Prologue
“Wow, I still can’t believe this is where I’m going to work.” Alicia walks up to the huge glass building with the big silver letters spelling out “BARTLETT BUILDING". She feels like jumping up and down on the spot, but she has to keep it together and be the utter image of professionalism. She can't mess things up before she even starts working!
After a grueling month of interviews, she finally got the job of being the assistant to the assistant to the CEO of Bartlett International Medical Industries. She went out and bought a brand-new suit for today. She is wearing the stilettoes she bought when she graduated. It was her treat for herself when she graduated. Finally, her signature red lipstick to give her that extra bit of confidence.
She goes through the entire process of contract signing with human resources and after an hour is taken up to the top floor where she is introduced to Mrs. Bartlett.
“Good morning, Ms. Moonvalor. Before you ask, yes, the CEO is my husband. This is a family business. No, we don’t get familiar around here, so you will not be addressing everyone by their names. Ever. The position might have been a bit under-advertised. I am planning on retiring soon. So, I will actually be training you to take over from me in six months. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, of course, that is… Unexpected but amazing… I’m sorry… I meant.”
“Okay, stop right there. You are going to give me a headache. Yes or no will do. That is your desk…”
The office door slams open.
“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND! YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND!!!” A young man dressed in a pair of chino pants, a soft blue shirt, and very expensive trainers storms out of the office screaming over his shoulder.
“NOAH! GET BACK IN HERE!”
“Mother, I will see you at home.”
“Of course, darling.” She kisses him on each cheek.
His amber eyes lock with Alicia’s and he stops in his tracks.
“Hi, I’m Noah Bartlett, I don’t believe we’ve met.” He gives her a brilliant smile.
Alicia still reeling from the scene that just took place in front of her holds out her hand but can’t seem to find her voice.
“Oh, darling, this is Alicia Moonvalor. She will take over when I retire. Now get out of here before your father comes out of his office.”
“Mother, talk to him, please. I really want that boat, and he won’t sign the damn cheque!”
“I’ll speak to him. Now go.”
He pops another kiss on his mother’s cheek and rushes to the stairs when he hears his father’s footsteps coming to the door.
“NOAH!”
“He has left, husband.”
“You know you spoil that boy!” Mr. Bartlett walks out of his office, his face blood red with anger.
“Who is this?”
“This is my new assistant. Miss Alicia Moonvalor. Miss Moonvalor, this is Mr. Bartlett, the CEO of the company.” She introduces them.”
“So, you also ignored my instructions.” He looks at his wife and Alicia’s eyes grow wide in surprise.
“No, I told you I’m retiring. You ignored me. Now stop being so difficult and greet the poor girl. You are scaring her.”
“Morning.” With that, he turns on his heel and slams his door shut behind him.
***
“How was your first day, sweetheart?” her mom asks while Alicia carefully puts her shoes away, pinching the phone between her shoulder and her ear.
“Mom, if I had to explain it, I think you would tell me to resign, but at least I have the first day behind me, so now I can just keep my head down and get to work from tomorrow. I did get some amazing news.”
Alicia called her mother every night since she moved to the city to let her know how things were going. Her parents weren’t rich, but they were concerned that she shouldn’t go hungry while chasing these huge dreams of hers. She worked part-time to pay for her studies and make a little extra money to send home to help them.
Her little apartment is a one-roomed place with her bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen all in one, but she wasn’t planning on receiving guests or spending all her time here, so it didn’t bother her that much that she had to take a bath next to her kitchen.
The small space actually saved time in moving around. She lives in the cheapest part of town, but she won’t be living there for very long. This does mean that she has to get up before sunrise to get to work.
The events of the day start playing through her mind, and the fact that Noah Bartlett was throwing a tantrum like a four-year-old because he couldn’t get a boat while she is living in her little apartment.
“Soon, Alicia, soon you will be able to afford your own mansion and boats to your heart's delight.” She says out loud to herself, sighing.
His amber eyes played around in her mind the rest of the evening. Haunting her through the night in her dreams.
***
Noah walks into the nightclub meeting up with his friends and grabs the first shot, pouring it down his throat. He wanted to pay for the boat today, so they could go out in the morning and sail to the islands over the weekend!
Then a pair of grey eyes flood his mind. Why can his father have a pretty little new assistant, but he can’t have his boat? But they are soon drowned out by his favorite friend who brings him a beer.
“Always late!” She plants a kiss on his lips and hands him the beer.
It’s going to be a great night if she is here. He swings his arm around her shoulder and joins the rest of the group ordering around for all of them.