Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others
Chapter 41: His Pretty Little Secretary

Chapter 41: His Pretty Little Secretary

"You do look stunning, though."

Hermia’s cheeks reddened instantly. "I’m not mute," she said quickly, her voice just a little too high-pitched.

"Well, you were acting like it for a minute there. Care to tell me why?"

"Because I didn’t want to argue with my employer," she replied, her words measured but her frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Niklaus tilted his head, his gaze sharp. "Is that all I am to you?"

Her eyes widened slightly at the audacity of the question. Is this man serious? She straightened her posture, determined to maintain her composure. "That is a rather suggestive question, Mr. Hathaway. I’d advise we keep this professional."

He smirked, clearly enjoying the verbal sparring.

"Also," she added, crossing her arms defensively, "you’re not only my employer. You’re my debtman."

Niklaus blinked, caught off guard. "That’s not a word," he said, leaning forward slightly.

Hermia raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Look at me, waiting for you to come up with a better word for it."

Niklaus pinched the bridge of his nose, appearing both frustrated and amused. "Hermia, there are words for that."

"Nope," she countered, shaking her head. "Debtman works just fine."

"A lender," he said, his tone clipped. "It’s called a lender."

Hermia couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her. His exasperation was unexpectedly endearing. "See? Debtman sounds better."

Niklaus sighed dramatically. "That makes it sound like I’m the one who owes you."

Hermia smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Then you better start paying."

He blinked, his lips curving into a grin despite himself. "What’s my job position?" she asked, deciding it was time to get back to business.

Niklaus’s grin faded slightly as he stood up, his full height and presence making her feel both intimidated and intrigued. "You’re going to be my secretary," he said, his voice softer now but no less commanding.

She swallowed hard as he stepped closer, towering over her.

"You work for me. You do whatever I ask you to do. You treat me with care and respect." His hand reached out, gently lifting her chin so their eyes met. "And I’ll cherish you as my pretty little secretary."

Her heart skipped a beat. Pretty? The word echoed in her mind like an alarm bell.

She felt heat rise to her face as her thoughts scrambled for clarity.

The way he said it, the way his dark eyes held hers, was both infuriating and—dare she admit it?—a little thrilling.

Taking a step back, she inhaled sharply, trying to collect herself.

His scent—clean, spicy, and intoxicating—seemed to cling to the air around her, making it impossible to think straight.

Niklaus smirked, clearly enjoying her flustered state, before turning on his heel and returning to his seat with the same effortless confidence.

"Do you understand?" he asked, his tone businesslike once more.

"Yes, sir," she managed, her voice a soft gasp.

Niklaus didn’t seem affected by her nervousness, his tone calm and detached as he spoke. "You’ll be reporting to me directly. Your desk is here, on this floor, just outside this office."

Hermia’s heart sank. So much for hoping I’d be stationed downstairs far away from him. She swallowed hard and forced a polite smile. "Understood."

He set his tablet down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. His piercing gaze locked onto hers. "I expect nothing less than excellence, Miss Blackwood. You’re here because I believe you have potential. Don’t waste my time."

His words, though curt, weren’t unkind. They carried a weight of expectation that made Hermia sit up straighter. "I won’t disappoint you, Mr. Hathaway."

"Good." Niklaus smirked slightly, his gaze lingering for just a beat too long before he leaned back again, his expression unreadable.

Hermia clutched her bag tighter. This was going to be a long day.

Hermia turned around, eager to leave the room and escape the tense air that clung to her like a second skin.

She had barely taken two steps when Niklaus’s deep voice called out to her.

"Where are you going?"

She froze mid-step and turned back, her brows knitting together. "My office, Mr. Hathaway?" she said, her voice unsure.

"Come here," he commanded, his tone casual yet authoritative.

Her eyes widened. That sounded...bad. "What?" she asked hesitantly.

"Come on," he repeated, his lips curving into a knowing smirk.

Reluctantly, she sighed. "Yes, Mr. Hathaway," she muttered under her breath and started walking back toward him.

Before she could reach his desk, Niklaus stood up smoothly, his towering frame commanding the space. Without a word, he walked ahead of her and gestured for her to follow.

Confused, Hermia trailed behind him, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.

They didn’t leave the office. Instead, he veered to the far right end, where a door stood almost hidden against the wall.

It was nondescript, plain, and utterly unremarkable.

Niklaus pulled it open with a dramatic flourish, stepping aside to let her see what lay beyond.

Hermia’s breath caught in her throat.

The room was an absolute disaster. Stacks of papers teetered dangerously close to collapsing, like a single sneeze would send them tumbling to the ground.

Dust coated every available surface in a thick gray layer, turning the air heavy and musty.

Old books, their spines cracked and faded, leaned haphazardly against each other on rusty shelves that looked like they could give way at any moment.

A single bare bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a sickly yellow light that did little to make the room feel less oppressive.

Spiderwebs draped from the corners like sinister decorations, and a broken chair sat pathetically in the middle of the room, surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper and what looked suspiciously like a dead plant.

The entire space screamed neglect and abandonment, and the faint smell of mildew made her stomach churn.

"This..." Niklaus gestured at the horror before her, a smug look on his face. "This is your office."

Hermia’s heart sank into her stomach.

Her office?!