Rubbing my neck as I sat back in my chair, I could feel the knots forming. I knew this job would be demanding, but this first week had started breaking my will. It practically kept me busy day and night. I had no time for myself. I was in the office by seven and then left by six or seven. But other days, I only got out around eight in the evening.
After hours, I still studied to ensure I knew what I was doing. It was time-consuming, and at times, I felt like I was about to lose it. But I didn’t. I was intelligent and got things done.
I was tired and needed to take a break. Yet, I didn’t expect Akim to be breathing down my neck all day, every day. Staring at the screen, I pulled myself together. This presentation had to be ready for the meeting. It was my baby and my time to shine. I had to get it perfect so I could show him what I was capable of. It was more than halfway done. I just needed to add some touches.
As I started typing, I heard the door behind me open. Glancing back, I saw Akim walking over. He was wearing a tight-fitting dress shirt. It was black at the top, changing to a deep burgundy where it met his pants. Somehow, it highlighted his muscular physique like crazy. The black silky pants just completed the look and had my mouth watering.
He looked like a model who had stepped out of a magazine, and he was coming my way. Biting my lip, I reminded myself I shouldn’t notice these things. I was here to crush him, to prove my worth to my family. Turning back, I tried to focus on the screen. I lightly shook my head, trying to push out the invading images of him.
Akim stopped right behind me. I could feel his body heat warming me as he leaned in. Suddenly, my senses were flooded by his unique scent. It was a rich, woodsy odor with a hint of sweetness. It made me think of Cherry trees in bloom.
I shifted nervously, adjusting my seat, when he suddenly spoke. “This is all wrong.” He pointed at the screen as he continued to criticize my work. “This needs to come out, and so does this.”
Leaning to the side, I looked at him, a bit confused. I could feel the frown lines forming on my forehead.
Turning to look at me, he spoke again. “Why are you just staring at me? Go on, do what I said.”
I took a deep breath and moved back into position with him looking over my shoulder. I started editing the presentation as he asked. I had barely done one when his arm came over my shoulder, and his finger tapped the screen.
“This, what is this? Please change it or take it out,” he huffed. I could feel my anger rising as he continued to tell me what to do.
Finally fed up, I tapped the desk. Enough,” I said as calmly as I could muster. I pushed back from the desk and moved to the side, trying to get away from him. “Sorry, but this is my work,” I added. “You can’t come and completely change it to what you want. I am doing it, so let me do it my way, not yours.”
He moved to stand in my place where I usually sat. He started typing as he replied. “But this isn’t right. You can’t submit something like this to a client.”
“I’m not finished. If you wait for me to be done, you will see there’s nothing wrong with it,” I replied, sarcasm dripping from my tone.
“Don’t you ever speak to me like that again,” he replied, glaring at me.
Moving closer, I slammed the laptop shut in his face. Rising to my feet, I huffed at him. “I have the right to say that. I could do your work in my sleep.”
He rose, gave me a strange look, and folded his arms across his chest as he stepped back. Grinning, he spoke in a calmer tone. “If you think you’re so good, then prove it!”
I was so surprised by his comeback that I had no words. But I was sure he would ask something impossible of me to prove myself. Yet, I wasn’t backing down. I would show him what I was made of and would succeed in doing whatever he wanted.
“You give the presentation, seeing as you feel you are better at my job than I,” Akim added out of the blue.
It was so unexpected that it felt like he had hit the wind out of me. Instantly, my nerves started eating at the back of my mind. He couldn’t be serious. He was challenging me to do the presentation for the board.
No, it couldn’t be, I thought, grinning back at him. He was going to do what my brothers always did. He wanted me to think he was going to allow it and was on board with me taking the lead, just so he could disappoint me later.
Akim spoke over his shoulder as he turned and walked back to his office. “I hope you’re ready for your big show.”
