The Billionaire's Chosen Maiden

"If there's a scratch on my car, kiss your job goodbye," Zac said as he handed his key over to the parking attendant. The parking attendant didn't dare to say a word to him as Zac walked to the elevator. There were three others in the elevator, but as they saw him, they greeted him, and out of fear, they left the elevator, and used the staircase up to the office.

Zac Elmwood stormed through the office, the scent on his black suit alone and his facial expression could tell how confident and commanding he was. His eyes seemed to pierce through everyone's eyes and that forced them to greet him as he walked through.

"Good morning boss" were the words he heard while he walked through his office without a simple reply or even a smile or a nod. The entire place was quiet with human voices, just the sounds of people's shoes walking and the sounds of the chairs squeaking, with the hum of computers was all that was heard in the office as he made his way to his office.

As his office door swung shut, there was a relaxed breeze that had filled the atmosphere. There were quiet murmurs and, as phones began to ring, that was an intense entrance as every other day. Miss June, her personal assistant, opened the office door cautiously, took a deep breath as though a storm had filled the room she walked in.

"Good morning, Mr. Elmwood," said June, who wore a smiling face as though it were forced. "Your first meeting was with Mr.____"

"Cancel every meeting I have today and reschedule it for some other day. " I wouldn't want to be disturbed and get me my coffee." Zac interrupted with a low and irritating voice. "Have you worked on Claire's file? Get me the file. Now"

Knowing how demanding in nature Zac can be. Miss June replied with a nod and hurried to comply. "Here is the file on Claire, Boss," she said as she stretched her hands towards him. Her eyes were fixed on him and as he looked up, their eyes met briefly. There was a second of tension behind the gaze.

Zac's phone buzzed, and he gave a deep blink in his eyes, gave a deep breath, picked up the phone and voiced, "Elmwood."

There was an intense conversation that followed with Zac giving directions and questioning the person at the other end. There was a reminder of his influence and authority as his voice echoed in the office. His call was on for about ten minutes.

As he dropped the phone, Zac's face turned towards the bright light from the window. The thought of the weight of his responsibility and pressure to carry on his father's legacy consumed his mind. The name Elmwood was known for power, wealth and influence, and Zac was focused on sustaining Elmwood's reputation.

Despite his polished outlook, there were whispers of his personal lifestyle, stiffness and ruthless business tactics among the staff.

"He's a cold man, devoid of empathy. " I wonder how he grew up. " But his father wasn't so uptight when he was alive," one of the staff said.

"He hides his pain in his piercing gaze, I guess. " Because he does not have any friends that visit him at work, and he doesn't allow any form of entertainment at work," another staff member replied.

As they both whispered about what could be his story, Miss June walked past, and they greeted her and asked how his mood was today. You know his mood is the same, unknown of when he's happy or angry. Just be on your best behavior and focus on your work. June said as she walked past them.

June got his coffee from the canteen and headed back to his office. This was a daily routine as Zac had told June it was one of her responsibilities for the job offer. She knocked on the office door and with a reply from Zac, she stepped into the office and handed the coffee to Zac.

"Who made this coffee? " Did the person check the temperature before handing it over to you?" Zac roared with anger and his loud voice could be heard in the entire office, sending fear down some staff members and Miss June replied with a trembling voice. "I'm sorry sir, but she measured the temperature to be sure it's what you like before she packaged it."

"Incompetent staff," Zac shouted. "Get to work, I don't pay you to stare," he scolded June. She nodded and returned to her table.

"I guess he had a bad morning at his mansion before resuming work. " He shouldn't take it out on poor June," someone murmured.

One thing was for sure: Zac Elmwood was a formidable presence, and anyone who dared cross him did so at their own risk.

"June, get in here," Zac called out to June as he dropped the office telephone. "I thought I made a correction to this file a few days ago. Why isn't it here? Did you work on it? " How come I haven't seen any corrections I made?" He shouted at June as he threw the file at June.

While June bent to pick up the scattered files from the floor. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't make the corrections as you instructed. " I should not touch them, you should add some items to them before I make the entire correction," June replied with a shaking voice.

He didn't say a word as he gave an angry stare at June. Out of fear, June stood there for close to five minutes while he kept flipping through the file. He finally looked up and said "Get to your desk." June rushed off while telling herself, today was another day to get past his anger.

As several hours passed, Zac's focus was fixed on his work. Yet, deep inside him though, there was this frustrating issue that lingered, fueled by the conditions his father bound him in his will.

He just couldn't focus on work anymore. He stood up by the window. Looking down at the cars passing along the street, he seemed to be lost in what was disturbing his mind.

Unknown to Zac, there was going to be a dramatic turn in his life. One thing is for sure, all he thought he knew about himself would be challenged.