There was something predatory in his beautiful eyes, making Ava's blood run cold.
His gaze was fierce and calculating, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Now, I see what Maya was talking about..." Ava thought to herself, swallowing hard but her throat felt dry.
"Do you find something amusing in my eyes, Ms. Collins?" Ethan's voice cut through the air like ice.
Ava quickly tried to look away, but Ethan's voice stopped her.
"No, no. Since you have already broken protocol, maintain the eye contact. Now tell me, what do you see?" He asked, his tone mocking as if he was daring her.
"I... I didn't mean to stare, Mr. Gray." Ava maintained, her voice slightly trembling.
"I asked you a question. What do you see?" Ethan insisted, each of his word was sharp and demanding.
"Nothing, sir. I apologize for my rudeness." She quickly apologized.
Ethan let out an irritated scoff then leaned forward, his presence overwhelming Ava who was already feeling intimidated.
"Let me make something clear, Ms. Collins. I despise being looked in the eyes. It shows a lack of respect and proper training." He told her sharply.
"I understand, sir. It won't happen again." Ava apologized.
"Do you know why I hate it? Because eyes reveal too much. They show fear, lies, deception. Like right now, your eyes are screaming terror." He told her, his voice low and menacing, communicating how much he was reveling in her terror.
Ava's hands clutched her skirt under the table, her palms were sweaty.
"So, keep your eyes down. That is where they belong when you are in my presence." He added, firmly.
Ava quickly nodded in understanding.
"I apologize again, sir." Ava said and lowered her gaze.
"Are you ready for the job or not?" Ethan asked sharply.
Ava became conflicted on what to do.
"Should I inform James about this development? Or should I handle it using my own discretion?" She contemplated inwardly.
"Your silence is wasting my time." Ethan said coldly.
"No, sir. I was just..." Ava was saying but got cut off immediately.
"I don't care what you were 'just' doing, In my world, hesitation equals incompetence. I'm a busy man, Ms. Collins. I don't have time to waste on someone who can't make simple decisions."" He shot at her and stood up.
At that, Ava felt degraded and she hated that.
"I am not incompetent." She mumbled under her breath and then her decision was made.
She shot to her feet.
"Yes, I'm available, sir." She declared, determinedly.
"Good." Ethan said curtly then walked around the room to a cabinet. He pulled out a document, and handed it to her.
Ava furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she looked at the contents. There was a photo of a man along with various contact details.
"What am I supposed to do with this, sir?" She inquired.
"That is your first assignment. He is a cyber security specialist currently working for my competitor. I want him in my company." Ethan informed her firmly.
"And?" Ava was still confused on what he expected her to do.
"Don't make me repeat myself, Ms. Collins. I want him in my office by tomorrow morning. You are to go to his house and persuade him. By any means necessary." He said.
"What?" Ava's jaw was almost touching the ground.
"Is there something unclear about my instructions? Should I use simpler words? I thought you are smarter than this, judging by how you answered the interview questions. Am I wrong? Ethan asked in a condescending tone.
"No, sir, but..." Ava tried to talk but got cut off again.
"I fired my previous assistant because she couldn't get him to join us. We have been trying for months. And now, I have run out of time. If you can't do this, you are not needed then." He told her, coldly.
Ava exhaled sharply, feeling exasperated at his inconsiderate behavior.
"Sir, how am I supposed to accomplish this in just a few hours?" She dared to ask him.
"That is for you to figure out. Your employment depends on it. Or did you think this job would be easy?" He asked her and a smirk crept up his face.
"But... you just said I was hired." Ava protested.
"That was merely a statement of your potential. This is your test. Unless you are not up for it? I can always find someone more... capable." He pointed out, cocking an eyebrow.
Ava gritted her teeth then exhaled sharply.
"If I may ask, why tomorrow morning specifically?" She inquired curiously.
Ethan's eyes flashed dangerously as he walked towards her.
"Did I not make myself clear earlier about questioning my decisions? Do you have a hearing problem, Ms. Collins?" He asked her, strangely calm.
"No, but..."
"Then stop asking irrelevant questions. If you can't handle this, feel free to leave. The door is right there." He pointed dismissively.
Ava's heart sank, but she straightened her shoulders.
"I need to do this. For my mom!" She thought.
"I will do it." She said firmly.
"Good. Can you drive?" Ethan asked.
"No..." She replied.
"You will need to learn quickly for future errands. For now, take a cab. Try not to disappoint me like the others." He said.
Ava glanced at her watch – 8:00 PM. Her stomach churned when she checked the address. It was in the outskirts of the city.
"Don't worry, sir. I will handle it," she assured him, determinedly.
Ethan merely walked away without another word.
"So rude and cold!" Ava mumbled as she walked out of the penthouse.
Once outside, she hailed a cab.
"Something feels off..." Ava observed as soon as she got into the cab and settled in.
The driver hadn't said a word, just stared ahead with an unsettling expression.
"Excuse me..." She called out.
"Could you please confirm you are heading to the address I gave?" She asked but all she got in response was silence.
Suddenly, the cab took a sharp turn in the wrong direction.
"Hey! This isn't the right way!" Ava's voice rose in panic.
"Don't bother yelling." The driver's voice was cold and emotionless.
"No one can save you at this moment. Not even God."
Ava gasped.