She's The Boss

4. JASMINE

8.30 am

My morning has started as I flip the covers back and get dressed for my yoga class in the local city hall. I put on my favourite purple gym leggings and grey sports bra and throw on a white t-shirt, grabbing a banana and my yoga mat on the way out of my front door. I meet up meet Layla at the corner as we head to yoga today, We link arms and talk. I tell her about Blake and Jason asking us to join him at the white horse tonight for drinks. I have to think that my dear older Brother has a crush on Layla but I won't bring that up to her.

We get to class and roll out our mats we always get the same spot second row from the front. Yoga is good for the soul and great for a positive mind set. I still haven't heard from Blake Forest about the job I applied for which is weird because I felt there was a spark a connection so to speak or maybe I just imagined it. I shift into downward dog position listening to my breathing and the calming music.

The hour is up and I am sweating, I reach for my bottle of water and I notice I have a new voicemail waiting for me.

I play the message next to my ear

"Hello there Jasmine Howard, my name is Bob Hayes from Blake Forest Real Estate. I am here to congratulate you on offering the job of Blakes assistant please come to my office today between 12 and 3 to go through all paper work. Thank you" then the line goes dead. I look at my phone shocked then look at Layla who is looking at me. "I got it" is all I can say. I smile I am going to work for Blake Layla shrieks with excitement "that means celebrating tonight" She says clapping her hands. "For sure but I have to go to the office to through my contract and everything" I say as we head back to my flat. I go through my wardrobe to pick out my grey dress that hugs at my curves and shows on a hint of cleavage and bum. I dig out my black heels. Layla looks up from her phone as I lay my clothes on the bed and lifts a brow at me. "Don't say anything I just want to look good for my boss, and make the right impression on the guy from HR" I say then turn back grabbing my dressing gown and heading to the bathroom. "oh and Layla do you fancy coming to the White Horse tonight with me? my Brother asked me to ask you if you wanted to go". "Is Blake going to be there?" She asks I stop as I turn the door handle to my bathroom. "yeah I think so why?" I ask "Maybe you should flirt with him a little" Layla says raising a brow. I blush "I mean you have always had a crush on him and come off it your last boyfriend William was a bit of a wet blanket" Layla says now sitting up cross legged. I roll my eyes and close my bathroom door and I hear her turn on the TV and it's a rerun of FRIENDS. My favourite tv show growing up. "Hey Jasmine I am popping out to the shops to buy some food do you want anything while I'm gone?" Layla calls through the door. "No I am good thank you". I hear the front door shut and I finish off my shower and wrap a towel around my head, I apply lotion to my legs and start drying my hair. Layla returns using the spare key that I gave her and she comes in as I am about to start blow drying my hair. "Let me" she says and takes the hair brush and dryer.

Layla goes into the bathroom and I start applying my make up, when she is finished I am stepping to my heels and straitening out my dress. "How do I look?" I ask her mouth is open. "if I was gay I would so be flirting with you now" Layla says as she sits down at my make up dresser. "Thanks" I smile and head for the front door. "Meet you here or at the White Horse?" I call back. "White Horse is fine" then I hear the hair dryer going and head to Blake Forest HQ. I wondered if I would see Blake today to be honest but he is the CEO so he maybe in meetings all day which kind of left me disappointed. I open the door and smile at the receptionist from the other day. She smiles at me, I sign in and wait for the visitors badge that is when I notice a short man with glasses and blue eyes walk my way with paper work in his hands. "Miss Howard, nice to meet you I am Bob head of HR" We shake hands and "Jasmine Howard nice to meet you too". "If you please like to follow me, we will use the conference room where you had your interview to fill out the specific paper work" He turns on his heels and heads towards to lifts. I follow closely behind him dying to ask him if Blake will be joining us. I step into the lift and watch the door close. We stand in silence as the lift moves, we reach the floor and step out Blake's office door is shut and Bob opens the conference door and I step inside, he leaves the door open and I relax. I am wishing it is Blake in here instead of Bob. I take a seat and Bob stands to the side of me holding out a pen so I can sign the contract I look through it skimming the pages. My gaze stops on my salary starting £80,000 probation period is 3 months. I have to travel with Blake on any business trips he has to go on, get a company car. I look up at Bob who is now sitting the other side of the table. "Any questions?" He asks "Actually is Blake I mean Mr Forest is available right now I need to double check that all this is correct" I say mouth going dry. "I will go and check" Bob says and gets up to leave. I hear him knock next door then I hear a chair slide back. I look down at the table until I feel his gaze on me I slowly lift my head taking in every inch of Blake Forest, my gaze moves up pass his long legs, narrow hips, waist coat a purple tie (my favourite colour) broad chest and shoulders up to his brown eyes. He fills the doorway. "Bob says you have some questions about the contract" He asks me folding his arms across his chest, I swallow trying to form words. I can only reply with a nod. Blake turns to Bob and says "I can finish this off and I'll drop off everything to you" "no I can stay" Bob protests but Blake must give him a look and then he back tracks and says goodbye to me and heads out the door. Blake moves away from the door and comes and sits next to me turning my chair so we are facing one another knees touching making me ache in between my legs. "Ok Jasmine what is the issue?" He leans forward hands clasped between his legs. I look at him so we are eye to eye and he is inches away from my face "that starting salary is crazy" I say quietly looking away at my hands. "Jasmine do you know how much I am worth?" He asks me and I shake my head. "I am worth £100 million Jasmine" My mouth drops open and he runs his thumb a long my lower lip. I lick my lip after his touch. "Does that change things at all?" He asks. I shake my head "your day will start at 9 and finish at 7, you get an hour for lunch, there is a fully catered cafeteria downstairs on the 2nd floor or there is a break room on the floor below here which has a coffee machine, fridge, sink you name it or you can store your lunch in my office that is no problem" He says never breaking eye contact with me. Only then do I notice how long and thick his eye lashes are. I sign the contact filling like I have won the lottery with landing this role with Blake.