FINDING ROSE

ROSE

I forced my eyes to focus, skimming the words even as my pulse hammered in my ears. Okay... figures... projections... a merger... I can do this.

The paper trembled slightly in my hand, so I pressed it flat against the desk to steady myself. Seconds bled away like drops of water. I inhaled deeply, straightened, and spoke.

"This document outlines a projected merger deal between Sterling & Co. and two subcontractors. It highlights revenue growth, risk distribution, and the benefits of outsourcing logistics. The potential risks center on over-reliance and contractual liability. In short, the deal strengthens market position but requires strict legal oversight."

I stopped, breath catching.

Adrian hadn't moved the entire time. His silver eyes stayed fixed on me, unreadable, hands steepled beneath his chin. When silence stretched, doubt gnawed at my insides. Did I mess up? Was that too vague?

Finally, he spoke.

"4 minutes."

My brows knit. "Sir?"

"You did it in under a four minutes," he clarified, his tone smooth, calm but carrying that weight again, the kind that made the air in the room feel heavier. "Concise and correct."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Thank you, sir." The moment Adrian nodded in approval, the tension in my chest unraveled. I hadn't realized how stiff my back had become, how tightly I'd been gripping the pen in my hand until it finally slipped free, leaving faint indents in my fingers.

I lowered the file onto his desk carefully, almost reverently, as though setting down proof of my worth. He didn't say much, he didn't need to. That single nod, his quiet "correct". was enough to melt the anxiety that had been eating at me since morning.

Inside, I sighed with relief. You did it, Rose. You didn't falter, not in front of him.

I allowed myself a small smile as I straightened up, though I kept it professional, not wanting to seem too eager. Still, I couldn't help but feel the warmth rising in my chest. I had passed the task his task. The one I'd dreaded, the one I thought might expose every crack in my confidence.

"But..." He leaned forward, his gaze pinning me like steel. "That was the easy part. Don't mistake one success for competence."

The praise evaporated, replaced by a chill. I swallowed hard and forced a nod. "Understood, sir."

A faint smirk ghosted across his lips, subtle, fleeting, yet mischievous. "Good. You'll learn soon enough. From now on, you answer only to me. At my beck and call, whenever I require it."

The words rolled out slow, deliberate, heavy with meaning.

Something twisted in my chest. Overwhelmed didn't even begin to describe it between the tension in his voice, the weight of expectation, and the suffocating awareness of who exactly I was dealing with, it was almost too much.

Almost.

I sat a little straighter, forcing strength into my voice. "Yes, sir. I understand."

His eyes lingered, searching me. Then, with a dismissive wave of his hand, "That will be all for today. Ethan will brief you further."

Relief washed through me so strongly I thought my knees might give out. But as I stood and walked toward the door, I caught a flicker of his smirk again controlled, quiet, but undeniably there.

Like he knew something I didn't.

Like I'd just stepped into a game I wasn't ready for.

The door clicked softly behind me, and I let out a shaky breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The  air felt lighter, the hallways brighter. It was just one task, I knew. There would be more, harder ones waiting. But for now, the relief was sweet, like the first breath after holding it too long. My palms were damp, my chest tight, but I kept my head up as Ethan fell into step beside me.

"Come on," he said, his voice kinder than his boss's but still clipped with efficiency. "I'll show you your preliminary schedule and office duties."

I nodded, clutching the folder tighter to keep my hands from trembling. The hallway stretched wide, polished floors gleaming beneath the warm lights, the sound of our footsteps echoing faintly.

Ethan handed me a slim tablet as we walked. "This contains your orientation notes, contacts, and your assignment timeline. Meetings are synced here. 

You'll also find Mr. Sterling's personal calendar he doesn't share that with just anyone." His eyes flicked toward me, assessing. "So don't make me regret it."

The weight of responsibility pressed heavier, but I forced a steady breath. "I won't."

We stopped outside the shared office space I'd been shown earlier. I could still hear the soft murmur of the other secretaries chatting, their laughter light and easy compared to the knot twisting in my stomach.

Ethan glanced down at me, his tone softening. "Look... he's not easy to work with. You probably realized that already. But if you keep your head, stay sharp, and learn fast, you'll survive."

I blinked at him, startled by the sliver of reassurance. Then, almost against my will, I smiled faintly. "Thank you, Ethan."

He gave me a short nod. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be... different."

He left me there, vanishing down the corridor like a shadow.

I lingered in the doorway a moment longer, then slipped inside to gather my bag. The three secretaries glanced up, offering polite smiles before returning to their work. Everything about them seemed so... normal. Routine.

But nothing about this felt normal.

By the time I stepped out of Sterling & Co. into the fading afternoon light, my mind was spinning. 

Adrian's voice replayed over and over: At my beck and call. Whenever I require it.

The words crawled under my skin, unsettling and yet... impossible to ignore.

I wrapped my arms around myself as I walked back toward the bus stop, determination slowly burning through the fear.

Yes, I was overwhelmed. Yes, I was nervous. But I wasn't about to let Adrian Sterling or anyone break me.

If this was going to be a game, then I'd just have to learn how to play along.