CEO’s Request
Chapter 1
Starting a new job was just as overwhelming as getting my life back together. Well, I’d never had my life together before so that’s not right. Being someone’s gopher wasn’t exactly my number one career choice, but it was better than being a waitress or working at a fast food joint. Plus the pay was outrageous. I’d never heard of a secretary getting paid as much as I was going to. It was a good thing because I still had some major bills to pay off, and I needed to prove to Ryan I was worthy of him.
His mother already hated me. She looked at me like I was lower class. I was, but that wasn’t the point. Ryan and I had been dating for a few months now. He was a Mama’s boy therefore after the third date he took me home to meet the family. Needless to say I was surprised. He was rich, like filthy rich and handsome. God, I didn’t understand what he saw in me, but I wasn’t about to give him up. I probably only had a limited of time with him, and I was going to take advantage. It wasn’t often the poor girl from the street got the guy.
“Miss Turner?”
My eyes shot from the floor to the sound of the deepest voice I’d heard. When I saw the man who was my new boss I gulped. He wasn’t what I’d been expecting, and as his green eyes pierced my dark brown ones I stood and did my best to pretend I wasn’t a mess. My legs wobbled as I made my way over to him, and I smiled grateful I had decided to wear flats. I knew heel weren’t my thing.
I stood still as he looked me over and smirked before gesturing for me to follow him. The hairs on my neck stood. What was funny about me? I looked professional. I straightened my shoulders and followed behind him like I belonged, because dammit I did.
“It gets busy around here pretty fast Miss Turner, I certainly hope you pick up instructions fast. I don’t have time to baby you all day.”
I gritted my teeth. So this was how it was going to be. “I think I can handle it.”
He stopped moving so fast I didn’t have time to slow my angry pace before slamming into his back. A wall of muscles. I yelped and his hand shot out and caught my arm before I fell to the ground. The moment his hand wrapped around my bare arm I gasped from his touch. Our eyes met, and for a moment I thought I saw something—nice about him. Until he opened his beautiful mouth and glared at me like I was the one who caused the problem. He’s the one who stopped walking abruptly.
“Watch where you’re going you’re liable to hurt someone.”
Ouch. I yanked my arm from his and held back my retort. I couldn’t lose the job before I started. “Yes, sir I apologize.” I did my best to hold back any sarcasm.
The bit of humor in his eyes told me I’d failed. “Very well, now let’s go before I lose even more time to baby you.”
Wow this dude was a douche. Part of hiring someone new was to train them or so I thought. Hell he wasn’t even training me all he did was lead me to a bare desk with a computer, a giant calendar, and phone on it. He pointed. “Sit.”
Good doggy. I wanted to say it, but I kept my mouth shut and plastered a fake smile on my face.
“Now this is your space, decorate how you want. Women always do.” He waved his hand like I was an annoyance. “Most of the communication is via email. You know how to email correct?”
Really? “Yes.”
“The phone is obvious. Always take a message. If I don’t answer it by myself by the second ring, that means I don’t want to talk to that person. You answer, are polite, take a GOOD message, and tell them I’ll get back to them. My mother calls frequently, sadly, so basically buzz her through so I don’t get yelled at. She’ll only keep calling until you do. Otherwise that’s it for now. I’ll have contracts and such you need to handle, but until you get a handle on the phone and email stuff I’ll go easy on you.”
Did he always sound so condescending? I mean really he talked to me like I was some illiterate fool. Maybe he thought that was how he was supposed to but I didn’t appreciate him ‘dumbing it down’ for me. “I think I have this.”
“Very well, I’ll let you know what I want for lunch within two hours. I expect it on my desk by 12:30.”
He didn’t give me a chance to respond. Wow. It was no wonder he lost his secretaries quickly. He was an ass, and even though he was nice to look at, his personality and people skills was terrible. This job would be easy. I’d work my ass off following his damn orders and in the end I would pay off all my debt and be home free from my past. Ryan would realize I was worth keeping around.
I logged into the computer, luckily I found the sign in stuff in the planner. I wasn’t looking forward to having any questions. I could only imagine what that would be like. The phone rang once—he answered.
It was a strange set up, but it worked. He seemed to be efficient and I could appreciate that. I could also appreciate a schedule even if I didn’t like being treated like some overpaid servant.
The phone speaker buzzed. “I want a sub today. At E’claires. They all know what I want. Just tell them Aiden Carter.” Then the sound went dead. Okay so apparently I had to go to the sub shop, get his sub, and have it on his desk by 12:30. Easy right? I should have kept my damn thoughts out because nothing in my life ever came easy.