When I was with Mr. Ronnes, I had expected to just tour my new workplace in the building, learn my duties, and be done for the day.

But.

And, a big, fat but.

Mr. Ronnes straight walked out of the Trexon Empire, took his red BMW, and swooshed us to the downtown.

He pulled the break before a car showroom and got out of his vehicle.

It was a one-story outlet of our Trexon brand.

Trexon Automobiles.

Cars and motorcycles of various colors and kinds were displayed on the glossy, transparent front of the showroom.

"Come on, Doll. We ain't got all day," Mr. Ronnes spoke while rounding the car.

I suppressed a sigh and got out with my beige handbag.

The smell of stale afternoon breeze, sweat, petrol oil, and fresh bacon from the diners around us struck my nostrils.

My stomach growled low again.

I took a glance around and stepped forward.

Thank goodness! No one was giving me the odd eyes.

Heels clicked and shoes thudded on the black concrete below as we walked toward my workplace.

Mr. Ronnes pushed the glass door open and walked in like a king.

I frowned and grabbed the cold metal handle just before the door slammed on my face.

The cool air of the air-conditioner washed over me just as I stepped inside the large showroom.

Mr. Ronnes was quite far from me so I fastened my pace all the while taking in the new environment.

Well, as much as I could.

White walls.

Cream tiles.

And, lightenings.

Thousands of luminous white LED lightenings were focusing on shiny expensive cars and stunning motorcycles.

Hmm... That wasn't so bad.

I could even see a bunch of colorful bicycles parked in a neat row just behind the reception corner. It almost gave me a feeling of abandonment but anyways.

"Yes, Hailey. Put her name in."

I looked forward at Mr. Ronnes as he spoke.

He was standing in the reception area.

"A newbie?"

A brown-haired woman in thick glasses spoke while typing something on her black laptop.

"Old bee. With wings cut off!" Mr. Ronnes smirked, taking a glance at me over his shoulder. "Anyways, section her in the junior salesperson department."

I made a blank face and stood beside him.

Hailey looked up from the laptop when her doe hazel eyes met mine.

"Hello, Ms. Hayes." She gave me quick smile before looking down again.

"Hello, um, Mrs. Fiors." I discreetly eyed her nametag on the chest.

"Just Hailey, please."

Hailey typed some more before rummaging through a drawer below the counter table.

"Here. Your key to your counter." She handed me a bunch of keys. "Your new ID badge will be ready tomorrow."

I tried hard not to frown but...

"A... Counter?"

"Yes." She offered me a smile with a slight furrow on her brows.

I looked between Mr. Ronnes and Hailey.

"What?" Mr. Ronnes raised his brows at me.

Should I ask?

"Uh, is there no desk or cabin?" I spoke in a meek voice, not sure how they were going to take this.

Mr. Ronnes and Hailey shared a look.

A minute or so passed.

My heart jumped as Mr. Ronnes let out a sudden snort. Hailey bit her red lower lip and looked down.

Obviously trying to hide her smile.

But why?

"Sorry to burst your sweet bubble, Hayes, but no luxury cabin for you," Mr. Ronnes smirked. "All salespeople here work on the counters. Company rules. Now, come on."

Wow! Since when did Trexon Empire offer a counter system for their salespeople?

But then, it was true I hadn't paid much attention to inner works while touring our showrooms with Devon. Only followed his orders to the T and nothing else.

Guess, now was my time to observe and learn.

I looked down at the double-digit number on the key ring.

Thirteen.

Unlucky thirteen.

A breath escaped past my lips as I turned around and followed Mr. Ronnes.

What kind of lemon did Devon throw at me? How would I even make lemonade out of this?

Mr. Ronnes took me to the farthest corner of the showroom.

A long row of black, tiled counter tables greeted me there. It was taking up the space of the entire front and half of the left side of the wall. The right side was entirely covered in transparent, floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

I looked up at the top of the counter table where numbers were illuminated in white light against the blue backdrop.

There was a total of fifteen counters. Mine was on the left side, close to the end of the table.

"So, everything's to your liking, Highness?"

I frowned at the deep, raspy tone of Mr. Ronnes.

"Yes?"

"You like it! Good. Now, get back to work. Come on chop, chop."

Without even giving me a chance to speak, Mr. Ronnes turned around and strode away.

I pressed my lips tight and walked toward the counter full of ogling eyes.

Enough was enough!

"I'm not an intern or a newbie if that's what you're wondering," I spoke while smoothly gliding past two wide-eyed men in black suits.

I was about to sit down on my blue metal chair.

"Hey, Mina! You're looking smoking hot in black," Mr. Ronnes's mirthful deep voice from afar echoed around the whole showroom.

I slammed my beige bag down on the counter.

✯✯✯

"We use the best quality metals for our bicycle chains, Sir. Absolutely durable. Smooth and easy to maneuver for both adults and kids-"

"Wait. All good. But, I actually wanted to ask if you can change the flower design on the basket. My nephew loves race cars so we'd love a red car painted on that bicycle."

The tall man was sitting before my counter, twisting his black mustache as he stared at me.

"Uh..." I forced out a smile at the Mexican man with a buzz cut.

He watched me with his beady blue eyes.

I cleared my throat.

"I get it, Sir. But changing a basket design is a bit difficult. We can offer you an alternative, though, with your desired design. But in that case, size and shape may vary since our bicycles and baskets are pre-matched."

"But I want exactly that bicycle." The man drawled in a thick Mexican accent. "I already showed it to my nephew and he only liked that one. The design's the problem, though."

"I can completely understand, Sir. But-"

"Mr. Sebastian! Is that you?" Mr. Ronnes smiled posh, appearing from literally nowhere.

"Oh, hey, Ronnes! Nice to see you." The Mexican grinned wide at Mr. Ronnes.

I pressed my lips tight as Mr. Ronnes bent down to hug the customer with a smile.

Was everyone in New York buddy-buddy with him?

"Great seeing you here too. So, liked anything so far?"

"Yeah, man. My nephew liked that orange bicycle over there," He pointed to a row of kid's bicycles lined up against the right wall. "But he didn't like the flower motif on the basket. He wants a car design instead."

"That's it! Come on, Joseph. We can settle this down easy." Mr. Ronnes chuckled.

Hope sparkled in Joseph's blue eyes.

"Do something, Ronnes. Please. It's his birthday in three days."

Mr. Ronnes showed his glossy white teeth, showing his suave smile with a hint of professionalism.

Hmm... Let's see what our Wizard of Oz could do!

I leaned forward and rested my hands on the black tile of the counter.

"Why don't you give him a little surprise," Mr. Ronnes grabbed Joseph by the shoulder and pulled him up from the chair with a screech. "Tell him you're bringing him that bicycle for birthday."

"But he'll be so upset." Joseph frowned.

"That's the fun, man!" Mr. Ronnes grinned, patting his shoulder. "His sadness will be short-lived the moment he'll see a stunning bicycle on his special day."

Joseph sighed.

"How, Ronnes? That design-"

"He loves car, right? We'll paint that bicycle body in a red car theme and grab a matching big basket for the go. It'll just take some extra bucks for the customization. That's all."

But the company protocols...

I frowned.

Did Mr. Ronnes really have the power to bend the rules from right under Devon's nose?

Hmm... I had to see how far this fiasco would go.

Joseph's tensed shoulders visibly relaxed as he grinned in utter relief.

"Thanks, man. You're a lifesaver!" Tall Joseph hugged an even taller and leaner Mr. Ronnes tight. "Don't worry about the extra charge, pal. I trust you with your service."

"Nah, that's my job." Mr. Ronnes moved away and offered him a polite smile.

"Okay, Ronnes. I gotta go. But you have to come to my nephew's party. He'd love to see his idol in flesh."

Idol?

I raised my brows.

Who was this guy?

I watched Mr. Ronnes closely as he smiled and shook hands with Joseph.

His soft dirty-blond strands swayed as he moved his head. Honey-gold eyes twinkled in the bright glint of the light. Straight nose. Thin, dark red lips. A small dent on the left side of his stubbled jawline.

That face...

Why did I feel like I had seen him somewhere?

Who was this Sawyer Ronnes?

"Alright, man. See ya at the party." Joseph grinned as he walked away.

The flashy smile on Mr. Ronnes' face dropped as soon as his piercing gaze fell on me.

"Ms. Hayes. A question," a somber look plastered on his face as his deep, raspy voice rumbled.

I gulped, trying my best to keep my eyes on his cold ones.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Ronnes?"

He crossed his arms, making his toned biceps strain against his brown shirt.

"Why did Devon demote you again?"

My throat went dry as I felt the needles of thousand eyes prick me all at once.

Did he really have to ask this now?

In front of everyone!

I licked my dry lips and cleared my throat.

"I... I was unable to complete a report on time."

A slow smirk stretched on his lips as I lowered my head.

"Oh, pity! That was so cruel of Devon. You know, what I'd have done had I been in his place?"

Tears blurred my vision, making me blink fast a couple of times and look up.

Smirk wiped off his face.

"I'd have fired you straight on the spot."

My breath hitched.

Not because of his words but the way he spoke.

A certain kind of authority was oozing out of his deep, raspy voice.

The one that I had only heard from Devon.

A sudden soft chuckle eased the butter-thick tension in the air.

"Gosh, look at your face!" Mr. Ronnes grinned.

Everyone else sighed and offered their share of snort and laughter in response.

Warmth spread in my cheeks as I looked away.

"I'm not firing you, Doll, nor I'm in the position to do so. But..." He smirked. "Don't make me spill the beans to higher-ups next time."

The message was received.

Loud and clear.

I took in a deep breath, still not looking at him or anyone else.

"Yes, Sir," I took in a deep breath, still not looking at him or anyone else. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Sir! Who's the 'Sir' here?"

I deadpanned at the cheery, deep tone in Mr. Ronnes' voice and finally looked up to meet his twinkling, mischievous eyes.

The corners of those honey-gold eyes crinkled as he smirked wide at me.

"I'm just a sales manager here, Hayes. Some even say Sales King, though. Right, Juliet?"

A tall woman in the skin-tight, thigh-length, full-sleeved red dress had been walking in black high heels.

She stopped and turned left to Mr. Ronnes.

Her pale cheeks flushed like ripe tomatoes as she moved a few luscious wavy black strands behind her ears.

"Yes, Sawyer..." her honey-dripping sweet voice rang softly in the air as Juliet spoke.

Her dark brown eyes glinted brightly as they stole glances at him.

"See, it's Sawyer, Doll. Sawyer the Sales King!"

Mr. Ronnes grinned as he winked at my blank face and cold eyes.

No. Not Mr. Ronnes.

Sawyer!

Sawyer the Salacious Sales King.