Chapter 4

Nia's POV

I've never thought of murdering someone before mainly because I am more aware of the fact that I don't have it in me to take someone's life and I surely won't survive in prison. And I know I would get caught, for one I'd probably do a sucky job and it would be messy. But I know Claire would most definitely help me hide the body well, she's just that brutal.

But here I am staring at my boss thinking of how the world would be a better place if he didn't exist.

"In that case can I simply order something to eat if you don't mind sir." I inquired.

"I don't mind, you're already aware of what smell I don't want in my office so of course you can." he answered seemingly uninterested.

What did I do to deserve this? Why is he such a jerk? I don't get it. Can’t he be nice and put himself in other’s shoes and realize that what he’s doing is torturing the people around him? Of course, he won't ever care enough to give anyone the time of day to think about how they feel.

But since I can't go home, I decided to make myself comfortable and start working on my idea. I need to do this and win, maybe I can get that paid week off and forget about my annoying boss for a while.

On the bright side though, this enables me to use both of my degrees. I can do business that involves fashion and have fun.

This alone doesn't make me feel better, but food may help.

I grabbed my phone and turned to my boss. "Does sushi sound good or will the smell affect you also?" I asked.

"Sushi's fine." he replied.

I searched for the closet restaurant that sells sushi and placed an order.

I sat down and started to brainstorm some ideas while waiting for my food to arrive.  After fifteen minutes I got a call from the restaurant telling me someone was downstairs with my order. I've never moved so fast, that food was my heaven in hell right now.

I thanked the delivery man and gave him the payment and rushed back to the office to start eating.

When I got there, I realized it was late. I haven't seen Mr. Andrews eat anything for the entire day. I hardly ever see him eat at all.

"Get me a cup of coffee." he said startling me from my train of thought.

I don't know where my sudden bravery came from as I opened my mouth and proceeded to say the word, I never thought I would ever say to my boss. "No."

My life flashed before my eyes when he slowly turned his head and stared at me.

"No?" he repeated as if the word was poison.

"Before you fire me let me finish. You've been drinking coffee the entire morning so right now how about food. I brought enough sushi for two. I mean technically I didn't buy the second serving for, but you need it more than Claire does I'm sure she's pigging out now." I explained.

I walked over to his desk and set the food in front of him. His eyes darted to the food for a quick second and then back to me. He opened his mouth and then closed it. Just like I always do around him he settled for a nod and grabbed the food.

I smiled at my accomplishment and made my way back to my desk. That was not at all how I imagined that going. I thought he was gonna yell or do something to put me in my place. Or you know tell me he didn't ask for it and to just do as he told me and get him some coffee you know the typical scary boss stuff. But his reaction was better, a thank you would have been great though.

I started on my project until I heard my boss clear his throat, I looked up scared he was choking on food I gave him but instead he was already staring at me, and not choking.

"Come here." he ordered.

Oh God being nice did me no good he was still gonna give me more work.

"I'm not giving you more work so get that scared look off your face come here so I can hear what you've come up with so far and I can give you, my opinion." he insisted.

I nodded, confused, and walked over to his desk with my book in hand.

"So far I've only come up with these ideas I was thinking of having two events how about a VIP event where we invite our most loyal customers and have a point give away so they can receive points that enables access to events or new merchandise and a raffle give away where people can send in pictures or videos with outfits they styled using clothes from our brand and the best one gets a price. Which you of course can decide on." I said, getting a burst of confidence sharing my ideas.

Mr. Andrews kept his eyes on me for a minute, making me shift from one foot to the other. His stare was only taking away all the confidence from within me and making me feel like a kid.

"You thought of all that just now?" he asked.

"Yes." I squeaked out.

"I'm impressed." he praised.

It felt like the weight on my shoulder was finally gone.

"Make a presentation and finish it quickly, I don't want this distracting you from your work." he ordered.

I nodded and scurried to my desk having a newfound sense of energy and was already typing away at a speed I didn't even know that my fingers could go.

I ate as I worked and so did my boss. I was pretty darn happy about being nice to him now.

Sadly, being nice didn't get me sent home early, but I did finish my presentation for the competition and all my work for the day.

I walked into the office the next day in between tired and well rested. It's weird but I've come to find out my life being weird is my new normal since I started working here.

I got to the office and knocked but no one answered so I tried again, and once again no one answered. The first thing that came to mind was that my boss was getting it down in there and I was not ready to be traumatized again. But then I stopped to think there's no way he would do that, I didn't have the day off so he knew I would be coming here he wouldn't do that. I know it may sound weird but he's a lot more responsible than that.

So, following instincts which I hope won't get me in trouble I pushed the door open and walked right in only to be met with an empty office, he most definitely was not here.

It was weird but I figured he would have a good reason, so I simply walked to my desk and started on my work.  Until I saw a sticky note on my desk.

'I want my coffee on my desk before I get back at 12.'

Oh God I didn't even see that. When I checked the time, it was 11:57 and time for me to rush. I was up and running to the coffee machine and getting to work.

It was a good thing I brought lunch today.

Thank God he's not the fancy type. His order is easy black, that's all. So, getting it on his desk at 12 was simple and on time as he stepped into his office at exactly 12.

But he was not alone. There were two guys with him, and they were all laughing. I stood stuck in my position beside his desk.

He looked at me with a raised brow.

"Umm... the coffee." I stated hoping that was enough of an explanation.

He nodded while his friends stopped talking and were now looking at me.

"Ohhh finally got a new assistant she's cuter than the last." The first one said. He was tall, around 6'2 with wide shoulders and muscles that you could see printed through his turtleneck shirt. His brown eyes held mischief and his smile showed a straight set of white teeth. His brown hair was slicked back and fit him perfectly showing off his high cheek bones.

"Shut up Darion," the second one said. He walked towards me and held his hand out. "Hi, I'm David." he introduced himself. I took his hand and shook it. He was the same height as who I now know as Darion. He had green eyes and a dimple on his left cheek. He was more on the small side compared to his two friends. His blond hair was long and up in a man bun.

Now that I was seeing Mr. Andrews around other people his age, I realized how attractive he was. His blue orbs with those green specks could be recognized from across the room. He was taller than his friends, standing at what seemed to be 6'5' and the dimples which stayed hidden due to his lack of smiles were finally making an appearance. His broad shoulders screamed 'I work out' if his six packs weren't something to go off. His dark hair, which could easily blend into the night, was slick back and that stubborn strand was once again tempting me to push it back and away from his perfectly sculpted face. And those full lips that were now moist from him licking them.

God what's wrong with me.

'Nia." I replied.

He looked at me and smiled before his smile slowly slipped. He squinted his eyes at me, and a look of recognition flashed across his face.

"Have we met before you look familiar?" he asked.

"Oh, come on David that was a weak pick-up line." Darion interrupted.

"Once again shut up Darion." David replied annoyed. "You're the only one who hits on his best friend's assistants." he finished.

Darion feigned a look of hurt. "It's not my fault they're hot."

My boss, who was quiet throughout the whole thing, finally spoke up. "Shut up both of you neither of you know her so leave her alone so she can work and Darion not this one." he said sternly.

They both nodded looking like children scolded by their parents which was quite funny to witness.

"Ms. Richardson back to work." my boss insisted.

I nodded and made my way back to my desk and started working again.

The three made their way to the couch, sitting down making themselves comfortable with Mr. Andrews drinking his coffee.

I could still feel David's eyes staring but was too scared to look.

Until I heard him snap his fingers.

"Now I remember where I've seen her." he blurted.

"David-" Mr. Andrews started. "Don't you-" he continued.

"She's the girl that you drew from your dream Mason." David interrupted, turning to point at my boss.

Who drew who now?