"You look new. Lost?" I look behind me and catch eyes with a hella cute guy if I must admit.
Hazel eyes, dark skin and brown curly hair, a blush creeps up my face.
"That obvious?" I chuckle nervously, he gives me a lop-sided smile revealing a barely visible dimple.
"Jared but call me J" He introduces, I smile back at him.
"Rosaleigh but you can call me Rosie, Rosa, Leigh or whatever." I ramble blushing once more.
He laughs at my embarassment, "cute, how about Ro? New nickname to your already long list." He jokes.
I laugh along with him shrugging my shoulders, "Wanna join us?" He asks pointing behind him.
I look over and nod, I follow behind him and slip into a chair next to him, the girl and guy sitting across us smile at me.
"Ro this is Joanna and Kae, this is Rosaleigh." I smile back at them.
Joanna is a cute girl with beautiful blue eyes that contrast with her raven hair and Kae has brown eyes with brown hair.
"So Ro in which department do you work?" Joanna asks.
"Uhm I'm actually Mr Grey's P.A." I say taking a bite of my salad.
"Oh you work for the devil himself, surprised you haven't quit yet." Kae comments.
"He isn't as bad as he y'all make him out to be." I defend, all of them snicker.
"Wait until the late nights," J adds.
"And the snobby clients that are never satisfied." Kae says.
"And don't forget the w***es," Joanna laughs.
I choke on my apple juice and gape at her, "okay enough before she quits on her first day. I work in the finance department as one of his many accountants." J says.
Smart and cute.
"Advertising," Joanna says, then Kae tells me he's in the tech department.
We chat for a few minutes, mostly about me until Kae and Jo engage in their own touchy feely conversation.
I nudge J with my elbow, "are they like...a thing?" I ask, he rolls his eyes shaking his head.
"Don't start, you know how it feels to be a third wheel twenty four seven? They're always like this," he exaggerates.
I giggle and look over at the love doves, "they look cute together."
He wipes away a fake tear, "enough of making me feel guilty about my loveless love life, how about twenty one questions?"
I shrug my shoulders, "shoot."
*~*~*~*
"You're five minutes late." My eyebrows raise at the venom in his tone.
A little extra than normal.
"I apoloize sir," I murmur, he glances up from his papers for a few seconds, glaring at me before looking back down.
"I suggest spending less time flirting with your colleagues and more time doing your job."
Excuse me?
I look him up and down confused but keep my comments to myself, "anything else Mr Grey?" I ask, a little edge to my tone.
"Have you confirmed the dinner date with Killigan?" He asks.
I nod my head, "yes. You'll be meeting him at Lafayette at exactly seven-thirty."
"You'll have to be there to take down some things that should be sent to the times by the end of the night."
I hum taking down the note.
"The event organiser would like to know if you would like the same decor as last year?"
"Did I not ask you to assist him with those details?" He asks.
Actually, you commanded me not asked but anyway...
"Yes sir. Your meeting starts in ten minutes by the way." I remind him.
"Then you have another meeting with Mr Hawthorne at one and back to back meetings with potential clients." I finish off.
He nods his head this time, "Call La Grenouille and cancel the reservation made for tomorrow nine am, then call all the participants of the meeting and reschedule it for another day when they are all free.
Tell Scott to decline the deal of Leicester and accept Newcastle and then tell Jones that I won't be able to go to the meeting, he can reschedule it for when I'm free.
Finally set up a meeting with Barton for June first around ten am, when you're done come back." He commands.
I take down notes humming along, "Which Scott?" I ask.
"New Hampshire."
"And June first your whole day is booked, from your annual charity visits and photoshoots. So should I reschedule either one?"
"Make the meeting any day before Friday." He says, I nod my head then smile at practically no one.
"Anything else?" He pushes a file forward for me to take, I look inside the file and take out the passport and the rest of the documents.
My mouth falls open, how?
"I don't have all day Signora." I snap out of it and head back to my office, still a bit shocked.
*~*~*~*
"Yes sir." I gulp, taking the sticky notes I walk across the hallway to my boss.
"Mr Grey your father is on line one." I inform him placing the sticky notes on his desk.
He presses the end call with no hesitation, I look at him a bit shocked. Considering their last encounter I assume they aren't really on good terms but the fact that he just did that.
Damn, I would do anything to get to talk to my dad without him throwing a fit of coughs every two seconds.
"From now on send no calls to me unless it's my mother or daughter, and sort these out."
He points to a stack of files on the corner of his desk, I grab the first one and skim through it.
"Sir these are financials." I point out.
"Great observation skills, I want you to check for any negative vast differences in profit then report to me." He explains.
I look at him shocked, "Sir I don't do accounting." I point out the obvious.
He glanced up at me for a second, "Your CV says the opposite. Masters degree in accounting? Bachelors in financial advisory? Masters in business. Masters in stock exchange? Are any of those true?" He questions.
"They are Mr Grey but I didn't sign up to be your accountant." I reason.
Mostly because the last time I did this was for my final examination two years ago.
"You didn't sign any contract from me that specifies your occupation in my business, so technically you are obliged whatever it is I ask of you."
"Technically I don't have to do anything for you," the words stumble out of my mouth, I gasp covering my mouth with my hand.
"Then explain why you are here, waiting for my every command."
Cause I need the money that's why, which is kind of irrelevant cause you can get away with not paying me seeing as I signed no contract.
"I apologize and sir?" He raises an eyebrow, "when can I get my contract?" I ask.
"Once you survive two weeks working for me."
I look at him up and down, "meanwhile I must offer my services for free?" I ask.
"You can leave if you'd prefer."
"I'd prefer I get the contract by the end of this business day, if you wouldn't mind." I snap taking the files and moving back to my office.
*~*~*~*
"Everything is in check, nothing but lots and lots of profit." I say leaving the files on his desk.
"You'll be meeting Scott tomorrow after you meet the tailor and these arrived for you to sign." I say leaving some papers on his desk.
"Is that all?" He asks, I hum a 'yes'. He pushes yet another large stack of papers, on top there's sticky note telling me to file them.
I take the stack and make another trip back to my office.
*~*~*~*
"I see he's got you busier than usual." I snicker at the comment and look at my other boss.
"Considering that it's only my second day, I presume it's going to get worse." I retort.
He walks in and takes a seat, "has you writing his speech I see."
I throw the paper in the bin like all the others before, "would be easier if I knew more about this place." I mumble.
"There are some copies of this year's financial statements, you can ask Grey for last year's speech so you can get an idea on what to write about."
"Thanks but I think I'll start with it a week or two before the event." I groan, he lets out a throaty laugh.
"Logical," he winks making me smile.
"Anyway what brings you here Mr Rimini?" I ask, he shakes his head.
"Call me Nic, Mr Rimini is my father and I'd rather not go there."
I blush slightly, "isn't that a bit unprofessional?" I ask hesitantly.
"I prefer that honestly, but if you feel uncomfortable how about Nicholas? No nickname basis?" He offers, hesitantly I nod my head.
"Rosaleigh, it's only fair." I return.
"Rose it is," he grins winking making me laugh.
"Honestly you are a lot different than when I first met you, you were scary and intimidating." Not as Mr Grey.
"I make it my duty to help the interviewees, I know how Grey operates. I was actually shocked that he even decided to hire anyone, he's not so trusting."
I nod my head, "but couldn't you have done that without being so sc-" the telephone cuts me by ringing.
Line one.
I mouth a sorry to Nicholas and answer the call, "Mr Grey?"
"Are you done with the papers?"
"N–"
"Did you get the file from Phil on the twenty second floor?"
"I didn't–"
"I advise you stop flirting and get to work." He threatens and ends the call.
I flinch at his tone, and lean over to glance at the door across the hall.
"Someone is in a bad mood." I mumble, Nicholas snickers.
"Don't worry about him, let me leave you before you get accused of sleeping with a colleague next." He jokes.
I gasp about to throw my heart eraser at him but he gets up and runs out laughing, I shake my head grabbing the last stack of papers and head to my boss's office.
It honestly was so much better when he was in that meeting with Hawthorne. Putting on my fake smile I walk in and head for the fax machine.
"Be quick we have a meeting soon." He informs, I furrow my eyebrows.
"There was nothing scheduled," I point out confused.
"Last minute, with Mayer," I glare at the back of his head sighing and going back to my papers humming 'don't let her go' by Walker Hayes lowly to myself.
*~*~*~*
"And if she ever misses me, please...don't let her, make her feel better. Say something funny say something 'bout the weather, tell her wherever I am, I'm good. And if she think she can love again, she should. Understood?" I sing.
I fax the last of the papers same time Mr Grey stands up, "Let's go," I hum a 'yes' and follow behind him.
We meet Mayer by the thirtieth floor standing by Nic, he smiles at me and I smile back.
"Shall we get this started?" Grey asks, Mayer grins his eyes fleeing to me.
"We shall." He says.
*~*~*~*
"Señorita, get the contract from Phil, twenty second floor and give it to Mayer." Grey commands, I nod standing up along with everyone else and leaving them to be.
I get back and find Mayer alone in the room we were just in, I walk in uncomfortably and hand him the file.
"I'm sure Mr Grey has told you what's in the contract and you have no need for me to explain." I mutter about to leave.
He stands up, "I do need for you to explain something." He interrupts.
I stop facing away from him and sigh but nonetheless turn to him keeping my distance, "yes?"
"Have you considered my offer?" He asks walking closer to me, I take another step back fidgeting.
"I have no reason to." I shoot back.
"We all know you won't survive a week here, so let's make your job easier, by working for me." He smirks backing me up into a wall, his hand going to my waist burning my skin through the material.
I grab his wrist and push his hand back, "I am fine where I am and I'd much rather prefer being unemployed than working for you." I sneer.
His eyes go from lust filled to anger filled just like that, he shakes his hand out of my grip and brings it around my neck bringing me closer to him.
"No one denies me dear, I can pay you much more than he can, I can convince Grey to fire you this very moment and make your life a living hell until you come crawling to me." He threatens tightening his grip on my neck blocking my airway slightly.
I frown staring him down, "let go of me." I grit out, he smirks licking his lips. Painfully he snaps my neck to the side and sniffs me making me cringe.
When I feel the burn of his lips on my neck I grab his arm and bring my knee up to his crown of jewels, he lets go of me doubling over eyes red with anger.
Before he can say anything I stomp my heel on his fancy shoe and elbow him in the face making him stumble back clutching his nose grumbling colourful words.
I spare him no glance but rush out of there and straight for the elevator and go back to my floor.
I pass by Mr Grey's office and hear some murmuring, I walk closer and listen in.
"You shouldn't be doing this to her you know." Nicholas' voice comes, my eyebrows furrow.
"She has much more to worry about than Mayer, Nicholas, we're going to Puerto Rico soon and I have no time to be taking care of someone who can't take care of themselves." Mr Grey retorts making me confused.
"So having her harassed is the solution?" My mouth falls open in horror then closes in anger.
"You and I know that Mayer would never do anyth-" before I could hear more I stomp back to my office and slam the door close.
Angry tears flow down my face ruining my make-up, for the first few minutes I stay there; back against the door silently crying until I decide to fix myself up.
I take out my facial wipes and wipe away all the ruined make-up, leaving my face bare seeing as I'm going home soon.
I catch a glance at my elbow and see a blood stain, I take out my spare shirt and put it on.
Just as I'm buttoning up the shirt the door bursts open making me yelp and covering myself.
"Care to explain why Mayer just left with a broken nose?" My boss asks, I glare at him tightening the hold on my shirt.
His old a** got weak bones.
"Care to let me get dressed first?" I snap turning around and finishing up the buttons, then I turn to him as I tuck in my shirt.
"He's threatening to file assault charges." He scolds, I roll my eyes.
"Let him, what I would like to know is why you hired someone to f**king harass me!" For a second his eyes widen before he pulls back his demeanor.
"And please elaborate as to why I would hire someone to do such?" I cock an eyebrow, my hands on my hips I walk around the desk.
"I don't know, maybe because this is what you do? Or maybe you just don't want me as your assistant for Lord knows why or better yet because 'I have no time to be taking care of someone who can't take care of themselves.' " I quote his earlier statement.
"Clearly we were wrong about that one." A different voice replies, I look over at Nicholas.
I frown shaking my head, "so this is the game you play?" I ask in disbelief.
"Listen Rose, Mayer is the least of your problems. Every article you've read about how Grey's too cruel and commanding and he's OCD thus no one can last are lies, well partially.
We deal with a lot of snobby clients, half the time they hit on the young, smart, beautiful-"
"If you're trying to butter me up, it's not working." I cut in, he gives me a lop-sided smile.
"Point is, they hit on everyone of them and take it too far, many have quit and tried to file any lawsuit but it never really ends well and we have to end up covering everything.
That's why we always prefer taking Tatiana to the meetings because she can handle it. We left you with Mayer to see if you could handle yourself because we don't want any repeats, he is just an amateur at this and we don't want you to experience the worst."
I look at Nic's sincere eyes then to Mr Grey's cold dead ones.
"Do you have anything to say?" I ask, he gives me a look. Well the same look as always but clearly this says something else.
"I'm sorry maybe?" I urge him on, Nic snickers besides him as if saying 'yeah right'.
I cock an eyebrow at Mr Grey, I notice a tinge of amusement in his eyes. "Get ready, we leave at quarter to seven." He says then walks out.
I glare at his retreating back meanwhile Nic is giggling like a five year old, "nice try though. First time someone's asked him to apologize like that." He consoles.
I roll my eyes and plop down in my seat, "well he can't treat people that way." I mumble going through some emails.
Nic takes a seat in front of me, "Rose, look I'll apologize on his behalf, I understand that that wasn't the right way to go about it. But what I said before; I meant, most of our clients aren't great people and you need to know how to handle yourself seeing as you'll be travelling with Grey, you'll need it."
I look at him for a whole second before nodding, "is all forgiven?" He asks his blue eyes gleaming with hope.
"All is expect for the man across here." I grumble, he laughs before standing up and grinning at me.
"Well let me leave you to it," he smiles as he leaves, I sigh going back to the emails.
*~*~*~*
"Do you have all the important notes taken down?" I nod my head humming, he sticks his hand out so I give him the papers.
We remain silent for the rest of the ride, twenty minutes later the car rolls down next to our apartment.
"Thank you for the ride and goodnight," I smile opening the door.
"Señorita?" I turn to him raising a questioning eyebrow, he opens his bag and takes out some papers handing them to me.
Homework? Really?
"I'd like for you to have this signed by tomorrow," he instructs, I glance at them.
Personal assistant contract.
My eyes widen and I gape at him, "I-" am speechless.
His face stays neutral, "and..." Now I notice the mental argument he's having with himself before he sighs softly.
"I'm sorry." My lips tug into a smile.
"For?" I press smirking, he glares at me.
"Don't push it," I smile at him, at least it's something.
"Well thank you sir," he nods bidding me a goodnight. I shut the door close and watch the car drive away before going into the house and get my much deserved rest.
