Chapter 2 Ice refrigerator.

Thankfully when I arrived at the office, Alexander wasn't in. I slip into the chairman's office and drop the newly printed files neatly on his desk.

Hurrying away to take care of the piles of work I already have going on.

While preparing slides for the next meeting, I hear a low, noiseless footsteps which I am only able to notice because I have been sitting in anticipation.

With a glance I am blown away by the man approaching. His long legs are finely wrapped in a pair of blue suit pants, his shoulders are wide and open, the white button up shirt flexing every delicate line on his waist. He is already in front of me when my eyes trails up to his face and I am immediately taken aback by the ice cold aura shooting from his eyes.

Yeah. This is definitely him.

"Good morning Mr Stone." I make sure to remember to address him formally.

He gives a curt nod, walking pass without even a pause.

I shiver at the cold air that smacks on my face, sneaking a peek at his back.

Does he eats ice or something? How come he easily defeats the top air conditioning in the office?

Barely ten minutes pass, my telephone gives a loud ring.

Ah-no matter what it is, please be good.

His cold voice is heard the moment I pick up the phone. "Come to my office."

Okay this is certainly not going to be good.

Straightening my dress, I walk to his office with light steps, placing a quiet knock on the door.

"Come in." On hearing the response, I take in a deep breath before entering.

"You called for me Mr Stone."

"Miss Victoria do you value your job?" One question. There is no hint of emotion in his voice not his face but I can feel my stomach tightening with anxiety.

Gritting my teeth, I give a reply. "I do value my job very much Mr stone."

"Do you?" He pushes a familiar file towards me. The one I spent a sleepless night trying to whip up. "This is the value you put to your work Miss Victoria?"

"I apologize Mr stone." I say fully admitting my mistake.

Although I did the best of my power, I myself am not sure about the credibility.

He leans forward, eyes piercing. "Miss Victoria, I expect competence from you. Attention to detail is not optional, but fundamental."

"I understand." My heart drums against my chest, still I fight to maintain my composure.

Please don't fire me, please-just one more chance.

"I hope you do, if you don't then I will have to find someone who does." His gaze remains unforgiving as he looks away.

I push back the blockage in my throat, picking up the file with shaking hands. "I will have this done again."

Rushing out of the office, I am finally able to take a breath.

Balling my hand into a fist, I direct my eyes to the boxes stacked beside my desk, left my the former assistant.

My inheritance!

He wants me to prove myself, and I have to make sure I don't fail.

Retrieving my glasses from the drawer, I harden myself and start all over again.

I can do this.

One hour, two hours, three hours...yet I am still not done.

At some minutes past three I finally let my fingers drumming on the keyboard rest. Letting out a long sigh.

"Done."

And for the next, I begin to compare it with the one I made before, realizing that I really had made a lot of errors and even a novice will do better.

Such terrible work. No wonder he was so mad. Guess he wasn't just been cranky or nothing.

Still, there is a lot to do.

I resume with completing the slides I was working on before, racking my sleep deprived brain while also trying to ignore the hunger bitting on my stomach.

At five, I am finish with all the pending issues. Rubbing on my red and watery eyes.

Let's go eat lunch first.

I will to the elevator, pushing the 2nd floor button where the canteen is.

The elevator is stopped by someone else on the fifth floor and a girl who I find familiar walks in.

"Victoria." She looks at me with face full of surprise.

I had worked with her at the beginning of last week, she works in the pr department. "Hey Sam."

"Are you going out?" She asks face full of curiosity.

"Lunch." I state. Too tired for long sentences.

"It's already almost six and you are just going for lunch?" She blinks comically. Then lowers her voice. "Is it because of the new chairman? Is he overworking you?"

The elevator stops and I look away as three more people walks in. They all seem indifferent to me until Sam asks.

"How is the new chairman. Is he really like they say he his? Cold and uncaring?"

From the corner of my eyes I can see their ears perks up. Clearly hungry for gossip.

Anything I say now will surely become a widely circulated rumour soon.

Damned me if I was to lose my job because of that. So I say in the most professional voice I can muster.

"I don't really know. All I know is that he is the new person who will be paying my salary and that I need to work hard." Thankfully, the elevator reaches the second floor just then, and I quickly walk out.

"That was close." I let out a sigh, heading towards the canteen.

It's already late. I hope they have still have some food remaining.

Like the other parts of the ten floored building, the canteen is build exquisitely, a nice and interactive place for the workers to have lunch.

I serve myself some salad and rice which are the only thing remaining, then find a table to sit.

Half way through the food, I receive a text from Mr stone.

CANCEL THE APPOINTMENT WITH MR WILSON.

Cancel? I should cancel it?

SHOULD I RESCHEDULE IT FOR LATER SIR? I text back.

He surely doesn't means we are not doing the deal anymore right?

Right?

CANCEL IT. Another text comes in, bringing along several headaches.

There isn't any explanation? I should just cancel it, what am I supposed to say?

Forget it.

I wolf down my food, before rushing back to the top floor where my office is.

Looking through the phone book, I find Mr Wilson's Assistant's number and dial on it.

"Hello."

"Hello. This is Victoria from Apex enterprise. Can you please tell Mr Wilson that we will like to cancel the appointment we had beforehand."

"Okay. I will rely it to him." The line goes off.

Wait. That went too smooth.

Why do I feel like there is something behind this? Too fishy.

Settling my glass back on my nose, I prepare Mr Stones schedule for the next day and replied to all the awaiting emails.

After making a few calls the sun has already gone and is fully replaced by the moon.

Mr Stone is still in his office. Is he working?

I gathered the newly made analysis, a little nervous as I walk towards his office.

Straightening my back, I place a knock on the door.

"Come in." My ears tinge on hearing the cold reply.

Thinking that I will have to work beside this man for as long as only God knows, I need to compose myself and overcome this anxiety I feel around him.

"Mr Stone here is the analysis report." I say, dropping it on the table.

He makes no reply, and when I glance up he has his eyes trained on his laptop.

He suddenly looks up, his dark gaze meeting mine, and I cut off my oxygen supply to keep my composure. Stating nervously. "I will go now."

Walking out, I draw in the much needed air.

Geez that man is scary!!

After packing up and getting ready to leave, he still hasn't come out.

Is he perhaps, a workaholic?