TRINA POV

I can barely breathe because I'm trembling so much.

Why am I experiencing this now?

Why was he chosen as my boss, out of all the possible options?

I reviewed everything I had covered this morning. Every sentence seemed like one more error on top of a massive catastrophe.

Why had I even said that to him? For once, couldn't I have been kinder?

What happens if he decides to fire me because of it?

I can't allow that to occur. Currently, losing my job is not an option because my mother and sister depend on me.

I tried to relax by taking deep breaths. It wasn't beneficial.

When I looked back towards the front of the meeting room, I noticed him once more.

Calmly, he introduced himself to all the office workers. His voice sounded strong and assured.

"I'm Darius Hernandez, and I'm excited to collaborate closely with every one of you."

I quickly ducked my head in the hopes that my long hair would hide me from his view. If I were lucky, he wouldn't even recognise me.

However, I was aware that such an act would not go well for me.

As I waited for the meeting to end, every second was excruciating. I hurried to my desk when it was finally over, hoping he wouldn't notice me.

As soon as I sat down, I grabbed her arm and whispered, "Aubrey, you won't believe what just happened."

Curiosity caused her eyes to narrow. "Tell me everything."

After swallowing, I leant closer. "Do you recall the man I mentioned? Could it be the individual I encountered the previous evening?

She smiled. "Oh, you're a hot, smoky stranger?"

Indeed, he did. Our new boss is him!

With a gasp, Aubrey looked at me as if I had grown larger. "Are you serious?"

"Do I appear to be making a joke?" My temper boiled up.

A grin slowly appeared on her face after her mouth fell open. "You lucky girl, Trina. You and our new boss had sex.

"Aubrey, stop that!" Panic made my voice waver. "You don't understand? I'm sure he's mad at me. What happens if he chooses to fire me? I need the money for my family, so I can't let this job go.

Aubrey squeezed my shoulder and said softly, "Oh, come on." Perhaps he didn't even see you. It is feasible.

My spine tingled with anxiety as I bit my lip. "I ought not to have spent last night at that bar. I should have avoided drinking, sleeping with a stranger, and, worst of all, insulting him immediately after giving him $200.

Aubrey chuckled softly. "Two hundred dollars? Truly, Trina?

"Aubrey, it's not funny. My life is all but over!

The manager's voice interrupted our conversation before she could reply.

"Trina, please come to Mr. Hernandez's office immediately!"

I froze as my stomach fell.

"I'm dead, Aubrey, oh God."

She gave me a soft pat. "Please take deep breaths. It might not be anything.

Yes, exactly. It certainly wasn't nothing.

I approached his office slowly, my heart thumping in my chest and my legs feeling heavy. My hand shook as I knocked softly at the door.

"Come in," he said in a deep, authoritative voice.

I felt the temperature drop the moment I stepped inside and shut the door. He was seated behind a big, shiny desk, utterly oblivious to me as he flipped through some papers.

I stood there waiting for him to acknowledge me while my throat constricted and my mouth felt dry.

I cleared my throat at last. "Mr. Hernandez, you...asked for me?"

Darius slowly looked up from his papers and examined every inch of me.

I recoiled from his gaze, realising all of my shortcomings. The dark eyes that had enchanted me the night before had turned cold and aloof.

His fingers lightly tapped his desk as he relaxed in his chair.

"Interesting," he said icily. "I had hoped that my staff would at least possess a fundamental sense of accountability." I didn't expect to see you in this office today.

Anger and embarrassment surged within me, causing heat to rise in my face. I was surprised by how quickly he formed an opinion about me.

"Yes, well," I said, attempting to maintain my composure, "it's not professional to discuss personal matters at work, Mr. Hernandez. Furthermore, you have no right to judge me if we are being truthful.

The air around us grew heavier as his eyes narrowed. My reaction had only worsened.

The harsh, intolerable silence dragged on. I moved uncomfortably as I waited for him to say something.

When he did, his voice was low but calm, almost dangerous. "Miss Dela Peña, is that correct?"

Regretting my outburst, I hesitated. I apologise, sir. That was inappropriate.

He arched an eyebrow with scepticism. "Am I unique, or do you always talk first and think later?"

I took a deep breath. "That's not how I meant it."

"Then clarify your meaning."

My heart pounded painfully against my ribs as I swallowed. It was merely an error—a miscommunication. I didn't mean to offend you in any way.

His unreadable expression exacerbated my nerves.

"You don't understand?" Slowly, almost mockingly, he repeated. "Is that your official justification for everything?"

"I—no, it isn't."

He leant forward after silently staring at me for a long, tense moment.

"I'll clarify this once. I demand the utmost professionalism and deference from you while you work for me. It was a regrettable event last night. I hope it doesn't occur again.

"Yes, sir. Not.

Darius's tone stayed firm, but his face softened a little. "All right. You understand, I'm sure, how embarrassing such an act could become if it's done poorly.

"Yes, I fully comprehend."

His eyes flickered with curiosity as he examined me once more. But do you? I'm starting to question your comprehension of essential circumstances.

I was suddenly so frustrated that I spoke again. "With all due respect, Mr. Hernandez, I understand my obligations very well. A single error does not define me.

He gave my words some thought and cocked his head slightly. "Don't you think that's a strong statement for someone in your position?"

Anger, anxiety, and a racing heart were all inside of me. "Perhaps it is, but I don't like being assessed based only on a single instance of weakness."

There was another pause, more profound than the previous one.

"Fair enough," he said calmly at the end. Let's check to see if your work ethic matches your comeback.

I sighed with a slight sense of relief. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me just yet." Ignoring me, he opened another folder on his desk. "You can leave now."

I gave a quick nod. "Yes, Mr. Hernandez."

I put my hand on the door handle as I turned to go, desperate to get out of this tense situation.

"Miss Dela Peña?" His voice was dangerously soft as he called abruptly.

I froze, afraid to turn around. "Yes, sir?"

He stopped, allowing the silence to grow just long enough to make me feel more apprehensive.

"Take caution," he said softly. "I don't readily grant second chances."

His words sent a chill down my spine. "Comprehensive."

I hurried out of his office, gently shutting the door behind me. My palms were sweaty, and my heart was still pounding.

Aubrey instantly looked up from her desk. "How did it go?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm not even sure. Aubrey, I thought he was testing me.

"Well, at least you weren't fired by him, right?"

"Yet," I muttered as I sank into my chair.

Despite knowing that I had barely survived this day, I harboured a subtle suspicion that it wasn't yet over.

My stomach knotted with anxiety as questions raced through my head. After what had transpired, could I possibly continue working with Darius Hernandez?

Or was this the start of something worse?