The Intern Who Won The Boss' Heart

The place Dayana feared the most was Mr. Aleman's office. Rumor had it that every trainee assigned to him gave up within a few days because they could not handle his cold attitude and constant humiliation.

"He may have his attitude, but I've got mine too, and I won't let him treat me however he wants," she kept telling herself during the taxi ride to the well-known "Aleman Consortium," a family business known for offering excellent opportunities to young professionals.

It did not take long for her to understand that working with him would be difficult. As soon as she introduced herself, the confidence she had worked so hard to build disappeared. He ignored her greeting completely and examined her from head to toe with clear contempt.

"That outfit isn't appropriate for working at my company," he said with an arrogant tone, openly criticizing her simple knee-length skirt. She had chosen that outfit on purpose because she did not want to look provocative on her first day. Never had she expected her own boss to mock her and make her so uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, sir. I should've learned the company's rules beforehand. If you could provide them, I'd really appreciate it."

"Go to Human Resources. They'll give you a basic orientation," he replied without the slightest interest.

A burning sensation rose behind Dayana's eyes, but she refused to cry. She had made a promise to herself to stay strong, and she had no intention of breaking it. Even after being humiliated by her boss, she was determined not to let the experience push her into quitting her internship.

As the day went on, his behavior made it obvious that he had disliked her from the very beginning. Every instruction came with a harsh and commanding tone. He constantly criticized her for not knowing certain things, yet he never seemed to remember that she was only an intern. She was a newcomer who had just started working as his assistant.

"Miss, get me a coffee," Carlenton instructed.

"A coffee? At this hour?" she asked without thinking.

"What was that?"

"I said I'll get it right away."

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted speaking out of turn.

Once she arrived at the break room, a new problem came up. She had forgotten to ask how he wanted his coffee prepared.

"Most rich people probably drink it black anyway," she told herself.

In the end, her boss sent her back several times, insisting that every cup she brought was wrong.

"Sir, could you please let it slide just for today? The elevator isn't working, and I really can't keep climbing all those stairs anymore," she said, trying to reason with him.

Without warning, Carlenton rose from his chair and slammed a hand against the desk before firing back with harsh words.

"Am I your employee now? Or are you my wife that you think you can ask me for special treatment?"

"No, sir. I'm sorry. Please forgive me," she replied in a shaky voice.

"Forget the coffee. The moment for that is gone. Since I didn't get my damn coffee, you're going to deal with the consequences," he warned.

The last thing Dayana expected was to find her boss waiting for her after work. He asked her to come with him on a business-related errand. Since he explained that the time would count as overtime for her professional internship, she agreed without much hesitation. To her surprise, he took her to a clothing store. At first, she assumed he wanted help choosing clothes for a girlfriend or perhaps a wife, even though nobody had ever mentioned that he was married.

Instead, he picked out several office suits and told her to try them on in the fitting room.

"I don't get it," she said with a frown.

"I already told you that my company follows a different dress code. Starting tomorrow, you'll wear these. The cost will be deducted from your salary."

Dayana pressed her lips into a thin line. Inside, she was cursing her arrogant and controlling boss. How could he drag her into a store and spend her money without even asking if she agreed? She had not even received her first paycheck yet.

By the time they left, she was carrying four suits in different colors.

"I'll take you home," he said, still speaking in that same condescending tone.

"That's not necessary, sir," she replied.

"I wasn't asking. Stay here. I'll be back in a minute."

The moment he walked toward the cashier to pay, Dayana took the chance to slip away. She quickly flagged down a taxi and returned to her apartment with a nervous feeling in her chest.

"I just hope he doesn't give me a hard time tomorrow for leaving without him," she told herself, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

Carlenton's POV:

I knew it was time to welcome a new group of interns, but I never expected one of them to turn my life upside down. She had every quality I'd ever wanted in a woman. Yes, I flirted shamelessly, but none of that mattered once the right person finally came into my life. Somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was the one who had just walked into it.

Then again, what was I even thinking? I'd made myself a promise a long time ago that I'd never fall in love again. Even so, there I was, letting myself think about something that was never going to become reality.

The truth was, Dayana was smart. Once I explained something to her, she could handle the rest on her own. That irritated me. I'd spent years intimidating interns and making them nervous, yet she didn't seem bothered by my temper or the remarks I made about the way she dressed. Honestly, what was I thinking when I told her to wear skirts so short they might as well be miniskirts?

Seriously, something must be wrong with me!

I had to stay one step ahead of her. Otherwise, this young woman might outsmart me and stop taking me seriously.

I couldn't let that happen!