Chapter 12 - Chapter Twelve

"Yeah right," the red head scoffed. "We saw how you left his office. He didn't hire you. You're just trying to get rid of the competition because you're too intimidated by us." She rolled her eyes and settled in her seat smugly, looking at the other girls.

Clara sighed and rubbed her temple. "Yes. I'm so intimidated by you all. How will I ever survive knowing you're all out there, being the perfect little bitches you're all being right now?" she pretended to fake sob, before her face turned blank again. "Now, on behalf of Mr. Rothdam Dimitri, please leave, or I will call security to escort you lovely ladies out."

She didn't even know if the building had security, let alone the number to call.

The five pairs of eyes glared up at her, and clara felt as if she was shrinking under their gaze. The red head spoke again. "You're pathetic. We're all smart enough to know that you're lying. Rothdam wouldn't hire someone like you. You're too short and way too curvy. He'd want someone slim and petite, not to mention someone who actually has a pretty face." Her gaze focused on the thick black rims that surrounded the lenses that helped Clara to read clearer, and she felt her temper slowly taking over the rational side of her. She was about to burst when a deep voice kept it from happening.

"Ladies."

Roth's voice came from behind her. She caught the smell of his cologne before she felt two large hands being placed on her shoulders.

"What, Ms. Serim is saying is correct," he told them.

"She has officially been hired by me. Thank you for coming in today, but you are not needed anymore. Leave, or I will call security to drag you out."

The 5 girls who were frozen with shock, but the red-hairedd girl recovered quickly. "But Rothdam, surely we're more qualified-"

"I have personally looked over Ms. Serim qualifications and found her to be the perfect candidate. This discussion is over. Have a nice day." His dismissed them coolly before Clara felt his warm breath on her neck.

"Come into my office once they leave so I can brief you on your role as my assistant." Clara nodded stiffly, conscious of the close proximity between their bodies.

"Don't worry, I won't try anything," Roth chuckled softly. "Even though I want to."

He pulled away, and Clara turned to catch his smirk just before it slipped off his face, and he turned to leave.

She turned back to the girls – who were looking at her as if they were measuring what coffin would fit her best – and gave them a small smile. "Thank you for your time," Clara repeated, stepping aside as an indication for them to leave.

"This is not over, you obese pig," The red- head sneered before shoving her handbag up her slender arm and stomping past her, "I'll get you fired within the next Month. This job is mine." The other girls followed after her.

Clara looked down at her body and sighed. Yes, She was pretty large in the chest and rear area, but she was pretty slim everywhere else. She went for regular jogs in a park nearby and ate clean once a week.

She shook her self-esteem issues out of her mind temporarily and entered Roth's office after a heavy sigh.

*********

Ruby flopped herself backwards onto the large king-sized bed with a satisfied sigh. The soft mattress cushioned her, enticing her to close her eyes and drift off to sleep. It was a far cry from the hard futon she had been calling a bed for the past year. She was tired, but a wide smile appeared as she surveyed the massive bedroom that was now hers. She felt like a princess, though come tomorrow, Cinderella may be more accurate a term.

The past days had been a whirlwind of activity for ruby, Roth had insisted she start immediately, but she managed to negotiate one week off with him.

Reluctantly, he'd agreed. He was - without a doubt - the type of man who was accustomed to getting what he wanted, when he wanted it without any hesitation.

The day after their meeting and her agreeing to work for him, he'd hired a moving company and they began to clean out her apartment for her - not that there was much to move and he paid off her landlord. All that came with her to his mansion was her clothing and her personal belongings.

Her appliances, house wares, and items of that nature were donated, and he gave her check for an amount that was well over the retail value of hewell-useded items. When she protested, he informed her it was a salary bonus and a write-off for him financially, so not to worry. While her pride told her to fight it, it almost felt like they were getting married rather than her going to work for him.

The sensible part of her told her that it was for the best. If worse came to worst, the "bonus" he'd given her more than covered her expenses for close to six months if she were to move out. She had to think of this practically, and practically speaking, she needed to take the "bonus," in the off chance things didn't work out with Roth. and she needed a safety net.

"Well, aren't you the sweet one Mr Rothdam," Ruby muttered as she propped herself up on her elbows and glanced over at the cookbooks sitting on the large mahogany dresser that Roth mustard have had brought up to her. She "officially" started work in the morning; breakfast was to be on the table at 7am sharp. With a groan, she reluctantly sat up and made her way over to the books.

Atop the stack of books was a note from Roth.

"Dear Ruby...

I took the liberty of marking some of my favourite dishes. You might want to come accustomed to those first. I apologize for not being around these past couple of days to help you settle in, but I have been tied up. I do have a surprise for you. Be ready at 8pm. I look forward to tasting what you have to offer me.

-Roth

P.S. I highly suggest you wear what is in the closet tonight.