Forbidden Attraction

8. Cried

Amelia's POV:

As I settled at my desk, my eyes widened in horror at the mountain of paperwork piled before me. What? I had just completed my previous assignments, and now this? The sheer volume made my head spin. I dropped my head onto the desk with a soft thud, feeling the weight of the world—or at least my workload—press down on me.

Just then, I heard a throat clear nearby. I lifted my head, and my heart sank. Mr. Dexter. His expression was unreadable, but there was an unmistakable hint of annoyance etched across his features. I straightened my back instinctively. Momma raised a good girl, I reminded myself, standing up in respect.

"Yes, sir?" I replied, forcing a polite smile despite the knot of tension tightening in my stomach.

He gestured at the mountains of paperwork on my desk. "What's this?" he asked, his voice icy.

"Just the workload you assigned me, sir," I said, trying to keep my tone professional. "I've completed everything you asked for."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze cold and piercing. "And yet here you are, buried under an avalanche of work. Care to explain?"

"Uh... I'm not sure what you mean," I stammered, attempting to sound composed despite the rising tension. "I completed the tasks you gave me, and I thought I was—"

He cut me off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It's clear you're more interested in socializing than focusing on your job. Have you been flirting with your colleagues again?"

"Flirting?" I echoed incredulously, my mouth agape. "I'm sorry, sir, but I don't see how that's relevant. I've finished all my work, and I don't see why you're—"

"Don't play coy with me, Amelia. It's unbecoming," he snapped, his voice low and dripping with disdain. "Maybe if you spent less time charming everyone and more time doing your job, you wouldn't be in this mess."

I could feel my cheeks flush with anger. "With all due respect, sir, I have completed my assignments. I'm not the one creating this workload."

Mr. Dexter leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "Don't be smart with me. I won't tolerate insubordination, especially from someone who thinks they can get by on their looks and charm. This is a workplace, not a social club."

I stared back at him, my heart racing as I struggled to keep my composure. "I assure you, I am taking this job seriously. I want to prove myself here."

"Prove yourself?" he scoffed, stepping back as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "You're wasting your potential, Amelia. Don't think for a second that your little antics will earn you any favors. You need to realize that this isn't just about you."

My fists clenched under the desk, but I kept my voice steady. "I understand the importance of hard work, sir. I'm not here to make waves; I just want to contribute positively."

He narrowed his eyes, studying me as if trying to decipher a puzzle. "And yet, here you are, wasting my time with this nonsense. You need to get your priorities straight, or this isn't going to work out."

"Is that a threat, sir?" I asked, my tone challenging despite the gnawing fear in my gut.

"It's a warning," he replied coolly, turning to leave. "I expect results, Amelia. No more distractions. Focus on your work, and maybe you won't end up like the rest of the failures I've had to deal with."

With that, he walked away, leaving me in stunned silence. The nerve of that man! I couldn't believe how cold and arrogant he was. As I stared at the stacks of paper before me, frustration simmered beneath the surface. This was not how I envisioned my first week at Dexter's office.