Clash Into Clasp

CHAPTER 3 - Cursed

Carl just ended the call from Albert when a knock came and the door opened.

His eyes went straight to the woman who entered after Dorothy and made a quick careful look. Gone was her naiveness but her black-rimmed glasses retained her smartness.

Her loosed long-sleeved blouse, knee-length skirt, and hair tied neatly made her look more mature.

He watched her gentle countenance turn into a huge astonishment as soon as her green eyes met his.

His lips twitched into a smirk.

She's surprised?

Alexis instantly felt an enormous uneasiness when she saw his smirk. Blinking and choosing optimism, she clamped her lips together and forced a tight smile.

He must've changed, choosing to employ her among all others. Besides, it's been many years already. Add the fact that she's been praying for him.

"You're surprised?" Carl wore his enigmatic look.

Alexis collected her thoughts and spoke with a small smile. "Yeah, it's indeed a surprise..."

"So, you applied for a job in a company without learning details about it?" Carl raised his brows.

The coldness of his voice did not remove the uneasiness she was feeling. Suppressing it down, she replied. "I was notified of the hiring just yesterday and was busy in the past so I didn't know."

Carl narrowed his eyes and only looked at her for a while.

Hearing his silence, she spoke again. "Thank you, for having me here..." A bit of resonance trailed her voice since she doesn't know how to address him. Not wanting to be awkward, she added, "I'm grateful."

"You're grateful?" Carl echoed in a low tone, raising his eyebrow.

Alexis can't figure out why he responded that way so she only nodded. "It was kind of you..."

Carl raised his hand and stopped her.

"You think I hired you out of kindness?" He chuckled wryly and shook his head.

"You seemed to be forgetting something, Alexis." His voice was cold and a glint of hatred flashed in his eyes as he mentioned her name. "I think it's time for you to repay."

Alexis felt the hatred from his voice, saw it in his eyes and it made her shudder.

A heavy weight suddenly settled in her heart and a lump blocked her throat.

"I'm the boss here and you're just my employee. I expect you to do everything I say, follow whatever I want, and obey what I command. Do you understand?"

Her hands tremble to hear the so-much familiar stern demand.

She felt like crying.

"Do you understand, Alexis Carter?" He asked again with a much louder, fiercer voice.

She kept her face on the ground and just nodded.

"I don't hear any answer," Carl's voice was lower but colder.

She swallowed and was forced to reply. "Yes, Sir."

Her soft voice was without hesitation of her address of him. She will call him that way. That's what they were now. He's the boss and she's just a mere employee.

"Good. And be sure to do what you've written in your résumé," Carl's gaze remained on her.

She only nodded again.

"Now, get out. Get your work from Albert."

She bowed lower, stepped back then turned and went out of the door.