Annika closed the door behind her and heaved a sigh of relief. That moment had been tense even though she had fought hard to keep a straight face. She had been talking to her employer, a multi-billionaire and well-known man from where she came from. Getting employed by Mikael Maverick was one thing, but getting to meet him was another level. She had thought that she would get to be his assistant. When she had gotten the acceptance email, she had jumped for joy. Never in a million years did she know that she would end up here. Being the secretary to the CEO of one of the most distinguished companies in the country.
Her luck was however cut short when she realized that Mikael was stepping down. She was going to be the secretary to his son who was meant to be the new CEO. Disappointment had hit her like she had run into a brick wall, but she had kept a straight face. Ashton, his name didn't look like someone who knew how to run a company. He looked so irresponsible and was also late. He smelled like alcohol and sweat, and his hair was ruffled. She had thought that the son of Mikael Maverick would be so extravagant like his father, but the drop of quality from him to his son was an eyesore. Maybe she was judging him too quickly.
Annika had seen the way he had been staring at her when she came in. She recognizes the mischief behind his smile vividly. She knew what he was. He was a playboy and dangerous which meant she had to be careful around him. She couldn't forget the reason she had moved to California. It had to start afresh. She had left a toxic environment in search of peace and fulfillment. A path which she was walking on now. Ashton was bad news and she was going to avoid him at all cost. But that seemed impossible because she was his secretary which meant that they would spend a lot of time together.
Annika scratched her forehead and leaned off the door as she headed back to her desk which was just outside the office. She took a seat and leaned against the chair. Whatever happened, she had to maintain a safe distance from Ashton.
***
The elevator door binged and a female figure walked out of it. She stepped into the hallway and all eyes went to her. She was blonde and her beauty was stellar. She had a woven hat with shades on. Her pink sundress made her stand out from the rest of the workers. The contrast between hers and the workers' dressing was obvious. She swung her handbag as she made her way towards the polished wooden door up ahead.
Annika, who was busy with the computer, looked up and saw the girl approaching the office. She couldn't let her go in without informing Ashton first. The last thing she wanted was to get fired on her first day. Annika quickly rose to her feet as the girl arrived at the door.
"Excuse me," Annika greeted.
The blonde girl turned sharply to her and pulled down her shades with her index finger to look at Annika. Her blue eyes shone intimidatingly but it didn't fade Annika one bit.
"You can't just go in there," she added.
The blonde girl scoffed and took off her shades as she strode her way to Annika's desk. Annika gazed at her with authority as she arrived.
"And who are you?" the blonde girl asked.
Annika pointed at her name tag on the desk with sarcasm. The blonde girl chuckled as she read her name out loud.
"So you are the new secretary?" She asked.
"Yes," Annika replied. "And I need to know if you have made an appointment first."
"I don't need to book an appointment to see Ashton," the blonde woman said sassily. "And what happened to Irene?"
The wooden door behind them swung open and Ashton stepped out dressed without his suit jacket. The sleeves of his white shirt were folded as well. Both women turned to him. Annika was startled that Ashton had heard them. He looked a little more decent than before.
"Ashton," the blonde girl called, moving to him.
Ashton smiled at her.
"Lilith," Ashton responded.
Ashton had heard voices from the office and had wondered what ruckus was going on outside. He was surprised to see an altercation between Lilith and his new secretary.
"Can you believe that she asked me to book an appointment before I could see you?" Lilith said.
Ashton chuckled and looked at Annika. Annika's eyes fell to the desk.
"She's my friend and therefore she can see me anytime she pleases, okay?" Ashton said softly.
Annika was surprised that he had shouted at her. She brought her eyes up and saw Lilith sniff him. She tried to hold back the laughter that was eager to burst out her lips.
"Y…Yes sir," she replied.
Ashton flashed her a smile and went into the office. Annika sighed and got back to work. She didn't want to know who Lilith was to him. But it looked like they were a thing from the way she hugged him. Annika smacked her forehead and concentrated on her work.
***
"You smell like shit," Lilith said as she sat on the couch that was at the far corner of the office.
Ashton chuckled and sat behind his desk. Lilith looked around the room. The apple that he had eaten earlier was now in the trash bin completely devoured. Ashton was staring at the glass window behind him. He was silent as he was lost in thought. He wondered what would have happened if he hadn't come out. Would they have fought? Annika looked like someone who was messing around. It made him more interested in her now.
"How was it?" Lilith asked, breaking the silence.
Ashton turned to her slightly confused.
"How was what?" He asked.
"The sex" She replied.
Ashton's eyes widened as the realization hit him. So it had been her?
"You made me sleep with them?" Ashton questioned.
"Yes? You were tense last night about today, so I had to make you feel better," Lilith replied.
Ashton sighed and smacked his forehead. He swung his chair to face her. Lilith didn't seem to have any hint of remorse on her face. Ashton shook his head at this. There were so many potholes in his memories of last night. Had she played a role in that too?
"You seem tense," she said.
"I was late, Lilith," he said. "My old man was disappointed."
Lilith chuckled.
"It isn't the first time, and it surely won't be the last," she pointed out.
Ashton rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Lilith. That is so comforting," he said with sarcasm.
Lilith stood up from the couch and walked towards his desk while she reached into her handbag. Ashton watched her tenaciously.
"I got something that can change your mood," she said.
She sat on the chair in front of his desk and brought out a small plastic bag with some white substance inside. Ashton's eyes widened as he realized what it was. He looked at Lilith who raised it with a devilish smile on her face.
"What the hell are you doing with that?" Ashton asked. "You're not supposed to do that here."
Lilith chuckled as she shook the little plastic bag.
"I can do whatever I want, wherever I want, Ashton," she replied. "And don't act all saintly."
Ashton clenched his teeth as he realized what she was talking about.
"It was a long time ago, Lilith. I went to rehab too," he explained.
Lilith opened the bag and sniffed it with delight. Ashton watched completely displeased with this.
"Well last night, I gave some when you were drunk," she confessed. "And you didn't act like someone who wanted to stop."
Ashton's eyes widened at this. This explained the potholes in his memory. This was why he couldn't remember why there were so many bottles of liquor on his kitchen counter and why it had taken time for him to recall the events of last night. How could she do that to him?
"You drugged me last night?!" Ashton yelled.
Lilith was getting nervous. She scratched the back of her neck as she looked for a way to explain herself. It seemed she had messed up by telling him this.
"Well, you were telling me how nervous you were so I had to make you feel better," she said.
"There are other ways to make me feel better other than drugging me, Lilith," he said.
Lilith smiled as he said that. She placed the little plastic bag in her handbag and rose from her chair. Ashton sighed and rubbed his forehead. He couldn't believe that Lilith would do such a thing to him. The reason why he wasn't able to recall some events from last night was because he was high. He couldn't remember having sex with those ladies. The only thing he could remember was leaving with them and waking up naked next to them this morning.
What had they done while his mind was blank?
Judging from the bottle of liquor on his kitchen counter, they must have drunk a lot. It was a wild night and it had gotten wilder for them. Ashton could finally understand why they didn't want him to leave earlier. Neither did he, but he was late.
Lilith came to Ashton and sat on his thigh. She placed her index finger under his chin and lifted his face. Ashton stared at her blue eyes that seemed to be piercing his soul. She brought her lips to him and kissed him softly. Ashton brought his hands to her waist but retreated quickly. He broke off from the kiss too which left Lilith flabbergasted.
"We shouldn't be doing this," he said. "Not here, and not now."
Lilith placed her hands on his chest and smiled at him. She wasn't pleased that he was holding back.
"There's a party tonight at Dad's in honor of my coronation," he said. "You should come."
Lilith chuckled at that.
"Oh I definitely will," she said.
"I'll be banking on that," Ashton said.
Lilith placed her index finger on his lip and Ashton kissed it. She placed it in his mouth and Ashton sucked on it slowly with his eyes fixed on hers. Their eyes were locked in a lustful embrace for some moments before he stopped. Lilith wasn't pleased with this.
"What's going on, Ashton?" She asked, dissatisfied.
Ashton sighed.
"There's just one more person I have to invite," he said.
Lilith folded her hands across her chest.
"And who's that?" She asked.
Ashton reached for the telephone on his desk and dialed a number before placing the receiver on his ear. The phone rang once.
"Yes sir?" Annika's voice sounded.
"Come to my office," he demanded and placed the receiver down.
Lilith raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why do you have to invite me yet?" She asked.
"Because she's my secretary which means she has to be there," Ashton replied. "Daddy's orders too."
Lilith sighed.
The door opened and Annika stepped into the room. She wasn't prepared for the sight she gazed upon. Lilith was sitting on Ashton. She knew that they had something going on. Her eyes went to Lilith and she gave her a victorious smile. Annika resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her.
"You asked to see me, sir?" She said,
"Yes," Ashton said. "We are having a party this evening celebrating my induction as the new CEO. Your presence will be needed."
Annika was lost. She had to attend the party?
"The address will be sent to you shortly," he added.
Annika bit her lips to prevent herself from stuttering.
"Okay sir," she said.
Ashton nodded.
"You can leave now," he said.
Annika nodded and walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. Ashton's attention turned back to Lilith.
"So where were we?" She asked.