Forgotten Obsession

Chapter 2

NATALIA BREATHED in the scent of his cologne when she entered his office. He was facing the glass window overlooking Manhattan.  Being at one of the tallest buildings in the city has its perks.  Looking at the clear white and blue skies slightly relaxed her but when he turned his swivel chair to face her, she was lost once more in the depths of his gaze. 

“Have a seat Ms. Abrera, or can I call you Talia?”

Natalia hated to hear the nickname Talia but when he suggested it, she couldn’t have thought of any other name. 

“Yes.” She whispered softly as she lowered herself in the seat in front of his mahogany table. 

He stood up, holding a folder labeled with her name.  It must be her records including all information from her past. 

“Talia...”

The way he said her name was like music in her ears, the soft a sound at the end felt like he was moaning her name.

“Sir?”

“I just have three questions.  If I liked your answer, you’re free to start today.  But if not...I don’t want to see you in this building again.”

She almost dropped the phone she was holding with the impact of his words. Talia felt scared. Not because of the questions, but for the fact that she will not see him again if she answered the questions incorrectly.

“Understood, Sir.”

“Why were you terminated from your previous job?”

She knew that it was a trick question. She signed an non-disclosure agreement with her previous employer and she cannot divulge the reason of her termination even if it is personal.

“I’m afraid I cannot disclose that information to you, Sir.  It is not proper for me to  speak about my previous employers.  But do note that I have performed to the best of my abilities to ensure that I will deliver what was expected of me in my assigned role.”

He looked at her inquisitively.  It was like he’s measuring her with his stare.

“Fair enough, considering that you were harassed by your previous boss.  Tell me, Talia.  What if the same thing happened here...would you allow it?”

Was it just her or the temperature of the room turned warmer and she blushed at the thought. She won’t back down.  She’s determined to win the job and so she answered honestly, hoping that it would save her from failure.

“I know that relationship in the office is not allowed in this company.  I am also aware that boss-employee affair is taboo and done secretly, but I don’t think it would be the case here.  You seem like a respectable man who likewise respects other people’s rights and free will.”

“Really? Interesting...but I am not convinced.  What if I ask you to do something beyond what was expected of you...aside from your assigned role.”

He’s pushing it.  If he is trying to test if she’s interested in having an affair with him, she will not give him a clue. She’ll be as vague as possible. 

“As I’ve said, free will.  If it’s beyond my assigned role, it is my choice and my decision which means I will also be accountable for my action.”

She looked straight in his eyes.  She wanted him to see the sincerity of her words.

“Lastly, tell me about your family, where you grew up and how was your life after school.”

“I grew up at St. Benedict’s Orphanage.  I was adopted three times but I was always returned to the nuns.  The fourth time I was adopted was in middle school and my new family relocated in Mexico.  They supported my studies until they died in a car accident the same year I graduated in college. If I’ll be accepted, this will be my second job in the eight months that I have finished my degree in Business.”

“Why are you applying as Executive Assistant?”

 It was question number four which was not part of his plan but she answered it.

“I am a very organized person and I want to use that talent and put it to good use.”

He walked back to his seat and sat down.  He handed the folder to Talia.

“Here.  Give this to Clara. She’ll know what to do.  Your office is at the other room.  You may use that adjoining door right there.  Another door leads to the reception area.”  Sebastian stood up and walked to the door he pointed at.  She followed silently, still surprised that she got the job. 

“See you later at lunch time, Talia.”  He opened the adjoining door and gently pushed her inside.  He turned around and walked back to his office.  Absentmindedly, she moved farther to the room and saw the door that her boss was telling her about.  It opened up, revealing Clara, smiling at her.

“Great! You’re in! Congratulations! Let me take that from you.”

Clara took the folder and Natalia just stared at the oak wood table of her new office. 

“Sir Basti only trusts his EAs to pass through this room.  Now, this will be your office.”

“But what about the reception area outside? Who will be working there?”

“The boss doesn’t receive visitors here.  His meetings and conferences are done at the 69th floor boardroom.  You two will be the only people here.  Even Dave is usually out.  He just scans the recordings of the previous day and transfers them on his archive then he will wait for Sir Basti when he will leave the office.  Sebastian is a very private man.  Do not accept any visitors unless he gives you the go signal.  No one can go up to this floor without your screening and his approval.”

Clara replaced the folder on the stack of documents on top of the EA’s table. 

“Since the boss does not allow anyone to go up to this floor, you will be the one to bring all his files that he’s routing out to the 65th floor.  I will tour you around the office and introduce you to the staff and officers that you need to communicate with.”

Natalia just looked at her, still distracted by the thought that only a door separates her from Sebastian and that only the two of them will be sharing the floor for the whole day. 

“Natalia?”

“Sorry, I spaced out.  I hope you don’t mind me asking, why are you leaving as his EA?” She looked excited as she shared her the good news.

“I am getting old, so I decided to retire and that generous boy there gave me and my husband a month long all expense paid vacation to Hawaii.  Isn’t he the best?!”

“Wow.” 

“He was sad at first that I would be leaving him but I knew it was about time he tries to be with girls his age...I mean with younger versions of me.”

Natalia couldn’t help but smile at Clara’s bubbly personality.  It’s infectious how she gushed over Sebastian’s kindness and generosity.

“I see.  Good luck then.”

“Don’t worry, I still have three days more to show you the ropes of your job.  Golden rule with Sir Basti, never divulge his location to anyone regardless of who the person on the other line is.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Here, I made a list of the Dos and Don’ts with regards to Sir Basti.  Keep this in your pocket at all times, or if you could memorize them, it’s much better.” 

Natalia scanned the list and her heart skipped a beat knowing that she has in her hands the ticket in making sure that she will have the best employee-employer relationship with the delicious man that is her boss.  Not only will Natalia ensure to be the best EA, but also to add another two letters to her name...GF.