5 chapter 5

So here I am, sitting on a plush leather seat in front of Nikolai, waiting for the guy to bloody acknowledge me. Is this 'pretend people are air' thing a part of the work environment here or something?

Somehow that doesn't feel quite right either, it's probably a part of his bastard-like persona. With my arms folded I just patiently stare at him, squashing down the urge to call him out on his rude behaviour towards me.

Finally he removes his emerald gaze from his computer and glowers down at me, 'So you finally decided to grace me with your presence Miss Lovic'. Wow what a warm welcome.

I can't help but furrow my brow at the indirect way he was saying that I was late, when he should be happy that I actually arrived 5 minutes early.

He stares at me unimpressed, 'Surely you didn't need to fire the front of house receptionist, especially without my consent'

'I'm sorry but did you or did you not contract me to restructure your organisation?' I ask incredulously.

He leans back into his chair with a glint in his eye, as he looks down at me like a cheetah eyeing up its prey and waiting for the right moment to strike.

'Yes, but I never said in the contract that you could make executive decisions such as firing an employee without my input. In addition the condition of the restructure was simply for level 13, I never said you could go around firing employees in my company for no reason. Have you even read the contract that I sent over to you or was that too much of a chore for you?' he asks in a derisive tone.

Steam shoots out of my nose. The nerve of this man, he's suggesting that I'm indiscriminately going around firing people. 'I can't believe you asked me that! Of course I read the contract! Even though you didn't say I could make executive decisions myself, the job description and duties imply that. There were no special instructions specifying otherwise.' I lash out, the first crack in my professional façade with him.

'Regardless you should've asked me first!' he fumes.

I cross my arms in disbelief, 'you do realise you could've just asked me why I fired her! Instead of attacking me and accusing me of misusing my power!' I am really starting to get sick of his belligerent attitude.

'Why would I need to ask you that? I am the CEO and the fact remains that you fired her without asking me first.' He scowls at me.

I spread my arms in frustration; 'I am trying to tell you that there was a good reason for it. I know that level one doesn't fall under my jurisdiction, but she is honestly the rudest front of house staff that I have ever encountered. Did you really want her to represent your company?'

Nikolai shakes his head at me, 'I don't care you breached proper company protocols, and I should have been notified beforehand'.

I clench my teeth, trying to keep calm, 'Look I'm sorry if you feel that I overstepped my authority, had I known that you were going to make such a big deal out of it I would've let Shelly keep her job'.

His eyebrows go up to his hairline, 'How dare you say that I am making a big deal out of this?!' he all but growls at me, the slight remnants of his Russian accent being more pronounced than usual.

I glare at him, 'Well you are! Since when do you care about the wellbeing of your employees, let alone when they get fired.'

He slams down his palm on the table, exposing a bit of his toned forearm, 'We are getting off topic Miss Lovic. Stop trying to deflect the blame. I expect you to consult me from here on when culling staff members'.

I huff in irritation, 'Ok it is noted for future reference. However you don't expect me to do that in regards to floor 13?'

He gazes at me with mirth, 'Do I need to repeat myself? I expect you to ask permission for whatever changes you make.'

I feel my skin tingling, urging me to jump over the desk and strangle him, 'Surely you can't be serious. If I had to do that for every single small change I make I'd never finish the job you've assigned me within the allotted time'.