Chills appeared on her body just thinking about what would happen. Darell reluctantly sat down next to Sophie, rubbing his eyes. He got up, put on his suit and left the office without a word. The woman shook her head in dissatisfaction. She didn't know why he took so much pleasure in making her life miserable. She sat down at her desk and went back to work. As she suspected, it happened. A moment later, the remaining colleagues returned to the office, led by Diana.
"Your sandwich, Sophie. I hope you like it" She said hopefully, handing her the food.
"Thank you, Diana" She took the sandwich from the girl and held out a piece of paper written on it. "Would you be able to prepare these things for me?" The girl started reading and nodding.
"No problem, but it will take me a while" She left with concentration, reading the notes.
"Eve" Sophie called to one of the women sitting at their desks. The woman looked at the new manager with dissatisfaction.
"I'm listening" An irritated voice could be heard.
"We need to collect more data on Mr. Bent and his company. You have dealt with this before, but there is not enough information. Call his secretary and ask for the rest of the information I emailed you, okay?" She informed politely.
"If you already have them written down, why should I send them? You can do it yourself" She snapped.
"Because you had previous contact with them and they know you. You are collecting information about Mr. Bent's company. Why would I suddenly take your job?" She asked calmly.
"But you need them, not me" She commented.
"Listen..." Sophie stood up from behind her desk, leaning against the office door. "You have to understand that I came here to work for this company, not against it. I know you don't like me, but if we somehow manage to break the ice and start working together, you'll see how much we can do. I want to show you how you can increase customer wins over your competitors by knowing the necessary things about them. In fact, I can start working on it myself, because I'm capable of it" She looked at everyone. "But then why keep you here?" Anxiety appeared on people's faces.
"I would be incredibly exhausted working for everyone else, but I would improve the company's achievements. But if we can do it together, working together, it will be more comfortable and safer for everyone, don't you think?" She straightened up and sat down behind her desk.
"Eve. Will you do what I asked you?" She looked gently at the nervous woman.
"Yes" She replied briefly, clicking something on the computer.
Sophie didn't want to intimidate them in any way, but this was one of the better ways for them to help her with her work. Over time, they will notice how much they can achieve thanks to this. For the rest of the day, she managed to get several employees to do her bidding. The most willing and helpful person, of course, was Diana, who did everything she was asked to do. The end of the day came sooner than they expected. When everyone had precise tasks assigned and focused only on them, everything went more smoothly.
At 5 p.m., the co-workers gathered their things and went to their homes. Diana looked at Sophie, still working, unfazed.
"Aren't you going yet?" She finally asked.
"Not yet. I have to finish a few things and I suspect that a certain annoying person will show up here soon" She said, irritated.
"Annoying?" The girl was surprised, turning her head charmingly to the side.
"Secret" She whispered, winking. "Go home. You did well today. See you tomorrow, Diana" She nodded to the girl, delighted with the praise.
"See you tomorrow, Sophie. I'm so glad you work here" She waved eagerly and went out through the glass door.
Sophie worked intently for a good hour until she heard someone enter her office. Knowing who it was, she peeked out from behind the laptop, looking straight into his deadly eyes.
"How was your first day at work?" He asked, sitting on the sofa.
"Effective. Diana helped a lot" She nodded.
"She wasn't causing any trouble?" He asked, resting his head on his hand.
"On the contrary. She was very helpful" She looked into Darell's eyes, feeling strangely uneasy. "Do you know that I've already had such a conversation in my old company?" She straightened up in her chair and looked at the ending day. "Some time later I was kicked out and everything I had achieved was passed on to the person I taught everything" The regret could be heard in her voice.
"You won't be threatened here. I would be a fool to get rid of such an intelligent person. Diana is simply training for a job. She started thanks to you. I want to see how far you can make her go"
Not entirely convinced by his assurances, she saved the data on the laptop one last time before closing it. She packed her things into her purse, checking if everything was in its place.
"See you tomorrow, boss" She said behind her, leaving through the large glass door.
To her surprise, as she waited for the elevator, Darell stood next to her. She looked at him questioningly, but he remained silent. So she shrugged and entered the elevator. They both looked ahead and took the elevator to the ground floor. Sophie said a polite "Goodbye" at the reception desk and headed towards her new apartment. She had a bad feeling as she heard her boss's footsteps right behind her. She looked back once, just to see his carefree face and his hands in his pants pockets. She quickly went to the supermarket on the way to do some shopping. After all, she didn't have anything to eat at home yet, and that had to be changed quickly. She chose a few vegetables and fruits, some meat, bread, cereal, milk and of course water to drink. As she was leaving the store, she noticed Darell waiting nearby. She hissed through her teeth, knowing it wasn't over yet. Standing in front of the apartment door, she finally couldn't stand it anymore and looked menacingly at her pursuer.
"I am after work. What else do you want?" She almost growled.
"I'm hungry" He looked significantly at the woman's purchases.
"Then go to the restaurant" She said irritably.
"I'm craving homemade food" He didn't take his eyes off the bag.
"Let your mother cook for you" She punched in the code and hoped the man wouldn't follow.
Unfortunately, he entered right behind her. He looked around the apartment, put his suit on the kitchen chair and went to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Sophie imagined him in the form of a carrot, which she was silently cutting with hatred written all over her face. Why won't he leave her alone? He doesn't suspect her of cheating... Right? She looked suspiciously towards the bathroom. Nooooo. She took out all the products and silently wondered what to prepare. At the same time, Darell came out of the bathroom and, as if he were at home, threw himself on the couch in the living room, with the girl in view. He put one arm under his head and, looking at her, began to fall asleep.
Sophie, unaware of what her pursuer was doing, decided what she would cook and got to work. When all she had to do was wait for the cooking to finish, she went to change and freshen up. She took a quick shower, subconsciously aware that a certain annoying person might start knocking on the door. She came out, drying her wet hair with a towel, looking around to see where Darell was.
She found him sleeping on the couch. Looking down at him, she couldn't understand how someone so handsome could be so corrupt and disgusting inside. She went back to the kitchen to check on the food. She seasoned her dish some more, made a salad, and set the plates on the table. She took two portions and, ignoring the man, began to eat her portion.
"It'll be cold if you don't move" She said louder, not wanting her work to be wasted.
Darell stretched on the couch, ran his hand over his head, straightening his short, not at all disheveled hair, and walked lazily to the table. He sat down on a chair and started eating his portion. Sophie finished eating hers, took the plates and put them in the sink. Leaning on it, she looked pointedly at her boss.
"So? What is it about?" She knew there had to be a reason. The man leaned back in his chair, taking the last bite into his mouth.
"I've eaten better" He wiped his mouth with a napkin and drank some water. Sophie was really fed up with his behavior. She looked at the inciting trickster with tired eyes.
"You know what's next week" He started seriously. The woman became serious, nodding.
"How many will you be able to take from him by then?" He raised an eyebrow, knowing that she would go all the way.
"Five... maybe six. It depends on my limit of funds that I can use for this"
"There is no limit" He looked with a dangerous smile. She looked at him suspiciously.
"I don't feel like joking"
"When I'm serious" She looked into his confident eyes with surprise.
"Are you sure?" She walked to the table and leaned on her hands next to Darell.
He stood up from his chair and, being a few centimeters from her face, grabbed her chin.
"Do not let me down. I give you a free hand and no limits on your money. Failure is not an option. Otherwise you'll regret it" He threatened.