Kate's POV
I sit on the wall next to the elevator, waiting for my boss and the love of my life to walk through the door. As Mr. Wilson's assistant, I've been here since five o'clock in the morning. At least 30 minutes before he arrives, I must come to make sure everything is ready. Make copies and organize his emails and desk now. His breakfast and coffee will be prepared when he gets to his office at 6:00 a.m. Once we're done, I'll go back to my desk and work while he stays in his office to go over his day. I'm obligated to attend every meeting and stay as long as he does each day.
As his only employee who has stayed for more than two weeks, I've had the privilege of working with him for two years now. Clyde Wilson is a workaholic and perfectionist billionaire. During frustration and exhaustion, he can be obnoxious and demanding, and the long hours wear even the most devoted employees down. Even those who work close to him find it difficult to meet his high standards.
This long has gone by without a hitch, and I don't know how it happened. When I first started working for Clyde, I was desperate for a job. I had just graduated from college and was in severe financial trouble due to the amount of debt that I owed. So I knew I had to get a job, even if it was only for a short time, to keep the bills paid. My interview with Clyde Enterprise was one of my most memorable experiences, and I'll never forget the perfectly dressed professionals in the reception area.
The only clothes I had were a pair of skinny black jeans and a white button-up shirt, so I gave up trying to look presentable. Because my hair was too short to try to tie it up, I had only applied a coat of mascara and gloss to my lips. The other attendees were resplendent in tuxedos and slacks, with impeccable hair and makeup.
Clyde Enterprise was housed in a high-rise skyscraper in the city's heart.
Everything was ultra-modern, thanks to the use of a black-and-white color scheme. Nothing appeared cheap, except for the folding chairs outside Mr. Clyde's office. Listening to him bark orders from inside his office, I must have sat in that uncomfortable chair for over an hour. People were shocked, for the most part. There was a mixture of emotions among the people present. Finally, he called my name, and I stumbled into his fortress on wobbly legs as I stood up and walked it.
Clyde's scowl grew even more pronounced on his face upon seeing what I was wearing. I simply sat up straight and smiled widely. I needed to complete this task. The two of us shook hands after I walked up to his desk.
I sat stiffly across from him as he went over my bare resume. I was able to take him in while he was completely silent. It was impossible not to be swayed by Clyde's beauty. His hair was slicked to one side and gelled, and it was a light brown color. Clean-shaven, with a razor-sharp jawline. I noticed that his hands were clenched around my resume.
"You seem tense," he says.
When Clyde's blue eyes met my brown ones, I could not hold back the words. As he stared at me, I tried to resist the urge to fidget.
"As your assistant, I'd book you a massage or a vacation if I could." His lips twitched at the corners before his mask fell back down.
"I don't need a vacation or a...massage," he says, his gaze roving over my body quickly.
After he paused to clear his throat, his gaze returned to mine.
"For help organizing my life, I'm looking for a new assistant. Prepare for meetings by writing down ideas and taking notes during conversations. Your duties would include doing my shopping, picking up items, and helping me with whatever else I might need."
I exclaimed, "That sounds like so much fun!" my voice beaming with excitement.
His eyes were closed, but he gave me a dry look as I laughed. Clyde twisted the corner back and forth between his fingers as he fiddled with my resume.
I remarked, "You've had quite a few assistants."
It was interesting to see that he seemed to be constantly hiring new assistants before my interview.
"Most people can't keep up with the workload," he says.
He told me that before extending the job offer. I figured out within a week that the issue wasn't the workload. He had to be the one. He frequently drove me insane with his yelling orders and rare expressions of gratitude. Overly severe and fearful of commitment characterized his demeanor.
However, he is improving in the painful area. He now has a chuckle when I make fun of him.
Even though the last two years have been hectic, I'm getting used to it. I've tried to find another job, but Clyde rewards me with more money each time I apply. Unless he's monitoring my online activity, he must know that I'm thinking about leaving. My desire to remain employed here goes beyond the monetary rewards.
The character of Clyde has always been a favorite of mine.
The fact that he can be a pain in my side doesn't change that I like him. We're polar opposites in almost every respect. There are many differences between us; he's serious while I'm more laid-back; he is a pessimist while I am an optimist; he is tall while I am short. He's dark, and I'm light. But despite my best efforts, it seems unlikely that he feels the same way about hearing from me. He's a multi-billionaire who's afraid of making a long-term investment. If I say something and he rejects me, how inconvenient would it be to keep working with him? Who knows how long it would take in this economy for me to find a new job at this point. In the end, I look forward to seeing him each day. The friendship we share is important to me, and I don't want to lose contact.
Sighing, I try to clear my mind of images of Clyde and I tangled up in my bed or holding hands while strolling through the park, but it's impossible. As a last-ditch effort, I signed up for a dating site last night to help me stop obsessing over him in this way. Unfortunately, my coffee had yet to brew when I remembered to check my account and found a few messages. I'm afraid that none of the profiles have piqued my curiosity.
Text messages from security inform me that Mr. Clyde is on his way up, so I pull out my phone when it beeps. The thought of what he has in store for me makes me curious.
As the holiday season draws near, I've made a wish list of things I want to get people.
This is what he's been working on for the last three months. First, I buy most of his gifts to ensure that he remembers essential dates. Then, in my mind, I go over my to-do list. Finally, after picking up his dry cleaning and sending a note to his grocery store indicating his weekly order had been placed, I was on my way.
Standing tall, I double-check that my clothes are in place as the elevator doors open. Clyde walks right by me with his briefcase in hand as he makes his way to work.
While he is looking at me, I say, "Good morning, sir," and smile. Then, as he exits his desk, I sigh.
Get down to business now!