Time had flown by and I'd managed to survive a month of madness over at SMITH EXCHANGE. Every day brought a new challenge, whether it was sudden meeting cancellations, Liam sleeping in which I realized he did A LOT, or him just not showing up to work at all.
Where would he be instead? Across the street at the new Cheesecake Factory that opened three weeks ago, enjoying a chocolate drizzled cheesecake with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and a regular sized cup of all sugar and cream coffee since they didn't have Venti sizes there.
He thought just because he was the CEO he could skip meetings. Well yesterday had been the last straw of skippy da-do-de games as far as I was concerned.
I'd already dealt with Lilith, the fucking bitch who had purposely thrown out the ten stapled packages I'd created for the meeting, which of course Liam had taken upon himself to miss anyway, forcing me to reschedule AGAIN. Then Annie decided to trip, spilling coffee all over the freshly cleaned carpet that we'd already spent a good four grand getting cleaned THE DAY BEFORE after her last mishap!
Now I was done with all that, my last stretch of patience was gone as I sat listening to the repetitive ringtone that would likely give me a migraine if I had to listen to it one more time. I pulled out my phone and dialed the same number as I had several times before. Mr. Smith, aka the biggest jackass of the day, picked up on the first ring.
"Where the fuck are you right now?" I snarled into my private phone, pissed after Liam had ignored my 85 previous calls.
"Sia, you sound rather pissed off. I’m just eating."
"I sound pissed off? I AM FUCKING PISSED OFF! Why the fuck aren’t you here right now?" I snapped.
Liam was quiet for a moment. "I didn't want to go to the meeting,” he mumbled.
"Liam Smith, please do not tell me, you had me reschedule this meeting not once, but TWICE just for you to ignore my 85 phone calls all because you didn't want to go to the meeting for YOUR company!"
"Um, Ana. Ya, can you lower your voice? Some people, aka, me, are trying to concentrate and be productive." Lilith poked her head into Liam's office where I was currently standing with my arms crossed.
I swear my eye twitched and I slowly turned to face her. She flinched and I had no clue which side of me she was seeing in that moment, but oh, I'd make her fucking wish she hadn't interrupt me.
"Lilith. Why are you interrupting my conversation with Mr. Smith when you should be working on the 100-page document that needs to be done and sitting in my inbox in exactly four hours, ten minutes, and fifty-eight seconds?” I asked as sweetly as possible, even as my free hand shook with my growing rage.
I watched her gulp and I thought she'd retreat like a good girl, but NO, she couldn't even just this once leave without having the last say.
"I'm working on it, Ana, but you're too loud and you shouldn't be talking so familiarly to our boss. Last time I checked, you’ve only been here for 31 days and-"
"Lilith. I will talk politely to Mr. Smith when he learns how to fucking pick up his damn phone! You see this?! MY phone, MY property, MY rules. Now, why don't you take your reminding goodie-two-shoes face out of this office and get back to what you SHOULD be working on," I ordered.
She frowned while her eyes narrowed at me. "Ana-"
"Anastasia. My name is not fucking Ann or Anna, or Annie, who should have been back here fifty-five minutes ago but LET ME GUESS?! Transportation fucking hates her. How the flying fuck does she get anything done? Just get out!" I snapped.
"This isn't your office,” she reminded and I lost it, walking straight up to the doorway and right into her face.
"From this moment onward, you won't dare walk within three inches of this door. I don't care if the fucking building is on fire. You will stay away from this office unless Mr. Smith or I request you."
I watched her eyes glaze over and she nodded once, before slowly turning around and walking back down the hall towards the front desk. I slammed the door and growled. "This isn't your office, my fucking foot. The owner is eating fucking cheesecake across the street and I, his loyal private secretary is here rescheduling an entire month of fucking meetings because of it! This should be my fucking office," I ranted, not caring that Liam was listening to me the entire time.
"I'm gonna get a fucking cactus and shove it up everyone's fucking asses. Piss me off? CACTUS! Say my name wrong? CACTUS. Oh and if that Lilith bitch pisses me off, I'll give her a fucking cactus as a gift and shove it in both holes!" I vowed vehemently.
It took me a few breaths to calm down; the line remained quiet. The phone on the desk rang and I marched back over to it. I took a deep breath before picking up.
"Smith Exchange, this is Anastasia speaking," I said as sweetly and calmly as I could manage in that moment. "Ah, I'm terribly sorry. Mr. Smith had some researching to be done which wound up taking longer than expected. He should be back here tomorrow. Yes, Friday. I will definitely tell him that Mr. Silverstein called. Thank you and have a pleasant evening." I hung up the phone. I frowned, feeling a strange shiver run through me. What a weird name.
"Sia."
I was still quiet, remembering that name from somewhere, but couldn't put a finger on it. A memory? Maybe a client of my mom’s? Ugh, that's just going to give me a headache.
"Anastasia!"
I flinched at the loud voice that came from the speakers of my phone and I quickly answered. "What?!"
"Are you okay?" Liam asked with a stern voice. He sounded ticked off and I mentally cursed, forgetting I just cussed him out, including his ways of running his business, his management team, and threatened to shove a cactus up their asses. I personally didn't regret that last one.
"I guess," I mumbled, deciding to walk over and sit in his chair. I relaxed my head on the desk, closing my eyes and enjoying the scent of Liam's cologne that lingered in the black fabric of his chair.
He was quiet but I could hear footsteps in the background. He's probably going to come up here and fire me.
"I can print out and sign my resignation letter now so you don't need to see me when you get back," I spoke in a resigned voice. With how quiet he was, I really was starting to think I'd pushed him to the edge. If he wanted me to leave, that was fine. I’d be fine without the fifty million and I'd even help look for a replacement who'd hopefully be able to handle the level of craziness in this place. Why am I sad about the thought of leaving?
I heard the click of the door but remained where I was, one hundred percent confident it wasn't Lilith or Annie at this point. Annie would probably trip or crash into the wall before reaching the office, alerting me to her presence.
The dial of the phone went on and I sighed, moving the phone from my ear and dropping it to the table. "I fucked up and now he probably hates me. Great," I mumbled, closing my eyes.
Why do I care? He's my boss and I'm just his temporary employee who has some weird attraction to him and he surprisingly deals with me ogling him when he's apparently "not" looking. Ugh, I need a boyfriend.
Something brushed my cheek and I opened my left eye to see Liam, his soft fingers still caressing my cheek. He didn't look a bit angry. In fact, he appeared really concerned.
"Sorry," he whispered and I thought I was hallucinating. Did he just apologize to me?
"Why...are you apologizing?"
"You've been working hard and I've been slacking. It's not like I want to. It’s just...I really don't want to attend that meeting. There are people there I really don't get along with and attending would do more damage than good. I didn't think you'd stick around this long and continue rescheduling it. Anyone else would have thrown in the towel by now,” he commented.
I could hear the vulnerability in his voice, but I could sense there was more to it. He truly didn't want to meet these individuals and there must have been a damn good reason for him to keep ditching.
"Why didn't you just say so?" I questioned.
"It makes me look weak if I ask. I'm a CEO and billionaire, yet I can't suck up my pride and go to a stupid meeting with a bunch of asshole shifters who have it out for me." He looked irritated just by the mention of the subject.
"If it's a decision you know won't benefit the company, ditch it. If it's something important, let someone go in your stead," I suggested.
"Is there anyone here you think would meet that requirement?” he questioned.
"I could," I offered.
That brought a grin on his lips and his red eyes softened. "Aside from you."
"Uh..." I tried to think. Lilith was too clueless and would focus more on checking out the men at the meeting than dealing with anything business related, and Annie was more of a safety hazard than someone who could get through a business meeting successfully without breaking something.
"Exactly." He grinned, still rubbing my cheek gently. Our eyes were locked on one another and once again, that weird goosebump-inducing sensation ran through me.
His simple touch seemed to make me feel a little better and I really needed it. I kept forgetting to take my blood tablets even after Alexander reminded me. But this month, every night when I got home I was so tired, I barely had the energy to splash water on my body, clean the necessary areas, and face plant onto the bed. I'm pushing my limit though. Tonight I'll take them.
"Let me attend the meeting," I whispered. Liam stared at me for a long time, the sound of the clock ticking in the background the only indication that time hadn't stopped.
"I'll think about it,” he replied after some consideration. "Can you delay it for at least another month?"
I pondered that for a moment, slowly sitting up and pulling out the schedule book I kept in his top drawer which I'd eventually claimed as mine. He watched me patiently as I opened up to the calendar page, immediately taking my work phone out from my black blazer and dialing without looking at the screen.
"Anastasia, what-"
"Good evening, Hannah. I'm good. Yes, we just talked an hour ago. I'm reworking the schedule and Mr. Smith is just so booked. I know, I know, the life of a CEO is just so demanding on the body. I really don't want him burning out but he's given permission for a substitute to attend the meeting. Yes, simply send me the requirements and I'll make sure Mr. Smith reviews it and chooses a perfect candidate for the meeting. My pleasure. Thank you and have a pleasant Thursday."
I pressed the end button, smiling with confidence as I sighed. I looked up to Liam who looked completely stunned. "What?" I asked.
"You fixed it just like that?" he questioned in awe. "It takes Lesley hours just to get that woman to pick up."
"Oh, Hannah? She's a succubus and has a hatred for werewolves. It's like she can smell them through the phone. We go way back and I've worked with her a couple of times before. I had to reorganize your meeting with the CEO of the water company during my first week and realized she worked for a few of the companies you work with, scheduling business trips and meetings. We’re chill. I'll organize the rest, you can go relax before your meeting at four," I explained, glancing up at the clock on the wall.
It was already late afternoon and I figured he might as well relax since his next meeting was happening in thirty minutes. He pulled back his hand to slowly run his fingers through my black tresses. I looked up at him and we shared a look before he slowly closed in.
I didn't move, wanting desperately to feel his lips on mine, the feeling that built between us making me eager to experience his taste, even if only for a minute.
Those sweet lips closed the distance and I lifted my hand to brush his left cheek. This kiss wasn't rushed or demanding. It kept to a slow sensual pace, yet held a lot of emotion. I reluctantly broke the kiss, leaning back to look into his red eyes which were hooded with lust. He didn't know how much I'd craved the taste of those lips and to see that glazed look, ever since our first kiss.
"You should go get ready for your meeting. I made sure a different suit was dry cleaned and should be in the other room with all the packages you may need. I included that favorite pen you like as well," I explained. He had some fascination with pens which I'd realized the second week of working for him. He would only use black ballpoint pens that left a thick layer of ink upon application, disliking those really light toned ones.
I'd secretly bought him a pack and slid it in his desk, always making sure one was in his jacket pocket for emergencies.
He gave me a wide grin which made my heart stop in pure satisfaction. It was interesting and quite an extraordinary feeling to see how proud he was of me for something so small.
"Thank you, Anastasia,” he whispered.
"You're welcome. Good luck with the finalizing of the contract. If you need anything, I'll be right here," I reassured him. He nodded, then leaned down to give me a kiss on my forehead before walking away, The sensation left me feeling like I was finally exactly where I belonged, but the feeling began to dissipate the further away he walked, and was gone entirely when his presence left the room and he closed the door behind him.
I leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I can't be falling in love with him...can I? One month? Is that even normal? Maybe I should confront him about this mate thing.
As much as I loved our connection, I wanted to know for sure whether this would go somewhere. I'd been hurt enough in the past from those of my own blood. I couldn't allow myself to love wholeheartedly if I knew it would fall through the cracks and become something nonexistent six months down the road.
The phone rang and I realized it was one of the companies I had been trying to reschedule earlier. Perfect!
I continued with phone call after phone call until it was a fifteen minutes to eight and I'd penciled in the last meeting for the next month.
"Finally," I whispered, putting down the pencil and stretching. I'd taken off my black blazer, leaving my shoulders bare, when I had been pacing around the room during a heated rescheduling with some woman who decided to lecture me on the mechanics and disadvantages of scheduling for CEOs. Information that was utterly useless to me, but since I was the one in their debt due to me rescheduling yet again, I had to listen to the entire forty-five-minute explanation before she finally agreed to move the meeting dates. The splendid life of secretaries. I should make a damn soap opera for all the underlying drama.
I glanced over at the small two seater sofa that sat in Liam's office, my blazer laying on the armrest. So far...
With a sigh, I crossed my arms on the desk, laid my head on them, and closed my eyes. I recalled my ranting and was still impressed that Liam hadn't gotten mad and had even apologized to me.
In this business, the hardest thing for any CEO or person of high command to do was to apologize to someone under them. It put them in a vulnerable position because it meant they were willing to acknowledge that they were wrong about an action or decision.
Even for me, I had a few times where I had to put my pride and ego aside and let Alexander tell me how it really was and what I was doing wrong.
I'd never regret any advice he'd given me. I recalled the sad look that flickered on his face during our talk about the whole mate thing. I didn't get why it came to my mind now, but it made me wonder if Alexander did want a relationship after all. Did he want to date someone like me?
He knew the full extent of my personal issues, having seen the best and worst of me. But would he want to take it past friends? Or would he be okay watching from the sidelines if this whole mate thing was true and became set in stone? If that was actually what Liam and I had.
More importantly, would Liam be able to understand me? Sure, the connection was there, but would he be able to strip down the guard he still had and let me in?
I knew after working for him all month that he truly was a nice, genuine man, but from his behavior, I'd realized he must have been hurt before which created this hard exterior that had become his armor in this cruel business. No one was there to take care of you in this world, even when someone caused you to trip and fall.
You had to pick up yourself, bandage your own wounds, and march towards what you wanted to achieve despite your setback. It was a job that was filled with competition and betrayal and you were either the hunter or the hunted.
Something soft settled onto my shoulders and I opened my tired eyes, turning my head slightly to see Liam walking back to the sofa. I didn't say anything, feeling my eyes must just be playing tricks on me as they slowly began to close again.
It took an extra push to keep them slightly open; I watched Liam sit back down on the sofa where my blazer rested. He crossed his legs, picked up his white IPad and began tapping the screen, looking hard at work.
I could see his determination and a hint of passion as he smiled. His phone rang and he picked up on the first ring. "Hey. Ya, I can't talk for long. Hmm, why am I whispering? Um...someone important is resting and I don't want to disturb them. Ya, my new secretary rescheduled everything. Yes, she did. You seriously don't believe me? No, you can't have her. She's mine. You can have Lesley when she comes back."
I grinned, the happiness that filled his softened voice was enough to ease me back to sleep. He'd probably be working for a few more hours, so I'd take advantage of the time and sleep.