Loving Maverick

Maverick's Assistant

 It was the morning of the meeting. Maverick decided to arrive at work a few hours earlier than usual so that he'd have time before the meeting with Garret's company to look over a few documents that they'd no doubt be discussing.

Everything was in order so he packed all of his folders into his briefcase and cleared his desk. After he was finished, he received a call from his office phone.

"Yea?" It was one of the valets alerting him to the fact that the car that was to take them to their appointment was having technical difficulties. "This is ridiculous! Where are the other two cars?" He asked. "Well, why hasn't anyone said anything about the cars having car troubles?" He incredulously questioned. Maverick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Fine, just...if the car isn't prepared within the next ten minutes, I'll use my own vehicle," He said and then hung up the phone.

Maverick, frustrated stood up from his desk and started to leave his office. He hadn't even noticed if Stevie was around yet. She usually took his elevator so he assumed that she wasn't. This frustrated him as well because if the car was going to be a bust at least his secretary could arrive on time. Something that he usually didn't have to worry about so bearing this in mind he then suddenly became concerned for her well-being. 

He quickly headed to her office and on arriving, he noticed that her door was cracked. He opened the door to see her sitting on the visitor's side of her desk, massaging at her temples as she looked at some paperwork. 

"Good morning," He greeted, startling her. 

"Oh!" Stevie quickly stood from where she sat...big mistake as her migraine pulsed for a moment before settling down again. "Good-you-good morning," She stumbled. "You startled me," She chuckled uneasily.

"That wasn't my intention," He said. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," She lied, taking a deep breath. She smiled brightly.

"Have you taken your medicine?" He asked. He knew that she wasn't fine. He could tell by the discomfit look on her face.

There was no need to even lie about it. "Look, I took a powdered aspirin," She immediately defended. "It'll make the pain bearable for a little while-"

"Stevie I don't think-"

"I'm fine!" She insisted. She looked at Maverick. "Please don't make a big deal out of this," She begged. "I'm a big girl, okay? I can handle this."

Maverick sighed and shook his head. "Fine,"

"Thank you," She smiled gratefully. "By the way!" She grabbed a few laminated papers and rushed to him.

It was as she was approaching him that he noticed her skirt. It wasn't too short, maybe an inch and a half above the knee. It was high wasted color-blocked in black and white. She had a white shirt, fitted with ruffled sleeves. She wore black patent pumps that were clear on the sides. What was most noticeable to Maverick, however, was her hair.

"Mr. Singh? Did you hear me?"

"Your hair...is different," He commented.

"Oh!" Stevie suddenly started feeling on her hair as if assuring that her curls were straight. "Yea, I...I guess I decided to do something different,"

Maverick smiled. "You did this yourself?"

Stevie nodded, suddenly feeling self-consciou. She didn't know how to take what he was saying, "Yeah, I-does it look okay?" She stumbled. "I never really added heat to my hair, outside of blow drying it every now and then before and so-"

"It looks great, Stevie," He said to her as he admired her long and soft curls. Her hair was tucked behind her left ear in soft light-weight curls while her right had a long bang covering half of her eye as the hair fell in those continued soft waves. She had on small hoops to accentuate and compliment the look as well as a choker that Maverick began to notice as her favorite. What he loved most about her look, however, was the fact that even with all of that done-up that she did, the only shred of makeup that Stevoe had was that of the lipgloss that she was wearing.

"Well, thanks, boss!" She said. Stevie hated talking about herself, especially, where her looks were concerned, and immediately changed the subject. "Anyways, I picked out a few material ideas for the interior of the house.

It took Maverick a moment to even snatch his mind away from how beautiful his assistant was in her get-up. His reaction to her comment was delayed. But he finally found himself half-way through her explanation.

"I haven't even figured out what I want the exterior to be yet, Ms. Vidal,"  

"I thought you had decided on stone," Stevie replied. "I know you don't want vinyl," 

"There are so many different types of stone though," He sighed. "I-I don't...I don't know," 

"Well, on the way to the restaurant, I'll look up some of the different types of stone and we can narrow it down to some of the things that you find more...you," She suggested. "Speaking of which," She took the papers and placed them in the bag that she was going to carry with her to the luncheon. "shouldn't we be leaving now?" She asked and turned around.

"The car is acting up and wouldn't you know, they can't even figure out what's the matter," He rolled his eyes. "You'd think we'd have someone around here that knows a little something about cars,"

"You don't have a contract with an auto mechanic business or something?" She asked. "I'd think that would be one of the more lucrative contracts you'd make a goal to snatch up," She said.

"Why would an architectural company think to draw up a contract with a mechanic?" He said. "Come, let's see how they're faring down there?"

They started out of the office and toward the elevator. "You don't think that's a good investment?" Stevie asked. "Your limos for functions and all that other high-end crap that you guys do are important, so why not?"

"Crap, huh?" 

The intimidating sound of Abhimanyu Singh startled Stevie and she quickly turned around, suddenly ashamed by what she had said. 

"I-I didn't mean it that way, sir! I...I'm sorr-I apologize for the way that came out. I jus-" Her shoulders dropped as she realized that there was no saving herself on this one, "Goodmorning, Mr. Singh, how are you?" She decided to say.

Maverick watched his father and his amused expression at his assistant. He was toying around with her but he didn't want her to know that. Maverick shook his head. 

"I'm fine, as long my son can successfully snag this deal," When she looked at him again, his face returned to a serious facade. "I trust, you won't be a hindrance," His brow raised.

"Dad," Maverick interceded.

"I'm sure...Ms. Vidal will be as professional as she was when she sat in on the meetings while you were out." He said. 

"I trust you'll be joining us downstairs soon," Maverick replied after his father subtly reassured both he and Stevie that he had confidence in her.. 

"Have to take care of a few things first," He smiled. "I'll be meeting you there,"

"You do know that the other car is messed up, right?" Maverick said. 

"Well, then I will have to drive myself then," He chuckled. "Remind me to find a contract with a mechanic or something," He glanced at Stevie and then walked away.

When Maverick and Stevie went into the elevator, Stevie leaned against the elevator wall, "Your dad hates me," She mumbled frustratedly.

"My dad doesn't hate anyone," Maverick clarified. "And even if that were the case, and it is not...it really doesn't matter how he feels anyway. You're my assistant, not his,"

She looked up at him. "So, he does hate me," She said. "He told you that he hates me, didn't he?"

"No," Maverick chuckled. "You do realize that he and your father, along with your uncle were very good friends, right?" 

"Doesn't mean that he would like me," She said. 

Maverick sighed. "I assure you that he does not have a problem with you. If he did, your father would more than likely have heard from him by now," He was amused by the conversation until he noticed her pressing against her temples again and closing her eyes. She was more concerned than he thought she was. "Hey, hey," He stood in front of her. "Stevie, I'm serious. My father does not dislike you,"

She looked up at him. "I-it's just...every time-every single time I'm around him, I seem to slip up or do something that he disapproves of," She shook her head. 

The elevator doors opened and Maverick turned around to see that they were on the parking deck. He didn't like that she was so bothered by what his father thought of her. "I'm going to talk to him,"

Immediately, Stevie opened her eyes. "No! No, you're not!"

"Wh-if this is bothering you that much then why not?"

"You are not going to talk to your father about my feelings about him! He'll surely think that I put you up to this and then he'll hate me even more!" She exclaimed. "Don't!" She looked at him with alarm on her face. "Please," She begged. 

After a moment of silence between them, Maverick finally gave in. "Fine, I won't tell him," He turned around and headed to the car just as the men were closing the trunk, "That car ready yet?" He asked. 

"Yes sir!" The men said. 

"Good," He muttered as he thought about how difficult Stevie was being. "Women,"

The car drive to the meeting was silent but not because Stevie was upset with Maverick or vice versa. Maverick had begun to notice that Stevie Vidal was always quiet when she was hard at work. She was sitting next to him looking up and pricing exterior sidings for Maverick's house during just about the whole ride. He didn't say anything against it because this seemed to be something that she wanted to do.

"We're here," Maverick said when the car finally stopped. Before he opened the car door he had to ask. "How are you feeling?" 

Stevie looked at him curiously, "I'm fine." She reassured him.

He nodded and got out of the car, the valet opened Stevie's door before Maverick could get to her. They walked into the restaurant together.

Stevie had never before been to a place like this. Its gold and maroon interior from wall to wall, immaculate chandeliers, and waterfall displays in each center of the restaurant, and the food smelled amazing. 

"This place...is beautiful!" She gasped.

Maverick looked at her and admired the pleasure on her face as she gazed around. He almost got lost in watching her. His saving grace was hearing his name being called.

"Young Mr. Singh!" 

Maverick turned and was immediately face to face with not only Garret but his father and Maverick's father as well. He was caught by surprise for but only a moment before he recovered and gave a greeting and smile.

"Hello, Mr. St. Claire. It's a pleasure to see you again!" 

Garret's father smiled brightly. "The feeling is mutual young Mr. Singh!" He exclaimed. His gaze then reached around Maverick and noticed Stevie standing there. "And who is this breathtaking young woman?" He asked.

"This," Maverick gently touched the small of Stevie's back making her wince a little before she allowed him to guide her forward. "Is my assistant, Stevie Vidal," He introduced.

"Aha," Mr. St. Claire smiled. "I see," He grinned. "It is quite lovely to meet you, Ms. Vidal," 

 "Ms. Vidal, this is Clive St. Claire, owner, and CEO of Intex Industries."  Maverick in turn introduced Garret's father.

"Intex is home to some of the most brilliant architectural minds! It's a pleasure, sir," Stevie smiled.

"Why, that is an honor to hear!" Garret's father stood there for a moment just staring at Stevie for a time before he snapped out of it. "Come! Let's sit!" 

Maverick gestured for Stevie to go ahead of him and he followed behind her. When they sat, Maverick immediately noticed everyone staring down his assistant. Why? He half-guessed, though Garret, himself, had a very attractive young lady by his side. In truth, it was starting to irritate him.

Obnoxiously clearing his throat, Maverick brought all of the attention on him. "So," When he glanced at his father, he noticed the amused look on his face.

"It's nice to see you again, Ms. Vidal," Garret said.

Stevie who had been looking down the whole time turned her verdant gaze to him with a small smile.  "You too, Mr. Garret. Hope everything is going well with you and yours," She said.

He nodded, biting his bottom lip. "Yeah, yeah, everything is...just great-even better now," 

Was he? Did he? Just flirt with me? Stevie thought to herself as she saw his penetrating gaze. "I-that's," She nervously cleared her throat. "That's nice,"

"How's your head?" He asked. This seemed to catch not only Stevie but everyone else off guard. Stevie started to open her mouth to ask what he meant when he clarified. "Last time I made a visit, you were a little worse for wear-suffering with...migraine, I believe?. I hope things are better now,"

"I-I'm dealing with it, accordingly," She reassured. "Everything's fine!"

"Migraines," Abhimanyu looked at Maverick. "Must be terrible," 

"I imagine those migraines are only a result of your brilliance," Garrets', father inserted. "I hear that you had a hand in the new blueprint layouts that we are going with."

"Oh! Sir, I-" 

"Let's not be modest," Clive said. "My son, Garret is practically infatuated. I dare say, I see why, now," He grinned.

"Are...we here to talk about how attractive my assistant is, or get to work, gentlemen?" Maverick tried to come off as joking but he could feel his anger getting the best of him. They all laughed nonetheless.

"Why can't we talk about both!?" Another of the men said. 

"I'm sure you'd be worth far more than just an assistant at Intex, Ms. Vidal," He grinned. 

"I-"

"Are you trying to poach my son's assistant, Clive?" Abhimanyu asked with amusement.

"Well," He smiled. "She did say that Intex was home to some of the most brilliant minds around, so-"

"Yes, I did," Stevie replied. "Second to Maverick Industries of course," She smiled sincerely. 

This apparently amused Clive as he started to chuckle. "Feisty little assistant you have there, Maverick," He bit his bottom lip and watched Stevie closely. At this point, it seemed that even Garret was becoming uncomfortable with his father's candor.

"We should get down to business," Garret interceded.

"I agree," Maverick almost growled.

"Of course! Of course!" Clive laughed it off, along with a few of the other men at the table. "But in case you change your mind, Ms. Vidal, I'm sure you'll always have a spot at Intex."

"Thank-thank you, sir. I'll keep that in mind," She said. She glanced at Maverick. "I-um, can I be excused for a moment?" She whispered.

Maverick saw the anxiety in her eyes and immediately went into protective mode. "Take your time." 

Stevie smiled and nodded. She took her recorder out and placed it on the table next to him. "Just in case I miss anything important before I return," 

Mav watched her immediately get up and head to the bathroom. When he saw her go in, he returned his attention back to the table only to realize that everyone was watching her. He'd had enough at this point and his father knew this as his expression showed as much. 

Maverick didn't want to mess anything up, but he still needed to make it known. "Before we go any further, let me make one thing clear...Stevie Vidal," He shook his head. "Is off-limits,"