Not even two minutes...

Lilly

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Storm! I will clean it up immediately!” I rush out as the coffee slowly makes its way across his desk and over the documents I just printed out for him. I can feel tears burn behind my eyelids.

“I will take care of this, Miss Gaard!” He presses out between gritted teeth. “You just print the documents again and get me a new cup of coffee.”

“Yes, yes. Of course, Mr. Storm!” I hurry out of his office to print out the documents, again. He needs them first thing tomorrow morning for an important meeting. This was not the first time things like this had happened. It’s not even the first mistake for today. I make mistakes and cause disaster several times every day. It did not start out like this when I first started here at Strom corp. But then I was only a junior assistant.

Then I got lucky! Or should I say unlucky. Mr. Storms PA got hit by a car and was admitted to the hospital. He will not recover for several months, if ever. That day I happened to stand right next to Barbra (she organizes just about everything here) at just the right, or wrong, moment when Mr. Storm needed someone to print out some documents, arrange his schedule and attend a meeting.

Barbra suggested me, since I was there and Mr. Storm thought that it would be fine. I had been working there for three weeks by then and I had done a good job. Sure it was easy things like printing and collecting and all that, but until he had a new PA he could do with me, as he so kindly expressed it. I was happy with the temporary promotion, and the extra cash it would bring. I knew that I was good at taking notes and arranging meetings and such things.

Right now I think he regrets his decision. I know I regret ever being happy about it. I’m on my fourth week as his PA now. The first one went pretty good. But then it all went downhill. Every time something is not perfect he gets angry and I am not that good at handling his temper, or anyone else's for that matter. I get nervous and that results in mistakes which causes more anger and me getting more nervous and so forth.

So far I have poured hot coffee on his crotch, twice. I have sent flowers to the wrong woman. The one I sent it to he had broken off with six months ago because she was too clingy. Mr. Storm had to call security to physically remove her from his lap. Then I returned from the dry cleaners with the wrong clothes. I tried to say that it could not be blamed on me but my complaint fell on deaf ears.

Those are only the worst things that have happened. Spilling coffee on his desk or floor, or messing up his papers, breaking and misplacing things happens daily.

I tried to talk to Barbra that she should find someone else to take over but to no avail. The other two junior assistants had been snatched up by some other executives and the senior assistants were too busy to take over Mr. Storm. In reality they just don’t want the position. Mr. Storm is a monster. A control freak with temper tantrums as a two year old. Barbra said that they have had three interviews for the PA position but Mr. Storm has refused all of them.

As I stand by the printer, sniffling to myself and doing my best to stop the tears from falling, Barbra comes by.

“Oh dear. What have you done now?” She says with pity in her voice. See, even Barbra knows that it’s all my fault.

“I spilled coffee all over his desk and the documents for tomorrow's meeting.” A loud sob escapes and Barbra puts her arms around me.

“There, there. Nothing to cry about. You are already fixing your mistake.” She says as she comforts me.

“Mr. Storm was very upset with me. I think he hates me!” I cry into her shoulder.

“No. Of course he doesn’t hate you, Lilly. He just has a bad temper. Especially when things don't go as he plans. Just shake it off, take a deep breath and start over.” She smiles up at me. Barbra is a little on the short side with her 5’1 and I on the other hand are 5’8, so I tower over her quite a bit.

“It’s not that easy. I do everything wrong. I’m so nervous that I’m gonna make a mistake, that they happen every time I’m near Mr. Storm.” I dry my tears and clear my throat. “Are you having any luck with recruiting a new PA?”

“Sorry but no. Mr. Storm has declined yet another one. Miss Sanders certainly would have done a good job as his PA. She had all qualifications and experience. A real beauty as well. But no! He was not pleased.” Barbra shakes her head, confused over the CEO and his whims. “I’m starting to think Mr. Storm isn’t interested in a new PA.” She gives me a pointed glance.

“But we still don't know when Mr. Jacobs will be well enough to return.” I gasp. “How will he do without a PA until then?”

Barbra smirks up at me like she knows something I don’t. “I’m sure everything will be sorted out eventually.” She pat’s my shoulder. “It seems the documents are ready. I think it is best that you return with them as soon as possible.”

I hastily collect the documents and then stop by the cafeteria to pick up a new cup of coffee for Mr. Storm. This time I have to make sure not to spill anything, or make any other mistake.

When I enter his office I can smell the thick scent of the coffee I spilled earlier. “Here are the documents Mr. Storm. And a new cup of coffee.” I take extra care to not spill his coffee this time and when I have placed it safely on the desk and look up at him, I see him intently eying the cup as if it would spill on its own. “Is there something more you need?” I give him a shaky smile.

“Yes.” He says slowly as his brilliant blue eyes leave the cup to meet with mine. And my smile almost falters completely before I remember to keep it plastered on my lips. “The next time you make a mistake, Miss Gaard, you will receive a punishment.” He says as if he was speaking to a child. He must be joking, right? But there is no trace of humor on his face. 

I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. “A punishment, sir?”

“Yes. A punishment.” His eyes are locked on mine and for some strange reason I can’t find the will or strength to avert my eyes, even if I feel that I want to.

“What do you mean? I do not understand.”

“I mean that if you spill coffee, break something, misplace something or do any other mistake you usually do, you will get punished.” His voice is low and calm. A shiver runs down my spine and goes straight to my stomach that clenches with worry and anticipation.

“Wha…” My voice breaks and I clear it and try again. “What kind of punishment?”

A leer creeps up on his lips, making his eyes gleam with something mischievous. “I am sure you will find out soon enough.” I visibly gulp at that and bite my lip. His eyes flick down to observe as my lip slowly makes its way out from its captivity between my teeth. “That will be all, Miss Gaard.”

I nod and move to take a step back, but as I place my foot down I place it on a crease in the carpet and lose my balance. I throw my arms out to catch myself but I fall flat on my butt. My arm on the other hand caught the empty coffee mug that sat on the corner of the desk. In slow motion I watch the cup as it falls to the floor and shattered into a million pieces. I sit on the floor staring at the shattered cup with disbelief until I hear Mr. Storm sigh.

“Not even two minutes...” I glance over the top of the desk and meet his eyes. They do not look especially disappointed and definitely not angry. Instead they are filled with anticipation. “Get up, Miss Gaard.” I warily stand up and glance at Mr. Storm. “Close the door and lock it. Then go to the back of the couch.”