The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 245

First Day at Work-2

Lori’s stomach tightened.

Claim

“Third rule: do not take it personally. He is not trying to be cruel. He is just… demanding. Perfectionistic. He expects the best because he gives the best.”

Brentley leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes.

“I cannot believe I finally got some relief,” he said, and the exhaustion in his voice was palpable. “The headmaster is an outstanding person, truly. But he can drain you. Super domineering. Demanding. Does not tolerate mistakes.”

Lori nodded, her focus already drifting toward the heavy wooden door that separated the outer office from Attia’s inner sanctum.

“He’s not a bad man,” Brentley added, seeming to sense her apprehension. “Just… intense. Once you earn his respect, he’s surprisingly loyal. But earning it is the hard part.”

Lori opened her mouth to respond.

The door opened.

Attia stepped out.

He was wearing a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing forearms corded with muscle. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as if he had been running his hands through it. And his eyes

His eyes found hers immediately.

The world narrowed

The outer office, Brentley, the stack of papers on the desk-all of it faded. There was only him. Only the intensity of his gaze. Only the way her heart stopped and restarted in the space between one breath and the next.

One of the senior teachers was leaving, nodding politely to Attia before disappearing down the corridor. But Lori barely noticed.

She was lost.

Drowning.

Falling.

Attia cleared his throat.

“I have a few minutes,” he said, his voice low, controlled. “Miss Thompson, I would like to speak with you about certain tasks I need assistance with.” He nodded toward his office. “If you’ll join me.”

Lori’s legs moved on their own.

She stood, gathered her bag, and walked toward him. Each step felt like wading through water.

1/3

< First Day at work?

As she passed Brentley’s desk, the secretary leaned in and whispered, “Good luck.”

She wasn’t sure if he meant with the tasks or with the man.

Probably both.

Claim

Attia’s office was exactly as imposing as she imagined.

The high ceilings. The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The massive desk that seemed designed to intimidate anyone who sat on the other side. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor.

But Lori barely noticed any of it.

Because Attia was standing in the middle of the room, watching her, and he looked almost… uncertainty.

His hands-those large, powerful hands that could probably crush stone-were clasped behind his back. But he kept shifting them. Unclasping. Reclasping. As if he didn’t know what to do with them.

*He’s nervous too,* Lori realized. *He’s actually nervous.*

The thought steadied her.

“So,” she said, the word coming out softer than she intended. “I’m here.”

Attia’s dark eyes searched her face.

“So you are.”

He gestured toward the leather couch against the wall. “Please. Sit.”

Lori sat. The leather was cool beneath her palms. She watched as Attia lowered himself into the armchair across from her-close enough to touch, far enough to breathe.

“This is strange,” she admitted.

Attia’s lips twitched. “Strange?”

hand.

“You know. Being here. Sitting in your office. Pretending we’re just…” She waved a hand. “Employer and employee.”

To her surprise, Attia laughed.

It was a quiet sound-barely more than an exhale-but it transformed his face. The hard edges softened. The cold mask cracked.

“Strange,” he agreed. “But necessary.”

He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

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