Hazel stood before Mr Cambridge, fighting every impulse to bolt out of the room.
"You sent for me?" She prompted the man, eyebrows raised.
Mr Cambridge lifted his feet, then set them down on the top of his table with a loud grunt. There was a stack of money on his table, for God knew what reason.
Mr Cambridge's brow shot up into his non-existent hairline, a smug smile playing on his lips.
"Hazel, love." He started. "Do have a seat, please. You don't have to act all formal in my presence."
Hazel already knew where this was going, and she wanted to shut it down before it even started. "No sir, I do have to act formally. You're my boss, after all."
She let out a nervous chuckle, goosebumps erupting on her skin as the man ran his gaze over her curvy body appreciatively.
"No. Have a seat, love." He repeated, voice shifting into a growl. The force behind his words was enough to break Hazel's resolve. She knew Mr Cambridge was powerful enough to fire her on the spot if she resisted him.
Slowly, she slipped into the chair in front of him, folded her hands, and kept her teeth gritted. "Do you want me to refill your cup of coffee for you, Mr Cambridge?" She asked.
He shook his head. "Oh, no, Hazel. My coffee is fine."
"Do you want me to print some things for you, perhaps?"
"That's not what I want, either." He murmured.
"What then do you want from me, sir?" Hazel snapped. Quickly, she regained her composure and swallowed her next words. It wouldn't do to lose her temper around this man.
Mr Cambridge brought his feet down from the desk, then leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "You are a very striking woman, Hazel. I sense a lot of strength and resolve within you. Is that not so?"
What did that have to do with anything, Hazel asked herself. However, she kept silent as he continued.
"I have monitored you closely in this office. I see just how diligently you work, the sweat and passion you put into every single thing you do."
All I do is print files, make coffee, and set appointments for you, Mr. Cambridge, she was tempted to yell in his face. However, she kept a strong rein on those thoughts.
"Thank you very much, sir." She murmured instead. "I do apple—"
"And so, I have decided to reward you for your efforts," he chimed in, cutting off her next words. "After all, you are our most hardworking staff."
Perhaps, increase my pay from a meager $500, she growled in her thoughts. "Thank you so much, sir." She murmured instead.
Mr. Cambridge leaned even further on his desk, hands splayed on the table with his fingers inches from her. "I will be increasing your insurance to cover other expenses like car maintenance, amongst other benefits." He announced.
Hazel knew this man expected her to be over the moon with happiness. In other workplaces, a stable insurance plan was a right and not a privilege. However, working with this man for five years had taught her never to expect anything more than the barest minimum.
Her mates in other firms like this one were earning steady four and five figures, alongside insurance and other benefits. And here she was, fighting to get a tiny $500 paycheck from this pervert of a man.
All of this she wanted to yell in his face. But her head was still splitting apart with a headache, and she had no strength to argue. "I appreciate Mr Cambridge."
He nodded, a satisfied smirk on his face. Other benefits include an all-expense paid trip to Malibu with me." He declared.
Hazel blanched. "Malibu?"
"Yes." He grinned.
Finally, she thought. This was where he was getting to. He wanted to have his way with her and was brandishing an insurance plan in her face as a reward.
"I...." She paused, then continued. "I don't think that is proper, sir."
A frown appeared on his face. "Why?"
"Just me and you? In Malibu?" She reminded him. "That would raise more than a few eyebrows in the firm."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Who cares about a handful of people?"
"Me, perhaps?" Hazel snapped at him, her annoyance mounting. "Tell me, sir. What would we be doing in Malibu alone?"
He shrugged. "Relaxing. Enjoying a well-deserved break."
"I don't think we should do that." She cut in. "Especially together."
His frown deepened. "What are you saying?"
Hazel shot to her feet. "I do not feel comfortable around you, Mr Cambridge!"
Mr Cambridge slowly stood from his chair, and she watched as his face twisted into a scary grimace. "What are you doing, woman?"
Hazel staggered backward as he came towards her. But before she could think or react, he suddenly lunged forward and grabbed her neck.
"Who do you think you are, anyway?" Mr Cambridge snarled in her face, his fingers pressing against her windpipe. "You're rejecting an offer from me? How fucking dare you?!"
"I—" Hazel tried to speak, but the man's grip tightened, cutting off her next words. His face began to swim in her vision, splitting into twos and threes.
"You should be grateful to me!" He snarled. "You should be groveling at my feet in thanks! You are nothing but low-class, and the moment you understand that, the better for you in this firm!"
"I—please!" She choked, fighting against his fingers. She thrashed in the cage that was his hands, but his grip was resolute.
"Now, will you go with me to Malibu, or would you rather lose your job?"
"I—" Hazel tried again, but the words would not come. She felt as though her windpipe was bruised, and tears of pain and anger gathered in her eyes.
She nodded. That was enough to answer.
Mr Cambridge grinned like the devil that he was. "Good." He snarled, still holding onto her neck. "Now, before we travel, a few ground rules should be established."