Chapter 6: A Ridiculous Offer

A ridiculous offer, it is indeed.

“Just in time…the very person I wanted to see!”

Closing the door, I grimly regarded the man sitting behind his desk. The CEO of Dixon Enterprises, Cedric Dixon himself, was smirking quite proudly as if he did me a favor. I did not want to cause a scandal that is sure to ruin my image. Yet, holding back my irritation that has built up towards this man needed an outlet. An outlet that could withstand anything I throw at it. However, I haven’t found the right outlet yet and now the harsh words that accumulated in the back of my mind were about to burst out of my lips.

“Why…Why did you submit my resume to become your private secretary?” I demanded immediately, not bothering with the pleasantries and sitting down. No, I would rather stand here in the doorway where it would be easier to escape if he tries something. “Didn’t I tell you that I don’t want such an occupation? Did you even listen to me that day?”

“I chose not to.” Shrugging, the handsome blue-eyed man gestured to the seat. “Please, sit down while we talk about how much salary would be given to you. Plus the benefits, of course. I don’t want my new private secretary to have any complaints—”

“I did not agree to such a thing and I never will!” Blood boiling, I clenched my fists as I frowned at Cedric Dixon. The man is responsible for my current adversaries in this company of his. “You should be put to jail for using my name and submitting a resume to which I did not consent! What made you thought I want the position—”

Abruptly, the root of all my hardships stood up from his comfortable leather chair to walk up to me with his smoldering blue eyes trained on mine. I suddenly felt small, akin to prey in front of its vicious predator. Ready to pounce. Ready to bite. Ready to kill.

To be faced with such a man was both terrifying and haunting. I couldn’t look away from those intricate eyes that seem to hold so much more than its owner would let on.

“Normally, when offered with such a high-paying job, people wouldn’t refuse.” Hand reaching out, Cedric Dixon took strands of my hair, twirling them with the pad of his fingers. “All my life, I was told to do the same thing. Never to refuse for such an opportunity would never rise again and once you realize you took it for granted, it will never come back. Yet here you are—shattering that normalcy as if it’s such a crime to take a job unbefitting for your background…or so you think.”

Frowning, I stood my ground as he loomed over me with his towering height. Trying not to be intimidated by his size and his words. “I’d rather be honest with my background and sit behind a broken computer rather than steal a job that isn’t meant for me. It may be a nice position, yet I would rather work hard for it.”

“Why do you refuse?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do. Even if the salary is enough to keep me from starving, I wouldn’t take it from someone who deserves it. I may not look like it from your perspective, but I don’t have the skills and qualifications to be your private secretary—let alone stand next to the owner of a prestigious company such as yours.”

Even in fairytales, peasants always stayed in the background. Cheering from the sidelines for the protagonists off to receive their happily ever after at the end of the story. Peasants always never get that happy ending. And yet, here I am, another peasant in this modern world of noblemen and women disguised as wealthy individuals and businessmen. Even the peasants who married their prince and princess end up fitting in their world of luxury in the end. I am not about to defy that by climbing my way up so easily.

“Wow, aren’t you quite moral?” Cedric Dixon clicked his tongue. His hand went under my chin and lifted it, forcing me to stare into those deep blue eyes that seemed like a void now that I had a better view of it. “And what if I, your superior, ordered you to take the role? If it isn’t obvious, I am no longer asking as a man who sees potential but as a supervisor and the head of this company. Or better yet, would you take the position I give you…or would you resign?”

“W-what, Sir?”

And there were the villains disguised as kind-hearted people, the black sheep of civilization. Unlike in fairytales, they seemed to blend into society now and what is even more terrifying, anyone could be the villain. And Cedric Dixon, domineering with his demands, seemed to fit into that role as he leaned closer to me. Petrifying me in my spot as if I would die with just the slightest movement of a finger.

“Me or the streets? How will you answer that, Miss McKenzie?” He breathed, smoldering eyes peering down at me as he searched for any sign of another rejection. “Are you capable of responding to it?”

Cedric Dixon, the CEO of Dixon Enterprises, was the sort of monster everyone could picture when asked what the demon under their beds looked like.

Lips quivering and my heart pounding to a point it almost jumped out of its ribcage, I was about to utter a small attempt of defiance when the same hands of the demon placed a finger over my mouth to hush me. A smirk on that devil-may-care handsome face, hiding its owner’s secrets as if it were a mask itself.

“I didn’t tell you to decide at this very moment, Miss McKenzie.” He chuckled, sliding the pad of his fingers to my cheeks and pinched gently. “I may not be a saint, but I am still a gentleman. I shall give you a week to decide for you to take the job.”

“W-what if my answer remains the same?” I whispered, glaring at him. “What if I still say no?”

“I…believe you would give me a favorable answer.” He winked then backed away to return to his seat. The nameplate with his position written in gold mocked me as it glinted under the light. “Don’t disappoint me, Miss McKenzie. I am not a person who takes disappointment quite easily.”

Raising my chin, I huffed at how overconfident he was. “We shall see about that. Maybe after receiving the same rejection, you will know the bitter taste of disappointment, Mr. Dixon.”

“Go ahead, I’d be delighted to find out.”

The first few days of the week Mr. Dixon gave me to pond over his proposition was hellish to a point I began to question whether he was Lucifer himself who ascended to earth to wreak havoc in my life. Not only were my co-workers gossiping about me like I was a movie actress with the biggest scandal Hollywood has ever produced, but they were downright harassing me by throwing my belongings into the nearest trash bin. If they were feeling creative, some of them would spill their coffee intentionally on my coat draped over my seat if I disappeared for too long. In one instance, I got back to my desk to see I no longer had a chair to sit on and had to search for one for a few minutes. I received the longest talk my manager ever gave me for negligence towards my work.

The third day rolled in and soon, I found myself not wanting to leave my bed anymore. The thought of Mr. Dixon instructing his employees to treat me this way passed through my mind yet it seemed comedic. Something you don’t see in real life but in movies. Yet, it was indeed reality for the hero in the films never came to take me away or even help me get past such a troublesome experience. Those who could remain silent in their seats.

This continued for another day until the fifth day came. None of them tried to do their pranks or even murmured my way. I was about to think that they had finally given up their childish antics of playing such immature jokes on me.

Almost.

“McKenzie, would you mind heading to the seventh floor again?” My manager sighed, handing out another stack of papers. “Mrs. Rhodan is her name. I was told you met her already…if you can’t recall.”

“I do, I do recall her.” Ignoring him rambling about how he was not treated as a manager by his own peers, I slowly stood up from my seat to secretly glance at the busy workers around me. Today, everyone was bustling about due to the upcoming highlight of every employee ever. Payday.

Making sure no one was going to steal my cardigan and other office supplies I bought for myself, I silently made my way out of the department floor and to the direction of the elevators. Frankly, such a day would never be completed without a minor inconvenience thrown in my way. The same thoughts were shared among the others who crowded over the broken elevator, narrowing their eyes at the ‘out of order’ sign.

If there is a god of misfortune, they may be up to their tricks again.

Not wanting to delay my task and wait with the rest for the working lift to arrive from the first floor, I briskly walked down the hall in favor of using the stairs. It may not be the best idea while wearing three-inch heels and a body that easily gets exhausted, yet there was no other choice for me to take unless I wanted to get yelled at.

However, I wasn’t the only person who had the idea to use the stairs as well. Even as I walked down the short hallway, plenty of employees poured out of their respective offices, heading the same way as I was. Biting my inner cheek, I gathered my wits and made the trek up the stairs.

By the time I reached the seventh floor, I was gasping for air with beads of sweat rolling down my forehead. Plus, I didn’t know where her office was until I asked the janitor cleaning nearby. Today was definitely not my day.

“I-is Mrs. Rhodan…inside?” Lungs squeezed inside, trying to demand for more air as I stood in front of the uncaring secretary. She glanced up from her computer to shake her head, giving me an answer after making me wait for almost a minute.

“She’s outside, currently. Mrs. Rhodan got called for a meeting with the higher ups so I’m not sure when she’ll be back.”

“I-I see…” I swallowed, standing up straight as I wiped some of my sweat off. “I…I have documents here from…Manager Keith. He said she wanted this pronto so I came up here.” Panting reduced to normal intake of breaths, I handed out the papers to the secretary, who received it with little to no enthusiasm. “Please tell her that.”

“Sure.”

As soon as I exited the office, I began searching for the nearest restroom to compose myself. I do not want my co-workers to have another source of comedy for them. They have already pointed out much of my outward appearance so the last thing I want is them to comment on how I resembled a pig on a stick.

In the comforts of the secluded restroom that was surprisingly empty, I hid myself in one of the cubicles. It wasn’t the ideal place to rest nor just stand there to escape, but it was better than to stand in a random space and attract attention. “Oh my god, have you heard? They said that bitch ended up getting the position Yula wanted!”

“God, what a bitch! Isn’t getting a job already enough when you don’t even have the qualifications?”

Eyes widening at the snickers and sighs of scorn, I backed away from the cubicle’s door in fear they might realize someone else was listening to them. Gritting my teeth, I cursed my timing and stood there, frozen on the spot as the group of women expressed their disappointment and irritation on no one other than me. I didn’t have to put two and two together to know I was the center of gossip. Practically everyone who worked here including their grandmother must have caught on to the latest trend of bullying and badmouthing the lucky girl.

“I heard she slept with the boss to get the job. Can you believe it?”

“Wait, I heard she didn’t just sleep with the boss but with her manager as well.”

“Ew, Manager Keith? The dude who was said to have sexually harassed one of the interns before? She seriously went and dropped her panties for such a bastard? Did HR check if she was all right in the head before taking her in?”

“Monica, why are you acting so surprised? I wouldn’t even bat an eyelash if they revealed her to be a whore.”

“Oh my god, what if she is? She might ruin the image of this company! Why hasn’t the CEO fired her yet? And on top of that, making her his private secretary? Is Mr. Dixon blinded by her looks?”

“Shh! Keep it down, someone might hear you.”

Giggling and harsh words dissipated as they left the restroom, leaving me stunned inside with tears streaming down my cheeks. This wasn’t the first time I ever received such words, but no amount of repetition could make my heart prepared nor safeguard it. Somehow, the tears wouldn’t stop falling until I could barely breathe through my nose.

Exiting the now stuffy cubicle, I went straight for the tissue dispenser to wipe away any signs of crying alone in the toilet. However, my solace was short-lived when I heard a chuckle from just outside the restroom. There at the doorway stood Cedric Dixon, pity in his eyes yet was all in deceit for he had a smirk on his lips. He had come to mock me.

“Crying? What’s wrong, Miss McKenzie?”

“You…” I grumbled, pointing an accusatory finger at his villainous grinning face. “Why are you here? If you have come to make fun of me, it won’t make me give in and take the job you oh so want me to have. Even if you tell your employees to harass me, I will quit this job rather than be your private secretary!”

“I am not a petty person, Miss McKenzie. I don’t do underhanded tricks such as order my employees to kid around or attack you.” I knew he wanted to come and close the distance between us at that moment. However, the restroom’s signage stopped him from entering the women’s lavatory. Making me thankful he found me inside here rather than corner me somewhere else. “I believe in the saying that if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.”

“Really? Do you actually think I’ll agree to become your secretary?” Glaring at him with such ferocity, I thought he would back down and go about with this day. But Cedric Dixon was no ordinary man and he was not easily swayed by such acts. To see him, not budging from his spot, was proof of that fact alone. “Why can’t you leave me alone? I’m sure other people would die to be your secretary, so why don’t you turn your eyes towards them? Why me of all people?”

For once, he was silent. He didn’t utter a single word, merely staring at me with such eyes that seemed to hold melancholy in them. Whatever his goal was in doing so, I couldn’t help but feel pity for such a man who held such sadness within for unknown reasons. And whatever they were, I did not give a damn as I rushed out. Legs running faster than they ever did before in all my life despite wearing heels. Leaving him standing in front of the restrooms.

Head empty of thoughts as I ran, I went straight for the stairwell. All I wanted to do was get away from him. The stars were definitely not on my side today as I came face to face with some of my co-workers, mostly men with two women giggling behind them until they saw me. Wicked grins and malicious stares were immediately darted at my quivering form.

“Well, well…If it isn’t the infamous McKenzie!” One of them laughs, taking their time climbing the stairs as they snickered. “What’s wrong? You look pretty tired…Did you fuck with one of the executives on this floor to keep your position?”

“Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Michelle, don’t you think that’s too dumb to ask? Look at her! Do you think she gets embarrassed?”

Another round of laughter echoed around the tight space. A lip in a grim line now, hand holding the rails securely. This has to stop somehow. But how? How is this all going to stop when they have cemented the fact that I slept with the big businessmen to have such a job when I know this isn’t true at all. I know it isn’t true and that these people are merely living for the false drama they have fabricated for their entertainment. I don’t want them to get the satisfaction of riling me up on purpose. And yet…my anger has filled further and past the brim. Overflowing and no one to put a halt to it.

“Yes, that is indeed true,” I mumbled, leaning against the railing with a small smile on as I watched their snickering faces morph to surprise. “I did whore myself to the executives. Why are you mad?”

“Oh my god, she isn’t denying it.”

“So, the rumors were true after all!”

“You’re disgusting…You disgust us all!”

“You find it disgusting?” Raising a brow at the man, I chuckled at his opinion. Arms crossed across my chest as I peered down at them in disappointment. “Is that why you’re angry? Why? Because you can’t do it yourself? Whore yourself to the men up top and ride down the easy road…how pitiful. No wonder you’re still at such a low-leveled department despite how many years of working here.”

Anger has never solved any of my problems, only amplifying it further when directed at the wrong person or even expressed at all. When the woman made a grab for my hair, the pained groan that slipped past my mouth was silent as she began pulling. Knees hitting the cold ground as she screamed in agitation. A plea for help sizzled down on the back of my throat, tears forming in my eyes. I can’t bring myself to ask for help for I brought this down on myself…

It’s only fair.

“I am not like you, slut!”

“Is this how my employees should be behaving?” Cedric Dixon’s demand echoed loudly, bouncing off the walls of the little space. The hand wrapped in my hair instantly disappeared as the group stared up in fear and humiliation at the CEO, who announced himself without prior notice. Even if I can’t see his face from where I lay on the floor, red in shame for he saw what happened, I didn’t have to glance up to see how terrifying he must have appeared as he glowered at them. “Answer me. Is this how my employees should be behaving?”