“Director General”. Pre-read the beginning of the new KN Haner novel

Olivia lives in a loveless relationship. The only thing she has in common with her partner is sex and an unhealthy financial arrangement. She loves her job and fulfills herself as an assistant to her elderly boss. She is not happy, but she hides it behind a smile learned over the years.

Harry is the grandson of Olivia’s boss and his heir. He just came back from traveling around the world to help his grandfather start his business.

It turns out that a seemingly inaccessible and dry man meets a worthy opponent. After an unfortunate encounter in an elevator, he owes her a debt of gratitude, and she must keep a secret.

One trip to Paris changes everything.

On Friday at 12:00 pm we will publish a video interview with the writer on kultura.gazeta.pl. You will also be able to listen to it as a podcast “Read well, listen well” Publio.pl

KN Haner “Director General”, Wydawnictwo Ale! – fragment:

I ran the last two blocks in high heels, mentally cursing the world, and it felt like it couldn’t get any worse.

And yet…

I burst into the building, looked around the lobby, and headed straight for the elevators. I almost never used them, because I tried to keep in shape at least minimally and did a few rounds of stairs every day. Nervously, I jumped from foot to foot, waiting for one of the elevators to reach the ground floor. I looked at my watch. The board meeting had started more than a quarter of an hour ago, but my nerves weren’t caused by the fact that I might be fired for being late. The point was that I didn’t want to disappoint my boss, who treated me very well. It was my dream job, I loved it. It gave me great satisfaction and enough money.

The elevator arrived literally after a while, I entered it and pressed the number of the top floor of the building. I counted down the seconds in my head and the exact time I was late, but angrily, just as the door was almost closed, someone pushed a button and opened it again. I rolled my eyes. What bad luck!

– Good morning. I smiled politely at the man who entered and stood in front of me.

Every day I passed here with many people whose names and surnames I did not know. Several large companies had offices and headquarters in this building, and people passed by indifferently.

– Good morning – replied the brunette, and then pulled the phone from the pocket of elegant suit pants and looked at the screen.

I noticed the nervousness on his face.

“Are you late too?” I asked him and reached my hand towards the door closing button.

The man must have wanted to do the same, because our hands met. I instinctively pulled my hand back and hid it behind me. I leaned against the mirror. I saw that my fellow passenger hadn’t chosen a floor, so he must have been going where I was. I looked at him discreetly, but I didn’t recognize him at all. And I would remember such a handsome man if he worked for us.

Why did I think he was handsome? I saw such dappers in suits every day, but he had something about him. Magnetism and strength. “He’s definitely the alpha male,” I thought. It was simply impossible not to notice.

– Yes. It’s hard not to be late in New York.” He replied and rolled his eyes. I smiled.

The elevator finally started.

I started counting again in my mind that in a moment, in a moment, I would leave it and run to the conference room, which was at the end of a long corridor.

And suddenly something shot.

it creaked.

The light went out for a second.

The elevator stopped.

I thought it was some kind of joke.

I looked at the man and he looked at me.

Then we both stared at the control panel, which lit up white, only the HELP button flashing red.

“It’s impossible…” I choked out and started tapping the button nervously.

I pressed it several times until finally I heard the security guard’s voice over the loudspeaker:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. It’s a temporary outage. We’ll be restarting the elevator soon. He didn’t sound convincing.

I glanced at the phone. I was already over twenty minutes late. In addition, I completely lost my range.

A minute passed, then another… After five, I was getting really nervous. I called for help again.

“Can you get us out of here?” I barked into the loudspeaker.

“The problem is a little more serious than we thought. Please be patient for a while, the security guard replied.

“I am very patient, sir. It’s just hard to feel comfortable in an elevator stuck on the seventh floor! I threw a glance at my companion, who didn’t speak.

He was leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, his hands clutching the railing tightly. The artery in his neck pulsed faster and faster.

The light started flashing again.

It went off for a split second, then went into emergency mode, and then the elevator literally slid down a few inches, but it was enough to make me feel scared.

“Get us out of here!” I yelled into the loudspeaker and grabbed the railing as well. The next few minutes were the worst moments of my life. My imagination was telling me terrifying scenarios in which the elevator breaks and shatters at the bottom of the shaft, leaving me and the handsome dark-haired man to a great bloody pulp. I think I’ve watched too many disaster movies.

When the light finally stopped flashing, I saw that my fellow passenger was sweating. The man’s face was wet, and his fingers were white from clenching them on the railing. “Are you feeling well?” I asked, but he didn’t respond. “Hello, sir?” “I moved closer.

He was pale, as if he was about to pass out.

– It’s stuffy in here. Oxygen levels drop. We’ll suffocate, he replied with difficulty.

I winced.

“It’s impossible, please calm down.” I touched his shoulder, and then he finally looked at me.

“Get me out of here…” he begged pleadingly.

I saw panic in his eyes.

“I have water, you must drink.” I started frantically rummaging through my purse, which had literally everything in it.

I took out a bottle of water and handed it to the man.

– Please. I pressed it into his hand.

With a trembling hand, he barely brought the bottle to his lips. He took a few sips and looked at me again. I’ve never seen anyone react like that, but you don’t need to be an expert to understand that he had a panic attack. He tried to control it, but apparently it wasn’t that easy.

– What’s your name? I asked to keep him busy.

– I’m listening? – What is your name sir? I repeated.

“Harry, what about you?” – Olivia. I grabbed his hand, which was shaking a lot. “Harry, why don’t we sit down?” I asked and crouched down as he slid down the wall.

I took my heels off.

“What do you do, Harry?” I tried to distract him from the situation we were in.

– Now? I’m trying to survive…” he replied, quite seriously.

Alpha male?

I see.

– Nothing will happen. It’s just a minor glitch. They’ll get us out soon. “I really wanted to believe it myself.

“I’m claustrophobic,” he explained.

Everything became clear.

Phobias are hard to understand for someone who hasn’t struggled with one. I am terrified of spiders and I am afraid of heights. The thought of flying always breaks me in a cold sweat, and taking off, landing or turbulence is a nightmare for me.

“I understand, but this elevator isn’t all that small. Twenty people fit in here, which is more than the apartment I rented in college, I joked. He looked at me and barely smiled.

– What did you study? – He asked.

– Business and management, and you?

– Law and business and management. did you study here? At University?

– Yes and you? I’m guessing… Stanford? I suggested.

“Is it that visible?” He sighed but smiled slightly again.

His face slowly began to take on its natural color.

“An expensive suit, the latest model phone, a tan that says you just got back from vacation. You must have studied at a good university, and Stanford has the best lawyers. I’m right?

“Are you always so accurate in judging strangers in an elevator?” he asked with a smile.

“You hit the jackpot.” Stanford, with distinction. Scholarship from the first year.

“Are you bragging or joking?” I joked.

“I don’t know…” He shrugged.

Suddenly, the elevator slowly moved up, and from the speakers we heard the voice of security:

– Sir, the problem has been fixed. On the top floor, a rescue team is waiting for you with a medic if you need one.

I looked at Harry who extended his hand to me. He held me until I put on my heels while he straightened my suit and took the last gulp of water.

“The Medic won’t be needed,” he replied into the loudspeaker. – Thank you. He glanced at me.

– You’re welcome. I smiled and pushed my blonde hair behind my ear.

“I’ll be grateful if you leave this situation to yourself.” It’s very…

“Sure, don’t worry about it,” I assured him.

“I am in your debt.” If you need anything, then…’ He slipped his hand into his jacket and pulled out a business card, but at the same time we reached the top.

The elevator doors opened, and the rescue team, security, and my terrified boss waited outside.

“Olivia, Harry… are you all right?! said Mr. Bennett, and came straight over to us.

I was surprised that he knew my companion’s name.

“No, I’m fine,” I replied with a smile and let the older man hug me.

Mr. Bennett was my mentor. Despite his advanced age – he was almost eighty – he remained professionally active, and his knowledge and experience were invaluable to me. Being able to work with him was really special.

– Definitely? he asked and looked at Harry.

“Yes, of course, Grandpa,” replied the other.

Grandpa? Stuck in an elevator with the boss’s grandson? What a twisted coincidence. – I was waiting for you, and suddenly I get information that there is a failure in the elevator, and you are in it together … We need to bring technicians and check each of them. This must not happen again! Mr. Bennett gave the security a reproachful look.

“Of course, we’ll take care of it right away,” one of the guards assured him, and quickly walked away.

– Are you able to attend the meeting?

“Yes, I do,” I declared.

Harry nodded too.

“Let’s go, then.” It’s great that you two have already met. It’s a pity it’s under these circumstances,’ said Mr. Bennett, and started off first.

I followed right behind him and Harry followed me.

“Are you my new boss?” I whispered, turning to my elevator companion.

– Let’s say. You’ll find out soon enough.” He replied and winked at me.

Will I get a promotion? I said jokingly.

Then he looked me up and down. So typically masculine to judge me. He didn’t even hide it. He gave me a ten? Or rather three? I don’t know why, but I suddenly wondered what exactly he was thinking. “The chances are high,” he said, and I saw a glint in his lagoon blue eyes that made me blush unexpectedly.

However, the alpha male.

I turned to look straight ahead, but I could feel his eyes on me.

The gaze of my, I think, new boss.

CEO – cover But!