08

Pathetic !

Without saying another word and without answering me, my new boss turns his back on me and leaves. Well, maybe it's not so terrible as it looks... It's not only his words that intimidated me but it's especially his attitude. His piercing gaze scrutinized me completely, lingering primarily on my chest and my legs. Very bad idea the lace on the first day Candice! Now I'm sure he thinks I'm trying to show off my skills to hide my supposed lack of skill. But I'm going to prove him wrong.

I finally manage to join my colleagues and sit down opposite Marina. I try to follow the conversation and participate here and there, but my mind is too busy with my meeting with Mr. Archer. Every time we have an exchange, I am extremely uncomfortable. I must surely be making up my mind, but I have more and more the impression that he is looking at me like a...predator.

When his eyes meet mine, I feel like an animal caught in his nets, with no escape. I really need to get used to his attitude and stop being petrified in front of him. On the other hand, I would like to see you there in my place! Imagine that a man as tall as a basketball player, as muscular as a rugby player, with a mesmerizing gaze and crazy charisma stares at you like that. If we leave aside the undeniable charm that I could find in him in a completely different situation, he is nonetheless a macho boss, haughty and authoritarian at first sight. And the interview that awaits me at the end of the day does not delight me!

After getting to know the whole team at noon, I return to my post and start my first file. The situation is quite simple: the client is a regular, his request is clear and precise and the additional information that my colleague sent me is very useful to me. At this rate, I think I can present my offer to Marina tomorrow. I manage to concentrate long enough to forget about my impending appointment and plunge headlong into my market research. Around 4:30 p.m., I take a deep breath and get up from my chair to meet Mr. Archer.

I walk with a trembling step towards his office, I don't know why I'm so worried. It must be said that his attitude towards me never reassured me. Arrived at the door of his office, I breathe in again, I straighten my shoulders and I plaster a warm smile on my face before knocking. Her mumble lets me guess I can get in so I do.

"Did you ask to see me, Mr. Archer?" I launch in a falsely neutral voice.

My new boss then looks up from his computer but at no time does his eyes meet mine. No. He undresses me with his gaze and every inch of my body undergoes this eye assault. His brown irises linger first on my chest, then down along my belly which contracts instantly to finally land on my legs and finally back on my face. I have the impression that he is scrutinizing me in detail.

Uncomfortably, I slightly moisten my lips with my tongue and timidly dance from one foot to the other. What is he waiting for at the end to speak? When his gaze finds mine, a slight smile forms on his lips and I have absolutely no idea if I should return that charming smile. I then nibble my lower lip nervously as he finally breaks the silence.

-You will take full charge of the Royal Beauty file. I want you to be the sole speaker on this file.

Sea... damn! He wants me to handle the biggest case on my own on my first day? What is this story ? As my questions mix with my doubts and my mind begins to panic, he continues in his deep, masculine voice.

-Marina being overloaded with work, I don't want to learn that you asked her about this file.

He pauses as he gazes back into mine, his intriguing smile still hanging on his lips.

- This file is crucial for the turnover of the months to come. It is due in one month, which coincides with the end of your trial period. I think you know where I'm coming from, Miss Dumin, don't you?

At this precise moment, I realize the ultimatum he is asking me. His smile still on his lips, he seems to be waiting for an answer or a reaction from me. The voice uncertain and the blood boiling I answer him:

-You can trust me, I will live up to your expectations.

-I can't wait to see this, he throws at me, a sadistic smile clinging to his lips.

Yes, that's exactly the term. He is sadistic. When I thought my ordeal was over, he adds:

-And I'm delighted to see that you have found clothes that deliciously enhance your body...

I immediately blush like a tomato and the only words I can jabber sound vaguely like "Huuumm... uh... ok". Terribly embarrassed and seeing that he has nothing more to tell me, I turn on my heels and head for Marina's office to retrieve the blue file. When I tell her about our boss's request, she seems really surprised and very annoyed for me. She then slips me these words discreetly:

-Look, apparently I can't support you on this file and your future here depends on its success, so all I can tell you is that my former assistant has already started working on it. His research and annotations are on the secure server that you can access from your computer. Know that I have validated this information and that this report is a very good starting point. Don't worry, if you need anything, I'm here.

Her words comfort me slightly and after thanking her, I go back to my office to finish my first case in order to immerse myself body and soul in the blue file as soon as possible. It's 7 p.m. when I turn off my computer, all my colleagues have already left for well over an hour and I think I've completed the first file. I take a look at my next taunting challenge, sitting proudly on my desk. I promise myself to overcome them successfully and to prove to Mr. Archer that I deserve my place among them.

My boss does not leave my thoughts, even after returning home. I replay the scene of our interview over and over again. His look, his attitude, his smile... all this leads me to the same conclusion: this man is undrinkable, macho, impolite, sadistic and perverse. And a little sexy too.