Chapter 4 Lack of manners

I stepped out of the taxi near the classic skyscraper standing tall and proud. I looked up at the tall modern glass building and apprehension triggered my mind. 

Get a grip on yourself, Raya! This job is important for you. Mafia or not, you have to work to survive. 

Reminding myself and taking a deep breath, I walked inside the 50-storey building to try my fate for the last time. 

If I was not in dire need of money, I wouldn't have come here. I approached the receptionist desk who started scrutinising my appearance.

"Hello, Iam Raya Storm. I applied for the vacancies opened for emergency staff. Would you check today's appointment for an interview, under my name please?" I asked her politely. 

That woman looked at me and then 

dialled a number. After a few seconds, she guided me to the elevator to go to the twenty-fifth floor for the required appointment. 

I thanked her but she kept her stern face and turned back.

Oh, does his staff like him too?

I continued toward the designated floor. The moment the elevator doors opened, I was struck by the sheer extravagance of the place. Everything from the sleek furnishings and cutting-edge technology to the polished marble floors, screamed wealth. It wasn’t just an office, it felt like stepping into another world.

As I walked farther down the corridor, I noticed a good-looking man standing nearby, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke with someone.

"Excuse me!" He turned his head.

The moment our eyes met, we both paused. I recognized him immediately.

He was the same man who had accompanied that arrogant jerk at the café that evening.

"Yes, Miss?" 

"I am here for the job interview. My name is Raya Storm." I cleared my throat and said. He studied me for another second and nodded before checking something on his iPad.

"I am Ryker Pattison, secretary of Mr. McMillan. You have to wait for half an hour, Miss storm." He informed me and asked me for the CV file. I handed him before he directed me to the waiting hall.

Four women candidates were already there in elegant dresses, waiting for their turns and here I was. With plain pants and a shirt. They looked down at me and snorted. 

I have them a blind eye. 

I was comfortable and came here for an interview, not for some ramp walk. One by one all of them went for the interview and I was last. But my turn never came. 

I waited for a while. Did they already choose one? I bit my lower lip. After half an hour, when nobody approached me, I stood up, heading towards the receptionist's cabinet to ask but nobody was there. 

What the hell? 

I glanced around while walking blindly to find someone. A grand black wooden door came into view. I hesitated at first but walked towards it with the hope of finding someone inside. 

Inhaling deeply, I knocked on the door. But nobody answered so I knocked twice. Did I come to the wrong place? I was about to turn when I tilted my head and twisted the doorknob. 

And click. It was unlocked. 

Raya! Don't get in trouble! 

My mind warned me but I didn't want to waste my precious time. Even if they didn't want to hire me, they could have at least told me. I took my entire day off just to give an interview here.

I pushed open the door and was greeted with the magnificent sight of the office room. More prominent than the whole floor. 

It seemed like the owner of this place preferred the dark taste. I stepped further while staring at the illustrations hung on the wall beside the showcase invaded by a few gold and silver awards.

"Excuse me, is someone here?" I asked loudly. But the eerie silence met my ears. I sighed. 

Believing that nobody was inside I thought to leave but as soon as I turned around, my head slammed into something hard. 

“Argh..” I clenched my mouth, rubbing my nose and raising my eyelids. A naked but chiselled chest came into my sight. A Man! 

I blinked a few times. Shit!

I was flushed with embarrassment. Immediately, I stepped back not looking at the man. His muscles flexed with my receding steps.

Run, Raya! 

I headed towards the door hastily and but then the door creaked open and someone entered, “Miss Storm, what are you doing here? I asked you to wait for your call….” 

Ryker stopped talking and looked behind me with a shocked expression. 

I too, slowly turned with a flushed face. And my lips parted, seeing the familiar stoic face.

To my horror, the man was the same man into whom I bumped into in the cafe. Arrogant jerk! 

‘Excellent Raya, you just made a fool out of yourself by hitting him for the second time.’

"Clumsy as always." The deep husky voice greeted my ears as his stormy blank eyes held me in place. My mind went haywire listening to his insult. 

"Sir, I apologise. I instructed her to…”

"Leave." He commanded Ryker, who I guessed was his assistant. Ryker left instantly, leaving me with him alone. He kept silent for a while, probably waiting for me to speak. 

"I was just…” 

"And again I reckon that you have the lack of manners to behave, Ms Storm!" He remarked. I shut my mouth but I felt offended by his words. 

Unwantedly, my eyes travelled down his naked torso. He was only wearing his black pants. My cheeks flushed instantly. 

But accidentally, my eyes caught something like a deep cut on the side of his waist on which dark red spots had dried. Is it blood? 

I swallowed my saliva. 

"I apologise for this, Sir but nobody approached me for my interview turn so I thought to…”

"... Invade my office room." He cut me in the middle and raised his brows, pinning me under those silver stormy eyes.  

Wait! 

"You are Noah Everton McMillians?" I exclaimed. I could see the bitterness swirling through his silver eyes. Ever so slowly, He tilted his head and stared at me with a blank face. 

"Ms Storm, go back and come after learning the required etiquette." He said through rigorous features. I blinked up at him twice. 

“What…” I wheezed forgetting who was standing in front of me. 

He stepped near me, hitting my nose with his strong cologne which made me dizzy but I put on a neutral face and rooted to my place.

"I said, repeat your entry in a formal manner without wasting my precious time with your useless talks and clumsy acts." He nodded at me before  walking behind the wooden table to grab his shirt and put it on before taking his seat like nothing happened. 

Like He didn't just humiliate me again. 

Good good. I just want to hit his stoic head somewhere. 

I strode out of his office room and headed towards the receptionist's desk where I spotted Ryker.

“Ms Storm, you shouldn't have gone there…” 

"Is he an outcast?" I interrupted him. Ryker closed his mouth and looked at me like I had gone crazy. He looked behind me at the door and then turned his gaze back at me. 

"Miss Storm, whom are you talking about?" He asked in confusion. I blew out a breath and smiled.

"I am referring to that Stoic man who was just wandering half-naked inside those four walls in the office room and insults me everytime He sees me like it's his mission to humiliate me." I gritted, pointing my forefinger towards the office room.

Ryker’s eyes enlarged and he clamped his mouth shut and looked at me for a while. 

"He is Noah Everton McMillian. CEO and owner of McMillian Corporation." 

His response made me halt. So he is that Noah, the mafia man. 

I knew I was doomed then.