by Mia Ford
Shoot, I'm running late.
All of a sudden, his hands drop, making me miss the warmth that's there a second ago.
He scratches the back of his head, causing his biceps to flex.
Without knowing why, I let him know that I have an interview today.
His brows raise up. "That's good news. Well, good luck!"
I smile. "Thank you. I need that."
He says that he just lives around the corner and that maybe some time we can have a proper introducing each other. I agree despite knowing that there's a fat chance that our path won't meet again.
*
Luke
I am thinking of a way to deal with my father when I see him a little later when I crash into someone. To be exact a woman. My hands reach out right away to catch her, catching her by the waist.
"Woah, are you okay?" I immediately ask.
A pair of emerald green eyes meets blue ones, taking me aback. Those almond shaped green eyes blink at me in confusion, frowning. For a moment, I thought that she would bite my head off for nearly crushing her. But I am momentarily surprised when she says...
"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking." a small voice mumble.
She's shorter than most women I'm always with and far curvier. But she seems bigger than her size with the way she carries herself. Her head held high, her eyes meeting mine directly. Defiance burns in those eyes, yet she balances it with politeness.
My brain stops working for a second that I just say whatever nonsense I can think of.
"If my gram finds out that I'm not paying attention to my surrounding, she'll kill chaste me with her baton."
A chiming bell escapes her lips, the corner of her eyes crinkling with a smile.
I repeat something stupid just so I can hear her laugh once more, finding myself anticipating to see the laughter in those eyes.
Unconsciously, she looks at her watch as if she needs to be somewhere really important.
I drop my hands, remembering myself.
Scratching the back of my head, I once again apologize for the incidence.
"I have an interview to be right now," she says, nibbling on the bottom of her lips. She does it thoughtfully not realizing the things she's doing to me.
Clearing my throat, I say, "Well, good luck."
I watch as her figure fades out, only then I move out of my spot. Those emerald green eyes memorize me; she captures my interest the very moment those small pink lips open.
"Well, Luke. You have an interview to conduct yourself so get your sorry ass moving." I tell myself, standing on one spot like an idiot.
I'm pretty sure that paparazzi will like a glimpse of me looking like a lunatic staring out into space. It's something they like to make a big deal of in the news these days, giving my father small waves of a heart attack each time.
*
Olivia
I end up taking a taxi instead of a bus. It makes my wallet cry, but at least, I will get to Hemmington early.
Looking out the window, I watch as the trees roll by in a blur until skyscrapers replace the trees.
Ahead of us, the Hemmington building can be seen even from far away. Only in that moment have I feel the reality.
This is it...
Butterfly’s fluttering inside my tummy. I'm both excited and nervous.
I had always dreamed of to be a part of an organization to share ideas with. I love collaborating with new people and learn something new from them each time. That's what I’ve been doing all my college life.
I know deep inside; I have what it got inside me, but I can't help but feel nervous. This is far more serious than the part-time jobs I've worked in the past which only consists of waiting tables and other small jobs.
Not realizing that we're already there, the taxi driver snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Ma'am?" he looks at me through the visor mirror expectantly.
Quickly searching through my bag, I hand him a fifty note.
I linger inside for a couple of seconds, torn between heading towards the building or turning back home.
The driver follows my gaze, looking back at me.
"First day of work?" he asks, motioning towards Hemmington company.
eyes sweep to him. "I have an interview."
He nods slowly. "I heard that the owner's son would be taking over soon. Everyone despises him." The driver has a disappointed look in his eyes, shaking his head.
I choose not to say anything. The CEO's family is not what I come here for, and I better be thinking of what I will say before meeting the big boss.
Thanking Mr. driver, I got out, watching the taxi fades in the distance.
Taking a deep breath, I follow along a sea of businessmen rushing to get to their rightful place. I take note how everyone seems to be on their phones or too busy with their thoughts to notice people around them.
This is the life I have to get accustomed if by chance I get to work in Hemmington group. There's nothing like the lively, West Virginia I grow up to where everyone knows everyone.
Chapter Two
Jocelyn
Rita points me to the fifth floor and then instructs me to turn left once I'm there. Catching up with the people going in the elevator, a gentleman holds the door for me until I manage to squeeze myself in.
"Good morning, sunshine." he smiles, a nice toothpaste model type of smile. He's the same guy who kindly waits for me even though the people behind us are mumbling their disapproval.
I smile back, unable to help myself. "Good morning, how are you today?"
“Stress, but holding up. I don't suppose you've been working here for long or else I would know those jewel green eyes."
Heat crawl up my neck to my face. I can practically feel the burning glare the people behind us are doing.
I don't have a problem receiving a compliment, but we're in the elevator, and everyone can practically hear what is being said. It's uncomfortable being in this kind of situation, but thankfully the elevator reaches the fifth floor.
It happens that Mr. Friendly is on the same floor as me.
His strides are long, but he adjusts to my pace. "Woah, that seems so long." He breathes, losing his neck tie.
I nod in agreement. "It looks like they want to kill the both of us for delaying their precious time."
He laughs. "I swear you're not from around here." he comment, thoughtful.
"Maybe that's because I'm only here for the second time. First when I applied and second now for an interview."
He educates me a little about the company and how the mechanics work in here, he also assures me not to worry much about the people who act like a pompous ass. Not my word, but his.
"But you seem to hold yourself alright, Jocelyn. That's something coming from someone who hasn't been here for so long."
By the time, we turn to the left, we get to know each other's names. I don't know what position he holds here, but we settle for a first name basis. He's like a guy friend I never have.
Up ahead of us I can see the intimidating Prohibited sign in a closed oak door.
We slow to a stop. "He might be there already."
The stomping elephant in my stomach come back, and suddenly I want to run the other way.
Jeff seems to notice my nervousness that he reassures me that I'll be fine and will do good. "He'll like your spirit, Josh, don't worry."
I am forced to suck it up because even though he's not saying it, I know that he's running late himself for work. I notice that everyone here works according to their precious time and who won't do so when Hemmington corporation is one of the top ten companies in New York.
Knocking softly, I push the door, holding my breath.
The breath is knocked out of my lungs when I walk in on a man who's practically half naked.
He is buttoning up his polo shirt when I walk in, but it does not cover him enough for me not to glimpse on his chest.
I instinctively cover my eyes and apologizes profusely. "I did knoc
k," I tried to explain myself, standing there awkwardly.
"It seems like we have a funny way of meeting each other, Jocelyn."
I froze.
How does he know my name?
I peak through my fingers, catching him grinning at me. He's now fully cover sitting on a swivelling chair behind the desk.
"You can look now, Jocelyn." he let me know.
My name rolls off his tongue naturally like he's been speaking my name for so long. I don't really like my name, it seems old and boring, but with him, my names sound exotic. Like it holds beauty to it somehow.
I drop my hands beside me, looking at him fully now. I am not able to recognize him at first, but now that I'm looking properly he seems familiar.
"The guy who crash into you earlier, remember?" For a second he looks hopeful, or I might just be imagining it.
A light bulb switches on in my head, recognizing that blue eyes and lopsided grin.
I cannot believe my luck today. "Here I thought the boss's already here."
He frowns, "But I'm the boss."
For a moment, I cannot process his words, blinking at him, totally lost. I probably look really stupid, but I just cannot believe my ears.
"Are you saying who you said you are?" I find myself saying.
He gestures towards the seat, "Why don't you take a seat and I will enlighten you, Jocelyn."
I take the offered seat, thrown off guard.
The man who I carelessly dismiss earlier is my future boss. The odds cannot be this against me.
He is on the phone mumbling something I can't hear but that's probably he's trying to buy time to turn me down.
All of a sudden, his focus is on me, and I feel like a dear on a headlight.
"I see that you meet Jeff already. He said that you're perfect for being my assistant."
I don't know what surprises me more. The fact that Jeff's connected with him or that he forgets that I practically question his status in this company. Or better yet, casually telling me that I'm the perfect assistant for him.
"Look I know that I'm not what you expect to be a boss but I'm not one to scare off people. My only question here is, are you ready to be my assistant?"
His eyes burn a hole in me, the intensity in those blue eyes is making my thoughts go all over the place.
Being an assistant of Hemmington CEO is a job that cannot be taken easily. And although this will be my first job in a world of business, I do have the knowledge but it’s still daunting to be offer as big as a responsibility of being an assistant of the boss.
*
My previous assistant is fired for being caught making out with me if that blissful moment can be called making out but I'm not complaining. And now I'm supposed to find a new assistant who won't try to blow my mind away and not be fire again for a hundred times.
"Use your brain this time, Luke. Not your other brain. You have to find an assistant who will assist you to your business trips. And if an old woman is all there is left for a decent assistant you will find then so be it."
Jeff always acts the older brother here and most of the time I'm glad that he talks reason to my muddle head, but sometimes I wish he'll get off my back.
"It's not my fault that they're harassing me, man. Of all people, you should know that."
For a moment, the other line is quiet.
"I'll call a little later again. For now, try to find a possible candidate for your assistant." Before I can remark, he drops the call.
I proceed inside the room where I ask my fresh clothes to be kept for today. A blonde woman intentionally spills coffee on me on my way to the office. That tactic happens before, and it leads up to a quick ending. Fortunately for her, I don't repeat things twice.
I am changing to my new clothes when a gentle knock comes to my door. I stop what I'm doing, intentionally waiting for the person to come in. I'm up for a game right now.
A soft shriek of surprise catches me off guard. A smaller, round woman covers her eyes as if seeing an incredible sight.
My eyes zero in on her, recognizing her without my brain processing it fully.
Her natural beauty stands out from the rest, that's why I recognize her instantly. Unlike the women in this company, she looks raw. I will not say exotic, but there's something about her that draws me to her. She has the right curves in the right places, her slim waist dipping to full hips leading to her legs. She's not a long-legged babe, no, but she's a full curve woman a man likes to explore and more.
Those wild curls will look beautiful fans out in my bed as those soft pink lips form a big O. All blood rushes down to my southern region, muddling my mind.
If only she knows what I am thinking of doing to her right now, she will surely beat me to a bloody pulp. Jocelyn seems to be the kind of woman who put her dignity first before status, something that is very rare these days.
I quickly button up my clothes realizing that I am making her uncomfortable.
I do not mean to scare her off, I'll take the longest road if that's what it takes to earn her trust, but I sure won't force myself to her.
Practically making a run for my seat like a college boy with a raging hard on, I sit on my chair hiding my erection.
"You can look now, Jocelyn."
I want to get lost in those emerald eyes.
*
I cannot believe that Luke Hemmington is the son of Dawson Hemmington. Later after I come home and process the idea of being his assistant, I look him up on Google. There are a lot of rumours going on about him; newsflash always has his face either with blond babe beside him or his name is attached to some scandal.
But there's this one article that catches my attention. It reads: Dawson Hemmington, CEO of Hemmington corporation is allegedly thinking of passing down the business to a family friend’s son.
"Why is that? He's the CEO of Hemmington to present..." I mumble to myself.
The more I read about him the more I think harder on my choice of decision. I'm not given time to think about my answer, and now, I am officially working for him starting tomorrow.
Truth be told, offering fifty thousand salaries for my first month throw me off my chair. Try as I do I won't be able to earn that much money within a month let alone a year. Just last month, I am thinking to work for Gengy's diner, and now I'm a part of something big in this industry. If my auntie hears the news, she won't believe me unless I show her the proof. And so, without much thought, I sign the contract which might as well sign my death certificate.
I slump on my chair, wanting to back out. How I don't know...
All I know is I'm to start tomorrow.
His words flash back on my mind. Are you ready to be my assistant?
No wonder he asks that question. He might've assumed that I've heard or know about his womanizing reputation or the fact that he changes women every day like he changes clothes every day.
"What did I get myself into?" I groan.
Chapter Three
While waiting patiently, I busy myself by running through my head a possible question and answer later.
Lorina keeps checking on me, reassuring me that Mr. Hemmington will be here in a bit.
She looks at the time, frowning at it. “He’s not always this late.” She says, more to herself than to me.
I assure that I can patiently wait which I’m really good if I do say so myself. “In fact, I’m quite glad he’s running late because I’m five minutes late myself.” I smile sheepishly making her laugh softly.
“Oh dear. The kids this day, eh?”
Our conversation is interrupted when the phone rings. Lorina sashays her way to the phone, moving with so much grace even hurrying.
“Yes, Lorina. How may I help you today?”
I watch as she professionally takes the phone call, focuses yet her eyes focus in concentration as the person on the other end tells her information.
She nods, ending the call.
She looks at me, clasping her hands together. “Alri
ght, dear. Mr. Hemmington’s in. Are you ready?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, standing on my feet. “Ready as I’ll ever be, Ms. Lorina.”
She waves away my comment. “Never mind the formality, Olivia. Call me Lorina, and I shall not feel so old.”
I feel so relax with her, helping me forget that I’m about to face the boss.
She makes her way towards me, an inch shorter than I am. Taking hold of my hands, she gives it a consoling squeeze. “You’ll do great. I’m already looking forward to seeing you around, Olivia.” She beams, making my heart leap with hope.
