THIRTY: DOMINANCE & RULES

"Hey, so it's my first day here. Can you please guide me towards the financial sector?" I said to the receptionist, who was on the other side of the wooden counter in a cherry Maroon blazer and skirt-neat and professional. 

"Just a second Ma'am. You are… " she trailed, encouraging me to fill in.

"Aurellia Hargrave." I quipped. 

"Aurellia Raymond?" She queried after searching on her computer. 

"Yes-yes." I nodded, looking down out of embarrassment.

"Here is your identification card and the financial sector is on the fourth floor in the C-wing. You will have to take the elevator in the back." She motioned with her hands, handing me over the identification card and a prospectus of Raymond enterprise & holdings.

Striding towards the backside of the office alongside managing to decode the prospectus in my hand.

First five floors were assigned for 'accountancy, banking and finance'. Next four for 'business, consulting and management'. Then one for 'charity work' and 'creative arts & design'. 

As Raymond enterprise was leading in the hotel management sector, so the other wings were for airline catering, marketing, chef's and staff's etc. 

It was a twenty pages booklet and I decided to give it a read thoroughly once I had some free time. 

I pushed the glass door open and the cool breeze of the air conditioner engulfed me in its cloud. Christian was talking to someone, his body draped in a purple suit. Our eyes met and he dismissed the other person to focus his attention sheerly on me. 

I smiled, while walking towards him. We hugged as he said, "First day, kiddo."

"What kiddo? I am not a kiddo." I said being totally offended.

"Yes, kiddo. You are a kiddo. Age wise and also standards wise." He said, carrying his natural smile. 

I pouted, batting my eyes furiously in fake hurt. "You are a meanie." 

"Then you are Mickey mouse."

"I said meanie not minnie. Get your ears checked." I retorted. 

"Haha, I don't have money you see… " it was his turn to pout. I gushed, playing along. 

"No worries, old man. I'll pay for your treatment once I have some money."

"And when will you have money?" He queried showing interest. And the idiot was also smirking.

"Maybe in ten years. Because I also have to buy myself food, and I eat loads, okay? And makeup, clothes, diamonds, a bungalow, white horses for my farm, a bulldozer—"

He chuckled at the 'bulldozer' word, lifting up his hands in mock surrender. "No need for your money."

"Good to hear." I smiled toothyly, tipping on my toes before continuing. "And don't forget, I am kiddo and you are my elder brother. You should buy stuff for me and give me money, not the other way round. Got it?" I said seriously, though I was aware of the fact that he knew I was filling around by his playful expression. 

"Chris, come here buddy." Someone shouted, a lean man with a crafty nose. Quiet an aesthetic look he had.

"Coming." Christian yelled back. 

"Go go, time for booty call." I teased and walked back to my leather swivel chair. 

"I'll catch up with you later."

"Sure." I was walking towards my desk when something, no someone, very familiar caught my sight. 

Callum Hood. My ex. 

Our eyes met and a wave of confusion, then astonishment casted him face. I internally made a bet with myself if he'd rub his eyes with his fist to recheck if I vanished or not, if he was dreaming or not. 

He didn't. 

My bad...

He casually slaughtered towards me with a friendly smile, the same smile which used to flood me with comfort at times. Then?

 But then, I ran away...

But destiny brought us back, wrong timings, wrong place and also when I didn't feel anything about him. And I hope even he wasn't expecting from me either. It would be totally difficult to break his heart twice.

"Small world, huh?" He said. 

"Hey, long time…" I pulled up my lips slightly. He stretched his arms in a hug type of thing and simultaneously I thrusted my hand in his direction. 

Awkward… 

"Uh.. Ahem. Yeah…" we both chuckled nervously. 

"This is the same thing that happened when we went on our first date." He mused out loud, making me rewind back to our memories together. 

I called and Cmet when I was securing my business degrees. We went out for a few dates, four to be precise. There wasn't anything extraordinary we used to do, just dinner and ice cream after that some times. We talked about our future and aspirations, I still remember he was doing accountancy and business simultaneously. He was very smart and intelligent, and mathematics was his best friend back then. And when I used to speak he'd focus all his attention on me, watching me with thoughtful eyes as if my words were so important to him. He wanted to figure me out, know the real essence behind my words which spokesaid a lot but made little sense. They were just black and white words which were intentionally kept void of any emotion. I couldn't bring myself to submit my thoughts to him yet.

 He was like that perfect, ideal person you could marry and have children with. Someone who'd love you with all he has, extremely understanding and patient. He never tried to kiss me or anything for he observed that I didn't like being touched much. We might have hugged after our dates and he used to wait till I pulled my car over the streets, waving till my car was out of sight. 

But something was missing. Spark and chemistry. Despite him being quite good looking with a lean figure and big Green eyes but I never felt myself drawn to him the way I felt for . . . 

But then I fled, not completing my course and clearing off the exams online because I realized that he was about to officially ask me out on our fifth date, which then never happened… 

"Ahem." I cleared my throat. "Yeah… so since when have you been working here?" My mind was already planning for a series of questions to divert the topic. 

"I joined last year…" He said, scraping his hair. "I never thought I'd find you here, not even in my wildest dreams."

I gulped, "Yeah.. Me neither." This was so damn awkward. God! Command mother earth to swallow me, please. 

Suddenly, the glass door opened and everyone looked at the figure walking so ravishly as if he owned the place. Technically and financially, he did, but the authoritative and attractive aura he acquired around himself with possessiveness demanded every eye in the room. And he gained it too.

"Miss. Hargrave, I'd like to have a word with you." He commanded. As if in line, all the eyes shot in my direction and I was taken back at the uncalled event.

"Isn't she Mrs. Raymond now?" Christian mused to himself but unfortunately his words were loud and clear for everyone to hear. And the silence in the air was a bonus. Theodore glared at his younger sibling for a second before boring his eyes into mine, urging me to follow his orders silently. 

Despite the joke, not a single person dared to snicker or exchanged words in whispers. They stood there like robots, disciplined and obedient. The effect he casted over his staff was quite impressive I must say…

"Sixth floor, with your files. I'll be expecting you within two minutes." And with that he was out of my sight. 

Callum nudged me with his elbow, giving a question look. 

Shit, he didn't know we were married. He must be expecting an explanation. What would I even say to him…

Oh, did the boss himself come to summon me and I was still standing like a statue? 

Pretty much yes.

Filling my lungs with air, I sauntered out and the humid air stuck to my bare face instantly. I could feel Callum's concentrated gaze on me boring a black hole on my back till I was out of the sight. I freaked a long sigh.

Confident mode, turned on. 

The only thing revolving in my head was that I'd do the work and try to keep my distance as much I could. I shall complete my work diligently and not let him step over me more. And not that I really had any interest in conversing to him after the trip to Switzerland. 

The thought immediately made the bitter bile rise up to my throat.

P. S. Keep talking to a minimum and keep yourself out of trouble.

 The elevator brisked me to the sixth floor and I stepped out, running a hand through my pants and coat to straighten them. 

Sucking in a deep break and making a little prayer, I pushed the glass door open and walked in front of his desk. This room too was very spacious lit with numerous LCDs and the furniture was less but modern.

"Where are your manners? Haven't you heard of seeking permission before entering someone's territory? Go out now and come back when you are allowed to." He said arrogantly and my eyes bulged in surprise. 

I walked back with my head hung low, totally ashamed at my etiquettes. And the nervousness wasn't helping either. My knuckles tapped the glass door lightly and I waited for him to reply. The bastard took his sweet time before letting me come inside.

How come I was still expecting him to be understanding?

My expectations were going to cost me a lot some day…

"So there are a few rules or rather just general things you must know. This is an office and it's professional here. Nobody brings their personal life into this building. In short, I am not your husband here so you shall address me as Sir. And also, you aren't my wife so you shall by any means not think that you will get special privileges. People work here to earn with dignity and they do it with their heart and soul, they work very hard. So I am hoping I made myself clear."

I nodded.

He tsked. "Words, Mrs. Raymond, words. Actions are out of stimulus but words are out of intentions. So?" He prompted me to follow his instructions with an utterly annoying oversmartness.

"Yes, sir. I understood the rules loud and clear." I said. I kept my words to minimum, not giving much reaction from my side.

"Good. Now, I have another proposition for you. You see, my PA, she's on an off. Personal problems." He wagged his hand dismissively. "So you will be working as my PA till she rejoins." He stated, looking into my eye for the first time today.

"No, sir. I haven't just acquired a degree in finance if I wanted to fill in as a PA. Not to sound offensive but I shall not work as your PA."  I spoke firmly, determined to fight to keep my standards and not get less than I deserve. If he thinks that things would go his way and he could make me suffer more with his low life tactics… he was wrong.

"Who said you'll work as my PA only?"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't give the answer to a question as another question. And what I meant was you'll work as both my PA and financier. As you know that we haven't taken an interview of yours to see your abilities and neither do you have any experience so I think it will be fair to see if you are versatile and how are your time management skills. Don't you agree?" He asked while dialing a number. 

I was about to open my mouth for an answer when the person on the other end of the line picked up the call. Theodore raised his hand to indicate me to shut my mouth. Rude.

But, the way he put the scenario in front of me, I can't tell that he was being wrong or trying to take advantage of me.

"Come to my office ASAP." with that he ended the call, not even bothering to let the other person reply.

"So where were we?"

On earth.

"As I was saying that sir, me being a fresher, I'd need time to get accustomed to it, I am not saying that I can't do it-...but I am not quite sure how much I can push myself to stand up to your expectations. And I certainly don't wanna -"

"Okay. But I, being the CEO cannot be unfair to others and promote someone who isn't worthy for this company."

Unworthy.

"You're not wrong. I'll try my best."

"You'll do your best. If you prove yourself then only you hold your job here." He stated seriously, confidence radiating from his face and resonating from his speech.

"Understood, sir." I curtly replied.

"Since my PA isn't here to tell you about how this PA job works I'll give you a quick  explanation on it. Grab a notebook from that drawer and here is a pen." He pulled out a golden Parker from his metallic pen case and slid it towards me.

I dragged my feet to get to the cupboard in the corner of the room. Pulling the door open, I caught sight of a pile of notebooks, files and other stationary objects.

"You'll need to be quicker than that." I pulled out the first notebook from the pile in a hasty move and closed the doors. 

Picking up the pen I positioned myself to plunge into my work wholeheartedly. I felt excited that it was my first day and I was going to earn money in a decent way.

"Today I am giving you the schedule of my work for the day, eventually you'll have to prepare this. Now, for the time being you just remind me and do the mere stuff here and there."

"Yes, sir." 

"First things first. If you are given a job you do it without a question, if you are unable or not educated enough to handle the job you ask for help rather than being the oversmart one who regrets later. We prefer being safe than sorry. So, I have a conference meeting at three and I want you to contact the head of every department and ask them to prepare a well detailed report especially in the accounting sector because the last time's report was not up to the Raymond enterprise level. You'll also be present in the conference too. And you can get the list and contacts of the heads from the reception." 

I nodded and continued listening with alert ears and scribbling the words if I thought I'd forget.

"You have to make a call to Kevin's farm production and have a talk with the PA of the CEO and fix an appointment.The earlier the better. We have heard they produce very good quality corn kernels in the farms of California so we have to make sure they sell us their produce. And make sure you do the call before twelve. Next you will  be updating all the records of respective sectors in the laptop by tonight. The laptop will be given to you by my hitchman." He looked like he was thinking if there was anything left which could be added to the list. 

"That's all for now and you can ask Christian regarding your job in finance." He concluded with a release of breath.

"Got it, sir."

"Caleb!" A man who looked like he was in his forties entered the room and bowed to Theodore.

"Kindly show the lady Ms. Matthew's cabin and get me some coffee. The usual."

"Sure, sir. Anything else?" He politely inquired in a sweet tone as if he have had a taste of Theodore's earth before. I would be surprised if he hadn't.

"Yeah and keep your phone on." He diverted his attention to me. "I'll be calling in that number because the intercom there isn't working there. And Caleb you'll be dismissed from your job if all the intercom problems and current supply isn't handled today itself. You know I can't tolerate tardiness and laid back workers in my company." And for some odd reasons, he was indirectly darting those words at me, as if making me well aware of my surroundings.

With that, we were dismissed to attend to our jobs. 

***
 

little does she knows...

he thinks about her too...

***