Chapter 6 Contract

•~ GARNET BETH ~• I couldn't believe I got the job. I.. Actually got the job! My trial was completed and he was willing to assign me as his PA. ‘Here I thought he would make my life hell in these months and would take revenge for the slap and throw me away after being done.’ Mr. Layne showed he was truly a gentleman, he was a professional. He didn’t make assumptions based upon prejudice. This felt so surreal, I lost hopes of moving Erica with me for the next few years but it felt like the Heavens were on my side. With my pay, it was only a matter of months. “Yay,” I beamed, he didn't hold any personal grudge against me. I had begun to admire him, he was such an embodiment of professionalism. “Rumors were right, he is a remarkable businessman. Well that is why he is on top,” I spoke to myself, walking to his cabin to sign my official employment contract. I tried as hard as I could, of course he could be rude sometimes but overall he was a good Boss who taught me extremely well in these months. I went to Mr. Layne's office. I knocked as his deep voice came. "Come in." I entered and smiled, “Good Morning, Sir,” He was leaning on his table, in his dark blue shirt with perfectly rolled sleeves, arms closed at his chest, making his muscular body visible as I walked to him. He held the contract papers in his hand, eyebrows knitted together playfully accompanied by a feeble smile. "Congratulations, Ms. Beth. All that remains to make you our official employee is this paper. Read it thoroughly and then sign it." “Okay, Sir. Thank you.” I nodded, speaking sincerely as he handed me the papers. I turned to leave but then stopped in my tracks and something mindless struck me. "Can I ask you something, Sir?" "What is it?" I then turned to him as I took a glance at the papers, "Does every employee sign a contract?" He was bewildered, his eyes shrinked for a second but before I could comprehend it, his posture came back as his lips slightly curved upwards. “What do you think?” He asked playfully. He took a step toward me, hands in the pocket of his navy blue pants. A smirk crept upon his lips, my heart picked its pace as my heart skipped a beat at his sly expressions. I could never deny, he was undeniably handsome. “I-I..” I involuntarily took a step back, hugging the papers close to my chest when he was before me. Looking at him intently to say something. I hope everything is alright. "D-Did I ask something wrong, Sir?" I asked vaguely. His eyes glistened with something lethal as he walked behind me. I felt tense under that piercing gaze, with my heart thumping against my chest. "Garnet Beth." He called my name, it's the most charming and husky voice I have ever heard in my life. ‘So seductive…’ I thought. I hesitantly turned to him and raised my gaze to meet him. It was so different, not intimate, not his usual arrogant one but rather something... Wicked. “Y-Yes, Sir?” I managed to stammer under his intense gaze. I took a step back, still not breaking our stare. After a minute of deadly silence Mr. Layne began to say, "What happened, Ms. Beth? Why are you startled?" I quickly broke the stare and tugged a strand of my hair behind my ear nervously as I stuttered. "N-Nothing." "You sure?... You seemed frightened. Did I make you uncomfortable?" He asked in a malicious tone while taking a step towards me. "What? No. I am fine. I was just curious, that is all." I tried to speak firmly but failed. "Well, Every important employee signs a contract." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Everyone is important." I replied quickly to his derisive words. "You have your answer.” He said in his usual voice finally and I relaxed a little. “It’s obvious. I am merely amazed that you asked such a dumb question,” He smiled mockingly. “I see… Sorry about that.” I exhaled deeply and passed him a faint smile and was about to leave but his voice came, stopping me. "I am looking forward to working with you, Garnet Beth." Whenever my full name escaped his thick lips, I could feel a strange tingle in my body. However, I controlled myself. Taking a deep breath, I turned as I gave him a confident look, affirming his statement. "Thank you very much, Sir. I can assure you that you will not regret it." "I know." He spoke in a barely audible tone but I heard it, considering it irrelevant, I just left for my cabin. I sat down, checking our contract and began to read the prominent points of our contract though I knew I was going to sign it nonetheless. *Employees cannot change jobs as long as the contract is valid. *Employees will have to obey every order given by Mr. Roy Layne. *Sharing of any personal information with any employee is prohibited. *Every conversation between the Employee and Employer is strictly confidential. My hands were cold, I kept reading these points as this was like a non-disclosure agreement, he was restricting me, right? But then again, what do I know about employment contracts? Especially of this caliber. They must be strict. Yet I hadn't seen anyone here doing what was mentioned in the contract. I was not allowed to change jobs for the next three years too. One Million compensation for termination!? “How am I supposed to get this much money?” It's not that I am complaining about changing jobs or sharing confidential information but... still an uneasiness lingered in my heart. I didn’t know, or maybe I was never an assistant of someone as big as him. About that personal information about me, what the hell did he mean by it? I wanted to console myself, I wanted to think about something optimistic but no thoughts came to my mind. I had a bad feeling about it. I slammed the papers on the table. It was just somehow frustrating. I just didn’t know what I should do, I can never get a job like this again. I need this job. Let’s discuss this term.