MY CEO HATES ME SO MUCH
Episode 1: The Day My Life Turned Into a Nightmare
The first day I walked into Kingston Global Holdings, everyone congratulated me.
“You’re lucky,” they said. “People wait years to get a job here.”
I smiled.
I had no idea I had just walked into the worst chapter of my life.
My name is Aisha, a 25-year-old graduate from a poor family. My father died when I was sixteen, leaving my mother to raise my two younger brothers by selling vegetables in the local market.
This job wasn’t just a dream.
It was our only hope.
On my first morning, I dressed in my best navy-blue suit, prayed with my mother, and promised her everything would change.
But before the day ended…
I wished I had never entered that building.
The CEO, Damian Cole, was one of the youngest billionaires in the country. Cold, handsome, feared by everyone, and known for firing employees over the smallest mistakes.
The moment I entered his office carrying his schedule, he looked up from his laptop.
His eyes immediately landed on me.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
I stood nervously in front of his enormous desk.
“Good morning, sir.”
He continued staring at me.
Then he slowly closed his laptop.
“Who are you?”
I blinked.
“I’m Aisha Williams, sir. Your new executive assistant.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“My assistant?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I didn’t approve a new assistant.”
My heart sank.
“But the HR department assigned me to your office.”
He picked up a file from his desk and glanced through it.
“Aisha Williams…”
He looked at me again.
“University graduate. No executive experience. No connections. No previous corporate position.”
His tone became colder with every word.
“Why exactly do you think you’re qualified for this job?”
I swallowed.
“Because I’m willing to learn, sir.”
He gave a short, humorless laugh.
“That’s not an answer.”
I tightened my grip on the folder in my hands.
“I’m hardworking. I learn quickly, and I won’t disappoint you.”
He stared at me.
Then he stood.
He was taller than I expected.
He walked around the desk until he was standing directly in front of me.
“Everyone says that on their first day.”
I lowered my eyes.
“I’m not everyone.”
For the first time, something flickered across his face.
It disappeared almost immediately.
“Look at me when I’m speaking to you.”
I raised my eyes.
His expression was unreadable.
“From today onward, you work according to my instructions. You don’t question my decisions. You don’t leave this building before I do unless I give you permission.”
I nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
“And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
He leaned slightly toward me.
“Don’t make mistakes.”
I nodded again.
“I won’t.”
He turned away.
“Good. You can go.”
I walked out of his office, finally breathing again.
I had barely taken three steps when I heard his voice.
“Aisha.”
I stopped.
“Yes, sir?”
He looked at me coldly.
“Your first assignment.”
He handed me a thick folder.
“I need these documents organized, summarized, and placed on my desk before noon.”
I looked at the folder.
There were hundreds of pages.
It was already 10:30 a.m.
“Yes, sir.”
“And Aisha?”
“Yes?”
“If they’re not on my desk by noon, don’t bother coming back tomorrow.”
My heart dropped.
“Yes, sir.”
I hurried back to my desk.
The other employees looked at me sympathetically.
One of them whispered, “You survived your first meeting?”
I forced a smile.
“Barely.”
She shook her head.
“You’re going to need luck.”
I looked toward Damian’s office.
The glass doors were closed.
But I could see his silhouette behind them.
For some reason, I felt that his hatred toward me had started before I had even met him.
And I had no idea why.
THE FIRST MISTAKE
I worked as quickly as I could.
I skipped breakfast.
I ignored the growing headache.
I organized the documents, prepared the summary, and finally walked into his office at 11:58 a.m.
I placed the folder on his desk.
“Your documents, sir.”
He opened the folder.
He read the first page.
Then the second.
His expression changed.
He looked up.
“You made a mistake.”
My heart sank.
“Where, sir?”
He pointed at a figure.
“This number.”
I stepped closer.
I looked at it.
Then I checked the original document.
My eyes widened.
“That number was already there, sir.”
He stared at me.
“Are you arguing with me?”
“No, sir. I’m only saying—”
“Get out.”
I froze.
“Sir?”
“Get out of my office.”
I picked up my folder and walked toward the door.
Then he spoke again.
“And tell HR to find me a competent assistant.”
My eyes burned with embarrassment.
I walked out before he could see the tears forming.
I returned to my desk and sat down quietly.
I had promised my mother that this job would change our lives.
I couldn’t lose it.
Not now.
Not when my brothers’ school fees were due.
Not when my mother was struggling to keep our family together.
I wiped my eyes and forced myself to continue working.
Then, around 2 p.m., my phone vibrated.
It was my mother.
I answered immediately.
“Hello, Mama.”
Her voice was weak.
“Aisha…”
My heart tightened.
“What happened?”
She hesitated.
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Tell me.”
“The landlord came again.”
I closed my eyes.
“How much?”
There was silence.
“Three months’ rent.”
My heart sank.
“How long did he give us?”
“Until Friday.”
I looked at the expensive office around me.
Everything suddenly felt overwhelming.
“I’ll handle it, Mama.”
“But you just started your job.”
“I said I’ll handle it.”
After the call ended, I sat silently.
I couldn’t afford to lose this job.
I had no choice.
I had to survive Damian Cole.
But I didn’t know that my problems were only beginning.
Because later that evening, just as I was preparing to leave, Damian appeared beside my desk.
Everyone immediately became silent.
He placed a file in front of me.
“You’re coming with me.”
I looked at the clock.
It was almost 8 p.m.
“Sir?”
“Do you have somewhere more important to be?”
“No, sir.”
“Good.”
He turned and walked away.
I grabbed my handbag and followed him.
I had no idea where we were going.
And I certainly didn’t know that by the time we returned…
Damian Cole would have a reason to hate me even more.
TO BE CONTINUED…