chapter 6: We meet again

Julianna's POV

The Nexus Global international building stands tall in front of me, exuding power and sophistication. Stepping inside, I hold onto my bag tightly, my palm slightly sweaty. Today isn't just any day–it’s my first day working for Ethan Frost, a man I can barely tolerate but somehow can’t avoid.

The receptionist directs me to the 13th floor, and as the elevator doors close, I remind myself why I'm doing this: for Henry. Whatever it takes, I’ll endure it.

The elevator doors slide open to reveal a busy office space. Employees move around with stressed looks on their faces’’. It feels like I’ve willingly walked into the gates of hell. I pause for a moment, taking in the beauty of the well-furnished room.

‘’ Ms. Adams?.’’A cheerful voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to see a woman approaching me, her professional smile warm and welcoming.

‘’Yes,’’ I replied, steadying my voice despite my nerves.

‘’Good morning,’’ she says, extending a hand. ‘’I’m Jane. Let me show you to your office.’’

I followed her down a corridor, her nice attitude putting me at ease. Jane pauses in front of a door and pushes it open.

‘’This is your workspace,’’ she says.

I step inside and am momentarily speechless. The office is small but perfect. The interior exudes comfort and professionalism. Everything in this room pulls me in, and I can’t help but whisper, ‘’It’s beautiful.’’

Jane chuckles softly. ‘’I’m glad you like it.’’

I glance at her, offering an awkward smile. ‘’It’s perfect, I love it.’’

She smiles and checks her watch. ‘’ Now about your duties–you’ll be in charge of Mr. Frost's coffee, his schedules, and keeping up with his frequent business trips.

You’ll also accompany him to meetings when required. For now, though, he needs his coffee brought to him immediately,’’ she explains, her tone shifting to one of seriousness.

I gave her a fake smile as she turned and gestured for me to follow her. We reach a kitchen area, where Jane starts brewing the coffee with ease.

‘’ One more thing,’’ she begins, turning to look at me.’’ Mr. Frost never takes sugar in his coffee. He prefers it with milk only. Don’t forget that,’’ she says, her eyes locking onto mine making sure I understand.

We reach Ethan’s office, and Jane knocks softly on the door, waiting for his response before stepping inside.

‘’ Good morning, Sir,’ she says, placing the coffee on his desk.

‘’Your coffee is here.’’’

He doesn’t acknowledge her greeting. Instead, his piercing gaze settles on me, and he says,’’ The new hire already lacks manners. Impressive’’.

Suppressing the urge to scoff, I offer a tight smile. ‘’Good morning sir,’’ I replied, keeping my tone polite but firm.

Jane begins to introduce me.’’ Sir, she is one of the new hires. Julianna Adams, your new personal assistant–’’

‘’Let her speak for herself, Jane, ‘’ Ethan cuts her off, his tone cold as his gaze stays locked on mine. ‘’Leave us.’’

Jane hesitates, glancing between us, a hint of worry flashing across her face before she exits the office, leaving me alone with the man who’s already testing my patience.

We meet again, Ms. Adams,’’ he says, leaning back in his chair. His smirk is both annoying and unsettling.’’ I thought we were in a mutual agreement not to cross paths again. He says, still staring at me like I’m his prey.

I scoff, unwilling to let him intimidate me. ‘Trust me, Mr. Frost, you’re the last person on my list I expected– or wanted– to work with.’’ I smile sarcastically.’’

‘’Julianna Adams, show some respect, he says with a calm but cold tone

‘’Ethan Frost’’, I believe I deserve some respect too. I replied with the same tone.

The room falls silent for a moment, the tension between us is so obvious. Out of nowhere, he starts laughing– a low, mocking sound that sends shivers down my spine. What the hell is so funny? The laughter cuts off abruptly, and he leans forward, his elbows resting on the desk.

‘’Let’s get one thing straight, Ms. Adams,’’ he says, his voice strangely calm.’’ You work for me now. Your attitude won’t be tolerated.’’

God help me. I swallow the words burning on my tongue, forcing a tight smile instead. ‘’Understood, Mr. Frost.’’

But my glare betrays me, and his smug grin grows wider as if he’s won some invisible battle.

‘’You are excused for now’’, he said after a few seconds of torturous silence and went back to his laptop without a second glance at me.’’

As I step out of Ethan’s office, I breathe in some fresh air, which I desperately need to calm my nerves.

That man is impossible. Arrogant, smug, and entirely thinks everyone is beneath him.

Jane passes me by, flashing me a worried yet encouraging smile, but I can barely return it. I feel drained by the meeting with him.

I tighten the grip on my bag, my steps purposeful as I walk back to my office. Ethan Frost is my boss, I remind myself. But more than that–Ethan Frost is my nemesis.

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Ethan’s POV

The morning starts with the same usual routine–strict schedules, endless meetings, and calls. It’s exhausting. I glance at the clock on my desk, already annoyed at the thought of having to deal with another new hire. Hopefully, this is the last one. There’s only one amusing person I wish to see. But I believe she wouldn’t be working here since she knows I’m the owner of this company.

Jane enters, in her usual professional mode, followed by someone I didn’t expect to see so soon. Julianna Adams.

The name itself sparks a faint memory of our last encounter. My lips twitch, tempted to smirk, but I suppress it.

She stands there, trying to appear composed, as she stares at me with an unreadable expression. I noticed how she clutched her bag. It’s almost amusing.

‘’Good morning, sir,’’ Jane says, placing a coffee cup on my desk. I barely look at her; my attention is on Julianna now.

‘’I guess we hired a rude staff member,’’ I say, leaning back in my chair. The words are deliberate, meant to provoke her.

Her response is immediate–a tight smile on her face and a calm,’’ Good morning, sir.’’ Polite, but her eyes betray her. There’s a fire in them, the stubbornness and anger she’s trying hard to hide.

Jane started to introduce her, but I cut her off. ‘’ Let her speak for herself, Jane. Leave us.’’

The hesitation in Jane’s movements doesn’t go unnoticed, but she obeys, Leaving the room silent except for the soft click of the door.

The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. I lean forward, letting the silence stretch, enjoying the discomfort it brings her.

‘’We meet again, Ms Adams,’’ I say, my voice steady, almost bored. Her name rolls off my tongue like a challenge.

Her scoff is audible, and I see her mask slip. ‘’Trust me, Mr. Frost, you’re the last person on my list I expected or wanted to work with.’’

There it is. That fire. It’s the same look she gave me during our first encounter, and it’s still as irritating as ever.

‘’Julianna Adams, show some respect,’’ I reply, calm but deliberately stern.

She doesn’t flinch. ‘’Ethan Frost, I believe I deserve some respect too

I can’t help it–a low laugh escapes from my lips. Her defiance is unexpected, and though I won’t admit it, it’s somewhat entertaining. Still, I have no intention of letting her see that.

I cut the laughter short, leaning forward. ‘’Let’s get one thing straight, Ms. Adams. You work for me now. Your attitude won’t be tolerated.’’ I look at her daring her to challenge me.

She hesitates, her jaw clenching. She’s calculating her next move, and I can almost see the thoughts racing through her mind. Finally, she forced a smile that didn’t look natural.

‘’Understood, Mr. Frost.’’

I nod, satisfied, though her glare lingers a little too long for my liking. When she finally leaves, I pick up my phone and dial Rodney.

‘’I need everything there is to know about Julianna Adams,’’ I say, with a tone of finality. Before he can respond, I end the call.’’.

I lean back in my chair, a smug smile creeping onto my face.

‘’Julianna Adams. This might be more entertaining than I thought.’’