PA

Hazel began to explain herself, attempting to alleviate the tension in the room. "It's my fault. In fact, Mr. Hilton, you had his neck in such a tight grip that he was unable to breathe normally. So I expressed myself in a rude way..."

As she spoke, Francisco tilted his head, considering her words. But before Hazel could finish her sentence, he abruptly interrupted her with a firm command, "Get out, everyone."

Hazel's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden directive. Without hesitation, she noticed the other team members swiftly exiting the room, leaving her alone with Francisco.

Max interjected before he left, "He will do your interview, Ms. He only asked us to depart."

Max's parting words left Hazel slightly perplexed. As he left the room with a confident smile, Hazel turned her attention back to the CEO, who remained focused on her.

The door closed, leaving them in a silence that hung heavily in the air.

The situation was undeniably awkward. Hazel offered a small, nervous smile but remained silent, unsure of how to navigate the strange circumstances.

Suddenly, without warning, Francisco moved forward, slowly closing the distance between them. Hazel's heart raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. She couldn't comprehend what was happening or what Francisco had in mind.

The man standing in front of her exuded an aura of charisma and allure, like a Greek god brought to life. Hazel's eyes were drawn upward as she faced the towering and dashing CEO, her own sense of unease mingling with a newfound appreciation for his presence.

As Francisco reached out to touch Hazel's cheek, she instinctively backed away, her eyes widening in surprise and uncertainty. The unexpected gesture left her startled, and it seemed to catch Francisco off guard as well. He withdrew his hand, his expression a mixture of frustration.

After a deep breath, Francisco walked back to his chair and sat down, the atmosphere in the room heavy with the tension of their encounter. Hazel remained standing, her unease palpable. She had been taken aback by Francisco's actions.

Then, unexpectedly, a soothing voice filled the room, one that held a subtle sharpness and the power to entice. "Have a seat, please."

Hazel hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with questions, but ultimately, she complied. She took a seat across from Francisco, who had resumed his professional demeanor.

The awkwardness of their previous interaction still hung in the air, leaving Hazel feeling uneasy and perplexed. Her gaze fixed on Francisco as she awaited the continuation of their conversation.

"So," Francisco began, breaking the silence, "you want to be a Chief Information Officer."

Hazel nodded in response, her voice steady. "Yes."

He leaned back in his chair and inquired, "Why?"

Hazel, not one to mince words, replied straightforwardly, "Because the amount is good."

Francisco couldn't help but smirk at her candid response. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked onto Hazel's, and he continued, "So you want to do this because the amount is good?"

Hazel gave a beaming nod of approval, her confidence shining through. She knew what she wanted, and she was unapologetic about it. "Yes," she affirmed.

Francisco's grin widened as he continued to engage her in conversation. He lowered his gaze momentarily, considering the situation, before looking back at Hazel and asking, "If I give you a better option than this post and offer double the salary, would you take it?"

Hazel's eyes sparkled with intrigue at the prospect of a better opportunity. Her slight smile betrayed her interest as she answered, "Of course I will."

"But I need to know the type of work, though. Without mental preparation, I can't do anything," Hazel added.

Francisco's eyes locked onto Hazel's as he contemplated her response.

Leaning forward, he asked, "But you are here to work, not to make a decision, right?"

Hazel's smile remained warm and inviting as she responded, "Yes, but you only gave me two choices, sir. I just came here to work as a Chief Information Officer. I was unaware that I would get a new offer."

Francisco couldn't help but smile in return.

He touched his chin with his finger, a gesture of contemplation, and then, with unmistakable directness, he made an offer that was outside the scope of their initial meeting. "Do you want to be my Personal Assistant?"