by Pamela Ann
Once I thanked her for helping me, I was on my way to the banks of elevators when I abruptly halted after noticing how everyone was dressed.
I knew it was my first day, so instead of worrying about what to wear, I had been more consumed about my encounters with Cruz, and I had chosen jeans and white, fitted cami. Embarrassment filled me as I looked up, staring at the floor while walking, avoiding the people around me who were sprinting to wherever they needed to be.
My journey felt as if it was going to take forever. The elevator that was jam-packed earlier left me all to my lonesome as they gradually exited as it travelled upwards.
Once it reached the top, I carefully took a step out of the elevator and onto the cool, black marble floor. I was instructed to seek Denise, who was apparently the main assistant I was going to be working under.
“Hello, how may I help you?” a tall, blonde, blue-eyed woman greeted me.
Composing myself, I tried not to let her cool demeanor intimidate me. “Hi, I’m the new intern, and I’m looking for Denise.”
“Oh, hello, Serena. I’m Steph, the second assistant.” She extended her hand that had engine-red manicured nails. “Denise should be in her office. Welcome aboard Elliot Corp. If you need anything—anything at all—don’t hesitate to ask.” Her friendliness overwhelmed me in a good way.
“Thank you, Steph. It’s great meeting you.”
After giving me the directions for Denise’s office, we parted ways. The nervousness I felt earlier on ebbed away as I reassured myself that everything was going to okay, and I had nothing to worry about.
Ever since I was sixteen, I had always worked in retail, so this was a big step for me. Though I was anxiously apprehensive, I was also ecstatic. I felt as though I was working towards my goal. Whatever experience I gained from here would be applied in the future.
It wasn’t a hardship locating her office. After quietly knocking on her door, I was warmly greeted as she ushered me in. With the quick introduction out of the way, she then invited me to take a seat.
At first, I found it nerve-wracking as she probed into my past employment history and what other qualities had driven me to choose this specific career. She also asked about my hobbies and passion and my overall perspective as to where I was at in my life. The grilling session took about half an hour. Then, thankfully, Denise handed me a folder containing all the paper work I needed to fill in then requested a copy of my passport and the other essential documents the company needed for hiring an intern. I was surprised she didn’t direct me to HR, but hey, I wasn’t going to complain. Instead, I fervently handed her my passport and began to work on the information they needed. Once done, I handed it all to her, and she gave me a glimpse before dropping her eyes back to information I had supplied.
“So you can work Monday to Friday. Thursdays and Fridays are regular hours, and Monday to Wednesday for two hours. Is this correct?”
“Yes, you have that right.”
“Brilliant.” She nodded before directing an intense gaze at me. “You’ll be working under me. Steph, the second assistant, does most of the business scheduling, flight and hotel bookings, emails and the phones, etc. I take care of the personal and business essentials. I’m on call all day, every day, twenty-four hours a day. I’m at his beck and call. Mr. Elliot is a very private person, so you will have to sign a confidentiality agreement. Anything regarding his life, his work, and family is strictly off limits.”
Every day? Twenty-four hours a day? Was I expected to work the same hours since I would be working under her? Jesus, what had I signed on for?
I tried to appear undaunted as I said, “I understand,” in a curt manner.
As tempting as it was to ask about what my job entailed, I should keep it to myself, just in case that gave her the wrong impression. Anyone who had seen The Devil Wears Prada should know not to piss off the assistant in command.
“Perfect.” She beamed at me. “Mrs. Elliot called in this morning to make sure I know you should be well taken care of, so whatever you need, feel free to come to me. Also, I want to be clear about dress code. If you go through the packet I gave you, it should outline what is and what’s not proper.”
My argument was at the tip of my tongue, but I changed my mind the last minute. I didn’t want to seem as if I was making excuses.
“Yes, will do.” In the business world, there were no excuses. There were only actions and outcomes. That was all that mattered.
Since I was going to work for less than an hour before the workday ended at five, I was basically acquainting myself with my own personal desk that came with an iMac. Thrilled about my new job, I barely noticed how Denise seemed frazzled as she came to and from the office, and when the clock struck at five, she seemed even more agitated.
Concerned with her well-being, I looked away from my computer screen and gave her a tentative gaze. “Is everything okay, Denise?”
She paused, frowning down at me. “I’m running late. My boyfriend’s parents are in town from Australia, and I’m supposed to meet them for dinner. I haven’t even gotten around to what to wear yet. This is the first time I’m meeting them, so it’s a massive deal. I just want to look my very best.”
It was understandable. I had been there, done that.
“Can I help you with anything? Anything at all?”
“Could you please?” she asked, grinning at the prospect of me taking on some of her burden. “I’m waiting for a fax from Hong Kong. Make sure to separate different sections of the contract in different folders. I believe there are three separate ones. Lastly, you need to personally drop that off to Mr. Elliot’s home. There will be a driver waiting downstairs. Make sure you don’t utter a word about what you have in your hand. This is pretty hush-hush, and normally I don’t trust just anyone, but since you’re basically a family friend of the Elliot’s, I’m trusting you with this.”
I nodded, jotting down everything she told me, trying in earnest not to react to the fact that I was supposed to go over to Cruz’s place. What if his fiancée was there, too? Fuck. Whatever; it was too late to change my mind now. Besides, Denise needed my help. As a result, I sucked up my pride and just dealt with it.
She repeated the instructions several times before I reiterated everything to her, just so she could leave me be and head off to be with her boyfriend and his family. Although Denise was firm and efficient, I was pleased to see she could be easily ruffled just like everyone else when meeting their significant other’s parents.
While waiting on the papers from Hong Kong, I took a moment to stroll around, scanning the now empty office spaces. As I did so, I wondered where Cruz’s office was. There was only one set of black, double-doors on the floor, and it didn’t take a genius to guess it was the boss’s office. For a moment, I contemplated if I should go and scout into his space, but as easily as the thought came, I immediately scolded myself that there was no point in that. After all, I would feel downright awful after what I had done.
He was engaged, and hopefully he didn’t hate me for being aggressive the other night.
Retracing my steps back to my desk, I was glad to find the kitchen along the way. In there, I took a bottled juice, a banana, and a granola bar before retreating back to my post to man the machine.
The fax beeped at thirty past seven, indicating that the long-awaited files were being sent over. The mere sound of it almost made me want to dance because I was starting to get tired, and the last thing I needed was for me to fall asleep while the driver waited for me downstairs.
As carefully as I could, I followed Denise’s instructions to a T. Once finished, I held on to the folders for dear life as I headed towards the elevator and in search of the driver who would take me to Cruz’s apartment.
Oh, Lord. First assignment, here we go.
Chapter 72
W
racked with nerves, I didn’t realize how hard I was chewing on my lip until I felt the iron taste of blood. I was sitting in the back of a Me
rcedes sedan with the cool air blasting high, yet I could feel myself breaking into sweat. It wasn’t necessarily about seeing Cruz again. Okay, maybe it was. As much as I tried to tell myself to get over it, it was difficult. He affected me, and there was nothing I could do about that. At least I could pretend he didn’t. I wasn’t the first woman in this predicament. I could pull it off. I knew I could. As they said, “practice makes perfect.” The more I encountered him, the easier it would be for me in the long run.
Surprisingly, his home was ten minutes away from his mother’s. If that didn’t scream overprotective, I didn’t know what did, but it was endearing to see a man like him so concerned about his mom. I supposed it was one of those things that made him unique. All right, enough thoughts of him being extra special. I wasn’t helping myself if my thoughts lingered around his praises.
The driver helped me out of the car before leading me towards the front door where he produced a key, opened the door, and then let me in, informing me he would wait to take me home. After giving him a heartfelt smile, I entered the quiet stillness of Cruz’s home.
Denise instructed me to leave it on the desk in the library. The problem I had was the fact that she didn’t tell me which floor it was, and from where I stood, there seemed to be three floors.
Not knowing what to do, I weighed leaving it on the foyer table or hunting down the library. I supposed I could look around and take it from there. Libraries and home offices usually were located on the main floor, right?
Cautiously strolling, I found a formal-looking settee that was decorated in hues of white and beige. It was nice, but it screamed standoffish to me. It would make it difficult for any guests to move around. They would be intimidated and too worried to make a stain anywhere. Across that coolness of a room was the formal dining then the kitchen.
Not finding the library, I decided, since I was already here, why not keep looking in order to do what I was told to? I didn’t want it to seem like I couldn’t follow a simple task by placing these vital papers in the library. With newly injected courage, I spun around and headed towards the stairs that led me to the second level.
Just as I was reaching the landing, I froze when I heard a sound coming from upstairs, and before long, I heard footsteps then saw Cruz descending from the stairs, fresh out of shower and with his towel loosely wrapped around his hips.
Fuck, I thought as I forgot to breathe at the sight of him almost naked.
“Serena,” he said, pausing as he looked at me, shocked just like I was.
I should say something, anything. However, I was in total panic mode, and for the life of me, my mouth wouldn’t operate.
We stared at each other for a minute then two, three, until everything seemed to disappear. The magnetic pull his intense gaze had on me felt dizzying, as if he had cast a spell, and I was enslaved to him and at his command. The air between us was too charged to ignore. Of course, as much as I wanted to bask in it, experience it once more, I knew I shouldn’t.
With everything I could muster, I broke the spell between us, shamefaced that I was almost waltzing back into temptation. Clearing my throat, I blinked a few times before gazing at him again.
“I—uh—have the papers from Hong Kong. I’ll just … umm … leave these here.” I just left it on the landing before turning around and pacing the steps as fast as I could, hoping this crazy nightmare would all be over soon.
Just as I stepped into the foyer, I heard him call after me. “Serena, wait!”
I instantly paused, counting a few times before spinning on my heels to face him. “Yeah?” I asked, barely meeting his powerful, mercurial gaze.
He opened his mouth, his frown deepening as he gazed down at me, as if he was trying to conjure the words to say.
Licking my lips, I let out a sigh. “Is there anything else you need, Cruz?”
He hastily shook his head, seeming confused at my question. “How are you finding things at work? Is everyone treating you well?”
He wanted to know how my day had gone? Seriously, he didn’t need to be almost naked while trying to engage me in a mundane conversation.
“Everyone’s been great, just great!” I said chirpily, trying to pry my eyes off his beautiful face. It was hard to. I hadn’t realized how sexy a freshly showered guy could look. Damn, but he looked delicious.
There was a long pause. It was unnerving the way he was staring at me, like he wasn’t sure what to say, yet it seemed like he didn’t want to end it, either.
When I was finally fed up with this strange dance we were doing, I opened my lips to say something, but he beat me to it.
“Are you doing anything tonight?”
Um, no. I didn’t have friends yet, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. I was twenty-one, for crying out loud. I should have a vibrant nightlife with lots of girl time. Instead of telling him the truth, I decided to tell a little white lie.
“Yes, actually with people from school.”
“Right, right, of course.”
Okay then. I supposed there was nothing left to be said here. “I should get going.”
“Be safe.” His face softened as his eyes lingered on my face before adding in a strained voice, “Please.”
“Always.”
Everything seemed to blur from then on—the walk towards the awaiting car and being driven and deposited at Margery’s house. It was none of my business, but somehow, I was left with an inkling that he was going to spend the night with his woman.
The heart was a fickle thing. It usually never followed what the mind bid it to. It simply felt.
And what a dangerous thing that was.
Chapter 73
I
t had been exactly a week since that emotionally charged encounter, and lucky for me, Cruz had been in and out of the office, travelling and attending business meetings in different parts of Europe. It would be conceited to consider, but part of me believed Cruz was relieved he didn’t have to see me. I wasn’t sure why my thoughts led me to that conclusion, but I had the wild hunch.
With Cruz gone, Archer suddenly come out of nowhere, surprising me at work. He thought to pop in and see how things were working out for me and to also tell me he would be going to the south of France with some of friends for a whole week. He even extended an invitation, and for a second, I was willing to go, but then I was reminded of school and work commitments. I couldn’t check out of those responsibilities for a whole week. It would be insane. Archer, however, was a law unto himself.
He didn’t follow any rules and did things on his own terms—coming home whenever he felt like, dating whomever he wanted, whether to opt in to work in their family company or not, or to follow the proper social obligations or not. Some might see it as impulsive, lazy even, but I found myself admiring that trait—not giving a fuck if he was offending anyone. It must be freeing to act and think that way. One could only wish to have such freedom, but I cared too much.
During this time, I met two girls from school, one named Nessa and her roommate/best friend, the eccentrically cute Bobbie. They were the epitome of opposites attract. Sometimes, I wondered how one could tolerate the other, but for some reason, they worked and, in a sense, complimented each other. I guessed, since they grew up together as neighbors, they’d had time to accept each other’s traits.
Before I left school to go to my internship, Bobbie invited me to a party tonight. Given that it was my first official invitation from anyone at school, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. The need to fit in with my peers made it all the more important to me. Promising them I would text them the address to Margery’s house in Chelsea, I then went to work, but this time, I made sure I had the right clothes to change into.
With Denise gone to shadow Cruz wherever he needed to get to, I had to go under Steph. Steph was more laidback, and I resonated more with her than Denise. Maybe it was because she was less intense and much hipper due to her love of rock and roll, one tidbit that I didn’t expect upon judging her by appearan
ce since she looked like your typical Miss Prim. She proved me wrong, though.
Once work ended, I came home to dine with Margery. She and I had been in our getting-to-know-each-other stage. I found her enchanting, most especially when she told me stories about her youth, how she met my mother, or how she fell in love. There was no doubt in my mind how much love she had for her late husband. The more she reminisced, the more I recalled Cruz’s words about how true love could sometimes kill someone. When she got those spells, she usually got teary-eyed, not the hysterical, but more of a poised, gracious cry. Before we parted for the night so she could rest and read a novel, I gave her a warm hug then whispered that she was a brave woman. The despair in her eyes became evident before she whispered her thank you with a weakened smile.
I had already informed her that I planned to go out tonight, so when she wished me a lovely evening, I took it as my cue to go upstairs and change.
The minute I was secured in the room, I began to change into a skin-tight, stretchy, white, micro mini dress. No denim mishap for me tonight, I thought as I inwardly recoiled at the memory of the horrified look as they ridiculed my outfit that night. Though I didn’t want to be bullied into changing who I was and what I liked, I also didn’t want to provoke uninvited attention. With some careful use of cosmetics, I decided to let my hair down before slipping into some stilettos.
When Bobbie called, telling me they would be there in less than five minutes, I hurriedly went downstairs and waited right outside for them to show up. Surprisingly, Bobbie had her boyfriend Jude, a guy who matched her dulled-out, silvery-pink hair, drive us to the party. And since I had no idea where the party was located, I was beginning to worry after thirty minutes or so when we didn’t slow down one bit on the freeway.