CHAPTER SIX

Nora's POV

That was quite an altercation. The atmosphere in the company has never been this tense since I started working here. I knew Victor Sterling was a strict man, but I never imagined he would be that harsh with his own son, the heir to his multimillion-dollar company.

The brawl had everyone talking in every department. The whispers were so loud they could be heard from every corner of the building. Poor Adrian must be losing his mind up there.

I couldn't make out most of what was being said, but I think it was primarily business talk—and I also suspected it was about me. I knew I wasn't welcome here, and my confrontation with that arrogant woman, Vivienne, must have made things worse.

Victor had been gone for a while, but his presence sure did leave a mark. The murmurs had started to die down, but the weight of them still lingered. My desk, which was my safe space, now felt like a fishbowl under the scrutiny of my coworkers.

Somehow, the fight wasn't the only thing being talked about. My dance with Adrian was now a trending topic. It was bold of me to assume that whatever happened that night would not get leaked to the entire office.

I was now frantic. I kept my head down, my fingers flying over the keyboard like I actually had something urgent to finish. I was really just typing nonsense to keep myself busy.

Just then, a sharp ping interrupted my thoughts. It was an email.

Come to my office.

NOW.

– A.S.

This day could not get any worse.

I swallowed. I didn't know what to expect. Was he going to fire me? Was he going to talk about last night? Or were we going to have one of those weird moments again?

I pushed back my chair and stood. Every step to his office felt like balancing on a tightrope. I was pretty sure I was sweating. I tried to balance my dear with my anticipation.

When I entered, he was standing behind his desk, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable as usual.

“Close the door,” he said, without looking back at me. I was hesitant but I obeyed.

“What was that stunt you pulled back there?” he asked, still standing behind his desk. I was not sure what he was talking about at this point, because I had been pulling most of these stunts frequently.

“Why were you up here when Victor was around? And why the hell are you quiet?”

My head was down and I was panicking. I immediately thought Victor was here because of me. What I said to Vivienne must've circulated and Victor wasn't having it. He probably came here to make Adrian fire me. This could mean the end of my job.

Just then, Adrian turned around and approached me. He placed his hand on my jaw and lifted my head up, not hard enough to make it violent and not slow enough to make it romantic.

“Answer me,” he said, now sternly, his green and fierce eyes peering aggressively into mine.

Immediately I was jolted back to reality, and I managed to force out a few words. “It was a mistake, Sir; it won't happen again. I promise. Just let me keep this job.”

“You know the circumstances with which you got this job. I expect you to be on your toes. Every step you take and every mistake you make won't go unnoticed by me, my father, and even your coworkers. Stay focused. Know your place. Do not come up here unless I summon you. Do you understand?”

“Yes”.

I responded, but he refused to let go of me.

“Yes sir”.

“Good”.

He finally let go of my chin and walked back to his desk.

I didn't know if I was to leave, because he didn't dismiss me, so I just stood there waiting for his next order.

“ You handled last night really well,” he said as if he wanted to ease the tension he knew he had just created. He finally looked at me, his gaze sharp, a faint smile forming across his perfectly shaped lips.

“I expected you to crumble after what Vivienne said.”

“I've dealt with worse.”

“So it seems”, He said as something I couldn't name flickered in his expression.

“Is that all?” I said as I crossed my arms

“No.” He said, gesturing to the seat across from him. I refused to move.

His lip twitched. “Sit down Nora.”

I reluctantly took my seat.

“There’s an upcoming business trip,” he said. “A three-day conference in Chicago. I need an assistant there.”

I frowned. “And?”

“You’re coming with me.”

I blinked. “I—what?”

“You heard me.”

I leaned forward. “Why? You have other assistants.”

He tilted his head slightly, as if amused. “Would you rather make me take Vivienne?”

I gritted my teeth. “She’s not your assistant.”

He smirked, and I hated the way my stomach twisted at the sight. “Exactly.”

I exhaled sharply. “Fine. What’s the agenda?”

“Meetings, dinners, networking events.” He leaned back. “And, of course, you’ll be expected to… keep up appearances.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”

He held my gaze. “It means you’ll be by my side. You’ll dress the part, act the part.”

I swallowed. “So, what? You expect me to be your—”

“—assistant,” he finished, but the glint in his eye suggested something more. “Get over yourself, Sinclair.”

Too late.

“I’ll have everything arranged,” he said, standing. “You can go now.”

I stood, but before I reached the door, he spoke again.

“Oh, and Nora?”

I turned around.

“Don’t make me regret choosing you.”

I lifted my chin. “That goes both ways, Sterling.”

His smirk deepened, and I walked out before I could overanalyze what it meant.