Toxic-Attraction

e felt thick and tensed that morning. It was

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you flew back here just to provoke me then I'm sorry but you just wasted your jet fuel". "No, honey. Don't think that way", she said, smile fading. "I flew back here because the board is tensed. Because the company's prestige and reputation is precious to me. And because if you start making reckless decisions I will take control". He moved slowly and steadily towards her, an entity dressed in tailored grey suit. "You won't dare. You have no right. I can handle my company by myself", "If there are no changes, I'm going to be forced to step in. Try me,". Silence stretched between them. They spoke not as family but as rivals. But she said a bit softly. "The reason for my arrival isn't to threaten you but to test your abilities." "You seem to forget that I'm the CEO of Steele and Cross Enterprises. I make the rules around here so I don't need to prove anything to anyone", he said coldly. "No," she said, narrowing her eyes. "But only time will tell". She walked passed him, observing the beautiful Manhattan skyline. "Let's find out how your precious little empire reacts to real task. Instruct one of your workers to handle the GR crisis. And just give them four days. I want to see how your employees work under the atmosphere of fire. Andrew said, very low and ruthless. "You have no right to make demands''. "Oh wow!! What makes you think I have no right ?"she questioned. "You're losing clients Andrew and don't lie to me concerning the Galadis account. That was done in a hurry, and you're aware of it. You need to wi

g at the Top Floor Confe

ia lifted her hand. "No need to be formal", she said with a faint smile. "You must be Elena Santiago " "Yes ma'am. I am" "Ok". Maria sat down across Andrew then smiles shortly . "You called for this meeting. Please state your purpose". Andrew nodded. "Yeah I did. And the reason I called for this meeting on a short notice is that I want to refresh our public relations approach this month instead of next month. I require the projections, SWOT analysis and executive proposals ready by Monday". Elena blinked. "This Monday, Mr Cross?" "Yes", Andrew replied coldly. "And you'll lead the presentation you have four days to prepare" Elena's heart skipped and her eyes widened in surprise. "Would I do the whole campaign projections alone?" "You'll oversee the running". He said ."But the implementation and execution would be done by you." Maria simply raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Elena gathered courage then said, "Sir, it's an honor to handle it but I haven't refreshed a complete public relations approach before. Can't this task be given to..." She couldn't complete her sentence, Andrew interrupted. "You've taken care and done other tasks well so far. What's the problem now? Take this as your next test ", he said coldly. Maria's eye remaine

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. Failure wasn't an option. She had to deliver no matter the cost. But some issues were beginning to pop up. She had mistakenly overlooked a minor error in the Galadis data and now it had escalated into a major complication. Her heart beat like a frantic drum. "Try fix it, Elena", she whispered to herself while scratching her head. "You can

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one job and you messed up", a commanding and sharper voice cut in. They both turned to see who owned the voice. It was Maria's voice. She walked in with Ms. Emily. Maria's eyes were dark now and Ms. Emily's face looked stern and serious. "You had four days to complete the task and you've wasted one now", Maria yelled. "I haven't wasted it", Elena managed to speak. "Please, it was a sincere..." "There is no room for sincere mistakes. We don't accept it " Maria snapped. "And sincere mistakes don't build empires. This was a lazy error". Ms. Emily added. "I promise I wasn't lazy", Elena said, voice weak. Ms. Emily folded her arms. "Then maybe, you were distracted and that's more dire". The room was suffocating. Elena couldn't breathe. Maria and Ms Emily kept bombarding her with questions. They made demeaning remarks that

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oice low. "I'm not joking Elena", Jenna said gently, placing the grocery bag on the floor. She walked over and sat next to Elena and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You feel like talking?" She asked concernly. "I made a big mess today, Jenna" "And so? You're human and humans are prone to mistakes. You're not some kind of machine so don't be hard on yourself" "I'm human but not to them", Elena said. "To them, I'm a machine that can be replaced and nothing more. Andrew didn't even stand fo

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ng much mamá. Just had a rough day at work today". Anna looked at her with a serious face. "Did the mean boss do something to you huhh?" Jenna smirked, "she's brave Miss Anna. As strong as you are". Elena touched Anna's hair. "I'll be fine mamá. It's nothing much. Don't worry". "Do you promise?", Anna asked. Elena smiled for