Games 026
Maddie POV
The next morning, I was already questioning all my life choices.
It hadn’t even been three days since I started this job, and I was already tired, terrified and halfway to calling a priest to bless my cubicle.
Maddox hadn’t smiled once at me at work. He just kept that same stone face like we were in the middle of a silent breakup that I didn’t sign up for.
Psycho asshole.
I was in the large office Maddox had made me move in yesterday, I kind of like it because I could see through Maddox office. I was going through some files, pretending to be productive, when the intercom on my desk buzzed.
“Maddie, come to my office. Now.”
Click.
No please and no explanation. Just now, he sure has pride. I turned to stare at him from the glass see through, he was just scrolling through his.. pad, his attention all on it.
I stared at my phone for a second, contemplating if quitting after two days would look bad on my résumé, as if I care.
So I stood up, fixed my skirt and muttered, “Let’s go see what Satan wants today.”
When I walked into his office, Maddox was by the window, his sleeves rolled up, tie loosened just enough to make me suspicious of my own hormones. He didn’t even glance up.
“You wanted to see me?” I asked, crossing my arms.
He finally turned, expression flat as ever.
“You’re going to train with me today. Is that alright?”
I blinked. “No, it’s not alright.”
He didn’t even pause. “Good. We’ll leave in ten minutes.”
“What?”
He was already walking past me, grabbing his suit jacket like this was a done deal.
“Wai.... I was going to train with you? Damn, I dont even know how to hold guns nor add a bullet. Damn, What the heck does this even mean? Maddox, can I quit now? You pay me for just yesterday and the emotional damage you caused me yesterday. I bet it'll be enough.”
He glanced at me over his shoulder like he didn't listen to all my rantings. “It means you’ll attend a business meeting with me. You'll get to observe and learn and most especially, try not to embarrass me.”
That was a relief. I had panic for nothing and he didn't even bother to explain, not like I let him. “Wow, that's a motivational speech of the year.”
He didn’t respond, he just opened the door and looked at me expectantly.
I muttered under my breath as I followed, “I haven’t even been here three days and he’s already dragging me into meetings. Fantastic.”
\~~~~~
Ryan prepared a car taking us to the big building, looked like a tech company. I haven't seen Maddox this serious before, he was damn attractive. Ryan led us inside the big building and led us to the direction the meeting was taking place.
The conference room was filled with men dressed in sharp suits, their wrist held expensive watches, and people who looked exactly like old money and ego.
I tried to blend in beside Maddox, but that was hard when you’re wearing a fitted blouse and pencil skirt that apparently screamed available target to every old man in the room.
I felt like I was been watched and as I thought, an old guy with a grey hair was staring at me with a smug expression, I was uncomfortable but I had to smile at him which he returned back.
I thought that the man would finally stop staring but he kept staring at me like I was a dessert.
Maddox noticed it and his jaw instantly tightened.
The old man smiled, his tone oily. “Maddox, you’ve chosen quite the… charming secretary.”
“She’s efficient,” Maddox said flatly.
“Oh, I’m sure she is.” The man’s eyes flicked down my body before landing on Maddox again. “How much for her? I could use someone like that in my office.”
I froze and my throat went dry. Did he just—
Maddox’s expression didn’t change, but his voice dropped a few degrees colder. “She’s not for sale.”
The man chuckled, as if he had made some innocent joke. But Maddox’s hand brushed the back of my chair subtle, protective and in a way too possessive for a simple secretary and my damn heart refused to stay calm.
The meeting went on, but I barely heard a thing. I just kept staring at Maddox who had pulled his suit off, leaving him in a buttoned down shirt. He really knew what he was doing and how attractive what he was doing was.
Every time he leaned forward to speak, his sleeves would pull a little higher up his forearms, showing veins and that expensive watch that probably cost more than a diamond ring.
When the meeting finally ended, people started standing and exchanging polite handshakes. Maddox’s expression never softened. He was the kind of man who could terrify and charm at the same time, and somehow, that made everyone listen when he spoke.
I was just about to breathe again when the same old creep from earlier walked toward us, smiling like a cartoon villain.
“Maddox,” he said, extending his hand. “Always a pleasure, You've done well with your work well, maybe I'll hire a few bodyguard from you and some hitmen.”
Christ! Maddox also runs a hit man association? I'm doomed, why didn't he tell me? I turned to look at his expression and he was staring at me. Yes I mean badly and that expression meant, I shouldn't ask him anything about it. And I was going to obey.
Maddox shook his hand briefly. “Thank you, Mr. Lee.”
The man’s gaze drifted to me again. “And this lovely lady, what did you say her name was?”
Maddox’s jaw flexed. “I didn’t.”
Mr. Lee chuckled awkwardly. “You’re very protective of your staff, I see.”
“I’m always protective of what’s mine, you should know that Mr. Lee,” Maddox said simply.
My brain stopped working for a full three seconds.
What’s… mine?
Before I could even react, Maddox placed his hand on my lower back and guided me toward the exit. His touch wasn’t rough, but it was firm like I didn’t have a choice but to move and of course I had no choice.
My entire body went stiff. My face? Probably red enough to light up a Christmas tree.
When we got outside, I finally found my voice.
“What was that?” I asked, walking fast to keep up with his long strides. “You can’t just say things like that in front of people!”
He didn’t even look at me as he said, “He was disrespectful. I handled it.”
“By calling me yours? That’s not handling it, that’s—”
“Effective,” he interrupted.
I blinked at him, completely speechless.
“You’re unbelievable.”
He finally glanced down at me, his eyes cool and unreadable. “You wanted me to stand there and let him talk about you like that?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Damn it, he had a point. But still...
“You could’ve said something else.”
His lips twitched, almost like he wanted to smile but changed his mind halfway. “You talk too much.”
“Yeah, and you act like you own everyone around you.”
He tilted his head slightly. “Only the ones who don’t listen.”
My mouth went dry as his expression turned hot. My goodness, I hated how my heart and pussy liked that.