Chapter Three: Pretty, Rich and Out of His Mind

Nara's POV

I walked out of the conference room with the job offer in my hand and my head spinning.

The woman had introduced herself as Linda and the guy, John. “You start tomorrow at eight,” Linda said. “Mr. Blackwood will actually be in the office for a short while, so you’ll get to meet him then.”

I blinked. “Wait… that’s it? No second interview?”

John shrugged with an embarrassed smile. “We're desperate. The last assistant lasted nine days, but you seem tough enough. Sign the papers and you’re in.”

I nodded, still trying to process everything. I signed everything they put in front of me. The salary made my eyes go wide as it was more than what I expected, plus health insurance and a monthly transport allowance if I needed it

Sweet.

I spent the next hour in onboarding and for the first time since Jake dropped his bomb this morning, I felt like I could breathe.

But then came the weird part.

“So… when do I meet Mr. Blackwood?” I asked.

Linda glanced at her colleague before answering. “He’s currently busy today. But do take note that he works from home most days. As we mentioned earlier, he's a very private man.”

I frowned. “Does that mean I’ll be going to his house sometimes?”

Both of them spoke at the same time. “No,” They said quickly.

“Absolutely not,” John added. “No one goes to his house, like ever. That’s rule number one.”

I crossed my arms. “Then how am I supposed to assist him if I never see him?”

Linda leaned back in her chair. “Most of the work is online. You would deal with emails, schedules and reports. He sends instructions through the system. The previous assistants barely saw him in person. Some of them went weeks without a face-to-face meeting. Just… be available when he needs you. He’ll come in again tomorrow, so you’ll get to meet him then.”

This job sounded strange as hell, but it wasn't illegal and the money was real. I had bills to pay for in the hospital, Tyler’s next tuition payment was due in two weeks, and I had three weeks to get my stuff out of Jake’s apartment. I couldn’t be picky.

I smiled on the outside, but inside I was thinking, I studied tech and data systems. I wanted to build things. Instead I’m babysitting a rich ghost who seems like a recluse.

Still, money was money and I couldn’t afford to be proud right now.

By the time I left the twenty-third floor, the building was emptying out. My feet were killing me in these heels. I just wanted to get to the main lobby, go home, ignore Jake, and sleep so I could survive tomorrow.

I stepped into the elevator area, tired and distracted. There were two elevators, the normal one and a fancy private one on the side with a small sign that said “Executive Only.” In my rush, I pressed the wrong button and walked straight toward the private one. The doors were just sliding open so I stepped inside without thinking.

A tall man in a black coat was already standing there. The second our eyes met, his face changed and his intense blue eyes went wide with pure panic.

He slammed his gloved hand on the close button hard. “Get out!”

The doors started closing, but I was already halfway in. Without thinking, I shoved my leg between the doors and they bounced back open.

“Excuse me?” I said, stepping fully inside. “This elevator was open. I’m going down like everyone else.”

“Get. Out.” His voice was low and sharp as he pressed himself against the far wall like I had a gun. “Now. This is a private elevator.”

I stared at him and it seemed like he was terrified of me. Me.

5'6 lil old me.

“Too bad,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’m already in, so you can share an elevator for thirty seconds like a normal person.”

He looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

His breathing got faster and he kept staring at my hands, my arms and any part of me that he felt might get close. “I said get out! This is my elevator. Leave!”

I laughed in disbelief, then the doors closed and the elevator started moving down. We were stuck together now.

“Wow. You’re crazy, you know that?” I looked him up and down. He was ridiculously handsome with a sharp jaw, nice hair and expensive clothes. He was even putting on gloves for crying out loud. But he was clearly out of his mind. “Too bad you’re crazy, because you’re actually really handsome. What a waste.”

His back hit the wall completely. “You don’t understand. Stay on your side and don’t come any closer.”

“I’m not even moving toward you!” I threw my hands up. “What is your problem? Did someone break your brain? I’m just a girl trying to go home after the longest day of my life. First my boyfriend cheats and kicks me out, then I get a weird job, and now some rich pretty boy is screaming at me like I’m a monster. Today sucks as hell.”

He didn’t answer me, his eyes were just locked on the floor numbers dropping, sweat on his forehead as he completely ignored me. God, he was treating me like I had some sort of airborne disease.

I shook my head. “You know what? Fuck this. And fuck you too. I hope whatever crawled up your ass today stays there forever.”

The elevator dinged on the ground floor. The second the doors opened, I stormed out, my heels clicking loud on the marble. I didn’t look back, my heart was racing with anger and confusion.

Who the hell acts like that over sharing an elevator?

I kicked off my heels as soon as I got outside, stuffed them in my bag, and walked to the bus stop in my stockings. The cold ground felt good against my hot temper and on the ride home, I kept replaying the moment in my head, the way he panicked and the disgusted way he looked at me like I was dangerous or disease ridden.

Weird rich people.

When I got back to the apartment, Jake was still on the couch playing his game. I walked straight past him without a word and went to my room. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me angry.

I changed into my sweatpants and a big t-shirt, then called Tyler.

“Hey big sis,” he answered. “How did the interview go?”

“I got the job,” I told him, smiling even though he couldn’t see it. “Starts tomorrow and the pay is really good. I’ll send money for your books this weekend, okay?”

“You’re a lifesaver. Like for real.”

We talked for a few minutes about his classes and along the line his voice made the day feel a little lighter. After we hung up, I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow I would meet the mysterious Keegan Blackwood.

He was a billionaire and owner of half of the city’s tech companies. People feared and respected him, but nobody really knew him as nobody saw him. He was truly a man with rules and secrets.

I hoped he wasn’t as crazy as that guy in the elevator, though.

My phone buzzed with a new email and I opened it lazily.

From: HR – Keegan Blackwood Executive Office

Subject: Welcome – First Day Instructions

Miss Quinn,

Mr. Blackwood has reviewed your file and confirmed your start. Please report directly to the executive floor at 8:00 AM. He will personally brief you.

Do not be late.

I closed the email and smiled to myself. At least I had a job.

I couldn't wait to see what tomorrow had in store for me.