"Ms. Ryan, you are late," I heard someone say as I gripped the doorknob of my new office. I turned to look at my boss, Miles, seated in his office which I totally forgot was opposite mine. I went into his office at his request. He pointed at the wall clock in front of him, and I turned back to face it. It was 8:03.
"Since today is your first day, it should be your lucky day, too. Never allow me to be a minute earlier than you," he said in a harsh tone while I stood there moping without uttering a word.
"Here is the list of the newly manufactured products and working hours for the lab. Fix a schedule for the assessment before the end of today. Also book an appointment with the G & D Company for the display of the products."
"Okay" I said collecting the list from him, after which I left to my office.
Opening the door to my office, it took me aback. I stood still for a moment admiring the arrangement. The interior was excellent which left me guessing the decorator must have bagged a Ph.D. in interior design because everything was splendid. I instantly fell in love with the settee. I can't tell if it was the cushion, but it had this jasmine smell. And honestly even though I hated Mile's attitude, everything was worth it. I mean look at this; imagine keeping this office permanently. I had to stop fussing over the interior of my office because I had a lot of work to do.
Once I had settled in, I started working, and in no time I finished with the schedule. I booked the appointment as instructed; it was easier than I imagined, even though I was apprehensive at first because having a lot of questions to answer wasn't my thing.
Shortly after I got off the call with the manager of the G & D Company, the landline on my desk went off again.
"Ms. Ryan speaking," I said.
"You must be the new executive secretary. I'm Doctor Parker. I wish to notify you that the products are ready and waiting on the schedule to take them to the lab for trying."
"I will be down in a minute, "I said, and I hung up the call.
"Darn it," I said, lightly slapping my head when I realized I didn't ask for directions. I tried calling back, but he was on another call. I picked up the list from my desk and got into the elevator. You'll get help when you get downstairs, I said to myself to calm my nerves. It wasn't working because talking to new people wasn't my thing.
When the elevator stopped I walked out and stood in front contemplating on the way to go, suddenly the first door by my right opened and someone stepped out. It was the receptionist, boy am I glad.
"Are you lost?" she asked
"Yes, I need to get to doctor parker's office."
"Third door," she said, pointing at the door behind her.
"Thank you," I said with a smile.
"Don't worry, you will get used to here in no time, it's always like this," she said.
I walked to the third door as directed; there was a name tag on it which said "DR. PARKER". I gave the door a gentle tap, and then I walked in.
"Here is the list of the ..." I was about to finish when I looked up and saw him. He was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. I gazed at his beautiful hazel brown eyes like I was under a spell. He drew me back to reality when he snapped his fingers.
Did I just zone out? Oh my God, he knew I was staring, darn it!
"You must be Dr. Parker," I said in a shy tone.
"Yes, and you are?"
"Ms. Ryan, the new secretary. Here is the schedule," I said, handing over the document.
He took the documents and browsed through them after which he placed them on the table. He was about to say something when the door opened and a middle-aged man walked in with Miles.
"Ms. Ryan, you are here, right on time," he said.
Who is he? And how does he know my name? Were the questions that went through my mind immediately.
"Forgive my manners, I'm Doctor Parker," he apologized, stretching his right hand for a shake.
"Then who is he? "I asked, pointing at the beautiful human in sight.
"That's my assistant Bryan; he's always goofing around whenever I leave him in charge."
"We should get going," Miles said.
"Going to where?" I asked, curiously.
"Not you," he replied in a crisp tone.
I made to leave since I had no business with them, but then I was stopped halfway to the door by Bryan. "Since you are new, I could give you a tour around the company." He said blinking his eye in a funny way. I was about to give him a reply when Dr. Parker yelled his name
"I'll take that as a yes, see you in an hour," he said with a smirk.
My face got heated immediately. I'm glad Dr. Parker came to the rescue; he dragged Bryan away so he probably didn't notice I was blushing after he smirked at me. I walked back to my office after that.
"What a day," I said, thrusting myself on the couch.
I heard a knock on my door and I jerked up immediately at the sound and Bryan walked in. God, I almost had a heart attack because of you I muttered. He commended the interior of my office like any normal person would.
"Am I that gorgeous? You haven't stopped looking at me ever since I walked in… just like when you saw me at Dr Parker's office." He said.
"Don't flatter you" I said, trying to sound rude.
"Just kidding, so are you ready for the tour?"
"She would love to but not now she has work to do," Miles said, how long has he been here? I thought.
No! I would love to right now; don't listen to him. Did he have to show up now?
"Maybe next time," Bryan said, and then he left. This better be good. I muttered.
I forgot to ask for his digits I said out loud.
"I could give them to you," Miles said, without looking at me.
"No way, I'm not a stalker, I will get it formally," I said, trying not to sound desperate.
"Whatever. Why didn't I get feedback on the meeting? "He asked.
"I forgot," I said then I took the file on my table and handed it to him.
"You said I had work?"
"Yes, I have something I want you to look at in my office," he said and beckoned on me to follow him.
"I need you to run a quick schedule on this and also book the flight tickets. You could come along if you wish to," he said, handing over the documents.
You know I wish I could but the thing is Leah would kill me like I just got here yesterday. It wasn't even a vacation; it was a business trip that would be work twice.
"No, thank you," I said in a very polite tone.
"Suit yourself," he said then he walked over to his cappuccino machine to make coffee.
I took the documents and was about to leave when he asked me to sit back in his office and work. He said he wanted to be sure I did exactly as he said. He offered me coffee but I refused. I did the schedule silently while he sipped his coffee and watched me. When I finished with the schedule, I booked his flight and I was good to go. Bye-bye Miles for two weeks. I said with a grin, which suddenly turned into a plain expression when I looked up to face him.
I informed him I was done and he took the documents from me and scanned through it for mistakes. When he found none, he dropped it back on his table. I guess that's a 'you can go' sign.
"I'll be going now," I said, standing up to leave but then he stopped me.
What now?
"Remember to be here before me tomorrow. I shouldn't be a minute earlier or even a second."
"Okay!"
Was that all? I was about to lose my patience.
"Before I forget, we are having a board meeting tomorrow concerning the products that were tested, and I need you to do sure everything for the meeting is in order today. I also need you here tomorrow pretty much early because the minutes won't write themselves, "he said.
I get it already I will be here on time; you don't need to keep emphasizing! What's with this guy?
I didn't say a thing to him, I just nodded in agreement to all he had just said, and then I walked away.
Leah wasn't back yet when I got home. I walked straight to my room; because I was worked up and I needed a clear head. I couldn't tell if it was Miles' or work, I just couldn't stand him. I pulled off my clothes and went straight to the shower.
I felt a little relieved as soon as the warm droplets of water from the shower fell on my back. There was no more Miles or work. I loved the shower because I could be whoever I wanted in there for an hour or as long as I wanted. It was my favorite place after the Yarra River, which was the definition of peace.
I suddenly clouded my mind with the thoughts of Bryan. He sounded nice, and he was cute, too. In fact, everyone I met was cute. It was like they reserved specifically the company for pretty people, what can I say? Even the head of the company is cute. Did I just call Miles cute? No way, I take that back, my mind always betrays me! How could you? I said, speaking a lot to it like it was another person other than me.
I heard my phone ring while I was still in the shower. I couldn't get it because it was in my room. Even if it was here, my face was covered with foam so it would be difficult to see. After the call went off, the phone started ringing again and this time Leah picked it. She is back!
I could hear her telling whoever that I had gone to bed, and it was rather too late to call at the moment.
It's too late?
Are you kidding me! It should be eight o'clock or something. I'm like twenty-two I muttered, rolling my eyes. I hurriedly got out of the bathroom without drying my body, because I wanted to know who was on the phone. I had few friends so it must be very important, I thought.
"Some guy named Bryan called from work," she said in an unimpressed tone.
"I know what you are thinking Leah, it's not like that. I mean I just met him today."
"Just be careful," she said.
She informed me that she had prepared dinner, but I wasn't hungry.
"Goodnight then," she said and left before I could return it.
He called? That was thoughtful of him. But then, how did he get my number? I can't remember giving it out. My phone beeped when I was getting dressed for bed. I checked it after and it was Bryan, he wanted to make sure I knew he called.