Chapter 8 Chapter eight
Zarlia’s expression remained blank throughout the board meeting, that’s what she got for accepting a job she wasn’t qualified for. She just did what she was told by the assistant—Luke, if she remembered correctly.
“Your job is to take notes in detail, nod every 10 seconds, stand straight—don’t interfere and try not to look terrified, that’s meant for the board members” he said dryly, so dry she almost broke cold sweat. Zarlia gave a stiff nod, clutching her notepad like it was a life raft.
“Got it. Nod, smile, pretend I understand”, she muttered under her breath.
Zarlia kept her posture straight as Luke guided her back from the boardroom. Her notepad was filled with half-finished sentences, question marks and words she didn’t understand. she felt like an imposter in heels that pinched and blouse that slightly too tight.
She nodded to what a man was saying then counted; 1…2…3…4…5…6…7…
Not to mention Stetson’s change in demeanor. He commanded the room like it belonged to him—technically it did. His voice was calm but carried weight and even when he wasn’t speaking, people seemed to lean toward him. Not only that, he was straightforward with his answers. He looked like a boss who’d fire you if your clothes weren’t properly ironed.
…8…9…10. Nod
Luke was right, the board members were terrified, even more than her. How spooked would they be if they find out he’s actually a werewolf? Zarlia bit her lips. It seems like no one actually knew his true nature—just her.
Nod
Her gaze lingered on him more than usual. His eyes looked fierce and his lips quirked up once in a while—like he was annoyed but he paid key attention to views that interested him. She didn’t know much about werewolves so every new part of him was a mystery for her.
Nod
He suddenly met her gaze and she froze. And there it was, the smirk that made her heart jump and eyes that softened at the sight of her. She wanted to look away but it felt like he trapped her, like how he did in his office. He finally looked away to focus on the meeting and she let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding but strangely she wanted his gaze again.
The rest of the meeting passed like a blur—more of she spaced out until people started leaving and she followed Luke out. She nodded so much her neck hurt.
Stetson stopped outside the door and turned to them. “I want the summary of the meeting drafted and submitted to me this evening”, his voice was firm and demanding. Luke nodded and Stetson left without a second glance.
“Is he always like that?”, she muttered under her breath as Luke walked her to their office.
“You nodded every ten seconds” he said dryly, opening the door and heading to his desk. The place also had a glass wall and the décor was impecible. “You told me to”.
“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d actually do it”, Luke drew a hand down his face and sighed. “That’s your desk” he pointed to the desk opposite his, at the far end of the room and away from the glass wall.
“The boss expects a summary of the meeting by the end of the day—you are in charge of that because I have a lot to do” he started sorting out files on his desk before his sharp gaze travelled to Zarlia. “Word of advice…”
She looked up from her desk after turning on the computer. His looked at her like she was some pest, someone who belonged anywhere but in Stets Empire. Something about how he looked at her felt way off, like she’d be a burden.
“… just quit the job. I’m sure there are other decent jobs—”
“No”, she cut him off almost immediately.
He raised a brown at her as she took her seat at her desk. “I beg your pardon?”.
“I said no. I might not know anything about this position but I’m willing to learn and I can’t learn unless you teach me”
He spent the next hour explaining her duties. It wasn’t difficult, but it was precise. Everything had a system—Stetson’s schedule, the way emails were categorized, how filed were named. Zarlia took notes quickly, repeating the steps under her breath.
“Rule one”, Luke said scrolling through her inbox. “Never leave a message unanswered for more than an hour. Stetson hates delays”.
“What is I don’t know the answer?”
“Then you tell him you’re looking into it. Never say you don’t know. He doesn’t like that either”. Zarlia nodded, writing down. “So basically—sound confident, even if I’m lost”
“Exactly”
Her first real task was typing up minutes from the meeting she barely paid any attention to. She was fast, but not fast enough. Her fingers stumbled once or twice and Luke leaned over her shoulder, pointing to the format.
“Align the bullet points properly”, he said. “It’s not an essay—it’s a report”.
She corrected it without complaint.
Then came scheduling. She was supposed to arrange a lunch meeting with one of Sestson’s partner—which Luke would accompany him to. The company’s system was new to her—layers of menus, time zones and contact lists. She hesitated for long, Luke sighed, stepping in to help.
“Look, you’re not doing badly”, he said after a while, “but Stetson’s the type who notices every small thing. You’ll have to learn fast”
Zarlia paused her typing, glancing up. “What’s he like?”
Luke hesitated, like talking about his boss could get him fired—they were on the same floor after all. “Efficient. Demanding. Doesn’t like excuses. A total workaholic. His gaze softened slightly,”But if you do your job well, he rewards loyalty.”
She nodded. Luke’s description of Stetson matched who she saw at the board meeting, he was a totally different person from the man she slept with and the man who left a tulip on her table. She bit her lips, flinging that aside.
By late afternoon, she had handled her inbox, drafted two letters for signature, organized digital files. Luke only had to correct her every step of the way—and she caught on immediately.
When she finally leaned back in her chair, exhaustion crept in. her brain was fried, but she was proud she hadn’t broken down or run off crying like she half expected to.
Luke stopped beside her desk and folded his arms. “So”, he said. “Fine arts, huh?”
She blinked, “How did you--?”
“Your resume”, he smirked, gesturing to the file in his hand. “You studied painting”. Zarlia couldn’t help but laugh.
“Not exactly but close. But one thing’s for sure, spreadsheets weren’t part of my curriculum” she gestured towards her monitor screen.
“Art may not pay my rent but at least this job does” her smile met his bemused expression. He studied her for a moment then nodded slowly, “Fair enough”. He reached for a folder. “Alright, last thing for the day. Finish drafting the summary of today’s meeting for the boss. Keep it clean and formal. Don’t add opinions”
She got back to work and after she was done, she printed it and Luke read through it silenghtly. He lifted his brows, “Not bad for a first day”.
Zarlia managed a tired smile. “That means a lot coming from you”
“Don’t get used to it”, he said, though his tone was less sharp than before. “Drop it off at the boss’s office, then you can go home”.
She hesitated at the door of the CEO’s office. Her heart racing as she held unto her report like a vice. She took a deep breath before knocking.
“Come in “Stetson’s voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Stetson’s eyes were fixed on the door as she entered, her scent enveloping his senses. Her small frame slipping in through the door. He was barely able to control himself during the meeting when she looked at him like that, like she wanted to understand him—those same big green eyes were staring at him now.
“Mine” Asher growled. It was like his wolf rampaged at the back of his mind each time he even so much as hears her name. Stetson fisted his hands on his desk.
“I brought the summary of today’s meeting for you Sir” she held a shaky smile.
“Sir?” Stetson muttered under his breath. His eyes holding her in place, “Bring it” he managed to say, trying his best to restrain Asher. His eyes followed her every movement as she approached his desk cautiously.
“Drop it and leave”. Zarlia felt the restrain in his voice, strangely. The was his eyes begged her to stay but then he’s telling her to leave. She slowly dropped the file on his desk and took a step back.
“Tell her what we are” Asher growls again but Stetson ignores him.
“I want her!! She belongs to us”
His wolf kept on throwing a fit. “Mate!”
Stetson held his desk firmly, finally looking away his claws slowly digging into the desk. “You may leave” he muttered to her but Zarlia felt the urge to touch him, he looked like he was in pain.
Her brows furrowed slightly. “But you look—”
“I said leave!” his voice came off sharper than he intended—almost a growl.
She immediately nodded and left his office.
“Don’t let her go!” Asher growled, Stetson’s control slipping away with each step she took, her scent fading which would have been a good thing but now he felt empty. Her scent felt like a drug—it was too late; he was already addicted