Chapter 5

Nia's POV

Who drew who now?

There aren't many things I'm sure of, but one is that Mr. Andrews does not think of me outside of work unless it's planning new ways to torture me. So, I'm sure that I heard David wrong.

Mr. Andrews shouldn't have any problem denying and telling him to shut up and stop talking nonsense so why is he sitting there wide eyed like a deer caught in headlights?

"For real she's the spitting image of the drawing." Darion piped up agreeing.

"Both of you shut up she's not the one from my drawing." Mr. Andrews said glaring them both down. I could see them visibly gulp.

"Now that I'm looking closely, she really does look different." David squeaked out.

Weird.

I decided not to pay attention to it and continue with my work and serving Mr. Andrews. After all there is no reason for my boss to be dreaming about me or drawing me. Like I've said before he has plenty of options and he's made it clear I'm not one.

"Time for both of you to find something to do with your day and life, I need to get back to work. So, leave." my boss insisted nonchalantly.

"But we just got here." David pouted.

"Out." my boss ordered pointing to the door.

They both groaned, dragging themselves off the couch and walking to the door.

"See you again pretty assistant." David called leaving.

"Out David. NOW!" my boss bellowed out clearly annoyed.

As soon as the door to the office closed and they were gone my pulse quickened. I was alone with my boss once again. The thought that he may have drawn me and dreamt of me was stuck in my mind. I knew it was impossible but just imagine if he did, I would probably have something to smile about at work for once.

If someone that hot thought of me then I would die happy right now.

"Please ignore everything they said, especially about that drawing. They mixed you up with someone else and blabbed about something impossible." my boss declared visibly frustrated at having to explain himself.

"I know sir there is no way you would think of me like that. It's impossible." I confessed.

He stared at me with a blank expression seemingly lost in thought before mummering to himself "yeah impossible."

This was not what I was expecting when I walked into the office this morning and he wasn't there.

The rest of the day went by fast, thank you very much. I did all my work and edited my presentation and made Mr. Andrews about four cups of coffee.

His coffee consumption is worrying and I'm not just saying that cause I have to be the one to make it.

Once work was done and I was sent home I bolted out the door and was home in the blink of an eye.

"You're supposed to find out about the winner for the competition tomorrow, right?" Claire asked as we watched a movie.

I simply hummed and nodded my head, focusing on the movie more than our conversation.

"Great and since you're gonna win how about we plan ahead. Since you'll be getting an entire week off how about we go to this resort? I've been wanting to go for the longest while, but I was waiting until you were free, but I couldn't ask you to take off when you've just started working."

The word resort completely stole my attention from the movie.

"A week where I don't have to do anything and just have fun. Count me in. But first I have to win." I reminded her.

"I know, I know but you'll definitely win so I packed your bag already." she bragged.

I laughed, not even surprised. This is my best friend after all.

My sleep that night was peaceful, and I woke up the next day refreshed and ready for work.

I was hoping that I did win the competition. I mean even if I just started working here, the week off wouldn't be me taking time off, it would be me getting time off.

The office was so busy with people rushing around setting equipment up and getting things together at the last minute for the meeting/competition.

"Welcome everyone. I don't have time to waste on a speech so let's begin with each person who's presenting please have your materials ready and at the end, the board will vote for the best idea and the winner will be announced." my boss said standing in front of the room.

Everyone nodded in understanding and soon the presentations were being made.

I was going to go last of course. I didn't have the confidence to go first. After all I need to see what I was up against before I made a fool myself.

So far, the ideas presented were pretty good, but most entailed spending a lot of money to earn it back. It would bring in more customers, yes, but at the cost of a lot of the company's money being spent. 

Then it was my time to present, I spoke confidently and only mentioned the key points while, also leaving room for improvements that we could work around in case anything happened during planning and preparations, like my boss had advised this morning before the meeting.

I was surprised he called me this morning to give me a 'pep talk.' If I could call it that, his reason for telling me this 'is to ensure his assistant doesn't embarrass him', his words not mine.

Once I was done, I quickly rushed from the front of the room and found myself back to Mr. Andrews' side until he had to go with the board to do the voting and I waited outside with Martha who gushed over how well I did.

I felt proud and more confident that I would win this and possibly be able to go to the resort with Claire. I could tell she was looking forward to it and seemed so giddy. I would feel so bad if I let her down and I refused to.

All the participants sat there worried and nervous until the board came out, led by Mr. Andrews.

Mr. Andrews took his place in front of the room.

"Without wasting anytime, the winner is Nia Richardson." he announced.

It took me a while to realize my name was called until Martha hugged me. My body refused to move, and my mind went blank.

"Wait, why don't I get it. How was her idea better than mine." one of the participants asked offended. She turned to look at me glaring. "Is it because she's the boss' assistant?" she accused.

Now that was like an on switch for me. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Mr. Andrews beat me to it.

Mr. Andrews looked at her and smirked. "Penelope Green, right?" he asked. "Your entire idea was based on the point of the company spending a lot of money to earn it back. Which means if this doesn't work then the company is at a loss. And most of the participants' ideas contained this flaw." He continued not waiting for her to answer.

His smirk fell and his entire demeanor changed once he finished that statement. His eyes hardened and jaw clenched. He was now walking towards her, causing her to shrink within herself.

"Now to make something clear. I don't need to explain myself to anyone and surely not about what I let happen in MY company Ms. Green." he said staring her down until I could see her visibly gulp. Everyone that was standing close was now trying to get as far away from them but stayed close enough to hear every word.

That shouldn't have been hard though since the entire place was so quiet you could hear a pin fall.

"But you made me have to do that today which makes me feel disrespected. If you want a win, you earn it. Clearly you don't see your flaws and I refuse to have someone who can't learn from their mistakes and ask "where did I go wrong" rather than "why are they better than me" in my company. I will not have you questioning me or the person who belongs to me. She is my assistant and for a reason. She earned that position and will continue to do so. But to protect her mentality and ensure she works in a safe environment and you being here doesn't make me feel like that would be possible."  he explained through clenched teeth.

He took a step closer to her and bent down now face to face with her. "And I need to protect what's mine. So, get out your fired."