7 Chapter 7 – The Second Call
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Chapter 7 – The Second Call O
Hazel’s POV
After that first shocking phone call with Liam Sterling, I sat at my desk in stunned silence. Evelyn had assured me it was a test, but the way he’d hung up on me still left me rattled.
“Don’t look so worried,” Evelyn said, noticing my expression. “Trust me, if Liam had truly been displeased, you’d know it.”
“He sounded furious,” I protested, still staring at the phone as if it might explode.
“That’s just his way. He’s testing every new person who enters his orbit.” She gathered some files from her desk. “I need to step out for a few minutes to handle some personal business.
You’ll be fine here alone?”
I nodded, though my stomach was still churning. “Of course.”
After Evelyn left, I tried to focus on reviewing the procedures manual she’d prepared for me. The office felt eerily quiet, and I found myself jumping at every small sound.
About twenty minutes later, a lanky guy with messy brown hair and thick–rimmed glasses appeared in the doorway, carrying a small box.
“Excuse me? You must be the new assistant,” he said, adjusting his glasses nervously. “I’m Finn,
from IT.”
“Hi, I’m Hazel,” I replied, grateful for the distraction.
“These are for you.” He set the box on my desk, revealing a sleek smartphone and tablet. “Company devices. The phone’s already programmed with Mr. Sterling’s direct line, and both devices are synced with the corporate system.”
“Thank you, that’s very efficient,” I said, examining the phone.
Finn lingered awkwardly by my desk. “So, um, how’s your first day going? Working for the boss directly can be… intense.”
“So I’m learning,” I replied dryly.
“He’s actually brilliant once you get past the whole intimidating factor,” Finn continued, his cheeks reddening slightly. “Listen, I know this might be forward, but if you ever want to grab coffee and talk about navigating the company culture, or just… you know, coffee in general…”
I smiled gently. “That’s very sweet of you, Finn, but I’m not really in a place for dating right now. I hope you understand.”
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“Oh, of course!” he said quickly. “No problem at all. But if you need any tech support, I’m on the fifth floor.”
After he left, I spent the next hour familiarizing myself with the new devices and reviewing
more of Evelyn’s meticulously organized files. I was starting to feel like I might actually be able to handle this job when the phone rang again.
The caller ID showed the same number as before. My heart sank.
Taking a deep breath, I answered professionally: “Sterling Group, Mr. Sterling’s office. This is Hazel speaking.”
“How come it’s you again?” The deep voice was immediately recognizable, and his irritation was palpable. “Where’s Evelyn now?”
“Mr. Sterling,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, “Ms. Reed stepped out briefly. How may I assist you?”
“I specifically asked to speak with Evelyn. Is she avoiding my calls?“,
The accusation in his tone made my spine stiffen. “I assure you, sir, Ms. Reed isn’t avoiding anything. She’s handling some urgent business and will return shortly.”
“Urgent business more important than her employer?” His voice was sharp with sarcasm.
“I wouldn’t presume to prioritize Ms. Reed’s responsibilities,” I said carefully, “but I’m here to help with whatever you need.”
“What I need is competence, not excuses,” he snapped. “Since you seem to be the only option available, tell me has the Brennan contract been reviewed?”
I frantically scanned the papers on my desk, trying to locate anything with that name. “I’m afraid I don’t have immediate access to that information, Mr. Sterling. This is only my first day, and-”
calls? “Your first day?” He cut me off with a harsh laugh. “And they left you alone to handle my
Brilliant.”
His condescending tone was the last straw. “Mr. Sterling, I understand you’re frustrated, but I’m doing my best to assist you despite having literally just learned your name an hour ago.”
“Watch your tone,” he warned, his voice dropping dangerously low. “I don’t know what kind of operation you think this is, but-‘
“The kind where employees are treated with basic respect,” I interrupted, my temper finally snapping. “I may be new, but I’m not incompetent, and I won’t be spoken to like I’m beneath you.”
There was a stunned silence on the line. Then: “Did you just interrupt me?”
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“Yes, I did,” I said, my heart pounding but my voice steady. “And I’ll do it again if you continue being unnecessarily rude.”
“You have some nerve,” he said, but there was something different in his tone now–surprise, maybe even a hint of amusement.
“I have self–respect,” I corrected. “And if you want a competent assistant, you’ll need to show some respect in return.”
Another pause. “You realize I could fire you right now?”
“Yes,” I admitted, “and if that’s what you choose to do, then I suppose I misjudged what kind of
man you are.”
“What kind of man is that?”
“The kind who values strength over subservience. But apparently, I was wrong.”
The silence stretched so long I wondered if he’d hung up again. Then, quietly: “You’re either very brave or very foolish, Miss…”
“Vance,” I supplied. “Hazel Vance. And I prefer to think of myself as practical.”
“Practical,” he repeated, and I could hear the smile in his voice now. “Well, Miss Vance, we’ll see how practical you are when I return to the office tomorrow.”
“I look forward to meeting you properly, Mr. Sterling,” I said, though my hands were shaking.
“One more thing,” he added. “Have some chamomile tea ready. Something tells me I’ll need it.”
Before I could respond, he hung up.
I stared at the phone in my hand, my heart racing, Had I just secured my job or signed my termination papers?
When Evelyn returned fifteen minutes later, she found me sitting at my desk in a daze.
“What’s wrong?” she asked immediately. “You look pale.”
“Mr. Sterling called again,” I said weakly. “I think I might have made things worse.”
“Worse how?”
I recounted the conversation, watching Evelyn’s expression shift from concern to amazement to outright delight.
“Oh my,” she said, sinking into the chair across from my desk. “In twenty–five years, I’ve never heard of anyone speaking to Liam Sterling like that.”
“So I’m definitely fired,” I concluded miserably.
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“On the contrary,” Evelyn said with a grin. “I think you might be exactly what he’s been looking for–someone who won’t be intimidated by his bark.”
“He’s coming in tomorrow,” I said, pulling out my new phone to show her his text message. “And
he wants chamomile tea.”
Evelyn burst out laughing. “Chamomile tea! Oh, Hazel, that’s perfect. He’s acknowledging that you rattled him.”
“How is that good?”
“Because Liam Sterling doesn’t get rattled by people he can dismiss. He only gets rattled by people who matter.”
I wasn’t entirely convinced, but Evelyn’s confidence was reassuring. As the day wound down, I tried to focus on learning the remaining procedures, but my mind kept drifting to tomorrow’s inevitable confrontation.
When five o’clock arrived, I gathered my things with a mixture of anticipation and dread. I’d stood up to one of the most powerful men in the city–twice–and lived to tell about it. Now I just had to survive meeting him face to face.
As I waited for the elevator, I couldn’t shake the feeling that tomorrow would change everything. I just wasn’t sure if it would be for better or worse.
