Page 45 of Stuck with Mr. Grump

And yet.

“It’s weird, though,” Anika says from inside my closet. “Sterling’s the last kind of person I would have expected you to fall for. He’s so cold all the time.”

I frown. “He’s not cold with me, though,” I tell her. “But that doesn’t mean I’ve fallen for him. He’s just different from what I thought he was.”

“That’s so cute.”

Anika doesn’t say anything else for a while, leaving me to my thoughts. When she finally reappears out of my closet, she’s holding an outfit in her hand.

“I think this is perfect for your first day,” she announces.

I stare at the ensemble, and even I have to admit it looks nice. Well then, here we go.

Three minutes before 10 a.m., I’m striding into Harrington Holdings, my heels clicking confidently against the polished marble floor. I’m clad in a tailored black suit which includes a sleek blazer and a fitted blouse, paired with a pencil skirt that hits a little above the knee. Anika even helped style my hair into a sleek, professional bun and I’m wearing minimal makeup.

Despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach, I keep my head high and my expression composed. As I approach the reception desk, I spot a familiar face emerging from a nearby hallway and quickly lift my hand to wave her over.

“Lisa,” I call out to the brunette.

Her eyes widen in surprise at the sight of me before narrowing slightly. “Emilia? What are you doing here?”

I offer her a polite smile. “Good morning to you, too. I’m here to see Sterling Harrington.”

“Why?” she says on a frown. “And why are you dressed like that?”

I could be imagining it, but I’m getting serious fuck off vibes at the moment. Still, I decide not to engage. Lisa and I are friends, sure, but I know her through my siblings. Lisa and Carson apparently hadn’t crossed paths in Edenton until they ended up at the same college, when Carson was in his third year. According to Carson, she gravitated toward him, forming a friendship, and once they were done with college and moved back home, she did the same thing to Anika.

Anika likes her a lot, though, and when someone hangs out with your little sister, you kind of get them as a friend by default.

Lisa blinks, clearly taken aback. Join the club, sister.

“Assistant? Since when?”

“Since today,” I reply, maintaining my composure.

Her expression shifts from surprise to skepticism. “And what exactly qualifies you for this position?”

There’s a small smirk playing on her lips that feels condescending. I don’t like this, not at all.

“I don’t know why you’re asking me all these questions when you can always ask Mr. Harrington himself.”

She huffs, clearly unimpressed. “You’re right. Let’s go to his office.”

I clench my jaw as we walk through the expansive corridors, the air scented with a hint of polished wood. Reaching Sterling’s office, Lisa raps sharply on the door, waiting for him to call us inside before pushing it open.

His office is the epitome of luxury with floor-to-ceiling windows and a massive mahogany desk that sits close to the wall, its surface immaculate save for a laptop and a few neatly stacked files. There are some plush leather chairs arranged for visitors and a bookshelf that houses an array of journals and books.

Sterling looks up from his laptop, his piercing gaze sliding over Lisa before settling on me. A shiver rolls up my spine.

“Emilia, welcome,” he says, his tone neutral.

He rises to his feet just as Lisa steps forward, her posture rigid.

“Mr. Harrington. I just need to discuss Ms. Cameron’s appointment. I’m a little concerned about her qualifications and if she’s going to be a right fit at the company.”

Sterling’s expression hardens. “While I appreciate your diligence, Ms. Briggs, Emilia’s position isn’t up for debate and it certainly doesn’t concern you. She’s my assistant. Let me worry about her qualifications.”

Damn, that was cold.

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