C5 Under Scrutiny

Ethan leaned back in his chair, looking over the documents sprawled across his desk. His expression was calm but focused, the same demeanor that Isa had come to expect from him. "So, let's get the documents sorted," he began, his tone businesslike but with a touch of warmth that put Isa at ease, at least a little. "As usual, it's a regular 9-5 job, sometimes extending later, but it will cover your house expenses, insurance, and medicals. And Isa, as you know, please do your best and don't feel like you have to prove anything to anyone, okay?"

Isa nodded, but her anxiety was still evident in the way her hands fidgeted in her lap. "Yes, but I'm kind of scared," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Ethan's brow furrowed with concern. "Why?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Isa took a deep breath before speaking, trying to steady herself. "Because there are going to be rumors, you know. I mean, first of all, you didn't let any other applicants try, and people are going to think that it's because we're having an affair," Isa stated, her voice tinged with worry. She had been anticipating the whispers and judgment that were bound to follow the announcement of her new role.

Ethan chuckled softly, a sound that was both reassuring and dismissive of her concerns. "I really don't care what people have to say," he said, his tone casual yet firm. "They can talk all they want. And as for you, young lady, you came in on time before anyone else. Think about it—the boss can request for you anytime, so at least you should be an hour early for your interview in case anything happens, shouldn't you?"

Isa hesitated but then nodded, seeing the logic in his words. "Yes, I guess."

"See, don't worry your little head for nothing, hmm?" Ethan said, his voice softening as he gave her a reassuring smile.

But before Isa could respond, Ethan raised his voice slightly. "Sam!" he called out.

A tall, middle-aged man with graying hair and a nervous expression entered the office immediately. "Yes, sir?" Sam asked, his tone respectful but with an edge of uncertainty.

"Let her sign the documents. She's my new secretary," Ethan instructed without a hint of hesitation.

Sam looked taken aback, his eyes widening slightly. "Are you sure, sir?" he asked hesitantly, clearly uncomfortable with the decision.

Ethan's expression hardened, his voice dropping a few degrees in warmth. "Did I stutter?" he replied sharply, fixing Sam with a stern gaze.

Sam flinched slightly, his hesitation growing more apparent. "No, sir. It's just that you didn't even interview any other applicants. After looking through her CV, yes, she did work at WHO, but only for a short period before she got fired. She also worked at a small company but got fired from there too. Plus, after reviewing more of the applicants, I've counted at least five who would be more suitable for the position, sir."

Isa felt her face flush with embarrassment. Everything Sam had said was true. There were better-qualified candidates, and she knew it. A knot of self-doubt tightened in her stomach, and for a moment, she wondered if Ethan was making a mistake by choosing her. A part of her couldn’t shake the fear that this decision had more to do with their personal relationship than her professional capabilities.

But Ethan wasn’t having any of it. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "Mr. Sam, are you the CEO?" he inquired, his voice dripping with a calm menace that made Sam shrink back slightly.

"N-no, sir," Sam stammered, realizing he had crossed a line.

"Then it really shouldn't bother you about my decisions. You're dangling between employment and unemployment, Sam. If you really need an explanation, I'll give you a simple one. If a lecturer comes into the class ready to award marks but a student is already there reading his or her book while the others come in late, who do you think the teacher will award the marks to?"

Sam opened his mouth to respond, but Ethan cut him off, his patience clearly wearing thin. "But sir, the other applicants have arrived and..."

"What's the time?" Ethan interrupted, not giving Sam a chance to finish.

"It's nine-thirty, sir," Sam replied, his voice almost a whisper.

"So?" Ethan said pointedly, raising an eyebrow as if daring Sam to continue the argument.

Sam hung his head in embarrassment, realizing he had no ground to stand on. "Give her the papers, and next time you ever think of talking to me like that or insulting one of my ideas, be ready to say goodbye to your job," Ethan continued, his tone icy and final. "Despite our close relationship, I won't condone rudeness or you questioning my decisions like you own everything. Who the f*ck do you think you are?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I..." Sam began, his voice trembling with fear.

"Save it. Give her the contract, get out of my office, and tell the other applicants I have a new secretary," Ethan snapped, cutting off any further apology.

"Yes, sir," Sam murmured, quickly handing Isa the papers before retreating from the office, his head hung low.

Isa was left feeling a mix of emotions. She was relieved that Ethan had stood up for her, but she was also scared of what the others might think. She knew the rumors would start flying, and she wasn't sure she was ready for that kind of attention.

"Sweetie, sign the contract, yeah?" Ethan said gently, his voice a stark contrast to the way he had just spoken to Sam.

"Yes, sir," Isa replied, trying to steady her hands as she picked up the pen.

Ethan smirked, leaning closer to her. "Sir? I like that. Call me that next time when I'm making you scream my name," he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Isa blushed deeply, her face heating up at his words. She quickly signed the contract, focusing on the task at hand to avoid meeting his gaze.

After she was done, Ethan stood up, extending his hand to help her up. "Let's go for lunch," he said, his tone returning to its usual warmth.

They made their way to the company cafeteria, which was more like a high-end restaurant than a typical break room. "Do you like the cafeteria, Isa?" Ethan asked as they entered.

"Do I? It's bigger and fancier than my old home," Isa replied with wide, beaming eyes, taking in the luxurious surroundings.

Ethan chuckled, clearly pleased with her reaction. "You're cute," he said, watching her with a soft smile.

Isa just giggled, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that people were watching them. She could hear the faint whispers of gossip, the subtle glances from other employees as they passed by. It made her feel uneasy, like she was being judged before anyone had even given her a chance. She knew they were making assumptions about her, assuming that her new position was solely due to her relationship with Ethan.

After lunch, Ethan took Isa on a tour of the office. They walked through the spacious, modern corridors, each area meticulously designed with sleek furniture and cutting-edge technology. He introduced her to various departments, explaining their functions and how they all interconnected to keep the company running smoothly. The marketing department buzzed with creative energy, the finance team worked with precision, and the IT crew was surrounded by state-of-the-art technology. Isa listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as possible, though her nerves still lingered.

"This is the break room," Ethan said, opening a door to reveal a cozy space with comfortable seating, a coffee machine, and a selection of snacks. "Feel free to use it whenever you need a break. It's important to take care of yourself."

"Thank you," Isa replied, her voice soft as she tried to push aside the anxiety still gnawing at her.

Finally, they reached her new office. It was a sleek, well-lit space with a large window offering a stunning view of the city. "This will be your workspace," Ethan said, stepping aside so she could take it all in. "I hope you find it comfortable and conducive to your work."

Isa stared in awe at the office, hardly able to believe it was hers. "It's amazing," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

"Good. Now, if you need anything, my office is just down the hall. Don't hesitate to come by," Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

As Isa settled into her new desk, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. The nervousness was still there, but Ethan’s confidence in her gave her a glimmer of hope. She was determined to prove herself, not just to others but to herself as well. This was a new beginning, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.