章節 4: Chapter Four- A Tiring Day

My ripped pants! I've totally forgotten about that.

Panic floods my chest as I'm hit with the realization I don't even have any underwear on! Great job, Aria. First day and you're already exposing yourself to your boss. Just fantastic!

My cheeks turn a deep red. He must have saw…I'm so embarrassed right now.

Why do unusual things keep happening to me? And it's only my first day at work. I have such bad luck, honestly.

Mr Crane is still standing there looking at me. His eyes are glinting with…anger? amusement?

In my confusion and embarrassment, I quickly bolt back to the office. Once in, I try to even out my breathing. I feel the back of my pants with my fingers and gasp. The tear is quite big. I hear his footsteps coming back so I quickly open the door on the left side of the room and run in, locking it behind me.

It is a large bathroom, even larger than my bedroom back at home. It is sterile and entirely covered in white. White walls, white floor, white tiles, and a wide mirror, over the sink, reflecting all the white. The effect of it all is making me a little dizzy. I notice a bathtub at the far end of the room in a shower stall. There are also a few towels hanging on a rack.

Does he occasionally take baths in here? How weird.

"Miss Cole?" he raps on the door.

I don't say anything.

"Running won't change what's already happened."

"You don't need to be embarrassed. I'll send someone to get you something else to wear. Just stay in there." With that he walks away briskly.

About twenty minutes later, I hear another knock.

"Yes?"

"Miss Cole?" It's a feminine voice this time.

I timidly open the door and peek out. Standing there is a woman who looks to be in her early thirties. She's Asian and her jet black hair is swept back in a bun.

"Why do all the female employees here look like models straight off the runway?" I think, as I admire her navy blue blazer, grey fitted skirt which stops just at the knee with matching blue heels. She's quite tall too. I notice an engagement ring on her finger.

She holds out a bag and I quickly collect it from her, while muttering a barely audible "Thanks." She gives me a polite nod, eyes scanning me from top to bottom, with a look that's almost sympathetic… almost. Before I can say anything else, she's gone, leaving me standing in the bathroom alone.

Taking a shaky breath, I peer into the bag. There's a pair of sleek black pants folded neatly. I change quickly, feeling the soft fabric of the new pants, it's nicer than anything I currently own. I have sold all the nice designer outfits I used to own, along with my shoes, jewelry, pretty much everything I used to own and yeah, my pride too.

I glance at myself in the mirror, straighten my blouse and fold the old pants into the bag. No more slip-ups. I'm going to make it through this day.

As I step out of the bathroom, my heart still racing from the embarrassment, I find Mr. Crane leaning against his desk, arms crossed. "Nice of you to finally join the land of the living, Miss Cole. I was beginning to think you'd decided to make that bathroom your new office."

"No." I murmur.

He glances down, inspecting the new pants with a cool, critical eye, then his gaze lifts to meet mine, his expression unreadable.

"Good. And don't worry. If anything else needs 'adjusting,'" he says, emphasizing the word with a raised brow, "I'll be sure to let you know."

"Uhm, I do have a question though?

"Which is?"

"How did you know my size?"

"It's one size fits all, I guess. Mia got it." Mia must be the Asian woman.

"Thanks," I say.

He's been very nice and I can tell I'm going to enjoy my stay here as his secretary. I've read many stories about him in the paper and they always passed the same message. Nolan Crane is a dangerous man and a ruthless employer. For the few hours I've been here though, I think he's quite the opposite. Maybe a little harsh sometimes, but still not bad.

I'm proved wrong when he suddenly snaps at me. "This is only your first day here but all this is happening, Miss Cole. Had it been anyone else, I would have fired them because I don't like distractions."

How do his moods change so quickly?

He continues. "The only reason why you're still standing in front of me right now is because I find you entertaining."

My cheeks heat up, but I bite back a reply. Entertaining? What does he think I am, some kind of sideshow? The audacity!

"Right," I mutter, keeping my tone as steady as possible. "Glad I could provide the day's entertainment, Mr. Crane."

He smirks, a hint of satisfaction flickering across his face. His mood changed again. "Oh, don't flatter yourself, Miss Cole. I've had far more amusing distractions in this office than you and your...mishaps."

My jaw tightens as I force a polite smile. "I'll be sure to make fewer 'mishaps' in the future, sir."

"See that you do." He moves back to his desk, picking up a stack of papers and handing them to me. "For now, sign these documents. We'll go over them tomorrow. They are the terms of your employment."

I sit and place the bag on the table. "I though you wanted me to see something?"

"Oh nevermind. I'm not in the mood anymore now. But there's one more thing though…" He pauses, his tone dropping. "Stay away from the other employees. I don't want you picking up any bad habits—or hearing any rumors that don't concern you."

I raise an eyebrow, "Rumors? About what?"

He just gives me a flat look, effectively silencing me. "It's irrelevant, Miss Cole. Keep your head down, do your job, and don't go poking around where you don't belong. Understood?"

I nod, feeling a bit chastised. "Understood."

He gestures dismissively. "Good. Now, back to work." Just as I start to head to my desk, my stomach betrays me with a loud growl. That's when I remember that I haven't had anything to eat all day. I freeze but when I look up, Mr. Crane's gaze meets me.

"You haven't eaten yet?" he asks, his tone somewhere between exasperation and curiosity.

"I, uh… hadn't had the chance," I stammer.

He sighs, clearly not thrilled with this additional distraction. "Sit down. I'll have something brought up. I'd prefer not to have you wandering around to the cafeteria and running into more… incidents."

He picks up his phone and calls someone to bring food. A few minutes later, the tray of food arrives. Pasta, fresh bread, and a side salad. I can't help but look at Mr. Crane, who has resumed his usual stern demeanor.

"Go on," he says, nodding at the tray. "Eat. Just don't turn this place into your personal dining room."

"Thank you," I mumble, sitting down and taking a bite, grateful but too overwhelmed to say much more.

After I finish, he stands, checks his watch and frowns. "I'll be out of the office for the rest of the day. You'll get your official acceptance letter tomorrow along with your employee ID card. Someone should be here shortly to collect the forms you signed."

After a beat he adds, "You can go home anytime you want today since tomorrow will be your official first day at work. You'll be introduced to the team tomorrow. I have your email, I'll send my schedule for this week there so you can study it. "

"Okay sir," I reply.

"We still have so many other things to discuss. But that will all be for tomorrow. Got it?"

"Yes!"

Two men in business suits walk into the room then.

"We're ready to go." They both echo. With a curt nod, he turns to leave the office. As he reaches the door, he turns back and gives me a pointed look. "Do not rip anything while I'm gone Miss Cole"

It's only when he leaves that I finally exhale, relieved and a bit baffled by the whirlwind of my first day.

After sitting idly for an hour or so playing games on my mobile phone and pacing around the room, I realize I'm bored so I gather my things, ready to go home.

As I step out of the building, the warm afternoon sun feels almost blinding. And suddenly, a strange feeling creeps over me, like someone's eyes are on me. I look around, but the streets are quiet, and I try to brush it off.

Standing at the curb, waiting for a taxi, the unease doesn't leave. My heart picks up, and I start scanning the area, hoping it's just in my head. Then, just across the street by the little coffee shop, I catch sight of someone. They're mostly in shadow, but I feel a shiver run through me. Are they watching me, or am I just imagining things?

I shake my head, trying to steady myself. I'm probably overthinking it. I take a deep breath, waiting for a taxi to pull up, but the feeling doesn't fade, it sticks with me, like I'm not as alone as I thought...