I was late. Not behind the clock, but late enough to feel uncomfortable.
And Today of all days, it wasn't something I could afford.
"Good morning, miss bella" the receptionist smiled sweetly upon sighting me.
"Morning" i smiled sheepishly at the blonded-haired lady behind the desk... plastering a smile on my face that disappeared the moment i faced the elevator. I adjusted the straps of my bag and took a quick glance at my wrist watch.
7:17 am
"Great, enough time to pretend I'm actually working." i mummered sarcastically under my breath as i watched the elevator door close.
Today wasn't like the rest of the day, i was nervous as hell even than i was willing to admit. The comapny had already been sold to a man named Ethan cole and he was officially stepping in today. His name alone carried weight more than words could. I had no idea how working for him would be like and hoped he wouldn't be a pain in the ass compared to my ex-boss, milan. Everyone knew Ethan cole. A very successful businessman in the country,A strategist and was worth billion of dollars. He had suddenly taken interest in the Axton company when we were having a bad day in the buisness market. He proposed milan a deal that covered all the company's debt so he couldn't really resist. Although i hadn't met him before, so all my knowledge about him were from the news and tabloids.
The door elevator door chimed softly as it reached my floor. The doors slid open revealing a almost empty hallway bathed in morning sunlight. I sighed and stepped out of the elevator.
"Morning bird indeed" mummering to myself.
My heels echoed faintly against the marble floor as I made my way to my desk. Settling my bag down, i began organizing the documents already waiting for me. It had become an habit, something to keep my mind steady when everything else felt uncertain.
But today, My mind couldn't stop racing.
Ethan Cole.
What kind of Man was he really?
The news painted him as cold, calculated and unpredictable. he had never been involved in relationship scandals and if there was anything close to it, he always cleared it up before it escalated into a rumor. He was really someone you shouldn't mess with.
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30 minutes later,
I heard the chime sound and raised my head just in time to see nathy and some other collegues stepping out of the elevator
"Early as usual" nathy said as she walked closer to me .... "trust me i've tried several times to beat you to this but my body just has a mind of its own" she whined.
I snorted. "You've been saying that since forever"
"Hey, well at least I arrived in time before the boss." Nathy whined.
"Yeah, about that. What do you think about him?"
"Well I know for sure that it's a good thing to have a boss that looks so hot as he is." Nathy replied placing her finger on the corner of her lips.
"Nathy be serious, Jeez."
"Fine. Well he's what this company needs. This company would take a huge toll under his lead."
Nathy was the only person i've been close with since the first week i joined this company last two years. we've always got along so well that people practically thought we were besties.
"Yeah you're right."
"And besides you're the one who would do most of his work, so you're going to be needing lots of luck". nathy smiled tapping my shoulders as she returned to her desk.
"I can handle this anyways this has been my job for two years now so what more could there be than there already is?"
All my thoughts stopped abruptly the moment i sighted him.
Walking down the hallway was a tall middle-aged man striding down the hallway like he owned the building. well technically he did. His height probably fell around 6'5.and he was wearing a perfectly custom-made tailored black suit that probably cost more than my wardrobe. Hell it sure did. It clung to his figure highlighting his broad shoulders while his styled hair fell in soft, dark tendrils over his face..
So this is Ethan Cole? God damn....
The greetings from people nearby fell on deaf ears as he walked straight to his office in long strides pausing abrubtly at the door.
He turned sideways to my direction and took a few steps and stood in front of my desk "You're my assistant if i'm not mistaken? he asked casting a questioning glare.
"Yes i am....I'm Bella by name" I replied fully composed or so i thought....a closer look at him and i could see his deep chocolate eyes that held the warmth of a morning brew....his perfectly chiseled jaw highlighted all his features naturally.... i had seen him on Tv but he looked so demeanor in reality like he had just walked out of Times wall magazine.
If this was the taste of the man i'd would be working with, then I'm doomed.
"Bella.....?" he called "were you even listening?..." Ethan asked with an infuriated look
Just great i had fucked it all up by gawking at my boss without shame.
"I'm sorry i got lost for a moment..... if you don't mind could you come again?". i said as I avoided his gaze.
"If you had your focus where it should be, it would be easier to grasps my words. We don't want you wandering off again do we?" he said in a calm voice that had me relunctantly raising my head up to meet his piercing eyes matched with a smirk on his face.
"All meetings that can be handled earlier than 12, move them forward.
And i'll take it that you heard me this time." he said not even waiting for a response as he turned and left, leaving me dazed. It took a few seconds to realise people were also in hall and had witnessed the whole incident.
Nathy coughed slightly trying to grab my attention "what a scene...what do you think?" she asked with curiousity sparked in her face.
"Let's see.... we can't say just yet but working would be just fine" i muttered.
"He looks even better in person."
Bella shot her a look. "Seriously?"
I'm just saying. Nathy grinned. "You were staring."
"I was not."
"Mm-Hmmm"
Bella shook her head and turned back to her desk. To go on with the task at hand.
Well one thing was already clear. Working for him wasn't going to be that simple.
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Today was long day as all the meetings were shifted.Schedules had been adjusted. Everything was moving faster than usual.
Now it was lunch time. Bella had to make Mr Ethan aware of the lunch reservation that she booked for him previously. After double checking everything, she stood up to adjust her dress, sttraightening up her spine as she walked to his office.
Upon knocking, "Come in."
Stepping into his office, i walked over to his desk.
His sat behind the desk.Eyes on his laptop that lifted the moment she entered.
"Sir your lunch reservation has been booked and it will be ready in the next ten minutes" i said with a straight look and managed to keep a professional tone.
"Noted."Ethan replied as he stared at her fully. His gaze assessed her.
"You've had lunch yet?"
Before she could respond her stomach made a growling sound..... flustered, she quickly closed her eyes in embarassment
"So i'll take that as a no" Ethan replied as he stood up and walked accross his desk, standing in front of her.
"Join me for lunch." Ethan said looking down at her.
I was taken by suprise, did he just ask me to have lunch with him? It wasn't really appropriate.Looking down i quickly thought of what to say.
"No i..."
"Eyes up here when talking to me Miss Bella." Ethan said as he raised my chin to eye level with him. "You're my assistant. If I say you should join me, you join me."