Chapter Eleven: Welcome to Hell

Monday morning arrived far too quickly. The elevator ride up to the executive floor of Blackwood Corp felt like a slow march toward my hell, doom, and possible end.

I had decided to dress down today, violently avoiding anything red or remotely appealing. Instead, I wore a slightly ruffled black dress that stopped below my knee and a blue blazer jacket, my hair in a plush bun.

And after downing three cups of coffee, I knew I could do this.

Lie. I can't do this. I can't handle this at all.

My heart pounded against my ribs, my palms damp as I clutched my bag. But despite the anxiety clawing at my throat, a sense of satisfaction settled deep in my chest. I had gotten the position. Not my traitor of a best friend.

That fact alone made this worth it.

I told myself this job was a fresh start, a chance to prove myself, but when I stepped into Ethan’s office, I realized just how naive I had been.

He stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly powerful. He looked like he owned the world in his black three-piece suit.

And maybe he did.

He turned at the sound of the door, and that smirk that set my nerves on edge, he curved his lips before slowly licking it. His sharp gaze traveled up, taking me in, analyzing me.

And those lips. Those plump, red lips.

Get a grip, girl! He was the devil, and I had no business wanting to kiss him again.

"You're late," he said.

I wasn’t. I definitely wasn’t.

I swallowed hard, not wanting to argue, but I had to. "It’s exactly eight—"

"Seven fifty-five next time," he cut me off, strolling toward his desk with an ease that only made me more anxious. He gestured for me to sit, and I did, feeling like prey in the lion’s den.

Except this lion wanted to eat me whole and leave nothing behind.

"You’re my secretary now, Sophia," he said smoothly, leaning against his desk, arms crossed. "Which means, in this building, you’re next to God. And God, in case you’re wondering, is me."

A chill ran down my spine. He really thought of himself as some divine being.

"Your job description?" He tilted his head as if considering. "Whatever I decide it is. If I need coffee, you bring it. If I need a contract reviewed, you do it. If I need something at midnight, you answer the damn phone. Your loyalty belongs to me and this corporation. Understand?"

His voice was calm, but there was something terrifying about how easily he set the rules, how he didn’t even blink as he made it clear I was at his beck and call.

I forced a nod. "Understood."

"Good girl."

My breath caught. The way he said it wasn’t condescending. It was something else.

Something dark and teasing. Something that made my stomach tighten uncomfortably.

And I liked it. I liked it when he called me a good girl. Maybe next time, he should call me his good girl.

But I still preferred little Sophie.

He pushed a thick planner toward me. "That’s my schedule. I expect every document in my hands the second it arrives. I hate waiting for anything, Sophia."

The way he said my name was doing something to me.

He moved closer, looming over me. I could smell his cologne, his usual rich, expensive, intoxicating scent.

“Your desk is just outside my office. I hope everything will be up to your standards.” There was a heavy dose of sarcasm in his tone. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

He glared at me, and I caught myself realizing what I had just done.

I had rolled my eyes in front of my new boss.

"And, Sophia?" His voice dipped lower. "I don’t like repeating myself."

I nodded quickly, clutching the planner like a lifeline. He watched me for a moment longer, then stepped back, dismissing me as if I were nothing more than another pawn in his world.

As I hurried out, my mind raced. The money was good, but was it worth this? Being at Ethan’s mercy every second of the day?

I barely noticed where I was walking until I heard a familiar voice.

"Well, well. You work here now? So you did get the job."

I turned, relief flooding me. Rachel.

She stood with her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. Unlike Ethan, she wasn’t intimidating. Well, not in his way.

"You work here?" I asked, shocked.

She grinned. "Of course. I told you over dinner. And besides, someone has to keep my dear brother in check."

I face-palmed. I was so caught up with Ethan that I hadn’t even registered Rachel mentioning she worked here.

I smiled, trying to water down the awkwardness, and then she walked past me. "I'll see you at lunch. Bill's on me. Someone has to get you updated on the juicy office gossip."

I smiled. At least I had something to look forward to.

Maybe today wouldn't be so bad so long as I didn’t run into Alex.

Lunch with Rachel was the first moment of normalcy all day. She made me laugh, told me about office gossip, and for a second, I almost forgot about the man waiting in that glass office, controlling my every breath.

I found out she was the chief marketer, and she didn’t come in every day because she preferred working from home. And even though the boss was her brother, it didn’t stop her from doing her best.

As I took a sip of my drink, I sighed. "Even if Ethan fucks up my life, at least you’re here."

Rachel raised a brow. "Oh, honey. He is definitely going to fuck up your life."

And something about the way she said it made my stomach twist.

This was indeed a welcome to hell.