Chapter 2 - The CEO

*Mia Taylen Gideon's POV*

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Cold sweats began to drip my forehead as I am waiting for the elevator to take me to the floor below the top floor. I just feel so nervous but I don't know if why. I think I am not late because Aunt Josie told me that eight sharp in the morning is the time in and four pm is the out, and it's still seven-forty-two.

Then, I took a deep breath as the door finally opened, and I stepped out to head in the direction that the copy of the building directory in my hold is pointing me.

"Hi, good morning, Ma'am! Are you the new PA?" A man in uniform with his mop in hand asked me curiously, and I nodded my head.

"Hello! Good day, too! Mr... Mr. Torres, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Mia Gideon." I greeted back the man with my cheerful mood as I read his ID, and he smiled warmly as he shook my hand.

"Is... Umm, is Mr. Craig Einar in his office?" I asked him as I point in the direction of the room that is about five meters away from the table that seems to be the secretary's space.

"Oh, yes. He is. He is always early, Ms. Mia. And, if you want to know more about this place or him, you can ask his secretary or the assistant secretary to tour you. But, both are still not here. They usually arrive ten minutes before eight. But you can go inside already." He answered, and it's so nice of him to answer more than what I asked.

Well, I only knew a few details about Craig Einar, and according to my aunt who resigned, last two days ago, he is charming, kind, and nice. I just hope that it is true.

"Okay, thank you so much, Mr. Torres. Maybe I'll just get inside." I replied, and I bid him goodbye as I walk to the office where I would spend most of my working time in.

I inhaled deeply as I stand in front of the huge door, and I contemplated whether I'll knock or knock. But... It's glass. I don't want to get inside directly because I don't know if what is in there or if am I welcome to step in.

So, I finally took all my courage to knock on the door, but then, it doesn't make a sound. How is he supposed to hear me knocking out here? Hmm.

Then, I tried knocking again even if my knuckles hurt. And, I leaned over my left ear on the cold hard door to listen to the commotion inside, but there is nothing.

Should I just wait for the secretaries to arrive? But the lobby lady told me that Mr. Einar has been waiting for me in his office. Maybe I should just get inside.

As I contemplated again to just push the door open or not, something lit on the wall at my right near the door that looks like a small monitor.

"Get in." I read the words that flashed, and I think it's a message from my boss. Thankfully! My biggest burden right now has been lessened.

And, I faced the door again, and I heard a click. Maybe it is being unlocked. Damn, this is getting more suspenseful. It's not my first time working for someone but this is my first time to be working with someone that has a very high position in a huge company. I think this is gonna be a good headstart to my working life.

When I have finally stepped inside the enormous room that looks so damn luxurious, I roamed my eyes around to find the CEO's space in which I should go to him first.

I wandered inside the place, and my gaze stopped on the artworks on the walls and they surely are so beautiful, which mostly are abstracts and landscapes. I wonder if the one who painted and sketched all of those is him. He's such a gifted man, if so.

Then, I turned right where there are couches and I finally saw a portion near the glass wall and a bookshelf on its right that possibly is Mr. Einar's working space. But, no one is around. Hmm, where could that creature be?

And, my eyes went to the area that is about three meters right from the boss', and it could be mine. Damn, it's pretty much cooler than what I imagined.

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Another minute passed, but I still don't see any signs of the man who told me to get inside. It's still ten minutes before eight anyway. Well, maybe he is in his quarter, and I wouldn't dare knock. I'm fine waiting here on the couch.

As I kept myself busy familiarizing the building directory in my hold, I heard a bell sound like an elevator just stopped, and I lift my head to see that the bookshelf moved. Then, there, walked out a raven-haired man that wears a stern face in a dark-gray business suit. Wow, a secret personal elevator! Of course!

Then, I stood up quickly to greet him and show my respect. Well, what I learned from working with different kinds of jobs and working with bosses, you need to be as nice as you can be, and be submissive always if you don't want to get fired.

"Good morning, Mr. Craig Einar! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. And, I---" I began while I went near him, and he cut me off as he walked to his table.

"You must be Maia Gibson. New PA, new face, new adjustments to make. And... I hope Josie got the right person for this job. Have a seat." He stated with his tone seemed dismayed by my presence, and he told me to sit on the chair fronting his table.

Then, he took out his phone from his pocket and sat down. Well, you have no choice, Mister. I, too, will have some adjustments to make.

"It's Mia Gideon, sir. And, thank you so much for---" I corrected him, and he cut me off again. Hmm. That's two.

"Why? What did I say?" He asked as he placed both his feet on the table and crossed it, then, he turned his stern gaze on me while he got his phone in his left hand and spinning it. That's not so nice of him. Is he trying to be intimidating? Or... rude? Maybe he's trying to be a jerk. Or, he really could be one.

"No, nothing, sir. Well, umm... My aunt has oriented me with this position being your PA, Mr. Einar. And, I have lots of working experience. It's there on my resume that I emailed you and she gave---" I replied, and he seems to have fun in cutting me off, while I try to hold my temper low as much as possible. I can handle this.

"Who is your aunt? Do I know her? Do you know if who is my aunt? We are not talking about people without their names here, because you could be referring to your aunt who could be living in Antarctica or lives under the sea. How many aunts do you have? Me, I have one on my father's side and three on my mother's. But, they all have names. Does yours has?" He uttered with complete fact, but it sounds so fucking rude to me.

I thought he is kind, nice, and charming? Which side of him are those? Auntie must have lied to me.

And, I cleared my throat to admit my mistake. I need to.

"Umm... I apologize, sir. My aunt who recommended me for this job is Josephine Gideon-Dallas, and she has acquainted me with what my job here could be." I stated politely while holding myself not to sound disrespectful. Damn, this is my first day, and I don't want to get fired immediately.

"Which are...?" He asked like he wants to get the best out of me as he puts down his phone on the table, and he went to sit properly while his hands were clasped in front of him.

"Uh... Management of communication; compose and edit letters, documents, emails, proposals, and make replies; assist in the management of your calendar in schedules for meetings, daily activities, running errands; and... Umm, manage and coordinate for your travels in both business and personal arrangements. Then, answer calls, go in meetings with you, and be familiar with---" I enumerated with the best that I could remember, and he cut me off for the fourth time, today. Keep your cool for this time, Mia, and you might need to multiply it by ten thousand by the time you spend here.

"In short, you are gonna do what I say. Every single thing I tell you to do. Can you do that, Maia?" He uttered, and asked me but not with my name. I thought he is a perfectionist? Didn't he hear me? Or, he hasn't read any emails from me or my hardcopy resume? Well, either way, I won't correct him again.

"Yes, Mr. Einar, because this is what I applied for. And, I look forward to working with you. I'd do my best to please you with my performance. Just tell me if there is anything else I could do for you." I answered, and I flinched as he suddenly chuckled amusingly. What's wrong with what I have said?

And, after he has composed himself, he cleared his throat and moistened his lips as it slowly formed into a smirk on his newly shaved face.

"Anything, huh? Of course! There will be a lot else that I want you to do for me. Just make sure that you won't disobey me or disappoint me. You wouldn't wanna see me in that state, Maia. Just do your job, and I surely could please and satisfy you, too." He uttered while chuckling and in different tones of voices that made me gulp as I could feel like his statement has a lot of meanings behind it. What does he really mean? 

"Yes, sir. I will." I answered, and he nodded his head lightly while looking at me in the eyes intently. But, I can't hold eye contact with him. I don't wanna be rude.

"Okay. So... Here is the contract, and we need to sign. Put in mind that I could still fire you. But if I won't, you have one year, and you can decide to whether renew if I will be satisfied with your performance, or you would find another job. And, in Josie's case, she chose the latter after renewing five times. Three for me and being my father's PA for two times, because there's a greener pasture that she needs to be. And, here you are. I expect some unexpected things from you. And... I hate latecomers. You should be down in the lobby even before I arrive. Well, most of the things you need to know are here. Read it before you sign it, and you can start with making acknowledgment responses to the emails on that computer in your area that are sent to the company's email address. Also, sort those documents on your tabletop, that I need to sign depending on what department they are from. Then, make a letter to inform the Board of Directors about the meeting to be held tomorrow, and give it to my secretary to reproduce and distribute after I sign it. Notice those post-it notes on the side of your computer screen. And, you have two hours to get it done. Finally, buy my coffee by ten o'clock at the Norman's Cafe. And, you can have your fifteen minutes break. Just read the employees handbook if you have other more concerns." He stated as he handed me a folder, while I just nodded my head in agreement to all he uttered. And, I bet that it's more than a hundred words.

This is just so effin' great! A bossy, perfectionist, arrogant, and a bit of a jerk for a boss... I'm gonna be enjoying this for sure. Damn!