Everyone rises from their seats, and the sounds of seats scraping the floor fill the room.
They file out of their cubicles in a single file, some with their hands crossed against their chests, curiosity boldly written on their faces.
Even those whose offices aren't in the open space come out of their rooms and join us.
They all gathered around, eyes on Ryan and me.
Some of them began speculating about why their boss was summoning them in the middle of the morning, when they were all supposed to be busy with work.
From the back, I heard someone mutter. "Do you think this is an ambush in a performance review?"
He gets his answer from the guy beside him. "Not with her here. Unless she is HR."
The way the guy said it, as if I were not worthy of being in HR.
"Not with those looks."Another guy jokes, and they all chuckle, low.
I rolled my eyes at their conversation. Men. Always acting immature.
All the employees are out, gawking at their boss, waiting to find out why he summoned everyone. Me, included.
He never did say why he dragged me out here.
While most eyes were on the boss, some eyes were on me, wondering if I was part of the reason they had been called out.
I could feel their curious stare burning holes into my skin.
He waits calmly to ensure everyone is outside before he addresses the crowd.
He cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. The entire room fell silent, so silent that you could hear a drop of pin.
From the way he held everyone's attention, it was obvious that these people thought a lot of the man standing before them.
Again, I snort inside, wondering how they would react if they really knew the true colors of their boss.
"Thank you, everyone, for sparing me a few moments from your busy schedules," he says calmly. "If it weren't important, I wouldn't have disturbed you."
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd. I guess it is a bad omen when the boss calls everyone out of their offices with important information to pass on.
Everyone exchanged looks, wondering what was so important. Some even looked nervous, scared that their jobs might be on the line.
Though not nervous, I was certainly curious about what we were all standing here like contestants in a reality show.
And I don't know if it is because of him or the way he talks, but he certainly has the room so tense that you could cut the tension with a knife.
If he doesn't spill his purpose soon, he is going to have his employees passing out from holding their breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"I want to introduce you to someone."
I tense up at his words, wondering who he wants to introduce and hoping the hell it is not me.
As if he could read my thoughts, he looked in my direction.
You have got to be kidding me. What the fuck is he doing?
I shake my head violently, my expression tensed. I hate being the center of attention.
Attention means questions, and I don't want any questions directed at me.
He ignores my emphatic protest and flaps his hand forward, beckoning me to him.
He is not fucking listening.
"No," I snap, eyes sharp. I don't care if he is the boss or the King of England, I am not going to him.
"Come here," he points to his side. His calm, yet firm tone tells me he is not asking anymore but is commanding.
My self-preservation warred with my need for revenge. I need this job if I am going to destroy the man who made my life a living hell.
I dropped my protest and reluctantly joined him at the center of the stage. I stood with my hands clasped together in front of me while every single pair of eyes in the room locked on me.
I wait for him to continue his speech, but instead, he spares a few seconds to—
Smile.
At me.
A beautiful smile that softened his austere expression.
There goes again, the disarming smile. Is he doing it deliberately, knowing the effect those dimples have on me?
I am a sucker for dimples.
I suddenly paused as something odd occurred to me.
Dimples?
The man I knew years ago didn't have dimples. Can those grow as the person grows?
While I tried to figure out what the hell is happening, and why the fuck the man I knew several years ago seems different now, He gets on with business.
He shifts his attention from me, his smile disappearing as his face schools back to its usual stoic expression.
"This, he says coolly, gesturing toward me, "is Lyra Spencer, my new assistant."
The crowd receives his announcement with mixed feelings. Some looked shocked, a few looked like they didn't care. A few ladies stared at me with envy, but most looked at me with pity.
What is up with that?
The room grows into an awkward silence. People didn't know what was expected of them. The CEO doesn't usually introduce his assistant to the whole company.
While people stared at each other, waiting for someone to take the lead, a brave soul emerged from the group.
The guy, lanky with low-cut ginger hair, started clapping. "Congratulations, boss man!" He yells.
What!
We are not getting married!
His actions encouraged the others to clap as well and throw their congratulations at us.
Ryan stood under their ovation, expressionless for a few seconds before he raised his hands to bring the room to order.
The clapping and congratulations stop immediately.
"This is not why I called you out here. I called you here because I need you guys to be the judge."
Now what is he on about?
His words gripped the room by the throat again as all stared at him curiously.
I know he can see me staring at him, but he acts like he doesn't and continues without missing a breath.
"Look at her, and look at me. Who do you think is more attractive?"
He didn't!
Is he insane?
I gawked at him with a dropped jaw.
He actually came here to find out who is more attractive between the two of us.
If I didn't know that he is insane, this just proves it.
I wasn't the only one he left dumbfounded with his ridiculous request. The whole room is staring at him, perplexed.
He is not shaken by the confusion he has thrown into the room and continues speaking, sounding in control, like a man who is not easily shaken.
"You are going to write who you think is more attractive on a piece of paper and then put it in a box. Once everyone has voted, the votes will be counted, and the result announced."
I continue to watch him with disbelief in my eyes. He is unbelievable.
"Jake," He called, referring to an employee, pot-bellied, looking like he loves his doughnuts a little too much.
The man looks at Ryan with surprise in his pale green eyes. He looked shocked that the CEO knew his name.
Me too.
"Sir," he almost saluted; that is how eager he looked.
"Could you find us a box?" Ryan requests politely.
"On it," Jake shoots off, which looks almost like a struggle with his big body.
Everyone else moves to get something to write with.
I guess we are doing this.
Ryan turns his attention to me, those blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "So, what does the winner get?"
I shake my head at him. I can't believe he would do this.
"What do you want?"
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to call them back. I swear it wasn't the words I wanted to speak. It is as if those gorgeous baby blues have me in some spell.
Which is so confusing.
Why do I feel this way about a man I have hated all these years? A man who ruined my life, and I swore to destroy him.
I know there is something different about him, but—
He grins broadly.
"Does that mean you think I would win?"
Is he bragging?
Before I knew it, a smile was tugging at the corners of my lips. "You wish!"
His expression turns serious. "I know who I am going to vote for."
I look at him sharply. "We are participating?!"
"Of course. I need to swing the vote in case it is a tie," he winks.
"Oh," I whisper. I didn't think he would participate in this farce
"About what I want when I win—" he pauses, and I stare at him, slightly anxious for what he would ask.
"You eat lunch with me every day," he says with a wink.
My heart skips a beat at his wink, while I stare at him, a little disappointed by his request. I had feared he would ask something outlandish.
"You look disappointed," he observes, staring at me closely.
Gush! It is alarming how easily he reads me.
I shake my head. "No, just surprised that you asked that."
"Oh. What had you expected?" He looks at me curiously.