Bounded by Office Hours First impression

Continuation

Lena Hart (shortcake)

Your coffee, sir. Black. No sugar. No milk.

Adrian Knight

… Finally. You managed to follow a simple instruction.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

… You’re welcome.

Adrian Knight

(glances up, voice flat) I didn’t thank you.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(mumbles) Of course you didn’t.

Adrian Knight

What was that?

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(straightening quickly) Nothing, Mr. Knight.

Adrian Knight

(cold) You’ll sit outside my office. Answer my calls. Clear my schedule. No mistakes. If you fail once, you’re gone.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

...yes sir

Adrian Knight

Say it like you mean it

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(firm) Yes Sir

Adrian Knight

Good . don't disappoint me

[Her phone buzzes. Adrian notices instantly.]

Adrian Knight

(cold) Put the phone away.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

I—it’s just my best friend, she worries—

Adrian Knight

(cutting her off) You’re not paid to text. You’re paid to work. If you can’t manage that, leave.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

.....it won't happen again

Adrian Knight

(leans back, studying her with cool eyes) Make sure it doesn’t.

[Knock on the door. Ethan walks in, cheerful.]

Ethan

Morning, boss. Morning, Miss Hart. Looking good today.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(Soft smile) Thank you, Ethan.

Adrian Knight

(voice sharp, cold) Do you have a reason for being here, or are you wasting my time with compliments?

Ethan

Relax, boss, I was just—

Adrian Knight

Out Now

Ethan

Fine. Someone’s grumpy. [leaves]

Lena Hart (shortcake)

Frowning) You didn’t have to be so rude. He was just being nice.

Adrian Knight

(cold glare) Men don’t come into my office to be ‘nice’ to my secretary

Lena Hart (shortcake)

… Your secretary, huh? So now I’m property?

Adrian Knight

(tone sharp, ) You work for me. That’s all.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(softly, almost to herself) You really do hate me

Adrian Knight

(cold smile) Hate? No. Hate means you matter. You don’t.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(small voice) right

[Silence. She lowers her head, her fingers twisting the hem of her blouse. Her chest feels heavy, but she forces a polite tone.]

Lena Hart (shortcake)

I’ll… get back to my desk then, Mr. Knight.

Adrian Knight

(without looking up) Do that

[She turns quickly, blinking fast to hide the sting in her eyes. Her footsteps are soft, almost hesitant, as she reaches for the door.]

Adrian Knight

(calling out suddenly, voice sharper than he meant) Miss Hart.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(pauses, not turning around) Yes, sir?

Adrian Knight

(hesitates, then cold again) …Don’t bring the wrong coffee tomorrow. I hate repeating myself.

Lena Hart (shortcake)

(forced a small nod) understood

[She leaves. The door shuts. The office is quiet.]

[Adrian stares at the papers on his desk, but he isn’t reading them. His jaw is tight, pen tapping against the wood.]

Adrian Knight

(to himself, low) Pathetic. Why do I even care?

[He exhales sharply, leaning back in his chair. For the first time, he admits to himself—her downcast eyes linger in his mind longer than they should.]

duck the writer

Thats it hope it interesting 😅😅