Chapter 5
The next day, I rolled up to Sterling Enterprises in a suit, looking as sharp as I could.
Sterling Enterprises owned the whole damn building, every floor was theirs.
The security guard out front looked like a model, way better looking than me.
Luckily, Sophie had everything sorted ahead of time, so onboarding was smooth as butter.
I was assigned as a market researcher, stuck way in the back corner of the marketing department.
As soon as I sat down, my computer still booting up, the chubby guy next to me immediately leaned over.
"Ryan, I heard you're Ms. Sterling's husband? Why are you sitting with us? Didn't they give you a manager's spot or something?" he asked.
I rolled my eyes. Manager's position? No way that was as cushy as what I had then.
Now, if they gave me a secretary, that'd be perfect.
Before I could say anything, a sharp voice cut in from nearby.
"Husband? Please, he's just the Sterling family's live-in son-in-law, a total freeloader. What skills could he possibly have?"
I looked up and saw a guy in a light-colored suit. HR had just introduced him, Mark Powers, the deputy director of the marketing department.
Everyone instantly got the hint, and the way they looked at me was even more contemptuous, like I was some kind of parasite.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
"Ms. Sterling's still young and clueless. She probably got fooled by a loser like him. And I heard she's pregnant, too?"
"Mr. Sterling only has one daughter, so isn't he just hoping to grab the whole inheritance for himself?"
They could trash-talk me all they wanted, but they didn't dare insult my boss.
I shot up from my seat, walked right up to Mark, and yanked him by the collar.
"If you're so damn great, why didn't the chairman hand you the throne?" I shot back.
"You're so tough, but Sophie never even gave you a second glance. Let's be real, you're just jealous, aren't you?
"How much does the boss pay you? Does it even hit 10 grand?"
Mark's face went pale.
He finally yanked himself free, glared at me like he wanted to kill me, and gave me that look that screamed, 'This ain't over.'
Then he dropped back into his seat.
Because Sophie was already standing at the office door.
Today, she'd ditched her usual sweet girl vibe.
She was rocking a sharp business suit, her blouse unbuttoned low enough to turn heads, paired with black stockings and red-bottomed stilettos that screamed power.
She was the very picture of a boss lady, domineering, confident, and impossible to ignore.
She leaned against the door, her voice icy.
"Everyone in marketing, you're working overtime until midnight. The company's covering dinner, and you'll get triple overtime pay," she announced.
Everyone groaned, shooting dirty looks at Mark, who was sitting just a few feet away.
Why'd he have to go and pick a fight with the boss's new hubby? Then they were all paying for it.
As for me, their overtime didn't bother me at all. I only answered to Ms. Sterling.
I leaned back in my chair, already daydreaming about what I'd eat for dinner tonight, when Sophie spoke up right beside me.
"Honey, come to my office. I need to talk to you," Sophie called out.
The people around me looked even more desperate, their faces full of pleading. Even Mark ducked his head under the table.
Judging by their expressions, they were practically begging me not to give them a hard time.
When I stepped into Sophie's spacious, luxurious office, her secretary, thoughtful as ever, guided me over to the guest area.
I shot the secretary a quick glance; she was young, full of energy, and looked like she really knew what she was doing.
Sophie soon strode over in her high heels and handed me a stack of documents.
"These are the client profiles for next week's meeting. Take a good look and don't embarrass me," she said.
"Come home for dinner tonight. My parents want to meet you," she added.
At first, I didn't think much of it, but when she said I had to meet her parents, I almost freaked out.
Man, I was really not ready for this.
Richard Sterling still had no clue about me and Sophie. If he found out, he'd totally lose it and kick my ass.
Sophie gave me a quick once-over, then signaled for her secretary to bring over a brand-new suit.
Damn, it was a custom suit. Even a used one would go for over a hundred grand.
Man, back then if I wore it just once and resold it, I could pocket more than ten grand, easy.
"You're getting paid, so you better deliver. My dad's not some monster, he's not gonna eat you alive," Sophie said.
Thinking about that suit, I thumped my chest and swore, "Relax, Ms. Sterling, I won't embarrass you."
Sophie burst out laughing and left me alone in the office.