Chapter-4 An Invite to the Lunch

Olivia pov 

I softly knocked at the door and went in.

“Yes Sir, you called?” I politely asked. He looked at me as I entered his office.

“Yes Miss Paul, I want you to go to the marketing team and get me an update on the marketing plan for the new book launch." He then resumed his harsh typing over the laptop. His expression was stern and unyielding.

“Okay, sure!” I said. Turned on my heels to run out of the door as quickly as possible. His scowling face intimidates me. My heart starts racing, and my palms slick with sweat.

“Miss Paul?” he called from behind as I was about to walk out of the door. I turned towards him and looked at him, he ran his left hand on his face. I could see the watch in his hand.

“I believe you have something that you want to give me?” He asked with raised eyebrows looking directly with his stern eyes. I looked quizzically at him. He pointed his head at my hands and I immediately looked at them and saw the two files that I came with to give him.

I sheepishly stepped forward and kept the file on the table while muttering a small apology.

“Well, I have to remind you it's just your first day today and you are not doing a very good job. Are you sure you can handle this high-pressure job?” He asked sarcastically. I wanted to smash his head for belittling me every time I made a small mistake.

"I am sorry, but as you mentioned right now that it is my first day, I am adjusting to my new job,”  I said with all the courage I could gather. Hoping he's not writing my termination letter.

He raised his eyebrows. I have noticed he tends to do that a lot.

“That's not the point, Miss Paul. You're not doing everything perfectly any of the time. I need someone I can trust to handle things without making careless mistakes.” He said slightly, raising his voice.

“I'm sorry, sir. I'll try harder.” I said.

“I'm not trying to be hard on you. I just need you to step up your game. This is a high-pressure job, and I need my assistant to be highly efficient.” he said, calming a little.

“Of course I understand.” I politely answered that although I want to hit him, he has a pretty face. Otherwise, I would have done some serious damage to him. He's insulting me like I did a big mistake, I just made some silly mistakes not that I ruined his files or something.

I rushed out and went to the marketing office. I took a deep breath in, inhaling the familiar scent of the office - a mixture of coffee, paper, and electronics. I let the smell fill my senses and bring myself back to reality.

The marketing office was a flurry of activity, with people bustling about and chattering on their phones. The walls were lined with whiteboards covered in diagrams, sketches, and lists of tasks.

As soon as I stepped through the door, I was hit by the energy of the room. People were darting between cubicles, stopping to chat with one another and share ideas. There was a sense of urgency in the air, as though everyone was racing against a deadline.

I looked around to observe a friendly face. 

One woman was furiously scribbling notes on a legal pad, her eyes darting between the whiteboard and her page. I don't think she will talk to me as she was engrossed in her work I turned my head immediately looking for someone else.

At a nearby desk, a man was poring over spreadsheets, muttering to himself as he tried to make sense of the numbers. He looks friendly. I approached him quietly. I faked coughing to get his attention. He turned towards me and smiled at me.

"Hi, how may I help." His British accent came rolling out of him. I looked surprised for a moment as he didn't look British to me but whatever.

He had a tall and lean figure, with broad shoulders and defined muscles that spoke of an active lifestyle. His hair was a light blonde and was combed back in a polished yet effortless style, adding a touch of sophistication to his rugged look.

His eyes had a playful glint that gave away his fun-loving nature. His strong jawline was accentuated by his neatly trimmed beard, and his lips were twisted in a half-smile, hinting at a sense of humor bubbling beneath his composed exterior.

"Yeah Hi, I am Mr. Adam's assistant who sent me to get the update regarding the marketing strategy for the new book launch," I told him. He nodded his head in understanding.

“You must be the new person who just started as Mr. Adams’s assistant. I'm Jack Dean, nice to meet you!” He said with a mischievous smile. He brought his arms forward to shake hands I shook his hand and introduced myself to him.

“I'm Olivia Paul. It's great to meet you too.” I said with a smile, I felt comfortable around him. He was nice and humble.

“So how are you finding everything so far?” He asked.

“It's been good. Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming till now. Thank you for asking” I told him.

“That's great to hear. We like to make sure we make Mr. Adams’s assistant feel comfortable and at home here, So she or he can talk well about us in front of the boss.” He joked and we both laughed.

“That's one way to put it. But on a serious note, I am here for the report file.” I again reminded him or else the giant brute would find another reason to scold me.

He smiled. "Yeah, I finished it up yesterday. You can take it over to the boss for the review.” He said.

"That's great!" I said cheerfully, Jack was a nice friendly guy. It was nice to talk to a smiling face than that brooding man with whom I am stuck to work.

"I gotta run, I hope to see you soon." I bid goodbye.

"Yeah sure, I was wondering if you want to eat lunch with us today, as you are new here so I thought like the nice person I am.  I can't let a beautiful girl like you sit alone." He said in a flirtish manner, it didn't disgust me as it should because his way of flirting looked funny and friendly. Couldn't help but chuckle at his way of asking.

"Sounds good to me." I agreed to his invitation 

"Great! What time will you be free? Will you be free by lunch?" He asked excitedly.

"Hopefully, I don't have much work today so I might be free by lunch," I said. He smiled 

"Perfect. I'll see you then." He said. I hurriedly moved to the lift to go back to Mr. Adams's office.

I am glad I could make friends here.

I reached the boss's office and went in to give him the report.

He was on a call with someone.

He signaled with his two fingers indicating to wait for two minutes. I stood silent while he talked.

I looked around and I realized I have been here before but I didn't look at his office interior. It looked so beautiful. The colors were simple and gave a calming effect to the place. This place screamed Mr. Adams' taste

"Miss Paul, let me see the file." His voice came, startling me from my thoughts. I looked at him and forward the report file. My hands started to tremble. Great! What timing but I tried to be subtle about it. I quickly handed over the file and placed my hands by my side while keeping my left hand in a fist to calm my nerves down.

He went through the file, reading the details. There were forehead lines formed in a frown as he concentrated on the file. Slowly my trembling stopped and I was calm now.

After he was done he looked up in my direction, "Come here so I can show you the overview of the plan that is made for the book launch because now I want you to look at different venues and arrangements,  and book them for the event. Also, make sure it's done by next week." He told me. And I nodded my head and quickly noted down in my notebook so I don't mess up the task.

I stepped forward towards him and bent down to see the laptop where he opened the overview. Being near him made me nervous and caused a slight tremor in my left hand. I quickly hid my hand from his sight, as I didn't want him to notice my hand.

I could smell his strong musk and spicy perfume. Somehow it calmed my nerves but also stirred my desire. I quickly shook the feeling and look at the task at hand.

He scrolled and quickly skimmed the important details regarding the task. As we were done he moved his hand and at the same time I stood straight which caused our hands to touch, it felt electrifying, and we both froze.