I held my stinging cheek and kept my gaze down to the floor. My papers were all scattered across the carpet.

　　I honestly didn't know what I did. I thought my report was perfect. I thought my scheduling was done to satisfaction.

　　I stood in Mr. Adleys office racking my brains trying to figure out what warranted a slap across the face.

　　Knowing him he probably doesn't have a specific reason. It could just be a bad day.

　　By the stinging sensation I could tell it's bright red against my creamy complexion. His large calloused hands could do a lot more damage. I'm lucky I got away with this much.

　　"How many times do I have to tell you?!" He roared in my face. "Give me those notes 20 minutes after every meeting!"

　　It hasn't even been 20 minutes since the meeting ended.

　　"I'm sorry, sir." I took a deep breath. "I-I sent the notes already via email along with the report you asked me to complete. I have the hard copies right here sir."

　　"Pick this shit up and get out of my sight." He spat before walking behind his desk to take a seat.

　　"Yes sir." I picked up all the papers strewn across the carpet and organised them accordingly before setting them neatly on his large wooden desk without meeting his eyes.

　　That man is Jerimiah Adley, CEO of Adley International.

　　He is also my Uncle. He adopted me after I survived a house fire that took my parents lives when I was 8.

　　Unfortunately, I'm not treated like I'm their daughter or niece. I'm more the burden he and his family took upon themselves to look good for the media and society.

　　In front of others I'm given smiles of adoration, behind closed doors I'm treated as an outcast.

　　I sat in my office chair and fixed my make up to hide the hand print on my cheek.

　　I don't want to think about what would happen if someone found out what he does to me.

　　No doubt the unwanted attention would make people look a little more carefully at some of the deals being made here.

　　Jeremiah Adley is a snake, unfortunately I'm also his personal assistant. I hide the pain and the bruises and just focus on surviving somehow. I just take it day by day.

　　Once my make up was done and fixed as much as possible, I tidied my red hair in a high pony tail and began preparing for the next meeting.

　　I checked the conference room and put out refreshments and materials.

　　I believe our biggest competitors  were wanting to collaborate on a multimillion dollar project and use some of our resources and vice versa.

　　Before I knew it we were nearing the meeting time.

　　The shrill sound of my phone that haunts me in my dreams led me away from my activities.

　　"Avery Adley." I answered.

　　"Avery, the team from Black Industries are here." Natalie from the front reception advised.

　　"Please show them up while I get Mr. Adley ready."

　　"Not a problem." With that she hung up.

　　I knocked on Mr.Adleys door and waited for the gruff come in.

　　After opening the door I stood just inside the threshold.

　　"Mr. Adley, the team from Black Industries are here for their 4 o'clock meeting." I said. "I have prepared boardroom 1."

　　Mr. Adley stood up without a word and retrieved his suit jacket from the back of his chair. His large hands brushed back his grey hair to make it neater.

　　I stood aside for him to walk past and followed him down the hall to the large meeting room where our team was already waiting.

　　Meeting room one is always used for our most important clients and meetings. It has a beautiful view of the city and skyline.

　　I enjoy it at night time. When the lights are out it has the illusion that you're on top of the world and nothing can touch you.

　　Before I turned the corner to get to the boardroom Mr. Adley roughly gripped my arm. The force nearly pulled me off my feet. I knew a bruise would be coming up.

　　"Don't you dare speak out of turn or even look at them wrong." His 5'11" frame towered over me. His hot breath fanned my cheek making shivers of disgust run down my spine. "Do you understand? If we lose this deal, you'll wish you died along with your parents. Do whatever it takes to make them happy."

　　"Yes sir." My voice came out quiet and meek.

　　He threw my arm back just in time for the elevaor to open.

　　I adjusted my skirt and blouse and put on my most professional smile as we approached the lifts.

　　"Welcome!" Mr. Adley greeted with a false warmth. This man is as cold as ice. "I'm so glad to meet you here, please come this way and we can begin with introductions."

　　There are approximately five men and one woman in the group. All exceptionally well groomed.

　　The woman  was tall and beautiful. She looked like a model fresh from a photo shoot.

　　I felt a warm hand on my shoulder while I smiled at the group.

　　I desperately wanted to move away and out of his grasp.

　　"This is my daughter, Avery she is also my personal assistant and will be working closely with you all." Mr. Adley's grip on my shoulder began to tighten.

　　"It's a pleasure to meet you all." I smiled. "If you are in need of anything do not hesitate to give me a call."

　　"That's much appreciated Miss Adley."  An older man warmly shook my hand.

　　He was quite tall, taller than Mr. Adley, and his hands engulfed mine. His smile was warm and inviting. He had blue eyes and black hair that was starting to go grey. "I am Maxwell Black, its a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

　　He ushered a tall younger man to his side who was much more stony faced, but was almost a younger copy of Mr. Black. "This is my son, Oliver."

　　I looked towards the man who stood in front of me. His black hair was perfectly tousled and brushed back with a few strands falling on his forehead.

　　You could see the lean muscle through the high class material of his black suit and crisp white shirt. His hand wrapped around mine firmly and I felt a surprising warmth flow up my arm.

　　"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Black." His icy blue eyes pierced into mine.

　　I felt almost naked and incredibly intimidated as his tall frame towered over me. He looked to possibly be 6'3".

　　But, it wasn't just his height that caught me off guard. Everything about him screamed dominance and power.

　　"The pleasure is all mine." His voice was deep but void of emotion.

　　I gave a curt nod and a smile and began introductions with the rest of the team.

　　After introductions were made the meeting began.

　　I sat beside Mr. Adley and took comprehensive notes. I made sure to keep my head down and focused.

　　The meeting wasn't long. It was a basic introduction of what each company wanted to gain from the project and what resources were needed.

　　Both companies were hoping to come up with a collaboration.

　　With Black Industries cutting edge software and technology and our manufacturing and shipping know how that we could collaborate and launch multiple products and services.

　　The idea is to raise stocks and draw in investors. Also, so that we could sell ideas and rake in the profits with continued collaborations.

　　I had learned that Mr. Black, although retired was only here because he used to be friends with us Adley's and also missed working. He joked and said it was a good opportunity to make sure his son wasn't ruining his company.

　　"Okay, I think we can finish here and get back to writing up proposals and proceeding further. We shall book another meeting for next week." Mr. Adley said happily. "Avery, dear please contact Mr. Blacks assistant and compare schedules."

　　"Yes, of course sir." I nodded and collected my materials as everyone began to say their goodbyes.

　　"Say, I thought Russell would be here for this meeting." Mr. Black stated thoughtfully.

　　"Unfortunately he was delayed with some business over in London." Mr. Adley sighed. "He'll be here and up to speed for the next meeting."

　　"Would you like to go out for dinner tonight Jeremiah?" Mr. Black asked. "For old time sakes."

　　I pursed my lips and looked at the schedule. Without realising it I cut Mr. Adley off as he was about to speak.

　　"You have time after 7 o'clock sir."

　　Mr. Adley turned to me and his furious grey eyes bored into me causing me to inhale slightly and look back to Mr. Blacks warm blue eyes and then Oliver Blacks icy ones.

　　"Perfect!" Mr. Black exclaimed. "How about 7:30pm at the Capriccio? I'll bring Vivienne along. She'll be ecstatic."

　　"Of course!" Mr. Adley said after turning back to the two men. "Oliver, will you be joining us?"

　　"No, thank you. I have a prior engagement." His deep voice resonated throughout the now empty room.

　　"Avery, make a reservation for four at Capriccio for 7:30pm." Mr. Adley ordered.

　　"Yes, sir." I said my goodbyes to the two men and the rest of their team and made my way back to my desk to ring the restaurant.