Scarlett's POV.
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed by half past 6 after snoozing my alarm for the past hour. I didn't know how long I could keep up this early morning streak. As much I wasn't one to sleep in, I wasn't one to wake up before the crack of dawn either.
I glided my way to the kitchen, filling my veins with some much needed coffee. The sour taste of Layla's generic coffee machine shocked me awake before the caffeine even hit my bloodstream.
My mind was now almost completely clear, so I searched for Joshua's chat, sending him a text to remind him that I wouldn't need his ride today, just in case he forgot that Layla had one of her cars sent down for me and it arrived last night.
Layla had always been terrified of driving. Although she was sent to the best driving school in the country, she could never get herself to sit behind a wheel outside of the safety of the isolated roads of the driving school.
Yet, she had about 7 cars, double digits less than her brothers. Why? Because the Jungs are disgustingly rich and like to make an occasional show of their wealth like every other rich person.
The difference between them and my family though, was that they weren't desperate to be accepted. They did the accepting. It's people like them that had my father digging at the ground like a hound.
My chest tightened as flashes from that night tried to take hold of my thoughts but I pushed them aside, washing away the thoughts in a hot shower.
I got ready in record time, going for a red figure hugging gown with a puffed arm to the elbow. It was the perfect mix of professional and sexy. I gave myself a once over in front of the mirror, satisfied with how I looked before making my way to the underground garage of the apartment complex.
I whistled in approval at the beauty of the car Layla had chosen. It was a white Mercedes, sleek in its design. Probably costing hundreds of millions.
The door raised open slowly and an excited shiver ran down my spine. I stepped into the car, breathing the fresh car smell. I could tell that this car had barely been used, it's no surprise. Its owner would rather spend a fortune on Ubers than drive herself anywhere.
The car came to life smoothly as I buckled myself in, swerving away from the apartment.
Unlike Layla, I loved driving. It helped ease my stress. I temporarily forget my problems when I'm behind the wheel, and with the gnawing thought of my parents this morning, it was a much needed distraction.
As I slowed to a stop at a red light, the car moaned in protest and I frowned.
"That doesn't sound good." I muttered underneath my breath as the light turned green. The moan of protest sounded again.
I made a mental note to take it to the mechanic immediately after work. Maybe I could take permission to close early. I was sure Mr. Gibbs wouldn't mind too much. I mean, he's survived without an assistant for this long. What harm would an hour without me do?
I parked near the entrance of the parking garage, taking my bag and stepping out. Eyes turned to me as my heels clicked away from the car.
Their eyes didn't follow me.
They kept it glued to the car. A cheeky grin spread across my face. I couldn't help it. If anything I could relate to the fascination. I felt the same way when I laid my eyes on it last night.
I made my way to the elevator, pressing on the 47th floor which was the managing department.
"Good morning, Evelyn." I greeted immediately I stepped into the colourful space, one I still couldn't fully catch my breath over.
"Scarlett! Good to see you. How was your first day?" She greeted in a chirpy tone, eliciting a genuine smile from me.
"It was wonderful. I love it here already." I giggled, eyeing the background flashes of soft colour from the screens.
"That's what I love to hear. I-"
"Evelyn! The printer's acting up again." A young Asian man yelled from the doorway of the conference room.
Evelyn apologized for cutting our conversation short before running to his aid.
I made my way to my office, not wasting any time. I continued with the unfinished tasks I had at hand before leaving yesterday.
"Morning, Scarlett. You're an early bird I see." Mr Gibbs greeted from the open window interlinking our offices.
"Good morning, Sir. Maybe you're just a late bird." I jabbed and he smiled, shaking his head at me.
"Less smart mouthing more working." He ordered playfully and I mock surrendered.
We settled into comfortable silence, the tapping of our keyboards mixing soothingly with the soft sound of the vinyl.
A gentle knock brought me out of my work induced trance.
"Come in." I called absentmindedly.
"Hey stranger." I raised my gaze at Joshua's familiar voice.
"Joshua. Good morning." I greeted, eyeing the brown paper bag in his hands.
"Good morning, Scarlett. I brought breakfast."
"Yayyyy." I squealed in excitement, pushing out the cushioned seat opposite me so he could sit.
He laughed, taking out a paper cup with a mouth water sandwich as he sat.
"I got a latte for you. Since you passionately told me how much you preferred it over coffee."
"At least you remembered because of how passionate I was." I gave a cheeky smile, greedily reaching for the latte and sandwich.
"Thank you so much." I said before taking a bite of the sandwich, moaning in satisfaction.
I could feel Joshua's stare on me but I was too focused on the sandwich and latte to care.
He soon joined me to dig into his sandwich and we settled into a comfortable silence.
When we were done eating I thanked him again.
"It's not a problem. At least now you have enough fuel to start your work day. I'll see you at lunch?" He asked, an expectant hitch in his voice.
I nodded, internally beginning to feel like a caged animal. I waved him goodbye, closing the door behind as he left.
It's not like I didn't enjoy spending time with Joshua. He was actually a really funny and kind person but I wanted to get to know more people in my work space. I wouldn't be able to do that if he kept insisting to have lunch with me.
Maybe I'd explain the situation to him. I'm sure he would understand.
I sighed, sinking into my chair and opening up my laptop so I could resume my work.
The sound of Mr. Gibbs' office being opened sounded from the background. I didn't pay much attention to what was being said until I heard "your assistant."
My ears perked up.
"Scarlett! Can you come here for a second?"
"Yes, sir." I responded, pushing the door that led to his office open.
The girl that had been speaking to him eyed me with narrowed eyes. 'What did I ever do to her?' I wondered, turning to face Mr. Gibbs.
"Mr. Knight, the CEO needs you to go over the market research data with him. Apparently his secretary is still off work and since you compiled it yesterday you're the best person for the job. Flora here will take you to his office." He explained and I nodded wordlessly, feeling the subtle gripping of tension against my core.
"Make me proud." He called out as I began following Flora out of his office.
"Surely." I smiled but inside I felt like melted pudding.
When I met the CEO yesterday, the self assuredness of his presence alone almost melted me, now I was required to work with him in his office.
When I was taking this job I never expected to be in close workings with the CEO of the company. He felt like some distant figure that called the shots from above while we worked. I guess I was wrong.
Flora was tall, with way longer legs than me. Yet she was walking so fast, that I had to semi- run to catch up with her strides.
We got into the elevator and I sucked in a sigh of relief, my chest heaving up and down from the mini exercise I'd gone through just now.
I side-eyed her, seeing her rigid shoulders and brood.
"I'm not sure we've been properly introduced. I'm Scarlett Fox." I brought my hand out to shake her, she eyed it sparingly before shaking the tips of my fingers as if I had mud on my hands.
She said nothing, just brought her hands back to her side, looking straight ahead.
I scowled at the woman, scoffing indignantly without caring if she heard. I tried to be nice despite her nasty attitude but I wasn't a doormat.
Thankfully, the elevator dinged open just then and she began her Olympic strides. I greeted the security men who she just walked by without a care in the world.
As my breathing grew heavy she finally stopped at the front of a large looking office.
"This is it." She said, her tone as hateful as her gaze, before storming away.
I watched her till she disappeared from view. Finally turning to to the dark coloured glass door. I sucked in a deep breath, over and over again but the nerves stayed put.
I couldn't tell what being in an enclosed space with just the CEO would feel like, other than incredibly nerve wracking but the longer I stayed here the worse my apprehension got.
"You can do this," I whispered, hand hovering over the door handle just before it swung open from the inside.