AIDAN rubbed his left temple after reading the portfolio of Sierra, his new assistant. Talking to that sassy woman wasn't enough for Aidan. He must also check her credentials and capabilities to meet his high expectations. He didn't expect much from the girl, just like he thought of the skit earlier.
"Your first task as my assistant is to go out with me tonight," said Aidan to the girl. He was about to stand up, but before he could do so, Sierra was already ahead.
"I didn't read that task in the job description online. I'm sorry if it's not included, but I'll pass, sir. If you want to have an assistant who's taking special services, go to Ulysses instead."
Aidan knows what kind of place Ulysses was. A lopsided grin flashed on his face after hearing that response from Sierra. He thought she would take it, but his skit was not over yet. When he saw Sierra had picked up her bag, he did not continue with the plan.
"Where are you going?" he asked Sierra in a curious tone.
"Home. I'm done here -"
"Please sit down. It was just a skit to test you," Aidan immediately admitted to the girl. Her lips parted, and he couldn't help but smile mischievously. People say that his charm is hiding behind his elusive smile. But what's with this lady, and she's making him smile like this? "You passed, and Bernadette here will explain everything to you.."
Aidan heaved a deep sigh after remembering the scene inside the conference room a while ago. He immediately continued reading. From reading, he discovered that Sierra is an only child, fatherless, and the mother's health impaired. Aidan skipped the dramatic part of Sierra's portfolio and focused on her work experiences and educational background.
There he saw that Sierra Rose Jimenez was a former call center agent. Aidan frowned. Hastily took the phone that was placed on his working table. Aidan dialed Bernadette's office intercom.
"Aidan," Bernadette said upon picking up his call.
"I have read Sierra's portfolio, skipping the dramatic parts, and I noticed that she's a former call center agent." He directly said to the director of the human resource department. He heard Bernadette's deep sigh.
Aidan already knew he was not the only one feels stressed during the two weeks without an assistant. None of Bernadette's recommendations lasted as his temporary assistant. Everyone couldn't stand his behavior as a workaholic monster. People tagged Aidan as Fritzgibbons Corporation's monster boss. Even his relatives are afraid to approach him, especially when he has a problem.
"Are there any candidates who applied aside from Sierra, who minored in law?" Aidan prefers an assistant who can surpass his organized nature and is keen on details.
"You already hired Ms. Jimenez, Aidan. I'm afraid we cannot take back our words now. And as a matter of fact, Sierra is the only courageous human being who applied for the position too."
Aidan looked through Sierra's portfolio again. According to the paper, the girl graduated magna cum laude in the business management course at St. Peregrine University. The said school was a great business school among the most prominent names. Aidan must commend her excellent educational background, not her working experience.
Three years as a daycare center clerk and another three years as a team manager at Zenith. It's a mystery to Aidan why, despite being magna cum laude, she didn't immediately go to his company. Why wait for six years?
"What if this one fails again?"
"I bet not because, based on the conversation you both had, I see a great team developing there, minus the romantic sparks I saw."
"Fairytales, Badette. That's fairytales, and I don't believe it." He adjusted his seat and let go of the paper. "If this one failed, I'm sorry, but I need to pull you out of your den."
"I will hate you for that," she replied to him.
"That's an order. Now, I need a temporary assistant today."
"I will send an intern up there right away."
"I don't need an intern. What does Martin do?"
"He's... busy."
He already knew the meaning of her strong emphasis before continuing to speak. Whatever's happening to both of them, Aidan doesn't care.
He doesn't care as long as it has nothing to do that is not business related.
***
"MONSTER BOSS, inhumane, cruel. Do you still want me to continue reading this employee's reviews about you?"
Everything Martin read to him was from people he had already fired. Naturally, they will be angry with him after what he'd done. But Aidan believes he no longer needs to feel sorry for those inefficient employees. The company he worked so hard to build will fall when he takes care of them.
Fritzgibbons Corporations is a product of Aidan's blood and sweat, with no tears because he didn't shed any in the past.
He slowly poured the whisky into the glass and took a sip. No lemon or anything, and its bitterness lingers in his throat.
"I think your attitude is why our employees are all like this. If only you inherited Auntie's compassion for others and care, they would stay with us forever." Martin even advised that he only let it go in one ear and out the other.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked, then stood up and peered through the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse. The view from where he was standing was heavy traffic, and the cars stuck in the middle looked like moths.
After the day's work, he went straight to his penthouse. The truth is that he hasn't finished working yet. He still had a lot to do but was interrupted when his friend came to make trouble.
"Changed, at least, dude."
Aidan scoffed.
That will never happen. Why would he change for others? If anyone had to adjust, Aidan believed it wasn't him. Aidan could add some words to the description that he is also a self-centered man.
His thought halted when his cell phone rang. "Badette," he said in a dry tone.
"Aidan, I believe we have a slight problem tomorrow." Bernadette kept talking to him from the other line. He thought she would ask if Martin was with him, but that wasn't the question he got. "Ms. Jimenez can't come tomorrow because she still has unfinished business at her former company."
"What?" He has more work to do now that his new assistant hasn't arrived yet.
"You heard me right, Aidan. I'm so sorry -"
"No. Make that woman report to work tomorrow. Whatever unfinished business she has in her former company should be out of the box now. She's working under my supervision, my lead, and in my company."
Those were the last words he said to Bernadette before ending their call.
"Woah, that was pretty unfortunate, Aidan." Martin's comment made him frown.
"F**k all those incompetent human beings."
"Easy. Do you want to know how you can have a group of competent allies?" He looked at his friend. "Be compassionate to everyone." He didn't move and poured a drink into his glass instead of speaking again. "I'll bet your assistant will last for a month."
"Two weeks."
"How much?"
"Get lost, Martin. I have works to do."
"I'll take your sports car as a prize." That was it, and he left him immediately. He didn't even wait to see if he would agree to the requested prize. But he is convinced that Sierra will only last two weeks as his assistant. "One more thing. Try loosening up a bit. When was the last time you f**k?" Martin smiled and asked him, thinking that he had left.
"F**k off!" he shouted, which filled the entire room.
His friend's laughter echoed throughout the penthouse, making his head even hotter.
Damn that asshole, Aidan said in his mind.
***
DICKIE warmly greeted Aidan when he came out of the penthouse. He has many to do and many meetings to attend today. He received a shortlist from Ms. Jimenez past midnight. He couldn't help but be amazed at its speed even though he had just sent emails. Aidan's new assistant also replied to all the emails asking for his schedule today.
The only thing that was not pleasing was that she used a personal email instead a company email. He couldn't understand the office staff why the girl wasn't given her email right away. Aidan texted Bernadette about it, and she said sorry as an answer.
"It is a good day, sir," Dickie said. He didn't move. He just focused his attention on reading the report summary that Sierra sent. "I've met your new assistant. We took your coffee, breakfast, and newspaper earlier. She can pick it up quickly, even though she's new. She also acts quickly."
Aidan noticed that Dickie was praising his new assistant while driving. But something else ran through Aidan's mind now. It's like she's stealing the attention of everybody that should be his.
"I timed her to stay in my office, Dickie," he said to the driver.
Dickie's service, starting from his grandfather down to his father. The old guy has been his driver since school until now. He already knows everything about him, including his antics.
"How many months?"
"Not a month, but weeks. Two weeks, Dickie. Two weeks."
"Anyone else has placed their bets?"
"Martin bet a month last night." They have a habit of betting, especially when he has a new assistant. Those who preceded Ms. Jimenez lasted three to six months. That includes rendering and processing related to back pay. "I am firm that she won't last a month,"
"What if it takes?" Dickie asked him. The older man smiled after he didn't answer. "You know her face looks familiar, Aidan. It's like I've seen her somewhere,"
"All my assistants look the same when it comes to you,"
"Those were just jokes. That's why it hasn't been long, and I hope this one lasts long so Badette won't be stressed."
Like Dickie, Aidan felt Ms. Jimenez familiar, especially her scent. It was as if he had smelled it somewhere and couldn't name it.
"I don't care who exactly she was, Dickie." If his business or any transaction is not affected, he will remain unconcerned about it or anyone else.
Aidan shook that thing out of his mind and focused his full attention on the tablet he was holding. What matters most to Aidan now is not his personal life but his business.
That's all for now, and nothing else follows.