Ciara's POV

" Get your lazy flat ass outta there, Ella!" I screamed as I've always done.

Not like I was ready for work yet.

I quickly took my hair in my palms and squeezed them through a band I found in Ella's wardrobe.

" I'm done" Ella said, damping her skin with a towel.

"Shit! What have you been doing?" I was beginning to scream.

Her face sobered up. She quickly put on her lotion.

"Don't forget to use sunscreen." I reminded her.

"There's no time." She snapped as if she wasn't remorseful.

We had intended to leave early today.

My boss is returning from Italy, and I wouldn't like to get late to work today. Who knows if he's some cracked up jerk who likes bullying staffs?

I'm just a marketer anyways.

I've done my job well in the past years. I most definitely won't get fired immediately. A pay cut would be detrimental to me.

Ella had white casts on her skin after using the sun block cream.

I guess that's what I get from a two dollar item.

I shrugged my shoulders. It's at least better than getting sun baked.

I took my bag and sighed heavily.

"You ready?" I nugged my head at her.

"Yeah" she replied, grabbing her bag.

******

Jason's POV

"Mr. Morel. How do you do?" I took his hand with an evil smirk. He tried to pull out, but I had gripped tight. He stopped struggling.

"I suppose you are back to Newyork city." He cut in with an equally evil grin. He didn't reply my greetings. I left his hand.

"And I believe someone doesn't want somethings found out." This time, I grinned.

He stopped smiling. His forehead cringed and his nostrils became wider, revealing how ugly he was.

I think he should have gotten a nose job done at least, to hide this hideous look.

My gaze did not leave his face. He was becoming uncomfortable.

Finally, he cleared his throat with a wry cough.

"Yes, Mr Jason. Welcome back." That was all he said.

I already started walking, as gracious as possible. What I wanted right now was to intimidate to avoid getting intimidated. I don't feel like a pushover, but amongst these traitors, precautions has to be put in place.

Heads went down as soon as they saw me pass by. Those who stood aloof had their eyes gazing, almost bulging out obviously calculating the cost of my whole outfit. They wouldn't even dream of affording such.

I don't know about their next lives, but not in this lifetime, at least.

Ryan punched a button on the elevator, then we waited for a second. The doors gave way. We went in.

Both my hands in my pocket. It most definitely makes me look hotter, especially when I tilt my head to the side.

The doors were about to meet each other. A hand parted them open.

My phone beeped. I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at the screen, scrolling.

I wasn't in a hurry. Whoever came in stood ahead of us, bowing her head down as if she was a ghost.

As soon as we got to the 10th floor, we alighted.

Her steps were hasty.

The air in this floor of the building was tensed as expected. I'm the hot looking CEO everyone had been expecting.

Why wouldn't they be so tensed up?

"Good morning sir." Everyone was saying with their heads low. They all had their name tags at their breast pickets with their working identity cards hanging on their necks.

I don't do formalities. I didn't reply anyone. I just walked to my office. The doors parted automatically.

I sank into the chair.

Ryan stood with his hands interlocked.

What's up with the tensed look he's wearing?

"C'mon, have a seat." I signalled at him.

"Thank you sir." He replied sitting opposite. I was nearly laughing.

The window blinds were designed in such a way that I could see my staff, but none of them could see me.

"C'mon Ryan..." I faked an Italian accent. We both chuckled.

"How was the act?" Ryan leaned closer, winking.

"You should mind your company instead." I waved jokingly.

"Yeah." He replied.

"That's why you need a personal assistant." Ryan chipped in.

I was mute for approximately five seconds, then I grabbed my pen and played with it.

"Who do you recommend?" I winked. He's my best friend. I'm fine with whoever he chooses. Even if it's the devil.

Chuckles.... It can't be.

"All products of the company need good sales." Ryan began, with seriousness in his pitch.

I nodded.

"To get good sales, the marketing department is highly needed. Even the department in charge of production does not have a say in the sales." Ryan emphasized.

"We need to find the back rock of the marketing department."

Ryan concluded.

I clapped.

"Wow! Bravo!" We both shook hands.

"What do you take me for?" He winked.

"My buddy of course." I pointed.

"After we get a PA, let's party." I winked.

"Yay.... You've got it bro!" Ryan shook my hand again.

Ciara's POV

"Miss Ciara." Tiffany called. I waved at the chubby brown skinned lady. Her once curly hair looked neat today, because it was flat ironed. She really prepared for our boss's coming.

I guess I'm the only one who wasn't to excited. I can see that Mr Marcus already bought a new tie. He always wore a dark blue checked tie. Today, he's on a wine colored tie.

The only preparation I made was to dry clean my clothes and wash my hair for the new week, as I have always done during the weekends.

My hair was beginning to get messy at the front. My glasses kept falling below my nose bridge.

"Any ideas yet?" Becky arched her brow playfully.

I shook my head, sighed heavily and sank into my seat. I haven't even thought about a marketing strategy for our new product yet. I'll do that later. I'm not the only staff in this department.

"Ciara Gibson!" Our head of department called.

"Coming through." I shifted my chair backwards to give me some space to stand up conveniently. I made sure not to put on a grumpy face. He placed some stacked up files in my hands.

"The boss wants everyone's file." He said.

Okay, am I going to give this to the boss?

My skin felt goosebumps, as there were many eyes prying on me.

I looked back at them. Everyone quickly looked elsewhere, mostly into blank screens of their computers.

"Me?" I blinked severally.

"Yes, Ciara." He was starting to glare.

"Do you have a problem with that?" His forehead folded.

I shook my head, indicating a 'no'

"Or would you like something extra added to your file.?"

"No sir." I quickly replied.

Tears nearly welled up in my eyes.

Why do they always toss the trashy strenuous work to me?

Yet I'm still filling in for a promotion.

I've been working for five bloody years already. I'm no newbie.

I found myself turning towards the boss's office, damn nervous.

I could hear my own heart beat.

Does the boss want to lay off workers?

What would I do if I loose this job?