CHAPTER FOUR

Alexander Stone stared at me, his eyes full of disbelief and rage. The room became as silent as a graveyard as the question hung in the air. I could feel the tension grow and both their eyes on me. waiting to hear what my response was going to be. Before I could gather my thoughts, Mr. Davies slot in his opinion as if he had found some solution to the tension that had suddenly taken over the CEO's office like poisonous gas.

"Sir, I am not sure—" Alexander raised his hand to interrupt him. His eyes never left mine as he spoke in a cold, deliberate tone. "Yes, Mr. Davies, I have indeed met Miss Isabella before. However, she could very well not remember me without her coffee."

It dawned on me like a sudden revelation. He was the same man from the coffee shop, he had been in a heated argument with me. As I tried to collect my thoughts while desperately searching for an explanation or apology that might help the situation, tension in the room increased.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stone," I stuttered, trying to keep myself together. "I didn't know… I mean, W-what?"

"You didn't know?" he cut me off sharply before I could finish my sentence. "Or you didn't take care to remember the face of whom you accused of disrespect?"

His tone was mixed with anger and disappointment. I felt the heft of his words pressing on me. Mr. Davies interrupted, attempting to lighten the tension.

"Sir, perhaps there has been a mistaken—"

"Enough!" the CEO snarled, his voice echoing in the hallway. "You brought her here without even knowing who she was?"

I felt a wave of shame and regret sweeping over me. I have never imagined starting my first day at work like this. My mind raced, attempting to find a solution to the situation.

"Mr. Stone, please," I pleaded, earnestly hoping that he would see my real sincerity.

"It's just a misunderstanding, a coincidence. I assure you that your secretary is fully devoted to her position," Mr. Davies chimed in.

He softened his expression slightly, but the edge in his voice persisted. "This makes things complicated. Davies, handle it, I need a break."

Mr. Davies looked at me pityfully knowing the situation. "Miss Isabella, we must clarify this. Please walk with me."

I walked behind Mr. Davies out of the office of Alexander Stone with the burden of the situation weighing me down. As we walked down the hallway, I could sense the way everyone was looking at me; their whispers filled the air like a gloomy tune.

Mr. Davies made his way into a small conference room, hiding from curious and prying eyes and ears. He closed the door behind us and sighed deeply, then turned to face me. He softened his expression as he spoke with empathy.

"Isabella, I understand that this is a sad turn of events," he began in a gentle voice tainted slightly with concern. "Still, I would like to help you as much as I can to correct this misconception while it is still relatively small. Mr. Stone does not forgive."

I swallowed hard, my throat tight with anxiety. I have never faced such a difficult situation in my professional life. My mind went into overdrive, searching for a way to save face and show my commitment to my job.

"Tell me everything that happened."

I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves down and started narrating the circumstances that had brought me to this point. I outlined the way and where I met Mr. Stone at the coffee shop, about the build-up to our argument, and how little did I know that I would be working for him as his secretary.

Mr. Davies looked keenly, knitting his eyebrows in earnest. I finished speaking, and he sank back in his chair and exhaled loudly.

"This is indeed a serious dilemma," he mumbled, nursing his forehead. "Mr. Stone is not easily forgiving or forgetting." He repeated the line I wanted to avoid hearing.

I felt my heart sink when he said those words. I had wished there would be a way out of it, somehow to save the situation proving my dedication and competence despite all submissions. But it felt like all options were against me.

"Can we do anything?" I said, desperation starting to sneak into my tone.

Mr. Davies eyed me kindly. "I may try to appeal rationally with him, but I can tell you it will not be easy. Mr. Stone is famous for his obstinacy and his dislike of giving second chances."

I nodded because the situation was perilous. My job in this organization hinged on Mr. Stone's choice, and it looked like a dim prospect.

"We need to make a plan," Mr. Davies said, all of a sudden resolute. "A chance to prove to Mr. Stone that you're of great value to the company and that he'd make a fatal mistake if he doesn't employ you."

At his words, I tried to listen carefully and felt the glimmer of hope taking root in me. After all, maybe there was a way to escape this mess.

Mr. Davies rose from his seat and was walking around the room, thinking in-depth. "First of all, we'll analyze your strong points," he said. "What do you have that makes you go the extra mile over the other secretaries?"

"Have you ever wondered," he questioned for a fleeting moment? "Well, my organizational skills. I have always been complimented. I am very organized and detail-oriented, ensuring that everything stays in order and no flaws remain. Moreover, I possess good communication skills – both written and verbal – that have enabled me to communicate with clients as well as colleagues."

Mr. Davies nodded slowly, his fingers touching his chin. "Good, good. Such worthwhile virtues indeed," he mused. "We must discover a means to present these strengths in person to Mr. Stone."

As he was pacing, an idea crossed his eyes as if a sparkle. "So what if we suggest a trial period?" he asked me, facing towards my direction. "A chance for you to show your worth and confirm how valuable you are to the company."

Hope filled me when the thought of the trial period came. It was the moment for which I had been waiting, an opportunity to prove myself.

"That sounds like a great plan, Mr. Davies," I responded with assertiveness in my voice. "I'm sure that I can surpass any expectations and demonstrate my value to Mr. Stone…but do you think he would agree?"