Chapter 3 Coffee And Control

Chapter 3: Coffee and Control

Aria quickly discovered that working for Damian Knight was less like employment and more like surviving a psychological obstacle course. Every minute was timed. Every request precise. There was no room for questions-only execution.

By the end of her first week, she knew his schedule better than her own, his coffee order to the microgram, and his moods by the angle of his jaw.

"Your 10 a.m. with the board has been moved to 11," she informed him one morning, setting his espresso-double shot, no sugar-on his desk.

He didn't even look up. "Reschedule it back to ten. I don't work around incompetence."

Aria folded her arms. "You asked me to confirm with the CFO directly. He couldn't make it."

Damian finally met her gaze, his tone like a cold blade. "Then find someone who can."

Something in her snapped.

"I'm your assistant, Mr. Knight, not a miracle worker. Unless you want me to perform CPR on your schedule, we're going to need flexibility."

A heavy silence followed.

Then-unexpectedly-he laughed. Low, sharp, and genuine.

"Well," he said, leaning back in his chair, "you're more entertaining than the last three."

"I'm not here to entertain you."

"No," he said, eyes narrowing slightly. "But you might be the first one who actually challenges me."

She blinked, caught off guard.

"I'm not here to challenge you either."

Damian's smile deepened, unreadable. "You will. Whether you mean to or not."

And with that, the battle lines deepened.