Contract

As the CEO slowly raised his hand to feel the spot on his face where a red line had just started to appear, an expression of complete shock came on Liz's face.

Her cheeks were a deep shade of red, fully flushed and her hands shook as she realized that she had actually marred the face of the man who had just promised her her dream job.

"Umm….thank you?"

This was the only thing that she managed to squeak out, as if hoping that what had just happened was just a daydream that would go away if she closed her eyes tight enough.

Yet, the reality was that her weird habit of forcefully shaking her head to clear her thoughts had resulted in this weird predicament with the CEO looking at her as if she were some sort of endangered animal on display.

Indeed, from his expression, she really was reminded of the tourists who came from other countries to plaster their faces on the glass displays of exotic animals which only lazily went about their daily activities, not caring that someone was looking at them at all times, fascinated and clicking pictures no matter what they did, be it move, blink or even excrete.

After the moment stretched on for a few seconds, the cold expression from before returned on the CEO's face.

Arranging his suit, he said, "You are welcome.", before striding towards the door.

At the last moment before walking out, he paused and said something which made Liz blush even deeper as she hurriedly nodded in response.

"Oh, from next time, lose the hairpins. We don't want our clients…impaled, do we?"

....

Sitting in a reception area, Liz held a tablet in her hands while her face had a dumbstruck expression, with her eyes fixed on the number at the bottom of the screen.

"$150,000"

After taking a few moments to calm herself down and collect the needles, Liz had walked out to find a glowering Jenny waiting for her while holding the tablet with the employment contract.

After navigating back through the winding corridors, she had been led to a reception where she was currently sitting.

Just like always, Liz skipped to the bottom of the contract to see the number.

And this number was one that simply blew her mind.

It didn't make any sense. In the online job offer, the quoted salary had been $75,000, which was already so generous that it had been enough to make her jump around with joy.

Seeing that number doubled, Liz had no idea what to say.

Numbly, Liz's eyes wandered to the rest of the terms.

She had been half convinced of the fact that the contract was definitely hiding something to justify the high number.

Yet, the more she read, the more her eyebrows went higher and higher up her forehead until they nowhere to go.

If she was reading it right, she would be getting full health insurance, lodging in a house of her choice either in the complex or the city, food expenses and a personal chauffeur to drive her to and from work!

Wait, had she just been appointed the CEO?

But the heading at the top said "Personal Assistant to the CEO"!

Then what the hell was with these princely terms?!

Each and every need of hers was taken care of, so much so that there would have been no complaints even if the number at the bottom had said "0".

Unable to believe her eyes, Liz continued to read the contract again and again.

A few strange clauses did jump out to her.

For instance, the NDA was very strict, restricting her from giving out any information about any of the conversations she had with the CEO, no matter what topic they might be about.

Another waived the rights to sue in case the signee was removed from the job without a proper explanation.

This was one Liz had known about previously, as otherwise, Happle Inc. would have been drowning in lawsuits by this point due to the many women and men that had been in this job before her.

Just as she was about to go through it one last time before making the obvious decision, Liz heard the door open.

Looking up, she saw that it was the receptionist who entered with a venomous expression on her face.

Indeed, the cordial smile was gone. Instead, her eyes were boring into Liz's as if she wished that she would disappear from her sight.

Yet, this lasted only for a moment before the cordial expression returned.

In a false tone that made Liz's skin crawl, she said, "Miss, do you need more time to decide? We would all LOVE to have you work with us at Happle Inc, and we will also try our best to make you feel welcome despite your…unsavory background. I hope you make the right decision!"