Agatha
I inhaled and smelled a fresh lemony scent in the air. I opened my eyes and I slowly blink to adjust to the brightness coming from a beautiful chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. My head hurts and my body feels cold and tired. I rose up slightly and my eyes roam around the place, this is the biggest bedroom I have ever been in my life and everywhere I look is clean and properly organized. It isn't my room.
"Where the hell am I?" I whispered to myself as I take in the breathtaking surrounding.
Every piece of furniture looks expensive and well picked, and what captures my attention most is the glass window that reveals the beauty of the city. Am I in heaven? I asked myself. It doesn't look like heaven to me, it looks more of a suite. A very expensive suit for a very important person.
"Is she okay?" I heard a cold voice from outside the door.
"She's fine but she's not awake yet. It's been four hours; I'm starting to get worried, Shawn." I heard a woman's voice.
I was startled when the door opens, revealing a very handsome man in a white button-up shirt and dark gray dress pants. Beside him is a woman, shorter than him, and much older, but still looks gorgeous in her elegant dress and a broad smile on her face.
"Oh, sweetheart, thank goodness you're awake!" the woman exclaimed, she hurried beside me and sat on the bed "How are you?"
I shook my head slightly and smiled hesitantly "Fine?" I came up with a reply and look down. "What am I doing here, and who are you?" I asked, curious as to why I am here, in this room with the asshole and with a kind-hearted woman.
"My name is Jenny, I'm Shawn's mother. He'll tell you what happened and the reason why you're here. I will go outside to prepare something to eat." she gave me the warmest smile that resembles my mom's and my heart aches remembering her.
"I'm not really sure if it's appropriate but, t- thank you, Mrs. Lewis." I stuttered.
"Jenny sweetheart." She repeats "I'll leave you to Shawn now." She squeezed my hand slightly and smiled at me once again before she vacated the bed.
I just looked at her until she vanished and the door closed behind her. I exhaled deeply. Tried to focus my gaze on the door for as long as I can, but I don't want him to find me fool. So, with nowhere else to look, I fixed my eyes on him. He has his back on me, staring out on the window.
If his body looks great in his suit earlier, it is nothing compared to how I find him attractive now, wearing only his undershirt. I felt uncomfortable with my own thoughts so I cleared my throat.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked as he turns to look at me, hands shoved inside his pockets, his facial expression is serious and I felt chills run down my spine just with his stare.
"Yes, better than I deserve," I replied. I turned to avoid his eyes and saw my reflection in the window. I'm wearing a light brown colored sweater that makes me feel warm all over despite the air conditioner and his cold stare.
"Drink that." He pointed to the glass of juice over the bedside table and a capsule.
I took it, swallowed the pill, and drank the juice. I placed it back over the table and breathed heavily. "Thank you," I whispered.
"Don't you remember anything?" he asked.
I shook my head and look back at him; Well I remember him standing in my doorway before everything turns black but I don't want to mention it "Not very much." I simply replied.
He sat at the end of the bed, his legs are crossed over one another, he stares at me like he wants to memorize me, making my throat dry "You fainted, and since then been unconscious for the past four hours. A doctor friend came here to check you up, you're burning." He said.
"How did you find me?" I asked.
"Your application forms."
"I ripped it apart and crumpled it and thrown it in the bin."
"Margaret scavenge it."
"You asked her to do that?" I asked, remembering his poor, kind-hearted secretary.
"She willingly did."
"Is she your puppet?"
I noticed his jaw clench; I'm getting under his nerves "She's my employee. And it's her idea to look for your paper in the bin, not me."
"If only you didn't reject me that early, you wouldn't have to do that."
"There's no need to throw your application form in the bin, regardless if you've been rejected, that's childish."
"Have you ever been rejected before, Mr. Lewis?" I asked, head on to challenge him
He looked at me in the eyes and shook his head "Never."
"Then you wouldn't understand why I did what I did. Sooner or later, you'll also throw it away, just in a decent way, by putting it in a paper shredder." I regretted it the moment the words left my mouth, I closed my eyes and felt bad. This man, despite his being an asshole, helped me. I shouldn't have spite on him as I did.
He looked away. His jaw looks sharper when he's on his side, I looked down. He's so attractive that I'm having a hard time concentrating. "What am I doing here?" I asked.
"You didn't leave a contact number, so I decided to drop by personally, to offer you the personal assistant position."
I breathed heavily and looked away, when I saw his face outside the door before everything turns black, I felt safe. It's as if, I found an escape from the world that isn't mine. And right now, I feel bad for talking back. It's rude of me and starting to be a douche like he is, especially knowing that he went after me just to offer me the job I really wanted.
"I'm sorry, for calling you an asshole and for talking rudely to you."
He nodded "Apology accepted."
"And thank you, for still considering me for the job."
"Yes, I can't say I can give you the job right away, we have things to discuss, and it'll be on my terms."
"What terms?"
"I will give you the three days that you've asked for. In that time, I want you to learn everything that has something to do with my business. If I did not see any improvements, you're out."
For a while, I thought about it. The three days I said was just an impulse. The rushed decision of a person who's in dire need of a job, a free home, and food. I don't know if I have the ability to learn everything about a massive company that he has. Computers are my enemy. I never really understand it. All I ever did in my life is to take orders, serve meals, wash dishes, punch numbers in the cashier, and load gasoline. Would I be able to fit in, in a corporate world?
But, remembering what my mother always tells me, "Believe that you can, and you're halfway there." I look up at him and gave him a half-smile.
"I agree with your terms," I said bravely.
He looked at me like he can't believe I have agreed.
I know that look. I know he's not just being kind as to give me this job. I know men like him. Ruthless. Selfish and punisher. He won't let me go easily by calling him an asshole and a douche. He will see to it I will suffer. He will see to it that I will fail. And he will see to it I will beg him so I can stay when the three days are up and I didn't learn. Well then, bring it on!
"Good." He muttered.
"Thank you, I will see myself out." I started climbing out of bed when he stopped me.
"No, you can't." he stood up, rolled up his sleeves, "The doctor said you have to rest for another day. Tomorrow, my advisor will discuss the job with you. For now, eat and rest and we'll have to deal on the matter when you recover."
"Okay," I whispered.
My mother is right, that somehow, there's always something good in people, if it's part of his scheme, I don't care. All I care about is how I will survive, $50 salary per hour, free stay, and free food. That opportunity only knocks once. I won't let it pass.
We heard a knock on the door and we both look at it. It opens and Mrs. Lewis popped her head in, "Come on Darling. Have a meal. And Shawn, I'll be leaving in an hour. Let your driver know."
"Thank you," I said. And climbed out of bed, walked past Mr. Lewis, and took Mrs. Lewis' awaiting hand.
When we're out the door, I was able to release a breath I never knew I was holding. It was so hot inside. Part of it is the discussion that we just had but mostly, because of the man who has a dark grey eye that searches my soul.
I reminded myself that this is his suite, his house, I am with his mother, and soon, he will be my employer.
What have I gotten myself into?