Chapter Fourteen – Not Giving In

Sydney 

I squinted at the sunlight streaming through the windows. Who had drawn back the curtains this early in the morning? Of course, I knew the answer. Who else but my boss, Killian Barlowe? 

I looked around and found myself in the middle of the bed, almost on his side. My cheeks flushed at the implication. Did I sleep all over him? I sucked in a deep breath, but it only made me realize his scent was all over me. 

Shit! That was such a pathetic thing to do. Did I drive him away from the bedroom? How would I face him now? 

I wished I didn’t have to. But he was my boss now, and I brought this added headache upon myself. 

My eyes widened, realizing my situation, and I sprang from the bed to check the time. It was eight o’clock, and I was late on my first day at work. Killian would be so mad at me. Did he leave already? I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. Why didn’t he wake me up before he left? Was he mad at me? Maybe he was. Maybe he didn’t want me to work for him. But why would he appoint me as his PA if he didn’t want me to work for him? 

After ten minutes, I was ready and rushing down the stairs towards the office complex. I didn’t know what to expect from the day. It wasn’t the way I had expected to start my first job–without coffee or breakfast. I felt miserable as I watched the office complex parking lot fill up. Was I the last one to arrive? 

Why did they start this early in the morning? 

I walked into a full office with everyone seated at their cubicles. Jenny gave me a tense look that made my heart thump wildly in apprehension. “Is Mr. Barlowe inside?” 

She nodded without a word.

I was in grave danger now.

Taking baby steps, I entered Killian’s office and peered in. He was standing beside the windows and barking on the phone. That didn’t look hopeful at all. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he barked orders, and he already looked mad.

He disconnected the call the moment I walked in. “Good morning, Princess. I was about to send someone to wake you up and bring you here.” He focused on his laptop, not even glancing my way. 

I hung my head in shame. “I’m sorry, I overslept. You could have woken me up.” 

A tiny hint of disapproval appeared on his face, but it was shattered instantly. “I did. You were all over me, lost in your dream. It would have taken more to wake you up. Maybe the next time when I’m not in a hurry.” 

I didn’t know what to make of his mood. Was that a se*ual innuendo? But he was mad at me, right? Then why wasn’t he blasting me like he should? 

“There won’t be a next time. So what do I start with?” I was tired of standing at his desk. Where was my cubicle? 

He smiled, but it lacked humor. “You can use that.” He gestured towards a desk at the corner of his office.

The moment I eased into the chair, he came over to start the laptop. His arm brushed mine, causing goosebumps to erupt all over. I was acutely aware of what I had done last night. Should I apologize? But what had I done? Had I touched him? I groaned in agony. 

“I’ve created an official email account for you. Please check the documents I sent you. Proofread them and send them back to me. I’ve emailed you my schedule for the month. I want you to study that minutely.” 

“Yes, sir.” I grinned at him, liking the simple task. 

“Not, sir. I’m Killian to you. Well, that isn’t all. You will go through the work we do here and then answer all the emails on my behalf. Most of them are queries and feedback.” 

My smile disappeared, and I nodded. I remembered Pete telling me what a hard taskmaster he was. “Okay.” I started my day, not wanting to disappoint him more than he already was. 

He stood watching me with a brooding look on his face. I didn’t need to look at him to know he wasn’t happy with me here. Was I walking into a trap? Why was he being so sweet when I hadn’t earned it?

“Struggling already, Princess?” His voice dropped to a raspy whisper as he leaned over my shoulder to peer at my screen. 

“No. I can handle this. You’re disturbing me, boss.” 

He chuckled and walked away. “Let’s see that confidence last.” He walked away, out of the office, leaving me flustered. 

What did he mean? Did he want me to fail? Why would he want that? Maybe I knew the answer to that. He wanted me to fail so that he could prove me worthless. He wanted me to accept I was only good enough to be his se* slave! 

But he didn’t know me. I would do any job he gave me, work my ass out, but never give in to his demand. After emailing the proofread documents to him, I started working on his schedule.

It was the most complicated one I had ever seen, trying to fit a year’s work into a month. 

‘I can do this,’ I reassured myself for the tenth time. It took me an hour to memorize it and save it on my phone. 

Bracing myself for the next task, I unlocked the official feedback email account and sighed. Almost 500 emails were waiting to be answered. Why didn’t he appoint someone to look into them? 

I sucked in a deep breath and started my task. With the company’s website open in a separate window, I read them as I answered each query. It saved me a lot of effort and time. Maybe I could complete this before lunch. 

Killian returned after two hours, but I was still in the one hundredth email. “Done? We’re going on a tour of the farm and production center.” 

I panicked. “Oh! But there are still four hundred emails left to be answered. Another fifteen came in just now.” It seemed a lost cause. I couldn’t possibly catch up. 

He scowled at me. “You should learn to be more efficient. You can continue after the tour. Come on.” 

I closed the device and rose to follow him out. There was no point in protecting much. I could grab lunch after this damn tour. One look at Killian’s determined face was enough to know his motive. He was trying to force me to quit. He didn’t want me in his office tomorrow, but he didn’t know me. 

“The farm is quite far from here. Can you walk down?” His gaze swept up my formal attire. 

Thankfully, I was wearing a pair of designer flat loafers instead of heels. I could walk anywhere. 

“Yes, why not?” Didn’t he realize how hungry I was? The entire morning, I had no time for food. While the other staff enjoyed their work, I was forced to overwork just to satisfy his ego. 

We walked for miles towards the edge of his property. My legs were on the verge of giving up, but I didn’t complain. “Ready to give up, Princess? We’re now going to the farm. This will be very time-consuming. Are you up for it? If not, you can opt out and go back to the tent.” I noticed the knowing gleam in his eyes. He was sure I would give up and go back to the tent to spread my legs for him. 

I lifted my chin in defiance. “I’m ready for the farm tour.” 

He gave me a surprised look, but shrugged and led the way. The team greeted us and showed us around. The organic farms produced enough to feed the guests on the property. Soon, they led us through the vast stretches of vineyards cultivating a variety of grapes, including Malbec, Pinedale, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. 

We visited the winery, tasting room, and storage complex, too. Under normal circumstances, I would have enjoyed the experience, but now, with hunger pangs threatening me, I wanted this torture to end. 

It was late in the afternoon when we returned to the office. “I have some work pending at the activity center. Why don’t you complete the rest of the emails?” 

I gaped at the man. “Now?” 

“If you can’t complete it, just give up, Sydney. It’ll save your time and effort. There are other easier ways for you to earn money.” He gave me a disgusted look. 

“I’ll complete the emails.” I trudged inside, looking like a beaten dog. 

Jenny gave me a sympathetic look, knowing what I was going through. Killian gave me a tight smile, not liking my decision at all.

“Suffer then.” He strode out in a fit of rage while I sat down at my desk. 

It looked like an unattainable target. I couldn’t complete it even if I worked all night, and he knew it. 

Would I end up as his se* slave if I didn’t finish the task? 

I felt helpless tears prick at my eyes. My body revolted, and bile pushed up my throat from the day’s torture. I had never expected my first day at work to be so humiliating. 

There had to be an alternative. What if I took up some other job in the vicinity? With my father tracking my bank accounts, online work wasn’t an option for me. 

Relief flooded through me.

All wasn’t lost. I wouldn’t give up. I would look for other work.

The door opened, and Jenny peered in. 

“We’ve ordered some refreshments. Come and join us, Sydney.” 

I gave her a hesitant look. “I have an enormous task to complete.” 

She waved me off. “Five minutes won’t make much of a difference. We’ve ordered for you too. You know, to welcome you to the family here.” 

I felt tears prick my eyes at her thoughtfulness. 

“Thank you so much.” I rose to join them. I wouldn’t work my ass off all night to complete his inhuman task.