THE LOUD MUSIC and indistinctive chattering and screaming were all over the place. The spirit of alcohol was relatively high, noticeable to every guest. Some were dancing like party animals, while others were busy doing some business. Everywhere he turns, everyone is busy talking to each other. It is expected in a place like this, Ulysses.
In the middle of the chaotic city, this place serves as an escape route for many. Those who want to escape the messy reality that the only answer is to get drunk on alcohol. As Aidan was now, a creature interrupted his silence. It wasn't just an ordinary entity, a charming one, to be exact.
"Why are you so lonely here?" A question was coming from the extraordinarily charming entity. An entity that has a body curved like a Coca-Cola bottle. Slender legs, milky white skin, curly hair, and luscious red lips bothered Aidan's manly needs for the first time in a place like where he was...
Aidan caught his breath after waking from a deep sleep. That dream again kept bothering his excellent night's sleep now and then. Aidan wasn't sure when it happened, but it all seemed fresh in his mind. The scene at the bar was the only start. Some days began in a bed with the same woman with slender legs and milky white skin.
He's having sex with that particular woman in his dreams!
Aidan immediately hit his forehead when he got out of bed. He took a few deep breaths before calling time. It's past midnight, and he seems to be the only one awake. He quickly removed the blanket covering his naked body and walked out of the room. Aidan has no problem with walking naked around his penthouse.
There is no camera to capture him, and he is alone in that house. Aidan went to his mini bar and chose something to drink. He chose his favorite brand of whiskey. He took out some ice and placed a piece in the glass before pouring wine over it. Carrying that, he went to his home office and opened the laptop.
Sierra's email series to him immediately dawned on him. From the minutes of their meeting during the day to his shortlist for later when the sun rises.
"She's something," he said while reading Sierra's minutes.
He knew he had a strong will that he tested when he made a surprise visit to two construction sites that he knew were muddy. He tried his assistant on her first day at work. Aidan felt that he had succeeded. He outsmarted her for a while but gave in when Aidan asked Dickie to buy Sierra's new pair of heels and outdoor shoes. That's unusual for him, which shocked Dickie for a minute before taking his orders.
"That's stupid, Aidan. Why did you do that?" He chastised himself and then resumed reading. He then downloaded the shortlist she had made and checked it. "Looks like I'm going to have trouble with this one..."
***
"GOOD MORNING!"
Aidan received a hearty greeting as he exited the elevator. She's energetic, and he was wondering when it would come. The great smile on her face and that familiar scent aroused something inside Aidan. His eyes immediately landed on her shoes. It wasn't the shoes he bought last night.
What happened? Aidan asked himself. Whatever it might be, it's none of my business, he replied in the other part of his mind.
"Is there something wrong with my shoes, Mr. Fritzgibbons?" a question that aroused him.
"No. Where is my shortlist?" She immediately gave him what he needed. "Breakfast?"
"Served in your office, Mr. Fritzgibbons. I also put your newspaper above your table together with your sudoku." Aidan loves to start his day by reading newspapers and answering sudoku to exercise his mind and social awareness. He was only looking at the stock market section of the newspaper. That's in addition to the stocks he monitors on his tablet. "Your tie suited you well, sir,"
"I thought you're not into office romance? What changed your mind, Ms. Jimenez?"
"I'm still not into it. I can't help but notice your tie, sir. Armani, I guess?"
"Nope. It's custom-made. Read and memorize my profile,"
"I will, sir."
He was speechless after hearing what Sierra told him. It's like when he used to be in charge of what was needed, but now someone is doing it for him. Aidan missed the feeling of being served but was despised and couldn't resist his new assistant's charms. He chose not to comment and walked into the office. But this assistant of his was way sassier than anyone he had before.
"Aidan, there you are!" Open words were heard entering the office. That startled his assistant too, but only he noticed it. His brother was tall and had a distinctive English accent similar to Indians.
"Why are you here? Did you get an appointment before coming in?" He asked one question after another.
"Come on, bro. Do I have to get approval to see my half-brother? Everyone in the family knows you don't have an assistant because of your terrible attitude."
"She's right there. Ms. Jimenez, show my brother his way out now." Sierra immediately followed him and opened the door they had entered earlier.
"She did follow you. That's interesting."
Shaking his head, he headed to the working table and began his morning rituals. Aidan's half-brother's face was the least of the people he wanted to see every day. Those people, good money-sucking, don't deserve his attention. He knows his brother and his sloppy projects that he even finances. He regrets it and will never retake money, even if his mother begs him.
"Do you need anything else from me, Mr. Fritzgibbons?"
"Sir will be fine, and none as of this moment."
He informed him that he was going out to take care of his meetings today. That's a lot, including the board of directors of Fritzgibbons Corporation.
Well, see how she will handle my board of directors, he said in his mind as he looked at the assistant inside his office.
Aidan's thoughts stopped when his intercom rang. No one can call him directly and didn't go through Sierra's phone. He has a clue who it was. It's either Bernadette or his mother. He took a deep breath and just let it ring. Loudly, he picked it up so that no more calls came in.
Aidan doesn't want to talk to anyone else outside of work. He was sure it was only about the ones his mother wanted him to date. He's nearly thirty, still unmarried, and it bothered his mother a lot. It was like he had no plan of settling down. Well, he does. Today was not the right time to think about marriage and having a child. She wants to have grandchildren with him so that someone can continue the business he inherited from his father. In contrast, he's not ready yet.
Only he has access to everything that his father left. His mother lost everything when she remarried and his half-brother Elias was born. He's not living with them, and his world is entirely different from theirs. Aidan's stepfather was a medical doctor and a hospital owner. His half-brother took a step and became a well-known neurosurgeon in the country. His brother inherited even the greediness of his stepfather.
He was just a happy-go-lucky look, but there's serious work to be done but still greedy, unlike Aidan, who's always in a serious mode and doesn't have a clue about unwinding. He's a man who doesn't know how to pause and breathe a little. His life revolves around work. He did once and met that charming lady in his dreams. Aidan's still not sure if it's only his wildest dream or if it happened in reality.
The sound of email notification halted his thoughts.
***
From:bernadetteruiz@fritzgibbonscorp.com
To:aidanfritzgibbons@fritzgibbonscorp.com
Subject: How was your new assistant?
Aidan,
I want to know how things are going on up there. I haven't heard from Ms. Jimenez since she started working yesterday. I hope you're taking everything slowly, not beating her up with above-the-head workloads. I believe she's not a quitter, so please don't make her quit.
Best regards,
Bernadette Ruiz
Human Resources Department Director, Fritzgibbons Corporation
***
He adjusted his seat and started to type a reply.
***
From: aidanfritzgibbons@fritzgibbonscorp.com
To: bernadetteruiz@fritzgibbonscorp.com
Subject:Re: How was your new assistant?
She's not yet making a huge mistake. Those that happened yesterday were minimal, and I cannot take it against her. I must say she's different from the other assistants I had. Did anyone from the IT department fix her email? She's still using her email, and it bothers me. What about her medical? Have you booked her? She's pale, and I don't know how she will keep up with me for more days with that look. Please arrange it as soon as possible, Badette.
Regards,
Aidan Fritzgibbons
CEO/President, Fritzgibbons Corporation
***
He retook a deep breath after sending a reply to Bernadette. He only waited a few minutes and received a response from the HR department.
***
From: bernadetteruiz@fritzgibbonscorp.com
To: aidanfritzgibbons@fritzgibbonscorp.com
Subject: Re: How was your new assistant?
I scheduled her for this Saturday if your schedule will allow it, Aidan. I'll follow up about her email, and please be nice. I also want to borrow Ms. Jimenez in her free time to discuss the employee satisfaction rate, which is getting lower as days go by. It bothers me more, and the resignation rate is relatively higher these days.
Best regards,
Bernadette Ruiz
Human Resources Department Director, Fritzgibbons Corporation
***
From: aidanfritzgibbons@fritzgibbonscorp.com
To: bernadetteruiz@fritzgibbonscorp.com
Subject: Re: How was your new assistant?
How their ineptitude became our problem? Hire a replacement as soon as someone resigns. I told you I'm not going to take care of incompetent crybabies in my company.
Aidan Fritzgibbons
CEO/President, Fritzgibbons Corporation
***
He gasped violently before picking up the intercom and dialing Sierra's local.
"Arranged the conference room now. I'm going to the board in twenty,"
"Sir? Half of the board is still on their way."
"Is that my problem? Will they get their ass here, or will I fire all of them? Make them choose because I am not going to tolerate delay. Haven't you read my profile? You have to remember what I hate, Ms . Jimenez."
"Noted on that, sir."