The man before me is gorgeous. He has a face like one of my dream guys with a chiseled jawline, dark curls which look messy, urging me to run my fingers through them, and his cheeks are endowed with a five o'clock beard. His blue, magnetic eyes are concentrated on my file as he lazily turns the sheets, looking like a professor checking exam papers. His gold watch reflects the light coming through the large glass wall behind him, adding to his charisma. Dressed in a deep grey three-piece suit covering his broad shoulders and lean muscles, his appearance commands the room. The sight of him is so breathtaking that the moment I saw him I knew this plan was never going to work if I didn't manage to keep my imagination in check. When you read too many Book Tok romance books like me, you end up imagining yourself as the heroine every time a familiar situation presents itself. "Miss Emma Gold.." the man begins in a deep voice that makes me squeeze my legs. He shuts the file and raises his eyes to my face. He puts his elbows on top of the file, resting his chin above as he studies me. "I'll ask one simple question - why do you want this job?" I purse my lips, straightening in my seat. "Mr Pierce, I have researched all about your company. You have the environment and the management which I think perfectly suits what I'm looking for. If I'm given the position, I'll do my best to prove myself worth it.." He lifts a hand, waving it in the air to stop my rambling. "Miss Gold.." He leans back in his chair like a man who knows he owns the conversation without requiring permission. "You've applied for the position of my PA. The position does not only require hard work and dedication but also compatibility with me. You understand what I am saying, right?" "I do." He nods slowly, picking my portfolio again and studying it. "Your qualification impresses me but the part about your interests and hobbies has me hesitating. Can you describe them to me in more detail?" "I like to read," I answer immediately. "I like to read and knit and blog about stuff. It helps me pass time." Mr. Pierce raises a dark eyebrow, shaking his head dismissively. "I have met thirty other applicants with the same hobbies. What makes you special, Miss Gold? Why do you think I should choose You?" He drops my portfolio and his gaze on me intensifies as if he can't wait to see if he is finally getting on my nerves. My hobbies should have nothing to do with the job criteria and yet he is making this personal route of conversation sound so official. "Mr. Pierce, I do realize how my qualifications are nothing out of the ordinary but I have been told that I have a way of surprising people with my dedication towards any kind of work. I'm passionate about basically everything I do and work is another passion of mine. I don't work to earn but because I love work itself. It pleases me." "Work gives you pleasure, Miss Gold?" A corner of his lips lifts to form a boyish smirk. I can't deny it. This man has charm. "How much pleasure exactly?" I sense the way his line of questioning is slowly changing directions. He doesn't smile though. Even his smirk is the tiniest curve. I doubt anyone has ever seen this man smile. All his pictures in magazines and last year's Forbes Top 40 Youngest Billionaires were devoid of a smile. "I'll say if you give me the position, you'll find me extremely pleasurable, Mr. Pierce. I have been told to have great flexibility," I reply, squaring my shoulders. "For work of course. Mr. Pierce's jaw remains hard as his eyes drift down my body, taking in my cheap-expensive Walmart dress which I specifically bought for this interview. My job isn't to get the job. My job is to get to him. I tried my best, just like I was told to. My dark brown hair is tied in a neat bun at the back of my head like a professional woman's but some tendrils frame my face in perfect waves. I have kept the make-up minimal but my lipstick is wine-red, the color that most men find hard to not notice. Mr. Pierce doesn't look impressed though as he shrugs disinterestedly. "Miss. Gold, I appreciate you coming in here but I don't think you'll be able to meet my demands. I want an assistant who can stand up to me, speak up when I'm making a mistake, and not rush crying to the bathroom at every criticism I throw at them. Are you capable of managing that? Because to me, you seem as ordinary as the numerous other applicants who came in and sat here today." "And you got that about my personality just by sitting here and asking me useless questions?" I throw back at him and then lean forward slightly, meeting his gaze with confidence. "If you really want to hire someone today, you might want to ask them something more relevant than about their hobbies. For example, give me a situation and ask me how I'll handle it as your future PA." "You're teaching me interview skills, Miss Gold?" The man throws me a curious glance, visibly offended. "You'll do well to remember which side of this room you're sitting on." "Didn't you just say that you wanted someone who could stand up to you and point out your mistakes? I'm doing just that, Mr. Pierce." His jaw hardens further. He moves closer, resting his forearms on the top of the desk and crossing them over each other as he stares at me. I don't let my gaze fall from the strong edges of his face and his piercing blue eyes which compliment every part of his name. Mr. Ryan Pierce Ranked at Top 15 among Forbes 2022's Youngest Billionaires. Age: 31 Height: 6'2 Eye Color: Blue Hair Color: Black Passions: Scowling and grumbling Likes: Being challenged Dislike: People who are scared of him Source: From a very personal member. "Miss Gold..." His voice drops in depth, sounding soft and carrying a seductive tune in it without an intentional attempt. "You're playing with fire here. I'm not like the men you read in your little romance books who find your impulsiveness fascinating. In fact, I'm quite the opposite because right now you're being nothing but annoying to me. I don't let his words bite me as I lean forward too, clasping my hands on top of his desk and resting my chin above them. "Mr. Pierce, do you threaten anyone who points out your mistakes? Because that makes your personality look even less appealing. You had a problem and I gave you a simple solution. You should be thanking me." "Give up arguing, Miss. Gold. You won't be able to do it." "I will if you give me a chance, "I say. "I'm not afraid of you. If you give me a chance, I'll prove it. I will never give up." I notice the tick of his jaw, the twitch in a corner muscle of his eye and I know that I have got him where I want him. "Miss Gold..." he says after a moment's silence. "Yes, Mr. Pierce?" "The job is yours," he declares and then pulls back, leaning back casually in his revolving chair. My eyes widen at this new turn of events. I didn't think it would be that easy obviously. My limbs tremble a little as I move back from his desk, my mouth opening in surprise. "Are you sure, Mr. Pierce?" I ask, thinking I must have heard him wrong. "I am very sure. The job is yours..." Then the man finally smiles lightly - a wicked, wicked smile which he is right to hide from the world because the sight of it is chilling. 'for a month." Damn it! "A month?" I blink at him, even more taken aback than the first time. "Yes, Miss. Gold. I'm giving you one month to prove yourself capable of being my PA. Your salary will be triple the package I offered in the advertisement if you can pass this one month without disappointing me in any way. You'll get your own apartment, your medical fees will be taken care of by the company, you'll get a vacation package and many other perks the job offers." I swallow a gulp, imagining all that actually being mine. It sounds like the deal of a lifetime. Even if I had no interest in the job before, it fascinates me now. Coming from a family of extreme depravity and having lost my adoptive father a few years ago, I have been struggling to manage my affairs for long. His offer sounds so reliving that I find it hard to believe this opportunity. "Really? What's the catch?" "Just one, Miss. Gold." Mr. Pierce lifts a hand to rub at his bottom lip as his gaze on me deepens. "If you lose, you'll apologize to me for this insolent behavior in front of my whole staff. Is that done?" The billionaire bastard gets up from his seat and extends his hand for me to shake. I force myself to smile, getting up too as I look at his hand before taking it. His skin is hot against mine and his hold is tight. "I accept, Mr. Pierce," I say. Welcome to Pierce Enterprises then, Miss. Gold." He grips my hand harder in his. "I hope you have an excellent time here."

Tia blinks at me in an unconventional manner when I narrate the day's events to her. Her green eyes flutter behind her thick lashes. I observe her in my mirror while I decorate my eyes with black eyeliner, creating a butterfly effect on the sides. "Oh my God, Emma!" she suddenly exclaims, getting up from my bed and covering her mouth with her hands. "You were challenged by Eric Pierce! How can you be so okay after that?" She looks visibly speechless, not a surprise considering the way she has had a crush on Eric Pierce ever since he came on the front page of Forbes magazine. She has made him her idol and wants to follow his path to success when she opens her own digital business. The doe-eyed creature even has his public appearances memorized from morning to night which makes me wonder if she would have been his perfect assistant instead of me. She is even prettier than I am. Maybe she would have been a better choice. Her black dress hugs her curves and behind her temporary glasses, there is a sweet heart-shaped face with milky skin and full lips as she stares at me wide-eyed. Her brunette hair hangs loosely over her shoulders, framing her face in gentle waves. I, on the other hand, am dressed in a simple white crop top with full sleeves and a royal blue skirt which doesn't stick to my curves as hers does. My hair is in a half up-do unlike hers. + "It's nothing much, Tia." I drop the eyeliner back in my make-up box before turning to her. "That man is not the idol you make him to be. He doesn't even know how to conduct a proper interview! I pissed him off and that's why he gave me the job.' "But you got to meet him!" Tia contradicts, making dreamy eyes at the ceiling. "And Emma, he is so handsome. God, I wish I was in your place." "Your opinions would have changed," I remark, picking up my sling bag from the bed. "Besides you're lucky you get to do your dream job. I mean Digital Manager for Bright Media? Hello, that's huge!" "But my boss isn't some handsome guy I would drop my panties for in a second. He's a half-aged dude with an eternal growl plastered twenty-four seven." "And my boss has an eternal scowl on his thirty- one-year-old face. That's disturbing. I don't know what would cost that man to smile once in a while. I never saw him smile." "For real, Emma. Your hormones are too strong for my taste. If I was in your place, he would have had me in one go. The way he lifts his eyebrow towards the media is always a classic signal," Tia comments, following me out of my room. "Won't deny that. He does have very angry eyebrows." "Oh, I forgot to ask you." She turns to face me with a strangely serious look on her face as she crosses her arms over her chest. "Why didn't you tell me that our lease has been paid in full? I thought it would be months before that happens. Now I owe you." I go still at her words. I completely forgot about the lease. There is no way he paid for that too. He promised me he would stop interfering. Tia and I had bought our apartment on a lease six months ago after we graduated with our business degrees. We were both lucky to have stumbled upon each other on the day of the viewing of the 2- BHK space. Since we both loved the space and didn't have enough to get the full apartment, we ended up making a deal between ourselves. This was how our friendship started and as of now, in this big city called LA, she is the only one I am close enough to call a friend. I love the girl like anything to lie to her. But the lease? I can't tell her the truth. "Oh yeah..." I shake my head awkwardly. "Yeah, I paid in full. You don't have to pay me now, don't worry. I got some money saved and decided to get the burden off our heads." "But you could have at least discussed it with me, Emma," Tia complains. "This makes me feel so bad. I would have contributed from my savings too. Unable to decide what to say, I go for the option which makes me not look like a sacrificial lamb. "Well, you can just pay it to me." I shrug. "Anyways, let's not talk about it now. You wanted to go to the bar to celebrate and we'll be doing just that. Not speaking of apartments and leases." She gives me a pointed look which makes me suspect that she in turn suspects something fishy. I keep a giant smile on my face as she studies me with inquisitive eyes. "Fine," she says after a while. "But I'm paying you soon." "Can't wait," I grin shamelessly, hiding from her the fact that I didn't pay anything at all. He did. The bar we go into has a plethora of customers and the usual standard area has been converted into a club where the music is jamming at its high. People are crushed against each other, grinding and kissing and licking. I wish I was here to do that with someone. It has been such a long time since my last asshole boyfriend. Matt had been all fun and nice - sunshine and rainbows - until he had ended up slapping me in a fit of rage. In return, I had kicked him in the balls so hard with my heels that the dude ended up in the hospital for a week. I have never been that satisfied with choosing violence. Tia grabs my hand, pulling me to the end of the bar and towards the counter. We find two empty stools and quickly claim our seats, slapping our hands at the counter to call out for drinks. "Sex on the beach!" we both shout, making the bartender, a charming young man, smirk as he prepares our drinks. When he places them near us, we grab the glasses and clink them together. "Here's to new jobs and asshole bosses!" Tia makes a toast, swallowing a long sip of her drink. I follow her, wincing first and then drinking in the juicy feeling. "Oh Gosh… I love this place," I remark, pulling Tia to the dance floor with me. We dance together wildly, twisting our bodies and bobbing our heads. Men stare at us and we admire the attention, letting our hands run through our bodies in a seductive way. The lights mingle with blue and red, creating shadows on the floor. "I'm so happy for you, Emma!" Tia shouts, letting the people around us know how happy she is. In here, nobody minds our loud mouths and ludicrous moves. Here we are free from the constraints of life. This night is ours and we are going to make the best of it. Or at least that's what I think before a large figure walks past me, making me nearly stumble but before I can lose my balance, two strong arms grab me by my waist, pulling me firmly against a hard chest. "Thank you..." I smile as I look up and the smile falls instantly. With a tall body, sturdy muscles and a suit without creases, Eric Pierce's hardened face stares down at me with eyes so piercing blue that I gulp immediately, my eyes darting to find my friend only to see her in the arms of another guy as they both dance together. "Miss. Gold.." His grip around my waist tightens as he pulls me firmer against his chest, encasing me in the protection of his arms when two young boys pass us. "What are you doing here dancing alone?" I rest my palms on Mr. Pierce's chest, holding the lapels of his suit as I gaze at him. "I'm not alone, Mr. Pierce." I reply. "I came with my friend." "And where is your irresponsible friend, may I know?" "No, you may not." His expression hardens, but his eyes sparkle with mischief I have already become used to. Using the force of my hands on his chest, I push away from him, quickly wrapping my arms over my chest. Mr. Pierce's gaze immediately drifts down to my top where a V-cut neck gives a glimpse of my cleavage. He moves past that area of my body and looks at the crowded dance floor. Frowning, he puts a hand on my elbow, holding me gently and ushering me to a less crowded space. His touch makes my flesh give birth to goosebumps at the heat between us. I try to pull my elbow from him but his hold is tough to break. When we stop facing each other, he puts his hands in the pockets of his dress pants and stands tall. "Miss. Gold, you should know better than to waste your time partying tonight. Tomorrow is your first day at work and unfortunately, you seem to be already disappointing me." "We're not in the office." He narrows his eyes at me. "That I can see." Dark lights dance over his face, giving his roughly handsome visage an even handsome look. He is dressed in the same clothes I saw him wearing at the office but he has changed his gold watch for a platinum-plated one. It shines bright and one can easily guess that it costs thousands. A man like him should be visiting richer bars, not a common one as this visited by any other LA citizen. "Want me to buy you a drink, Miss. Gold?" he asks. "You're offering me a drink? After all that happened between us?" I raise an eyebrow in speculation. Mr. Pierce lets out a growl or a laugh, I can't distinguish at all. "Miss. Gold, believe me, nothing scandalous has happened between us..." His eyes fall to my outfit again, sliding up my legs in a curious way. "Yet." My skin flushes, heat filling me and making me increasingly aware of how close we are. He has his one hand on my elbow still and his eyes are fully concentrated on me. I see his face darken as he registers the closeness too. "Hmm... I think I'd rather choke on a melon than sleep with you, Mr. Pierce." His eyes widen and he releases me quickly, looking embarrassed for a second. "What makes you think I was talking about sex, Miss. Gold?" he says calmly. "I was only referring to all that might happen between us tomorrow once you apologize to me in front of my whole staff." laugh at his confidence, putting my hands behind my back and staring up at him "Mr. Pierce.." I begin. "I'm never apologizing to you and neither will I be disappointing you that easily. This job will be mine permanently no matter what you try otherwise." "That confident, Miss. Gold?" I smile, taking a step closer and raising my hands to his chest. His body tenses when my fingers brush up his suit until they find the top-most button of his white shirt. I release it from its hold slowly and then move my fingers down to release another. The first glimpse of his chest becomes visible, a light dust of hair scattered over a taut torso, and I crane my neck towards his face. The air around us tingles with tension, the epiphany of our closeness holding us in place, eyes locked to one another. "Never learned to be anything else, Mr. Pierce. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to go to the washroom." As I turn to leave him, I catch a glimpse of his beautiful face where the lips happen to form just an illusion of a smile as he watches me walk away.

The bathroom mirrors reflect five faces of myself back to me, showing me exactly how flushed I am after that encounter with Mr. Pierce. I know somewhere that I am crossing my lines more than necessary by challenging my boss one night before my workday. So far, by our two conversations, I have managed to figure out that Ryan Pierce has five different kinds of scowls. Unfortunately, they all look the same and they are all present on his face all the time. This man has managed to make me more nervous in a span of twelve hours than I have been my whole life. Heck! I wasn't even nervous when I lost my virginity to Braden Taylor in 10th grade. I sigh at the mirror and then turn the tap on to wash my face. I don't care about my makeup anymore and if I keep myself adjusted, I will end up drinking some more and a hangover isn't a good thing early in the morning of your first day at work. If I look worse, I will feel more comfortable leaving. The cool water releases some tension in my nerves and when I lift my head back up, my makeup is mostly washed away, bringing my many freckles visible to the eyes. Everything has been washed out except for the waterproof eyeliner. Thank Walmart for that too. Releasing a sigh, I open the door to the washroom to step out. Loud music greets my ears, and I see people being even more drunk and crazier than they were when I left the floor. I look at the crowd to search for Tia and see her making out with a guy on the dance floor. From here, he looks kind of cute and I don't want to interfere with her make-out session. Grinning at her luck, I take out my phone and type a quick message to her before sending it. He's cute. Great catch. I'm going home. As I put my phone back into my bag, someone collides with me pretty hard, sending me crashing against a nearby wall. I see spots for seconds as my vision darkens. "Hey, watch out!" I yell, holding my head as it spins. The person who collided with me turns. He looks big, old, and completely drunk. He even has his saliva dripping down his mouth to his beard and is carrying a bottle in his hand. It's disgusting. "Fucking bitch! Standing.. in the way," he growls at me and steps forward. I instantly back against the wall when he steps closer and extends an arm to grab me. "Hey! Move away!" I try to walk past him but he blocks my way and brings his smelly drunken face close to my own. His hands are on my arms, hooking into my neckline as he tries to tear it open. "You'll do for tonight," he slurs, dripping booze down his mouth, I try to reach for my sling bag where I carry a pepper spray always but his body pushing against mine leaves me without space. My arm is crammed between his body and the wall and the pressure of his weight knocks the breath out of my lungs. I don't even realize when I start to cry but as I push against his chest hard, I find fat tears moving down my cheeks. "Let me go!" I sob, crying against his assaults. No one seems to be coming to my rescue. Everyone is drunk and it is late and my best friend is lost in kissing. No, this can't be happening. I can't be getting raped in the middle of a party. As the man reaches for the hem of my skirt, to push it up, a hand slaps on his T-shirt, pulling him off me in one swift force. I gasp, feeling the relief of his body being lifted from me before my sight clears, and I see the person who saved me. Eric Pierce pushes the guy against another wall and as I watch, his fist comes up, hitting the man hard against his cheek. The force is so strong that the man falls to the floor, slurping and becoming unconscious within a second. "Oh my God!" I exclaim, unable to believe that someone's one punch can have so much power. I look up at Mr. Pierce as he releases his hold from the guy's T-shirt and corrects the creases in his suit like a gentleman. A few drunken people who had been paying attention to the scene cheer at him before walking off. He turns to me and I find his strong gaze keeping me rooted in place. "Miss. Gold, are you okay?" he asks, taking a step toward me. "Yeah…I think I am," as I speak the words, my head hurts and the floor beneath my feet rocks. I stumble, falling, but his arms catch me and before I can stop him, Mr. Pierce is scooping me up in his arms swiftly. "Hold on, Miss. Gold. Seems like you have got a concussion. Would you like me to take you to the hospital?" I don't know what he expects me to answer because my brain has completely stopped functioning. From here, I can only see his deep eyes gazing into mine with concern and the feel of his hand under my bare knees. The skin burns so much at the heat of his contact that it feels like I would be left with an imprint of his hand tomorrow. My arms are around his neck and I am unconsciously staring at his lips. "Miss. Gold?" His deep voice knocks me back to my senses and I look around us to see the floor completely packed. No one is paying attention to either of us or to the man who is knocked out flat on the floor. "No, thanks..." I blurt, my voice sounding lazily drunk. My cheeks flush in embarrassment. "I'd like to go home, please. Would you call me a taxi?" I request him like it is a casual favor from a stranger and not from someone who is literally in his arms. My mind is too dizzy to ask him to put me down right now. Don't know what other morons I will end up encountering if he does. Mr. Pierce looks at me darkly and then he adjusts me in his arms, such that my head is lying on his shoulder. With a strong flex of his muscles, he begins walking while I shamelessly lie as a caterpillar in a cocoon. My hold around his neck tightens, bringing me close to his musky scent of beer and sandalwood. He walks us out of the bar but instead of calling for a taxi, he begins to carry me towards a car. An Audi "Umm.Mr. Pierce?" I murmur against his shoulder. "Yes?" he asks, continuing to maintain that scowl. "Where are you taking me?" "Depends on where you live, Miss. Gold." "Where do I live?" He stops in front of his car at my question and raises an amused eyebrow at me. Even from this angle, the eyebrow looks angry. Very very angry "Miss. Gold..." he speaks calmly. "You've managed to get under my skin in the last twelve hours by insulting me, making fun of me, challenging me, and now getting wounded. Do you wish to piss off any further while you're literally in my arms?" I press my lips to a thin line. What a rude man! Shut up, Emma. This rude man is taking you home. "I didn't ask you to carry me." "It was either this or leaving you there to be trampled on by drunken feet. Would you have preferred that, Miss. Gold?" "No." I huff." "Take me home." I see him muttering something to himself as he pulls open the door to the passenger seat of his car. With his strong hands, he puts me inside and his knuckles brush over the sliver of exposed skin of my belly when my crop top hitches up. We both inhale a breath, me out of awkwardness, him I have no idea why. He hooks the seat belt around my torso. Shutting the door, he walks around the car, opens the other side, and gets in. As he starts the engine, he takes another look at me and his frown deepens. He is either disgusted or troubled. I do believe it is the first. I look hideous. "Which way?" he asks. "Drive straight," I say and then mumble the rest of the address as I lay my head back in the seat, closing my eyes. The hum of the engine soothes me a little as he drives the car and soon, I get lost in dreams with the quiet groan of the air coming through the open windows luring me in. I open my eyes when the car stops with a jerk. Looking at Mr. Pierce, I observe him as he gets out of the car and walks around to my side. I watch like a helpless child as he opens the door and stands there, still frowning at me. "Will you walk or do I have to carry you again?" he grumbles the question out, taking a look at his watch. I don't know what's gotten into me but I end up smiling at him and lifting my hands in the air like a child. "Carry me up, please." My boss's eyes widen, his eyebrows raising as he takes my posture in. His face changes color for a second, turning a shade pink but it doesn't miss my eyes. "Should have taken you to the hospital," he murmurs. "You must have hit that head pretty hard." He leans down to release my seatbelt. Hooking his arms under my knees and back, he picks me into his arms again and I lay my head on his strong shoulder. I swear, this man is made of hot muscles I would like to lick someday. "Apartment 250," I tell him as he shuts the door and walks towards the elevator of our apartment building. He keeps his hold on me tight as the elevator shuts and then opens again after some time, bringing into view my floor. I point towards my apartment when he steps out and hear him grumble something again as he walks towards it. Absent-mindedly, I pull the key out of my sling bag and open the door for him. Mr. Pierce enters the apartment and walks to the couch in the hall. He doesn't speak a word as he drops me flat on it. The moment the soft cushion greets me, I twist and turn, feeling sleepy. "When will your friend be back?" he asks as he takes hold of my feet and starts opening my heels with gentle fingers. His touch is warm, making my toes tingle. "She won't be back," I whisper, eyes shutting slowly. "She got a cute guy. She's going to get banged tonight." I don't even flush as I speak the words. I hear a soft laugh and look to find Mr. Pierce chuckling to himself. So he does laugh. "You've no control over that tongue, do you?" I turn to the ceiling, smiling softly and then wider. "No," I answer as Mr. Pierce gets up and starts to unbutton his suit. "What are you doing?" I suddenly become anxious but don't find the strength to say something more as sleep starts to get me deep. He just shakes his head as he gets his sturdy arms out of the suit. He leans down and places the suit over my body, smiling softly. "Have a good night, Emma," he whispers close to my ear. "You have a long day tomorrow." As if my body follows his orders too, I quickly lose myself in a deep slumber.