Chapter One

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I have never ever actually talked to Mr. Styles himself. Since the first day I started working here, I never said anything but greet him when he arrives. Since I have such a wonderful position (sarcasm if you didn't realize) , the only people Ive ever gotten to to communicate with are the VPs. It's actually terrifying to know that I'll be speaking with my boss himself today for a higher position. I'm pretty positive that we all can say that at some point of our lives, we need more money than we're earning and that's the case for me at the moment so I really need to be promoted. Even if it means promoting myself..? Don't hate.

"Morning Lilly"
I smile nervously as I walk past my fellow workers, heading towards the newly built elevators. We have like a zillion of them here now since Mr. Styles wanted to develop the building even more.

Once I step inside the busy elevator, I take a deep breath. Looking down at myself, I observe my clothing. I'm actually wearing my least worn outfit today. I've set it aside for events like this. It's very classy and elegant. I think. It's a simple black pencil skirt with a white blouse and I've also styled my hair in a bun. I've also forced lenses into my poor eyes just so I wouldn't look like an absolute coward in front of my boss. He is THE boss. I can't screw this up. This is your only chance Ivy.. I tell myself. Mr. Styles is a very busy man and to have even a two minute conversation with him, you need to make an appointment. You see, our boss is said to be very impatient with his employees. Whoever that knows him personally says that he sees right through you. That means that he can see how dispassionate and uncommitted you are. That indicates the bottom line for you.

Every floor the elevator stops on empties the elevator even more until it slows down once on floor 45 aka the last floor and soon comes to a halt, the doors opening. I step outside of the elevator, my heel being the only noise on the whole floor. By this time, I am terrified. What if this is the wrong floor and I'm the only one up here? Shaking those ridiculous thoughts off, I head towards the biggest doors I've ever come across. I'm guessing since he is the boss, he gets the biggest of things. I observe the giant doors with wide open eyes and I'm surprised to hear absolutely nothing from the other side of the door. Was someone killed here? I notice the fancy door bell installed into the white wall holding the door but I hesitate to press the button. Biting my bottom lip softly, I stupidly decide to knock on the door harshly as if a murderer was after me. I hear a soft male voice from the other side of the thick door and I immediately know that it is Mr. Styles. Without thinking once again, I barge in by pushing open the door. I'm immediately startled once I'm inside. It's like my whole house furniture in one room.. In a good way. Everything is so well placed and there are wide tall glass windows that expose the beautiful view of New York City. A tall male figure is sitting on a chair, his back facing me.

"Mr. Styles?"
I mumble, my nervousness taking over me. Cursing at myself under my breath, I wait for a reply. The man on the chair moves swiftly, his chair rolling towards my direction and there he is.. Mr. Styles. He has this soft smile on his face and as always, he is wearing a new pitch black suit ironed to perfection. I almost forgot about the hair.. Very neatly brushed and jelled up. It almost makes me respect the hair more than the man himself. He looks absolutely hot and classy and that just makes me melt in the inside. He leans over and rests his arms on his table as he stares at me.

"Ms. Dalton?"
He playfully says, his smile growing wider. For such a confident and respectful figure, I expected more of a serious attitude. Clearly, he is only a year or two older than me. I force myself to walk closer towards him, finding it hard to breathe.

"Yes. I actually made an appointment for tod-"
I decide that confirming that I've made an appointment would be appropriate so I begin to speak but I'm cut off soon.

"Yes I know. Please take a seat Ms. Dalton"
Mr. Styles gestures the nearest chair to me and I obey and try to sit down as elegantly as possible. The chair is very hard to be honest. It feels like I'm sitting on a piece of brick but I come to a conclusion that that is not as important as my future. With that, I begin pulling papers out of my file, feeling my hands shaking.

"What can I help you with?"
He politely asks and my head immediately shoots up. His hands intertwined with his body leaned forward to observe my action.

"I was wondering if maybe I can upgrade to a higher position"
I speak softly and I know I sound and look absolutely terrified and I can't lie. I am absolutely terrified. Mr. Styles chuckles, leaning back on his comfortable looking chair, his eyes fixed on me. The room is silent and I'm confused. Why did he laugh? Is that something good or bad?

"It's not very simple Ms. Dalton. You have to be capable of earning your desired position"
He stands up as he speaks, his eyes on the ground as he walks towards the windows, shedding light in. He slips his large hands into his pockets, his back towards me as he seems to observe the view.

"I'm fully prepared for new and challenging tasks"
I lie, trying my best to top his wide range of vocabulary but I think we can both say that I'm failing miserably. Shaking my head at myself, I sink my teeth into the bottom lip in embarrassment.

"I doubt that"
Mr. Styles turns around and stares straight into my soul. Oh god. It was true. He does really know how to see through people. God knows what he'd say or do if he was capable of reading my mind. I look up, feeling uncomfortable and slightly hurt.

"I'll prove to you that I deserve what I'm asking for"
I confidently speak, licking my lips once I'm done as we stare at each other even some more. Mr. Styles nods his head as if he is taking what I said into consideration and he raises an eyebrow. I stay silent as he sinks into his chair once more, his eyes now elsewhere. Thank Lord!

"Ms. Dalton, I've had many employees coming to me for the same reason and do you know what I've told every single one of them?"
He questions me and I shake my head and mouth a no because I know I don't have any energy left to speak due to the nervousness.

"I have to know your body better than you know it yourself, Ms. Dalton"
He gives me a half smile half smirk and I feel my heart begin to beat out of my chest. I'm so confused at this point that I give up on trying to figure this all out. What does this man mean? How is this in any way even business related? Is he just being playful right now?

"I'm sorry.. I don't understand"
I politely say, feeling my stomach fill up with butterflies. Gulping down loudly, I clear my voice and wait for a response impatiently.

"I have to understand your body in order to understand you. Every female employee with an upgraded position has gone through with exactly the same contract. It's by choice, Ms. Dalton"
He explains and I feel absolutely weirded out and confused. Is this what every boss expects from his employees? Although Mr. Styles is ridiculously gorgeous and sexy, I would never be so stupid to sell my body for a higher position and salary.

"I was never told that this was the expertise required"
I confess, feeling myself at the edge of my seat. This is so outrageously uncomfortable that I feel I jumping out of one of these giant windows this second.

"That is because in the contract, it is a requirement to keep everything private meaning that that it is to never be discussed"
Mr. Styles explains once again. He doesn't only not burst into laughter, but he also doesn't even crack a smile while he speaks. How could he be so serious? How could this be so serious?

"Mr. Styles.. With all do respect, I'm incapable of agreeing with the requirements. Thank you for your time"
I say as quickly as possible, trying to be as polite as possible and get up on my feet with my head held lower than ever.

"Please think about it Ms. Dalton. Chances are that you could end up becoming the next VP"
Mr. Styles smiles politely, rising from his seat once he realizes that Ive decided to leave the room.

"Thank you Mr. Styles.. Really.. But it's just not my thing"
At this point, I don't even understand what comes out of my mouth so I decide to just turn around and walk out before it gets any worse. Who would ever do this to themselves for a higher position? That means that all of my female co-workers have slept with our boss. That is absolutely disgusting. Both for them and Mr. Styles.

Walking towards the door, I hear no reply which means that Mr. Styles has given up and I bite my lip. Reaching for the door knob, I breathe as I'm relieved and I'm happy to say that I'm done with it. Even if I wasn't able to reposition myself in the business, I was able to recognize all of my desperate co-workers and most importantly, my boss' desire.

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