Her hands were shaking. In order to prevent from that, Bonnie let her fingers drum against her office desk.

With a shaky breath, she glanced at her wrist watch. Five minutes until it was time to leave. Until it was time for her to get the rest of her office things, which consisted of a simple blue puncher that was placed on the far corner of her desk. When she looked at the boring wooden surface of her once mess that would describe her work area, she felt a piece of her heart break.

This was it. Dawsey Enterprises was the very first business that took her in. She started as an intern merely a year ago. It has given her the great opportunity to peek into the work that she always wanted. The people here have been good to her. But she knew better than to make friends. She was planning something bigger, something more. She wanted to be that. Bigger and more.

Now she was only nineteen, but she was on her way up. She's saved enough, made enough deals and idealized her plans. Yes, Bonnie was ready, the world was ready. And she was despite all the bumps that were going to come her way, so fucking excited. A fair balance between confidence, patience and modesty was going to be her key to success, she knew.

Once those thoughts slowly faded away, Bonnie looked up from her desk. Upon seeing Michael, the boss' lapdog come her way, she straightened her back. Now, it was time. One last glance at her wrist and she realized it's been exactly five minutes since she last checked. Arrogant bastard, she thought with a secret smile.

He knew exactly that she was going to wait until it was time for her to go. And he let her wait, probably watching her through the cameras, thinking she did not realize his methods of showing who's boss. But he had another thing coming.

"Miss Stewart." Michael greeted her with a sweaty face, once he reached her desk. She knew Michael did not have one second of a break since he started working today, nine hours ago. She often pitied Michael, but someone had to do the job he was doing.

"Mister Dawsey is ready to see you." He finished, causing her to nod slightly and stand up. Of course he was.

Her heels and Michael's loud breathing were the only noises heard as they made their way towards the elevator. Most people were also on their way out, since work was over for the day. But they used a community elevator, one all of the colleagues and possible visitors shared.

Michael and her on the other hand, were walking into the boss' and Michael's elevator. She has never been in this one. It made her slightly anxious once the doors closed on them and it was working its way up. The boss was on the top floor, the thirtieth.

Bonnie glanced at Michael upon seeing him take out a tissue and rub his face. Poor guy, she noted again as she tugged and pulled at her skirt. Nothing but the perfect presentation in front of her boss. He wouldn't have it any other way, she knew it. Which was why she was so sure it was him.

Once the doors to the top floor opened, Michael stepped out first as he lead the way to the boss' office. She was wondering when the nervousness would really kick in. Now was the time. Her palms started sweating and Bonnie made sure to hide them behind her back as she intertwined her fingers.

When Michael knocked on a heavy looking wooden door, she took a deep breath. Merely seconds away from him, she felt the sudden intimidation she kept suppressing over the months. Yes, even the thought of being in a room with him alone was scary. But she chose this.

"Sir, Miss Stewart is here." Bonnie heard and looked up, not able to see a lot of his office, since Michael was only peeking his head through a small gap between the door and its frame.

"Send her in." Her breath hitched. Oh God. His voice was menacingly deep, laced with a rasp. She's never heard a man speak this low. It was intriguing at the very least.

"Miss." Michael said, more like warned her as if giving her another chance to run. But she nodded back and the door opened slowly, surprisingly not squeaking like all the doors downstairs.

The first thing that she noticed was the instant change of atmosphere. Which only intensified when Michael left the room right after she stepped inside. She was trying to be discrete about checking out his office, so she didn't gape and instead looked up.

And there he stood. With all his manliness, his broad shoulders and not to forget those three scars that he wore across his left cheek. His black suit only made him appear even more intimidating than he already was. And that spicy cologne that bit into her nose when she stepped closer, made it harder for her to breath.

Yes, Zion Asher Dawsey was indeed a scary man. But he had no reason to do anything that would cause her harm, since she's never gotten on his bad side. Yet, that is. In fact, she's never even spoken to him before. This was going to be the first time of them conversing together. The first time Bonnie saw the man who paid her for a whole year, up close.

She's only heard rumours about him, seen a few pictures online when she first started here. He did not look like he aged a second. His hair was as black as the darkest night with no specks of white in it. With the age of thirty, at least she expected him to have white strains. Maybe he was colouring it, who knew.

"Miss Stewart. I've been told you were seeking a conversation with me before you leave my company. It has already been two minutes and thirty-seven seconds and you have yet to speak. I do have my responsibilities to get back to, Miss." Bonnie suddenly heard and realized she's been staring at him.

He probably thought she was just another average employee of his company. Intimidated and scared of him. Which she was, but she could not show it. She had a plan, for heaven's sake. So with a clearing of her throat, she took a last step forward.

"Don't worry, sir. I will not take long. In fact, I'm here to ask you for something." She said and watched his eyes narrow slightly. Oh, he did not like that. Well, who could blame him? He was the richest CEO in Penta and one of the top five in whole Silverthorne. She did not exactly remember what number he was at the moment.

But that was not of import now. So she mentally shook her head and opened her mouth to continue when he didn't respond.

"I would like to personally ask you for an appointment." Bonnie told him. Dawsey's eyebrow twitched slightly, but she caught it.

"An appointment like this one." She continued and saw his patience visibly leave as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You are speaking in dramatic riddles, miss. I do not have time for such games. You have an appointment now, do use it and express your concerns." He almost growled at her.

"I'm afraid we cannot discuss this issue now. I am not ready and so are you. I-" She started, but her boss soon interrupted.
"Do not dare tell me what I am or what I'm not. I am certain there is nothing in this world that I'm not ready for. Speak now." He urged with a glare. He was irked and it probably didn't help that she simply smiled, acting oblivious to his arising anger.

"I am asking for an appointment in two years. This exact day and time if possible. That is all I want." Bonnie said. She knew Zion Dawsey was determined to not show any reaction, but on the inside he was definitely confused. She could feel it.

"In two years." He stated, more than asked and she nodded.
"And pray tell, miss Stewart." Dawsey started with a twitch of his jaw.
"Why in two years?" He finished.

"I am not ready yet." She refrained from telling him that he wasn't ready as well, seeing his first response to that.
"And what are you not ready for, Miss?" He impatiently bit out her title.

He was not giving in, Bonnie noted. Even if she hoped this conversation was going to be smooth, she knew he was not simply giving her more time than necessary. It probably seemed ridiculous to ask him for an appointment now instead of just calling in two years. But there was no guarantee he was going to accept in two years. She knew there were people waiting for an appointment for months. So this was probably her only chance.

"Sir, please do not force me to ask you yet. I would like to do it in two years." She said.
"Ask me yet? Do you want money?" He snapped and she almost rolled her eyes.

"No, I do not want your money." She said and realized it was time for plan B: Tickle his curiosity.
"I am going to offer a deal." She said before taking a small step back, knowing she's extended her time with him. Her bus was coming in ten minutes and it was quite the walk to the station.

"Now, I'm afraid my time is over. I'll let you go back to those responsibilities, sir. But please do consider my words. Two years, this exact day." She reminded him, holding eye contact for a few more seconds, expecting him to say something. But he simply stared, which was far worse. So she turned around.

"I will see myself out." She said over her shoulder before walking out of his office. But she'll be back.

In two years.

Author's note: Hey guys! How do you like this book so far?

Any suggestions for the cast?

Xoxo