*Clara's pov*
"I want you to personally work with me," he stated, the words hanging in the air of his office.
A knot tightened in my stomach. The certainty in his voice was chilling, instantly signaling that something was deeply up. "Mr. Sylus, I appreciate the opportunity, but why me? I assure you there are other far more experienced and qualified interns waiting downstairs for an interview."
He leaned back with an almost predatory smirk playing on his lips. "But I don't want them, Clara. I want to work with you. I don't choose people suddenly, or without making very thorough research, as you should know."
I subconsciously dropped my gaze, hating that he could see my surprise. "I'm truly sorry, sir, but I have to decline." The words felt heavy, yet necessary.
"I'll pay you," he countered instantly, his tone shifting from commanding to persuasive. "Triple the standard intern rate, if you wish."
"Sir, it's not about the money, I'm just not sure..." I began, but he didn't let me finish.
"How about three thousand dollars a month?" The number sliced through my weak protest. He cut me off completely, sealing the proposition. "And I know you can't reject this offer, Clara. You need it."
My head snapped up. "What? What do you mean by..."
"I know your father is struggling with your tuition payments, and your family is currently experiencing some financial strain, I suppose." He delivered the news without a trace of sympathy, as if he was stating the weather.
"How did you know that?" I demanded, meeting his gaze directly now, my shock overriding my professional stature.
"I know everything, Clara. And plus, I already told you I did my research before choosing you. Don't you listen?" He paused, allowing the weight of his power to settle over me. "So, are you accepting my offer?"
Honestly, he was right. I had no genuine choice. My family was comfortable, yes, but we often struggled just beneath the surface, and the recent, unexpected increase in my university tuition had been a crushing blow. I needed this, desperately. This wouldn't be happening if Shysie hadn't caused all this ... I pushed the thought away, focusing on the future.
"Okay," I answered firmly , a bitter taste on my tongue. "I accept your offer. I will work with you. But if I may ask, what exactly will be my official position?"
"You will simply be my personal assistant," he said, making his way back to his seat behind the imposing mahogany desk. "And you will be available whenever I call for you."
"Understood, sir."
"I told you to call me Sylus, Clara. Please try to be more attentive," he corrected,
"Okay… Sylus."
"You may leave. You can start tomorrow. I'll have a car sent to pick you up."
"Don't worry, I don't live far. I can easily come on my own," I tried to gently refuse his offer.
The smile vanished. His eyes hardened. "Clara, there is one thing I absolutely do not tolerate, and that is being argued with. You listen and obey everything I instruct. Do you understand that clearly?"
"Yes."
"Good. Then leave."
Gathering my portfolio and jacket, I left his office, the heavy door clicking shut behind me. The polished hall felt colder, the air thicker. I couldn't wait to get home and tell Zael everything that had just happened , the unsettling offer, the extremely high salary, and the deeply disturbing knowledge Sylus held over me.
***************************************
The drive had been a long one and confusion, a seemingly endless journey through unfamiliar city blocks, made all the more intense by the weight of the day's events. When the car finally pulled up to the side of the campus, the imposing brick facade of the dormitory felt like a beacon. I practically stumbled out, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to me , yet a strange energy still pulsed beneath my skin. I could not wait another minute to find Zael and pour out every single unbelievable detail of what had transpired at the office.
I pushed the door open and stepped into the familiar smell of our shared room. As expected, Zael was exactly where she always was when she wasn't in class , wrapped in her duvet, a romantic novel tented over her face.
"Zael! You will simply not believe what kind of day I just had," I announced, as I kicked off my work heels which was tiering to wear giving me immediate relief as I removed them . I tossed them carelessly by the door and sat down hard on the edge of my own bed, leaning forward to catch her attention.
I entered in to the story, starting with the unexpected summons and ending with the final, offers. Zael removed the book from her face, her initial expression of lazy concern quickly morphing into wide-eyed shock . She was completely rapt, hanging on my every phrase. Her shock was evident with each new statement I made , from the staggering amount of money he offered, to the unbelievable perk of a personal driver.
"Oh, my gosh, Clara!" she finally exclaimed, pushing herself up onto her elbows, her voice of genuine excitement. "Luck is absolutely, extremely on your side right now! This is incredible! I am so, so happy for you!"
"Thank you, Zael," I replied, a genuine smile finally breaking through my face.
"Soooo," Zael began, her tone shifting, a mischievous glint entering her eyes as she settled back against her pillows. "Was he handsome? Like, really handsome? Like everyone in the building was whispering?"
I sighed, rolling my eyes dramatically. "Zael, no. Please, just stop asking those kinds of questions. That is not the point of this story."
She completely ignored my protest. "You know, if you weren't going to tell me, you should have at least taken a picture of him silently you know just for reference!" she suggested, her reasoning entirely foolish and completely typical of her.
"What?" I scoffed. "Seriously, Zael? That's really unprofessional!" I paused, rubbing my temples. The truth was, she had a point of course about the handsome part, at least. I resigned myself to telling her. "Whatever. Yes, he was handsome, okay? Really tall, too. And he looks young. I'd guess he's maybe in his mid-twenties, not much older than us."
"Really? That's even better! That's so nice," Zael chirped, her imagination already running wild. "So, you basically get to see his gorgeous face every day now!"
I grabbed the nearest pillow and lightly hit her with it. "He is my boss, Zael. He signed my contract. I absolutely do not have that kind of intention, and I need to be taken seriously at work."
"Right, right," she conceded, though her eyes held clear skepticism. "But let's say hypothetically he asked you out. After work hours. You'd reject him?"
I slumped onto my mattress, pulling my duvet up to my chin. "Yes, I would. Now, please, can you leave me alone? I'm going to bed. I need at least seven uninterrupted hours of sleep before I have to face my very handsome, very professional new boss tomorrow."
And with that final, resolute statement, I closed my eyes, seeking the deep sleep I needed to prepare for the monumental, unpredictable change my life had just undergone.
*END OF CHAPTER*