Anagram

by Sienna Grant

  “Ms. Silver,” I yell, and watch as she stills. “My office, now.”

  I storm back around my desk and sit down, my knee bouncing as I wait for her to follow.

  Bronwyn takes timid steps into my office and closes the door behind her. Standing across from me with her hands clasped together in front of her, she casts her eyes downward. “Yes, Ms. Quinn?”

  “I’d like to know why you were away from your desk again.” I wait on an answer for a moment but don’t get one. “Ms. Silver, I can’t allow this to go on. I need competence. You knew when we hired you what type of business this was. I can’t afford for you to be away from your desk other than at scheduled break periods. I do not pay you to flirt with other employees, you do that on your own time, not mine. You do realize that while you were away from your desk, Mr. Hicks called. Now instead of having a conference call with the director of the company, I’m having to sort this issue out.”

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Quinn.” She sniffles.

  “You’re sorry? Are you sorry for all the other times you’ve been inefficient?” I just about see the slight nod of her head before I catch the small squeak her voice makes.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s not good enough. I shouldn’t have to look through that pane of glass and wonder where you are. You know what, I’m done with this, you’re fired.”

  “What? B-but, Ms. Quinn, I’m sorry,” she stutters out.

  “You can work until the end of the day. It’s not the first time we’ve had to have this conversation and I refuse to have it again.” Rubbing my forehead with the tips of my fingers, I sigh.

  Another sniffle catches at the back of her throat and her eyes begin to fill with tears.

  Grabbing the box of tissues from the corner of my desk, I place them in front of her. She pulls one out and gently dabs at her eyes.

  “You’re dismissed.” I’m not a patient person, and showing my emotions is something I never do.

  She turns away from me as quick as she can, leaving my office and pulling the door closed behind her.

  I lean back in my chair and let out a breath before checking my email and finding one from my boss. Once I’ve read it, I call him and deal with the business at hand.

  Once most of the agents have left for the day, I watch Bronwyn gather her stuff together into a box. Pulling the strap of her bag onto her shoulder, she picks up the box and glances at me through the glass that separates us before leaving the office for good.

  Picking up the phone receiver, I call HR.

  Within seconds, my head of HR answers.

  “Steven. I need a new assistant. Can you put it out internally first, and if no one applies, then it’ll go external.”

  “Of course, Ms. Quinn.”

  “Oh, and, Steven, I need this done ASAP.” With my temper spiking, I slam the receiver down and sit back in my chair.

  Bronwyn has worked here since before I was hired as CEO. She wasn’t very efficient as a normal secretary in HR, so I wonder why the last CEO thought she’d be of any use to him? Unless he liked being a perv and looking down the low-cut tops which she always wore.

  The day had come to an end and I couldn’t wait to go home and sink into a relaxing bubble bath.

  I’m in early the next day. I needed to make sure everything is set up and my meetings have been scheduled. Once I know we’re back on track, I lean back in my chair.

  A call comes through from the main desk. “Yes, Steven?”

  “Mr. Brooks is on the line from EB Pharmaceuticals, he was quite adamant that he speaks to you. Would you like me to schedule him for another time?”

  A smirk teases my lips as I think about hanging up on him yesterday. I know I’ll pay for that and I can hardly wait to have his hands on me. “No, it’s fine. I have a spare five minutes. Put him through.”

  I wait on the line until I hear the deep, sexy voice of Everett Brooks.

  “Well, well, Ms. Quinn. I thought I was going to have to come down there and demand to see you for a minute. Who’s the dude?”

  “Hello, Everett.” I smile to myself at his question about Steven. “He’s my stand-in assistant. I fired my other one.”

  “How many is that now?” he asks with a hint of teasing in his arrogant tone.

  “Only one. So, what did you want Everett? You’re on a tight schedule, I think Steven might be timing you.” I just hope my new assistant is just as good as Steven is. I sigh to myself in wonder.

  “Hm…”

  “Ev, we both know you won’t come downtown because it would mean you’d have to keep your hands to yourself, and we both know you don’t have much willpower.”

  “We both know that you would give in before me, Rae. I want to see you tonight. And don’t even think about hanging up on me today.”

  “I think that could be arranged. What time would you like me to schedule you into my private calendar?” The smirk I had soon turns into a full-on smile. Everett and I have been seeing each other for a couple of months now, but we’ve kept it on the low. We didn’t want too many people knowing we were together right away, especially when we were fighting for the same account. We didn’t want other competitors thinking he let me win, I won that account fair and square.

  “What time will you be done tonight?”

  “Oh, for you, I could probably get away from here around six, how’s that?”

  “I can work with six. The usual place. You know just thinking of seeing you later has my dick throbbing. You’re lucky I didn’t see you last night, I can’t fucking wait to get my hands on you.” His voice turns gravelly—it’s how he sounds when we have sex—and I feel it all the way through to my core. “I have to sit around with a hard-on now and I have a meeting. Thanks, Rae.” I can hear the smirk in his voice.

  “I did nothing. Enjoy your meeting, baby. See you later.” I whisper the last bit and blow him a kiss. Putting down the receiver, I sit back and sigh, smiling to myself like a fool.

  I’m not the kind of woman to fall head over heels for a guy, but Everett is different. Not that I’m falling for him at all, because I’m not, but he accepts me for the person I am. He knows what I like; he’s cool with me being as powerful as him on a professional level. There aren’t many guys around who can cope with that.

  The knocking on my door drags me from my Everett haze. I meet Steven’s gaze through the glass, and nod for him to enter.

  “HR has gathered a list of around fifty applicants.” He hands over the list as he reaches me and I flick my gaze over the long list of names before passing it back with an agreeable nod.

  “Okay. Go through it, shorten it, do the interviews, and let me know the top five.”

  Smiling through tight lips, he turns away and heads to the door.

  “Oh, Steven…” I wait for him to spin back around. “Please make sure they’re worthwhile applicants, I don’t want my time wasted when it can use it elsewhere. My next PA needs to be outstanding.”

  “I’ll let HR know.”

  “Thank you.”

  The door closes behind him and I turn back to my monitor, going through the testimonials for the drugs that have been tried and tested. So far, the reviews are good. Mr. Hicks will be pleased. I attach all the figures to an email and send it over to him.

  The office is still amok with employees, but when I look at the time and see it’s almost five, I push out of my chair and head into the adjoining bathroom in my office. When I became CEO, Terry Hicks told me I could have exactly what I wanted, and goddammit I was going to have it. I’d worked fucking hard for this position. I put in the extra hours, any overtime that was available, I did it. I showed him I was more than worthy of the job.

  Rinsing my hands under the cold water, I freshen myself up and see that my makeup hasn’t really faded. I just re-apply my lipstick and push my lips together. Smoothing my suit down with my palms, I then run a brush through my hair. It’s usually up for work, but this morning I wanted
a change. I take the clips from my bag and twist it into a chignon and pin it up. Everett has a thing for my hair. In fact, Everett has a thing for everything.

  Taking a perfume from my bag, I spray it all over me and take one last look in the mirror. I’ll do.

  It’s going to take me at least thirty minutes to get across town. Picking up my purse and making sure I have everything, I head out of my office, locking it up as I leave, and stop by Steven’s desk. “I’m heading out early for a late meeting. If anyone calls, just take a message and I’ll get on it in the morning.”

  “Sure will, Ms. Quinn. You have a good evening.”

  Oh, I will. “You too, Steven.” Turning from him, I leave the office and head down the hallway to the elevators.

  I was right about getting across town; the roads are crazy. I always say I’m not going to drive to work, but every time I go to leave, it’s like my precious car calls to me. So here I am sitting in a long line of afternoon traffic.

  It’s not too long though before I’m reaching our place. Parking in the lot of the hotel, I lock up my car and head into the building. I greet the concierge with a nod and head up to the tenth floor.

  Stepping out of the elevator, I make my way to the only door on the floor. Pausing at the door, I reach into my purse, taking the small compact out to check my lipstick and my hair again, seeing that they’re almost near perfect. I drop it back inside and waste no more time before rapping my knuckles on the door.

  It opens less than a second later and my breath hitches. Everett is standing there, one arm resting against the top of the doorframe, his dress shirt hanging open. The button of his pants is already undone, revealing his olive skin and a scattering of hair that runs down the middle of his torso and disappears under those goddamn pants. My mouth waters at the sight in front of me and I capture my lip between my teeth.

  “Hello, Ms. Quinn.” He snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me against him until our bodies are flush. As quick as a flash of lightning, his free hand is weaving around to the back of my neck, holding me still, and he plants his lips on mine. The bitter taste of coffee begins to seep into my mouth, and I push my body against him until my breasts are flush against his chest.

  He pulls away all too quickly for my liking and circles my wrist, gripping it tightly with his fingers and guiding my hand to his crotch before saying in a desire clogged voice, “That’s what I’ve had to sit with since I spoke to you earlier. Get in here and fix it.” He grins at me. Everett knows I need some release after the stressful week I’ve had. He is the only person who can do that for me. The world only consists of him and me, and as he drags off his shirt, I give the door a shove with my hand. As soon as I hear it click shut, I drop to my knees before him and quickly unzip his pants, my greedy lips wrapping around the thick head of his cock. Everett pulls the clip from my hair and grabs a handful in his fist. Suddenly, I’m not Reagan Quinn, CEO, I’m just Reagan, needing to blow off some steam. He delves his fingers further into my hair and controls my movements.

  I love every minute of it.

  Four

  Reagan

  I love staring out over the New York skyline. It reminds me how far I’ve come. I cross my arms over my chest and suck in a deep breath, preparing for the next applicant. It’s not been a good day so far. I’ve interviewed three people and none of them have been up to my standards of perfection.

  I had specific orders for Steven—they had to be outstanding. Does he even know that word?

  There are so many other things I need to do be doing.

  A sharp knock sounds on my door. I shout, “Enter,” knowing it’s Steven with the next applicant. The door opens and a blonde, well dressed woman follows him in. The skirt is a little short for an interview, but I try to see past that.

  Steven introduces her to me, and I invite her to take a seat. We get the niceties out of the way and begin the process once more.

  The interview has been going on for more than fifteen minutes and we haven’t even gotten to the main interview questions, she’s just rambling on about herself, looking around the room, never at me. The more she speaks, the more she’s boring the shit out of me. She has this goofy, happy look on her face as she speaks about her family and her kids, and how little Toby has just started walking.

  Shuffling through the pages of her resume in front of me, I go back through her qualifications and achievements. She’s never been a PA, only a secretary. How the hell did she make it to the top five? I need to cut this short. The first strike was the inappropriate clothing, the second strike, she won’t make eye contact.

  I need someone proficient, who shows initiative, not someone who is going to fly off into their own little dreamland at any given moment. I’m not the easiest to work for, I know that

  She’s definitely not the person for me or this company. Grabbing my red pen, I draw a line through her name and look up. As soon as she takes a breath, I cut in before she can go on.

  “Rebecca, thank you so much for coming in today.” I push up from my chair and reach my hand across the width of the desk. She quickly stands and shakes my hand in a loose grip. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve seen all the applicants.” Walking around the desk, I stand at the glass door and open it for her.

  “Thank you so much for seeing me, Ms. Quinn.”

  “You’re welcome.” With a nod and a grin, I stand aside and let her pass by.

  I close the door and survey my large corner office, a little bit of pride bubbling up in me. I’ve worked for Hicks Life Solutions for ten years. I started as a PA and worked my way to the top of the food chain.

  I love my job.

  My job is my life.

  I sometimes work fifteen-hour days, so I need a PA that can keep up and be available during that time. I watch as Steven, my acting assistant, jumps up from his desk and directs Rebecca to the elevator. Standing in the doorway, I wait for him to turn around. “Steven…” I bellow. “In here.” I make my way back around my desk and sit down.

  “Yes, Ms. Quinn.”

  “Close the door and sit down,” I say, nodding to the chair in front of me. Steven sits on the edge with his hands clasped in his lap. “What the hell was that? How did she make the top five? I need competence, Steven.” The tone of my voice is firm and oozing with authority.

  “Sorry, Ms. Quinn. I don’t know, she seemed to have all the right qualifications.”

  “Except personal assistant, I think you’ll find. Secretary is written on there, so if that’s the case, I may as well pull someone from out there to assist me.” I point at the cubicles outside my office. “Hell, you may as well do the job.” He looks everywhere but at me.

  “Well, you can let her know she’s not getting the job,” I tell him with a huff. “You better hope the next one is better.” I dismiss him and he jumps up instantly, not wasting any time getting back to his office.

  I lean back in my chair and heave out a sigh of frustration. I close my eyes, massaging my temples in a circular motion to ease some of my stress.

  How hard can it be to find a new assistant? It’s difficult for me to believe that no one has fit the bill yet.

  I open my eyes and check the time on the Rolex hanging from my wrist. It’s already 6 p.m. With renewed determination, I sit up straight and shuffle through the resumes on my desk to see who’s next on the list.

  Margie Mae Campbell.

  With a few minutes to spare before she comes in, I walk over to the water cooler in the corner of my office. Once my cup is filled to the top, I down the refreshing liquid before grabbing my shoulder bag and entering my adjoining bathroom.

  Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I brush lightly under my eyes with the tips of my fingers before dipping into my bag and taking out my lipstick and mascara to touch up my makeup. The last thing I need is to look like a disheveled mess when my next applicant comes in. Once I’ve applied the black liquid to my lashes and topped up my bright r
ed lipstick, I turn to look in the full-length mirror on the wall and admire the outfit I picked out this morning. I do love a good power suit to get me through the day. My black fitted skirt suit is paired with a red top and my forever faithful red Christian Louboutins. The black and red is a severe contrast to my blonde hair.

  Feeling ready for the final round of interviews, I quickly wash and dry my hands before going back to my desk.

  Taking my phone from my purse, I go to check for messages, when a gentle rap sounds on the door. Raising my gaze, I see Steven. “Come in,” I shout, loud and clear.

  “Your next appointment is here, Ms. Quinn.”

  I drop my phone back into my bag and say, “You can show her in. Thank you, Steven.”

  Nodding, he leaves for a second before coming back with the meekest, most simple woman I’ve ever seen walking this earth. She’s wearing black pants, a flat pair of pumps, and a blouse that doesn’t fit her properly. To finish off the ensemble, she’s wearing a black cardigan.

  This business is part of a man’s world, and the last thing I need is a woman who won’t be a little combative. Fixing a grin to my face, I wait for Steven to leave us. I push back from my desk and walk around to greet this new applicant. I stand tall on my heels and hold my hand out in front of me.

  “Hello, Ms. Campbell, I’m Reagan Quinn. Please take a seat.”

  Five

  Reagan

  She takes timid steps into my office and takes my hand in greeting. She barely makes any eye contact with me. I’d probably put her at five foot three, tiny compared to my five foot ten, thanks to my heels. Once she’s seated, I pull the door open and call out to Steven, “Steven, could I get a cup of coffee and whatever Ms. Campbell would like.” I turn to look over my shoulder. “Ms. Campbell, would you like some coffee?”

  “No, thank you,” she answers in a quiet voice. “I’ll just have water, thanks.”