The phone on my desk rang. It made me jump a little since I was so focused on my task at hand. I'd been knee-deep in organizing Mr. Sterling's schedule for the following wee. My head was aching from the endless sea of appointments and meetings. I stared at the blinking light on the phone for a moment, hesitating before picking it up. My fingers trembled slightly as I brought the receiver to my ear.
"Miss Turner, Mr. Sterling would like to see you in his office," Mrs. Fields, the secretary, said in her usual clipped tone.
"I'll be right there," I replied, forcing the words out.
I took a deep breath as I hung up, trying to calm my racing heart. There was something about being called to his office that always made me uneasy. Perhaps it was the cold, hard stare he always fixed me with, or the way his voice sent shivers down my spine despite his calm demeanor. Whatever it was, I knew better than to keep him waiting.
I straightened my blouse, smoothing out the wrinkles, and made my way down the hall to his office. The door was slightly ajar when I arrived, but I still knocked softly before stepping inside.
"Come in," his voice called out, sending another shiver down my spine. I pushed the door open and entered.
Mr. Sterling was seated behind his massive mahogany desk, a sleek black fountain pen in hand as he scribbled something on a document. He didn't look up immediately, and I stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to notice me.
Why am I so awkward? I thought as I stood there in silence.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally lifted his head and pinned me with those piercing, unreadable eyes of his. "Miss Turner," he began, setting his pen down and leaning back in his chair. "I trust you're settling into your new role adequately?"
"Yes, sir," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Everything is going well." Shut up Isabella. I mentally scolded myself. "Yes sir" was enough…I thought to myself.
"Good," he said curtly. "I have an event this weekend. A charity gala. It's essential that my assistant attends with me."
His words hung in the air, and I processed them slowly. A gala? I hadn't expected this. In my mind, my job was to keep his schedule in order and manage the office, not to accompany him to high-society events. Although he did mention it in the job description. I guess I hoped that day would never come.
"Of course," I managed to say, masking my surprise. "What would you like me to do?"
His gaze narrowed slightly, as if assessing whether I was truly prepared for the task. "You'll need to be presentable. It's a black-tie affair, and appearances matter. I've arranged for you to have the afternoon off tomorrow to go shopping for an appropriate dress."
I blinked, caught off guard by the notion of shopping in the middle of a workday. "Thank you," I said, unsure of what else to say.
"There's a boutique called L'Ambiance. They're expecting you. Put the cost on my account." His tone was brisk, businesslike, as if he were simply discussing another mundane task. But the idea of selecting a dress that would meet his high standards felt anything but mundane.
"Understood," I replied, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I couldn't help but wonder why he was going to such lengths to ensure I looked the part. Was this just another layer of his meticulous attention to detail, or was there something more to it?
"That will be all, Miss Turner," he said, dismissing me with a nod.
I left his office in a daze, my thoughts spinning. A gala. A dress. Shopping. The words felt foreign, almost surreal. I barely managed to focus on my work for the rest of the day, my mind already imagining the endless racks of evening gowns I'd soon be looking through.
The next day, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation as I headed to meet Iggy for our shopping excursion. I'd filled her in on the details the night before, and she was more than eager to help me find the perfect dress.
"Can you believe it?" I said, shaking my head as we walked down the bustling streets of Manhattan. "A charity gala."
"Oh, come on," Iggy replied, nudging me playfully. "You're going to look stunning. And think about it, how many people get to go shopping and have someone else foot the bill?"
"I guess you're right," I said, trying to sound more enthusiastic. But the truth was, I was nervous. What if I chose the wrong dress? It's been a while since I attended an event like this.
We arrived at L'Ambiance and my goodness. It just screamed luxury. The windows were adorned with mannequins dressed in gowns that looked like they belonged on the red carpet. Inside, the atmosphere was no less opulent. The air was scented with something floral and expensive, and the walls were lined with shimmering fabrics in every color imaginable.
A polished woman with a sleek bob greeted us as we entered. "Miss Turner?" she asked, her voice smooth and professional.
"Yes, that's me," I confirmed, and she smiled warmly.
"Welcome to L'Ambiance. Mr. Sterling has already informed us of your visit. We've prepared a selection of gowns for you to choose from." She gestured toward a row of dresses that had been carefully arranged on a rack near the back of the store. "Please, take your time."
Iggy and I exchanged a look before heading over to the rack. My nerves eased a bit as I ran my fingers over the fabric of a deep emerald gown that shimmered under the boutique's soft lighting. There were so many options, each dress more beautiful than the last.
"This one would look amazing on you," Iggy said, holding up a midnight blue gown with delicate beadwork along the neckline. "It's classy, but still sexy."
I reached out to touch the fabric, imagining how it would feel against my skin. "It's gorgeous," I agreed, my heart fluttering a little. But then my eyes caught on something else...a dress hanging slightly apart from the others.
It was a deep, rich red, the kind of red that demanded attention. The gown was simple in design, yet stunningly elegant, with a plunging neckline and a flowing skirt that looked like it would move beautifully with every step.
"That one," I said softly, almost to myself.
Iggy followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. "Wow. You'd definitely turn heads in that. Mr. Sterling wouldn't know what hit him."
I felt my cheeks warm at her words. "Do you think it's too much?"
"Are you kidding?" Iggy laughed. "It's perfect. Try it on!"
I did, and as soon as I saw my reflection in the mirror, I knew I'd found the one. The dress fit like a glove, hugging my curves in all the right places. The red was bold, confident-everything I wasn't sure I could be, but in that moment, wearing that dress, I almost believed I could.
Iggy clapped her hands in delight as I stepped out of the dressing room. "You look like a movie star," she said, her voice filled with awe.
I turned back to the mirror, taking in the way the dress draped elegantly, the way it made my skin glow. It was perfect.
The boutique attendant seemed pleased as well, her smile approving as she made a few minor adjustments to the fit. "Mr. Sterling will be most pleased," she commented, her voice smooth and reassuring.
I nodded, trying not to let my nerves get the better of me. The reality of the situation was starting to sink in. Tonight, I'd be accompanying Mr. Sterling to an event that I knew little about, in a dress that made me feel more exposed than I was used to.
But there was no turning back now.
The evening arrived far too quickly. I spent hours preparing, second-guessing every detail. My hair, my makeup, my shoes. By the time I was ready, I was a bundle of nerves.
Just as I was applying the finishing touches to my lipstick, there was a knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat. He was here.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself before opening the door. Mr. Sterling stood there, looking as impeccable as ever in a tailored black suit. His eyes, usually so cold and calculating, seemed to flicker with something unrecognizable as he took in my appearance.
For a brief moment, I thought I saw a hint of surprise, maybeeven admiration.
I hoped.
But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual stoic expression. He was the very picture of composed.
"You look... acceptable," he said, his tone as neutral as ever, but there was a tension in his voice that hadn't been there before.
I swallowed hard, trying not to let his words get to me. "Thank you," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
He extended his arm, a gesture so formal it almost made me laugh. "Shall we?" he asked, his tone as cold and commanding as ever.
I nodded, slipping my arm through his. As we made our way to the waiting car, I couldn't help but feel like I was walking into a different world. A world where I was no longer Bella Turner, the assistant trying to keep her head down, but someone else entirely.
Someone who could face whatever lay ahead.
As we settled into the backseat of the car, I sneaked a glance at Mr. Sterling, hoping to decipher the thoughts behind those unreadable eyes of his. But his gaze remained fixed ahead, his jaw set, his demeanor as calm and terrifying as ever.
Despite how cold he is, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would change everything.