ASHER RICK

Part seven

I was rushing my way to the entrance. Five minutes and I would be late. I forgot to set my damn alarm. I remembered saying goodnight to Jess and I was flat on the bed. I was damned tired. I slept the whole day and night. No puns intended.

Basically, my body clock ticked at six in the morning even without an alarm, but to be assured, I always set an alarm clock. It was just that I forgot about it last night and I overslept. What a klutz!

Today, I wore the brown polka dot pencil dress to work. It was a simple but desirable knee-length pencil dress. It was comfortable. I could easily move around. A while later, I got to the table and saw Ms. Owen at her table. She smiled upon seeing me.

"You look fabulous. A simple dress or not, you can rock it.” She appreciatively stated.

“Thank you, Ms. Owen,” my face instantly heated. I wasn’t so used to accepting praise from strangers. Well, she wouldn’t be a stranger as I would be working along with her, would she?

"You’re cute but you wouldn’t be if you insisted on calling me that name. Call me Jacky. I'm just 4 years older than you, remember?”

"Okay, if you say so,” I reciprocated her smile. I felt at ease with her. She was heartwarming, bubbly, and well, pretty was an understatement.

I got on my chair and started sorting out the papers for the day. Our shiny wooden table was kind of long and high. If I stood up, half of my lower body would be invisible. So when I sat, my face was the only aspect of my body to perceive.

I was lost in the moment that I didn’t notice someone had been watching me intently in front of the table. I wouldn’t really notice though, since I was so engrossed in my tasks.

I was startled when Jacky suddenly stood up and greeted the person who on earth would be the last person I would wish to see.

"Good morning Mr. Rick and Good morning, Mrs. Wells.” She sweetly greeted them.

My head snapped upward and met his eyes. I thought my heart dropped down to my stomach. I was completely rooted in my chair, feeling my jaw drop open. He was there staring at me with a grim face. I could not read his eyes, but finally, I could say he had blue orbs or cerulean eyes, deep and truly intimidating, which I'd never bothered examining before because I was hungry for the one he had in between those sexy legs. Well, I was not intimidated that night.

I was again awakened from my stance when Jacky kicked my chair.

I bestirred from my chair and cleared my throat.

My heart, damned my heart; it was beating erratically.

I acted normally and found myself speaking.

"Good morning Mrs. Wells and to you Mr. Rick.” I nervously clutched my pen. Poor pen, thanks for giving me support. I smiled at him briefly and turned to Mrs. Wells with a sweet smile.

"So, you are the new assistant,” I quietly gasped.

He talks. His voice was hard and non-committal.

"Yes, Sir.″ I met his eyes and smiled coyly.

His posture stiffened but it was for a very brief second. Maybe it was just my imagination. I thought I saw a surprise in his eyes, but it was gone when he slightly squinted his eyes at me; he looked upset.

Without a word, he turned and headed for his office. Mrs. Wells was staring at me, but her face was unreadable too. She followed him to his office.

"Was he angry?” I asked Jacky, confusion laced in my voice.

"He is always angry.” She said but looked skeptical while eyeing me. I gave her a shrug and went back to work, acting normal when, in fact, I was wishing the floor to open and swallow myself whole. I was very nervous.

It was just a one-night stand, I reminded myself. I had to forget it or find another job?

I repeated the sentence over again like a mantra. Why did he have to be Mr. Rick? Never would I think he was Mr. Rick. How could I possibly f**k my boss?

The phone beside me rang loudly. I yelped. "Hi, Mr. Rick’s office, Carrie speaking, how may ---”

"Cut the crap, come to the office, now!” The line went dead. He was mad, I could tell. His voice was stoic and cold.

My palms were sweating. I felt my heart was coming out of my chest. I hung up the phone immediately.

"Who was that?” Jacky inquired.

"Ash--I mean, Mr. Rick’s calling for me.” I nervously patted my dress. “But I’ll be fine.” I gave her an assuring smile.

She was encouragingly nodding to me.

I was halfway to his office when it opened and Mrs. Wells emerged.

"Hi, is he okay?” I asked quietly.

"You don’t seem to have the habit of asking if everyone’s okay, do you?” She smirked. That smirk reminded me of someone yet I could not pinpoint.

“Yeah, I'm just nervous. I’m going in,” I pointed to the door.

"He’s a bit grumpy the moment he walked in,” she warned. There was more to that, so I turned to look at her, but she had already made her way to the elevator.

I knocked three times but there was no response. I pushed the door open and there he was, sitting on his sofa with one hand on his lap, the other dripping on the sofa’s frame, waiting for my grand entrance.

"Lock the door,” his domineering voice made my knees wobble.