Seven
1204 Words
Olivia Westworth
My mind raced, trying to process what he'd just said. It was like a cold shower, an icy bucket of reality dumped on my head. "Like your secretary, secretary?"
He stood up, his towering figure filling my vision. I followed suit, my knees feeling like jelly. As I waited for his response, my heart pounded in my ears.
"Yes," he said, his voice low and smooth. But there was something in his eyes, a glint of something dangerous that sent chills down my spine. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was a predator sizing up his prey.
He leaned back against his desk. His scent, a mix of expensive cologne and something undeniably masculine, filled my senses. Up close, he was even more imposing, his features sharp and defined. I felt like a small, insignificant creature in his world.
"Is there something wrong, Olivia? Don't you want to be my personal secretary? I think you and I will make a great team."
My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I wanted to scream, to run, to disappear. But all I could do was stand there, rooted to the spot, my mouth dry. "I-I..." I stammered.
He didn't seem to mind my hesitation. "Besides," he continued, his eyes never leaving mine, "I need someone I can trust."
Thrust? Yeah, you can thrust into me alright. I blinked. No, Liv. That's not what he said. Get your mind off the gutter, perv.
I was fumbling for words, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. Eventually, I cleared my head and managed to say, "Yes, James. T-that's great. I... I can be your personal secretary."
He smiled, and it was the kind of smile that could send panties flying off women. He straightened up, his chest expanding, and I caught a whiff of his scent. It was intoxicating. I resisted the great urge to sniff him like I was some dog at the airport.
To distract myself from this hunky piece of beefcake, I asked, "Where... where is my desk, James?"
He looked around the penthouse for a while, perhaps considering the perfect spot to place me. Then he turned back to me and said, "Shirley, my previous secretary, used to stay on the floor below the penthouse. Perhaps, you can take her office."
Thank heavens. At least, I wouldn't have to be so close to him all the time. Heaven knew I would lose my screws if I stayed with him all day long. "That's great," I said, taking a step back.
He nodded and began to walk away, saying without looking back, "Come, Olivia. I will show you to your new office."
Gathering myself, I followed him out of the penthouse and into the elevator bank. The doors closed behind us, and the elevator began its descent. My heart was still racing, and I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.
As the elevator doors opened on the floor below, I followed James down a sleek hallway lined with frosted glass doors. We stopped in front of one labeled "Executive Secretary." He pushed the door open and motioned for me to step inside.
The office was spacious and modern, with a large desk, comfortable chairs, and a window that offered a breathtaking view of the city.
"This will be your space," James said, his voice breaking the silence. "You'll have everything you need here."
I nodded, trying to focus on his words rather than the overwhelming presence he exuded. "Thank you, James."
He gave me another one of those devastating smiles. "You're welcome, Olivia. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Of course," I replied, my voice steadier now.
James lingered by the door, his eyes sweeping the room before settling back on me. "Do you like it?"
Do you like that, baby girl? You are so tight. I remembered him saying that night. Oh God, what is wrong with you, Liv? Quit it already!
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. "Yes, everything is pretty much to my liking," I replied, hoping my voice sounded more confident than I felt.
"Good. Now, follow me. I’d like to introduce you to the team on this floor."
I quickly grabbed my bag and followed him out of the office, trying to match his pace. We walked down the hallway, and I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly confident he moved. It was as though he owned all the money in the world. He probably did, by the looks of it.
We entered a large open-plan office filled with sleek desks and bustling with activity. James cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. The chatter died down, and all eyes turned toward us.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce Olivia Westview," James announced. "She’s my new executive secretary."
A man with a friendly face and a quick smile stepped forward first. "Hi, Olivia. I’m Mark, head of marketing. Welcome aboard."
I shook his hand. "Thank you, Mark."
Next was a woman with sharp features and an air of efficiency. "I'm Lisa, head of Accounting. It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Lisa," I replied, returning her firm handshake.
James continued, pointing to a young man sitting at a desk covered in papers. "And this is Tom from IT. He's the one who keeps all our systems running smoothly."
Tom gave me a shy wave. "Hey, Olivia. If you have any tech problems, just let me know."
"I will, thanks, Tom," I said, smiling at him.
"And finally," James said, turning to a woman with stylish glasses and a bright, almost too-perfect smile, "this is Sarah, our PR manager."
Sarah stepped forward, her heels clacking against the flooring. She stopped a step before me and eyed me from head to toe and back up, her facial expression changing. "So this is our Shirley number two," she said in a tone I did not appreciate all that much. "You have big shoes to fill. Welcome to the team."
What a b1tch. "Thank you, Sarah," I said, swallowing. "I guess?"
At that, James let out a chuckle. "Don't be afraid of her, Olivia. That's just how Sarah is."
I looked at him but did not say a word.
James clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "Alright, everyone, back to work. Olivia, you'll be working closely with all of them, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."
As the team returned to their tasks, James turned to me. "Ready to get started?"
I nodded. "Yes, I'm ready, I guess."
"Good," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "I look forward to working very closely with you, Olivia. I'm sure we'll get along just fine... in more ways than one." His voice had a velvety undertone, and the way he emphasized certain words sent goosebumps crawling on my skin.
I swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "Thank you, James. I'll do my best."
He gave me a knowing smile, the kind that seemed to see right through me. "I’m counting on it," he replied, his gaze lingering a moment longer before turning back to his office. "Let's get you settled in."
- Writer
