The Devil's Coffee

The moment I stepped into my office, I could not help but pause and breathe it all in. It was smaller than Martin’s sprawling, intimidating space, but that only made it feel more… mine.

The space was modest, but it had a warmth that Martin’s office lacked. The sleek, white desk sat center stage in the room, its surface clear and pristine, beckoning me to make it my own. It was positioned perfectly before a floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the golden hues of the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the room. I could see the bustle of the streets below, the people, the cars, all moving in sync, while I stood there, still and at peace.

Most of the offices were designed with transparent glass walls, allowing for full visibility between spaces. This meant that I could easily see when Martin walked in and out of the office, and likewise, he could see me anytime he entered or leaving the office. However, his office was an exception, while others could see through most of the workspaces, his was enclosed with specialized tinted or one way glass, ensuring that no one could see inside from the outside.

Behind my desk, a modern black leather chair waited, looking both professional and deceptively comfortable. I could already imagine myself sinking into it, pretending that this was my world. To the right of the desk, there was a cozy seating area, two soft gray chairs paired with a glass coffee table, offering a quiet place for conversations, or maybe just a moment of solitude. The walls, painted in a warm neutral shade, made the space feel inviting, not stark or cold. A single abstract painting hung behind my desk, adding a splash of color to the otherwise minimalist decor. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but the simplicity suited me.

This was my space.

I sank into the chair, exhaling as I let my mind wander for just a moment. For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight in my chest lightened because just days ago, I had been drowning in customer service calls, my head spinning with frustrated customers and endless hours of mind numbing work. Now, I was here, sitting in an office at Knight Enterprises, a position that many would kill for. A position that felt like the first real step toward something bigger than I had ever dreamed.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe this won’t be so bad, I thought. Maybe—

Then, like a cold splash of water to the face, the reminder hit me.

You still have to face the devil again.

The thought shot through my mind like a jolt of electricity, reminding me of my reality. Of Martin.

I sighed, the moment of peace slipping away. A quick glance at the clock reminded me of the time. I had barely been here for a few minutes, and yet I already knew better than to delay.

I grabbed the folder sitting on the desk, straightened up, and smoothed my blouse. The calm was over; now it was time to face the inevitable.

The hallway outside was always quiet. My heels clicked against the sleek, black floors, each step amplifying the growing sense of tension in my chest. It was as though the building itself knew what was coming, pressing down on me with every step. The memory of my last encounter with Martin—the way his gaze had pinned me in place, how intimidating his calm demeanor could be lingered in my thoughts. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was always watching, always in control.

As I approached his office door, I hesitated, taking a moment to steady my nerves. The folder in my hand felt heavier all of a sudden. I took a deep breath, pushing the thoughts aside before trying to motivate myself.

Alright Haylee let's go for round two, I told myself as I knocked twice on Martin’s door.

“Enter,” he responded, cutting through the silence like a blade.

The room was just as cold and imposing as before, but it was Martin behind the sleek, dark desk that made it feel suffocating. No hold on, there was something else.

A sharp, peppery crisp scent lingered in the air, cutting through the usual sterile atmosphere. I could immediately tell there was a new individual in the room. A lady to be precise. My gaze shifted instinctively, and that was when I saw her—seated gracefully on the sofa, exuding an effortless elegance. The scent was hers.

Well, she is not my business, I had only come for the next task Martin was meant to assign to me, he was busy looking at something on his desk, his eyes scanning a document, his expression unreadable ignoring my existence in the room before he finally looked up briefly, it was only for half a second before his attention went back to the document on his desk..

"Go to the coffee shop down the street and get me a black coffee," he said, eyes still fixed on the document in front of him—like he was ordering around a housemaid. Not that I could complain.

I blinked. That was it?

No lead in, no further explanation. Just a simple request that felt like an order.

Before I could process the unexpected task, he closed the file in his hands and leaned back in his chair, the shift in his posture was enough to command my attention as his gaze lifted to meet mine, cool and steady.

“From the same shop where you spilled coffee on me,” he added smoothly, his lips curling ever so slightly.

My stomach twisted, and I could feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck. Oooh, this smug, insufferable bastard. He’s messing with me.

I swallowed, trying to mask the frustration that boiled inside me. I could feel the embarrassment running through my skin, spreading like fire, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my reaction. He was mocking me—sending me back to that shop just to remind me of my mistake.

I wanted to roll my eyes, maybe even snap back with some sarcastic comment but instead, I kept my face neutral, swallowing my irritation.

It’s just the first day. Don’t let him get under your skin Haylee, I reminded myself trying not to get annoyed.

I could feel his gaze lingering on me, as if he was waiting for some reaction but I refused to give him the satisfaction.

“Do you need me to repeat myself?” he asked with his tone low, slow and commanding.

“No sir,” I answered, my voice steady despite the annoyance beneath the surface.

As I was about walking towards the door, Martin’s voice cut through the silence, firm and indifferent.

"Before you leave, meet Victoria Sterling—Senior Vice President."

I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat as my eyes landed on the lady in ivory sitting behind on the large sofa in the office.

Victoria Sterling.

The name alone carried an air of authority, like it belonged to someone who did not just command respect but expected it as a given. She did not need to announce her power—it was there, woven into the way she held herself, in the way the air seemed to shift subtly around her.

Her gaze met mine, and for a split second, I felt exposed, like I was being measured for something I did not even know I was being tested on.

Martin leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable.

"It is important you know your superiors," he added.

Victoria stood up, took 4 steps forward, just enough for the faintest scent of expensive perfume to reach me. She tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into the ghost of a smirk—like she found something amusing about this introduction.

"A pleasure," she murmured, though there was no real warmth behind the words.

It was the kind of greeting that was more of an acknowledgment than an actual welcome. Her eyes lingered, assessing, as though she was already filing me away into whatever category she had for people like me.

I forced a polite nod, ignoring the unease gathering in my stomach.

Without another word, I turned, gripping the doorknob tightly as I stepped out into the hallway to head over to the coffee shop to get my so-called boss the coffee he had requested for..

Even as the door clicked shut behind me, I could still feel it—that lingering weight of Victoria’s presence, like a whisper at the back of my mind, reminding me that I had just stepped into a world where every glance, every word, and every silence carried a meaning I had yet to understand.

The moment I was alone in the hallway, I exhaled sharply. My heart pounding faster than before, and my mind racing. I had only been here a few hours, and already, I felt as though I was being drawn into a world I had no control over.

Why do I feel so much pressure?

The question lingered in my mind as I made my way down the hallway.