Chapter Five

Merilyn was just out of the elevator. She looked around the ground floor and regrets filled her eyes. Her carelessness has caught up with her. Her career is gone. What was she going to tell her mother now? She walked forward, thinking.

Her mother had wanted this career for her. She had worked hard to see her daughter out of college and now that she succeeded. The career ended on her first day.

Her thoughts spiral and just as she was about to walk out. A voice called her.

The person's voice was so loud that it caused everyone on the ground floor to look up. But the young woman didn't care. She just stepped forward to Merilyn.

“First of all. My name is Kate Brown. I am also new here. And I am sorry that happened. But you have to go back. I think your work is not over yet.”

“What?..... what are you saying?” Merilyn asked, stunned. She laughed a little, not understanding anything. She held Kate's hands.

Kate kept laughing. “Yes, it's true. You should come with me.

When Merilyn returned to the department with Kate. The hall was already in chaos. Different groups talk as if there was going to be a big problem. Well, there would, since the CEO made it clear to the head of department.

“You foolish girl.” Sandra spoke immediately Merilyn walked inside. “You want to get me sacked? Who permitted you to leave?” She scolded her.

“I think you should leave that scolding for later. I need to present her to Madison right away.”

There was silence in the hall again. Kate was the only one smiling. She was so happy for Merilyn. But Merilyn was not that excited. Yes, she is that her job has not ended. But she still doesn't understand what is happening. So she asked.

“Ma'am, please, I don't understand all this?”

Now she got the two women's attention. Claire faced her and spoke. “You have been promoted to work directly under the CEO with immediate effects. And listen very carefully, young woman.” Claire stepped right into her space. Their noses are almost touching. “If you don't report to the CEO's secretary right now. It could get everyone fired immediately. Now, do you understand it?”

“What? No.” Merilyn found herself saying. And she stepped back from Clair.

“What did you say?”

Some think that she is crazy. Definitely crazy.

“I mean,” she quickly rephrased her statement. “I didn't expect it to happen this way. I am not qualified. I mean, there must be a mistake or something.”

“At least she knows that.” A young woman, one of those that hated her from the moment she walked inside said,

“Sandra stepped forward. “I don't know about qualifications. But if the boss said you're qualified. Then you are qualified. Now get your ass moving before you cause us more trouble.”

Claire held her hand and dragged her away. Leaving the hall in another round of chaos.

As they reached the CEO's suite. Madison rose to her feet immediately she saw them. “You can go back, Claire. Thank you.” She dismissed Claire immediately.

Merilyn was stunned. She wondered how powerful this Madison woman would be. Considering the way she just spoke to someone like Claire. But she didn't say a word.

Madison walked around her, accessing her. She wondered why the CEO would suddenly ask that someone like this clumsy girl be promoted. It amused her considering the fact that her boss is not interested in women and certainly not a worthy staff to talk of a girl like Merilyn.

Merilyn didn't understand the reason Madison was looking at her the way she did. But she knows better not to complain. Besides, that was not her problem. Her problem was that, if this is a punishment of what she had done? She didn't see any good reasons why the CEO would promote her.

She came to a conclusion that he recognised her and wanted to punish her by humiliating her. Whatever happened in the past was a mistake and it wasn't supposed to happen in the first place. She made up her mind to keep pretending that she doesn't remember him. And it will stay that way. Especially now that she will be working directly under him.

“Follow me.” Madison Interrupted her thoughts.

She hesitated and Madison turned back and looked at her. “You don't need to be scared. This place will be your office from now on. We just arranged it as directed by Mr. Stewart. But before you start. He wants to see you. So, follow me.”

Merilyn let out a deep breath. Whatever the matter might be, she was going to face it. So, she followed the secretary inside the CEO's opulent grandeur of an office.

Immediately they stepped inside. Merilyn felt her heart caught. Madison held her hand and led her forward. And when they reached the CEO's desk. She let go

“Mr. Stewart. I have brought the new girl as you have instructed.”

“Leave us.” He cut in immediately, without looking up at them.

Madison knew better not to question him. She left immediately, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Merilyn fidgeted. She doesn't know what to do next. Was she supposed to say something? Ah, yes. The hot coffee incident.

“I am sorry once again about the coffee. Please, accept my apology.” Her voice betrayed her apologies because it wasn't steady.

First of all, he looked up at her. Their eyes met. Then he stood up slowly and walked away from his seat, his eyes never leaving hers. He stepped forward until he was towering over her. Merilyn swallowed. Her body was shaking now. His cologne filled her nose and it was hard to breathe.

Then when he realised that she remembered, but was just pretending. He smirked and stepped backwards a little. Now, he was leaning against his office desk. He crossed his arms against his chest, revealing the veins on his forearms.

Merilyn shamelessly watched the flexing of his muscles. He caught her staring. But pretended not to. But his next words caught her off guard.

“Tell me something…. Do you normally pay men after sleeping with them, or was I a special case?”

Merilyn's eyes widened in shock and she began to cough immediately.