Sir???