The Kincaid International main building was an architectural marvel. Although Skyla had seen the building before, it was the first time she entered it.
The interior was as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as one could imagine. The intricate glasswork, the warm glow of strategically placed lights and the soft hues provided it with a warmth of its own. She felt no hostility.
Skyla hurried along, she wanted to reach the office before her new boss was here. But the receptionist told her Mr. Zyair was already in and was expecting her. She checked her watch and was 15 minutes earlier than the time he had given her and yet he had arrived before her.
’And here goes my first impression,’ she muttered to herself while pressing the button of the elevator. It took her to the top floor where the CEO’s office was.
She exited the elevator and her heartbeat elevated, the palms of her hands suddenly got sweaty. Clutching her bag close to her, she straightened her back to impose a confident stance and strode towards his office. Her low-heeled moccasins made ticking sounds against the sparkling-clean marble floor.
She stopped outside his grand office door. The wooden door had been painted steely grey and black with slanting steel bars on the one side, offering it a very intrinsic look. But it was the large door handle that had her stumped. It was constructed in the style of a single silver wing.
His name was written in an archaic style on a silver door plate.
"Zyair Kincaid."
Even his name exuded power. Skyla breathed out and finally mustered up the courage to knock on his door.
"You may enter," the deep gravelly voice had her halting for a second before she placed her hand on the winged door handle and pushed it open. It noiselessly slid inwards and she took a tentative step inside his massive office.
The woodsy aroma of his place welcomed her as she cautiously entered and closed the door behind her. Skyla straightened her head, letting her gaze travel in his direction.
Zyair was comfortably sitting in his executive chair, the tips of his fingers were clasped together in a prayer style. A black mask with red lines covered his face leaving only his eyes, forehead and silken ebony hair on display.
His azure-hued eyes were like a cloudless sky, clear and tranquil with a slight hint of vulnerability which no one else was supposed to see except her. He slowly took her in with them and Skyla was lost for a second.
His charcoal-black suit hugged his lean and sturdy frame in all the right places, smooth and elegant. Zyair Kincaid was picture perfect, she concluded.
"You can come forward and sit down," he calmly suggested as if the man had all the time in the world. She took a step closer and then another, finally lowering her gaze she saw a red line had been drawn on the floor, about four feet from his extensive lacquered desk. Two armchairs had been strategically placed there so people could sit and converse with him, without clouding his personal space.
This must be the limit for female employees, she deduced. Stopping near the line she settled in the chair with handles.
Mustering up courage she finally lifted her head and realised she hadn’t spoken from the moment she had entered his office. How rude he must be assuming her to be?
On the other hand, Zyair wished she could cross that line and take a seat. It was going to take him a while to elucidate that all those rules wouldn’t apply to her.
How quiet she had gotten over the years, the confident girl he had met was nowhere to be found. That asshole had killed her spirit, Zyair could see that clear as a day. She was reluctant to even say a single word.
"Good morning!" He greeted her, seeing she was lost.
"Good m–orning! Sir... I am sorry." she clutched her bag nervously and lowered her gaze, unable to hold the chasms of his deep-seated eyes.
"Sorry? For what?" he questioned, a bit amused.
"I am late and failed to greet you," Skyla answered, not meeting his gaze, suddenly finding the tiled floor of his office to be very interesting.
"You were 15 minutes earlier than the time I gave you and I am impressed by your punctuality. And greetings go both ways. It’s not obligatory for you to greet me, any of us can do it. Remain at ease Miss..." Zyair left his sentence hanging on purpose and expectantly looked at her. Skyla was glad and her palpitating heart eased down knowing he wasn’t mad.
"It’s Mrs Blackthorn, sir," she stated missing the whole point of why he had called her miss instead of Mrs. He tilted his head slightly and smiled, a smile that touched his enigmatic eyes and they brightened up.
"That’s not your name. It’s just a formality because of your husband. From now on, in my company, you will be addressed by your name. So can I know your name?"
Her eyes widened slightly at his candid words and she hesitated again, not understanding why he would not call her by the surname her husband had given her. He indeed was a peculiar man.
"Skyla, my name that is," she finally answered him in a very awkward tone. This man seemed to have the charm of rendering others speechless even without much effort.
Silence.
He revelled in the sound of her name for a while.
"You have a very pretty name. Miss Skyla, it is from now on," he authorised in a firm tone and she vehemently nodded at him.
"Yes, Sir!"
"Good, I have asked my intern to draw out your contract and salary package. Everything will be explained in detail ranging from your salary to your job description. Read it carefully and if you have any issues, come directly to me," Zyair kept his tone mild so he wouldn’t scare her by any means.
"Thank you, sir. I will do that."
He held her gaze for a while before she averted it. Zyair extended his hand and pressed a button under his desk and soon enough the door to his office was knocked again.