Chapter 4

Crystal POV

I stood and raised my head as I looked up at the tall building that towered over me. My heart raced frantically against my chest.

I clutched onto my bag with my sweaty hands.

"You can do this Crystal," I whispered to myself and breathed out heavily. As I took one step towards the entrance, someone bumped into me from behind and I almost fell on my face.

"Watch it rookie," the lady's voice boomed, followed by the clicking of her heels.

I opened my mouth to talk but I snapped it shut almost immediately. It was my first day and I didn't want to offend anyone.

I looked around and some people were already staring at me like I was some weirdo.

"Don't let them get to you," I reminded myself and nodded. It was the beginning of a new phase and I don't want to ruin it before I could benefit.

My alarm blared, startling me. I looked at my wristwatch and the time was still ticking. I picked up the pace as I rushed towards the front desk.

"Good day, I'm the new hire for the Personal Assistant position of the CEO," I informed the young lady.

She paused and scanned me from head to toe. I couldn't make out what was going through her head.

Was I improperly dressed? I looked at myself to make sure nothing was wrong. After that I shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm Crystal Clarke," I mentioned my name to clarify that I knew what I was talking about.

"Hmmm," she cleared her throat. "Well..." Her voice trailed off as her gaze shifted to look at somewhere else but mine remained on her.

"Tiana!" She called out. "I need your help with something."

Soon a blonde dressed in a well-tailored suit appeared before me. She looked elegant and nothing like me.

"What do you want? I'm running late for a meeting," she said hurriedly.

"Sorry for disturbing you. Well, this is Mr. Jules's new personal assistant. Kindly take her to the HR department, so she can get settled in." The front desk officer informed me and the lady didn't even spare me a glance.

"Come with me." With that she started walking away while I trailed behind her.

I tried to match her pace but she didn't bother to slow down. I winced as my toe started to hurt.

We entered the elevator and she pressed floor number 6. Everyone acknowledged the lady that I was with.

I tapped my feet restlessly against the ground. It was my first time working in a corporate setting of this scale and it might take me a while to get used to it.

Thirty minutes later, the HR had finished briefing me on my duties and things that I needed to know.

I twisted the doorknob and I froze. My jaw dropped. My office looked luxurious. It was nothing like I had ever seen.

Slowly, I walked in as I traced my fingers on the glass table, the office chair and other things.

Mr. Jordan won't be available till tomorrow so I still had time to get settled.

My phone started ringing. I answered the video call when I saw that it was Nina.

"Hey girl!!!" She screamed.

I waved at her, grinning from ear to ear. "Nina...."

She squirmed excitedly. "Tell me all about it?"

"My office is way bigger and more beautiful than I expected," I started but my joy was cut short when his angry voice boomed from outside my office.

"Where's the personal assistant you hired? How could she be so incompetent on her first day of resumption?" He barked.

I could recognize that voice in my sleep so I knew he was the one. I quickly hung up the call. Beads of sweat quickly formed on my forehead and I swallowed.

He was angry and available. The HR told me he won't be at the office until next week.

I tossed my phone on the table as I paced back and forth. Should I go out or not? If I should stay hidden here, wouldn't it annoy him the most?

My goal was to always be on his good side but I was afraid that the dream had been shattered before I could even start.

"Think straight Crystal." I scolded myself.

Go out.

I straightened my outfit and took a deep breath before walking out of my office. I headed towards his office and knocked gently on the door.

I waited for a response but got none.

Unshed tears stung the back of my eyes. Was I about to lose my job?

Gosh why didn't I arrive earlier? Why didn't I prepare? I've always known that Mr. Jordan is a principled man but I still messed things up.

Let's not conclude yet. He might understand and give me a second chance.

I raised my hand to knock for the second time when the door opened and a young lady about my age came out crying.

I looked at her retreating figure. Millions of thoughts were running through my head. Questions that I had no answer to.

"Come in," he said, disrupting my train of thought.

Oh he heard me the first time but chose not to answer. With a shaky hand, I pushed the door open but I made sure to fix my gaze to the ground.

I dared not raise my head because I didn't know the disaster that awaited me. I took small steps towards him but didn't get too close either.

I waited for him to say a word. Seconds turned into minutes but nothing.

"If you have nothing meaningful to say, leave my office," he spoke up but his voice was so cold that it sent shivers down my spine.

"Good morning sir," I greeted and paused. "I'm Crystal Clarke, your newly hired personal assistant," I announced as I looked at him from underneath my lashes.

He stopped whatever he was doing and looked up at me. In his previous interview, he stated that he doesn't like people who are not confident.

I straightened my posture and faced him properly.

He leaned back against his chair. "What makes you think that you still have your job?" The words rolled off his tongue, slicing through my skin like a double-edged sword.

Fear clawed at my heart but I didn't let it show.

"It's my first day of resuming duties and so far I believe that I've strictly adhered to the instructions given to me," I replied with a firm voice.

"Choose your words carefully, Crystal." My subconscious yelled at me but I remained unfazed on the surface despite how fast my heart was beating.

"Confidence without discipline is nothing," his words drove through my heart again.

"I didn't personally approve your appointment as my personal assistant. Left to me I wouldn't hire someone who is lacking." He paused and added. "How could you be an hour late on your first day of resumption?" he asked with a dangerously low voice.

Before I could talk, he quickly added. "Hand in your resignation and see yourself out."

He continued working but I couldn't bring myself to leave. It was as if my legs were stuck to the ground.

"I can't sir because I resumed at exactly the time that the HR told me to. As for the lateness, the resumption time is 8:00 and I arrived at the company at exactly 7:30 a.m" I blurted out recklessly.

His cold eyes found mine and pierced through them.

It was the first time I would defy my boss. He didn't look pleased and I was shocked at myself.

Jordan was nothing like the man I'd imagined. Maybe working with him wouldn't be any

thing like I'd pictured either.

Unless there was a side of him that he doesn't show the world. But I'm willing to take this risk.