Chapter 5

Clara Bennett

I sat rigidly in the chair across from Ryder’s massive desk with my back straight as a rod.

It was only my first day, and I already felt like a complete nervous wreck. My palms were sweaty, and every time his intense gaze swept over me, my pulse quickened like a startled rabbit.

He had even brought me coffee earlier, it was black with one sugar, exactly how I liked it. I couldn't even ask how he knew, probably a wild guess…right?

He gave it to me with a small gentle smile.

The rumors painted him as rude, cruel, and ice-cold. Yet this man… this man was pure kindness wrapped in a terrifyingly attractive package.

As I typed on the computer.. I heard him shift a little then, he excused himself politely. I blinked several times to make sure he was actually talking to me.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable.” He closed the mahogany door softly behind him like a true gentleman.

The second he was gone, I let out a shaky breath.

I gripped my pen so tightly I thought it might snap in half.

“God, Clara, stop drooling.”

He was too handsome for his own good. The way he moved with so much power and authority like every muscle was ready for anything.

I shook my head hard. “Focus, you idiot. You’re here for a reason.”

My eyes darted to his desk.

This was my chance. I stood quickly and moved around to his side, my heart hammering.

I pulled open the top drawer and carefully searched for anything useful.

I reached deeper into the third drawer and my fingers brushed against something cold and shiny … odd, metallic, almost like a heavy antique coin or emblem with strange engravings.

My breath caught the second I felt footsteps approaching.

Then the door suddenly swung open.

My heart dropped straight to my stomach.

I quickly recovered when I heard an annoying high-pitched, familiar voice cut through the room like nails on a chalkboard. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I snapped my head up. Amelia stood in the doorway in a designer red dress that screamed money, her perfectly styled hair falling over one shoulder. Her eyes narrowed the moment they landed on me. I almost forgot she worked here too. Great.

I straightened up fast, stepping in front of the desk to block her view. “This is also my office now,” I said calmly, keeping my voice steady. “I’m Mr. West’s new personal assistant. I should be asking *you* what you’re doing here. Do you have an appointment?”

Amelia’s lips curled in disgust.

“Oh please,” she sneered, crossing her arms. “I come in here whenever I want….”

“How lucky of you..” I rolled my eyes, and crossed my arms on my chest.

She narrowed her eyes then spoke again, as if she aimed to provoke me.

“Victor proposed to me last night. We’re officially engaged. You’re just jealous because he finally upgraded from trash like you. Now you're following me around? How pathetic.”

I rolled my eyes and gave her a sweet, fake smile. “Oh please… keep him. You’re more than welcome to my leftovers.”

Her face flushed with anger. “Victor never actually loved you. He was just using you because you were easy and desperate. He told me everything.”

I scoffed, the sound sharp in the quiet office, and started walking back toward my own desk. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Amelia.”

Before I could take two steps, her manicured nails dug into my arm, yanking me back. Her grip was surprisingly strong.

“Listen to me, you little nobody,” she hissed, stepping closer until her perfume nearly choked me. “This is my territory. Stay away from Mr. West. Don’t even think about overstepping your boundaries with him.”

I looked down at her hand on my arm, then back up at her face.

A slow, calm smile spread across my lips despite the rage boiling inside me.

“I thought you were now engaged to Victor Sinclair…” I said sweetly, tilting my head. “Wow. That was some quick switch…. Bitch.”

Before she could respond, Ryder walked in holding a small lunch box.

Amelia stuck out her lower lip, like a little frightened puppy...then ran straight towards him.

"Mr West, Your new assistant is rude...She has no manners at all, she insulted me." She said, digging her manicured fingers Into his shirt.

He stared at me with a cold look, I couldn't even tell what he was going to do at this point. Maybe this mission was meant to fail after all.

"Clara, is that true?" He asked firmly, as he walked towards me.

"It's not..." I tried to speak, but she cut me off.

"She's lying, she was even snooping around your desk. I can prove it. Oh Mr West, believe me."

Amelia said, almost like a moan escaping her lips.

I felt beads of sweat forming on my forehead as he handed her the small lunch box, then walked towards me.

I swallowed the huge lump on my throat.

*Oh shit...I'm dead meat.*