Keep my emails private. If I find out you’ve discussed it with anyone, family or friend, I assure you, you will very well regret it.’
Her heart began to beat fast, and she hated that he could evoke this anxiety in her. And he was doing it intentionally. Of course, he was.
‘Every morning by exactly 9 am, you’ll get me my tea, not coffee. I like it black. It shouldn’t be too cold and too hot. All the files I need to sign on should be at my desk before I get here. You don’t come into my office, and no visitors are allowed from 12 to 1. You get my lunch from Anna’s kitchen. It’s a one-hour drive, and I don’t care how you get there. Just ask for my usual. Keep in mind that I need it hot and on my table by 2. If it turns cold, I’ll deduct the price from your salary.’
She did all she could to keep everything in her mind. This was bound to be a difficult job, she knew. But she had to do it. She told herself, again and again.

‘Are you listening to me?’ He looked outraged. Anger emanated from his face, his gaze traveling over her critically. Something dark flickered across his expression that had her stomach churned.
Swallowing, she nodded her head.
His eyes narrowed. ‘You don’t nod. You speak when you’re spoken to, do you understand?’
‘Yes, sir.’ She looked down before looking up at him. The fierce expression on his face filled her with terror.
He continued with his cold and unforgiving tone. ‘I took it upon myself to give this to you.’ He threw what looked like a manual at me. ‘Read it. Follow it. If you want to be here in a week.’
It was the tone in which he had said it. Jeraldine realized that the conversation was done and over with.
She quietly went to her desk, put the humongous file there, and went to retrieve his tea. He hadn’t told her how much sugar he took in it, but deciding by his personality, she figured Nathan would like his tea bitter, just like he was.
When she went into his office again, he was on a call. He motioned for her to put his tea on this table and leave. She did just that but waited by the door to gauge his expression when tasting the tea.