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“Oh, sure.” I retrieve the tablet HR gave me from my bag and have barely opened the notes app when he starts speaking in rapid-fire.
“I need my coffee from Dolcezza at eight a.m. sharp. Black with exactly one gram of sugar. Then, you’ll go through my schedule and recheck with clients about their availability. You’ll remind me of my domestic court dates and book the phone calls with international clients. If there’s a flight, you’ll book it beforehand and send me constant reminders about it. My lunch should be picked up from Katerina’s at twelve thirty. My dry cleaning should be put in my flat at three p.m. Then you’ll manage the schedule of when I’m playing golf with the mayor and other influential figures. Always keep your phone with you in case I text you for something urgent—that includes nighttime.”
I’m breathing heavily from the onslaught of information. My fingers ache from typing all his instructions and I hope to hell I didn’t miss anything.
The last bit he says throws me off and I look up. I wish I hadn’t because he’s staring at me like a hawk who’s zeroing in on his prey. It’s almost like he enjoyed seeing me sweat and scramble to write it all down.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Nighttime?”
“We work on international clients’ schedules, who, if you brought your brain with you, you’ll realize are in different time zones than us. If that will pose a problem, you know where the door is.”
Damn this jerk. He’s been trying to get me fired since the moment I walked into his office. But he doesn’t know how desperate I am or how much I need this.
He can show me his worst and I still won’t back down.
“I was only asking for clarification. I’m fine with it.”
I just need to make sure I keep my phone on vibration mode so as not to disturb Jay.
“Not that it matters.” He lifts his haughty, straight nose in the air as if I’m beneath looking at. “Needless to say, I don’t tolerate mistakes. Miss a chore and you’re out. Mess up and you’re also out. Are we clear?”
“Yes.”
“It’s yes, sir.”
I bite the inside of my cheek so hard, I’m surprised no blood explodes in my mouth.
“Are you daft or bad at following instructions, Ms. Adler?”
“No.”
“No, sir. Now, say it.” There’s a challenge in his tone, coupled with a strange gleam in his eyes. It’s nothing bright or shiny like the Daniel I know.
This one is sadistic, glinting with only one intention.
Humiliating me.
But screw him.
If he thinks my pride will stop me from stooping low, then he doesn’t know how much of a thick skin I’ve grown over the years.
“No, sir,” I say with a coolness I don’t feel.
“That’s how you’ll address me from now on. Are we clear?”
I nod.
“You have a voice, use it.”
“Yes, sir.” The last word gets stuck in my throat, no matter how much I try to swallow past it.
The jerk must find pleasure in making me feel as small as a dead fly stuck to the sole of his shoe.
But it doesn’t matter. I went through worse for Jay, and I can do this, too, if I put my mind to it.
Daniel can be the worst boss to ever exist, but I won’t break.
Not after I’ve come this far.
