Accidentally Married to Ramsay

Awful Twist of Fate

Grace's POV

I blink and lift my gaze to the older woman sitting in front of me, staring at me, patiently waiting for me to answer her question. I study her appearance, gray hair, but not completely white. She has streaks of a darker shade running through the strands–her eyes a startling green. Cool and glorious. For an older woman, she was beautiful. Her gray hair is neatly styled and tied into a bun. I shifted in my seat and crossed my legs, sitting upright, hopeful this will give her the impression that I'm confident and accomplished.

"I believe my greatest quality is that I'm headstrong. While some may consider this a flaw, it just means I never give up. However difficult the task at hand may be. Once I put my mind to something, I won't stop until I achieve it." I say confidently, looking her directly in the eyes. She nods slowly, holding my gaze for a beat before she leans forward, and her full lips quirk ever so slightly.

"I like that answer. All I have heard all day is that they are confident, ambitious and trustworthy." She says and leans back in her chair, dropping her pen on her desk. "I like you, Miss Hart. Are you able to start immediately?" I resist the urge to squeal and press my lips together. I smile politely.

You can freak out when you leave Grace. Keep it together! "Yes, ma'am."

"Excellent. Let me show you around and get you on the system." She says, rising from her chair and holding out her hand. I stand and shake it, feeling her squeeze it gently.

"Thank you so much. I appreciate this opportunity, Mrs. Rodrigo." I tell her, picking up my handbag. She escorts me to the glass door of her office.

After a crappy couple of months, things are finally starting to look up for me. I can feel a weight lifting off my shoulders as I follow Mrs. Rodrigo out into the main office area. The space is sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the city skyline. The hustle and bustle of the city below seems distant from up here, like we're in our own world of design and creativity.

"If you are ready, let me show you around first and then we can go through Mr. Steele's schedule for the day."

"Yes, of course. Sounds good." I follow her through the glass doors, and we walk through an open plan office with several fancy cubicles, high-tech computers with two monitors that are for drawing your designs. The energy in the room is palpable – people typing furiously, engaged in hushed conversations, or poring over complex diagrams and sketches. I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness as I imagine myself becoming a part of this dynamic environment.

"So, this is your desk, and that is where the CEO's is," Mrs. Rodrigo said, pointing to a big office just beside my desk. I nod, smiling, my eyes taking in the office, as she continues to go on about his schedule. "He's very peculiar and likes things a certain way. For example, he has his coffee black, with skimmed milk on the side, ready on his desk at seven-forty-five. He has a sesame bagel with smoked salmon, and fat-free cream cheese at eight o'clock in the morning, religiously."

"Got it." I make a mental note, already feeling slightly overwhelmed by the specificity of these requirements. I wonder what kind of person is so particular about their morning routine.

"Excellent. A little advice, he works a lot, like around the clock. So, he's often quite grumpy because he's tired. If you see him loosening his tie, and rubbing his temples, it means he's angry. Steer clear unless he calls for you. If he does — do not speak. I found nodding helps. Do not enter his office without knocking; wait for him to gesture you in. Understand?"

I look over at the empty office and gulp. Oh boy, this man sounds like a real headcase. It sure is going to be a hoot working for him. I follow Mrs. Rodrigo back to the open office, trying to process all this information. My mind is racing, attempting to memorize all these little quirks and rules. "Well, I think you've pretty much got the gist of the job. I'm sure you two will get along great. He should be out of his meeting shortly, and we can head over and introduce you to him."

Mrs. Rodrigo leads me to the kitchen area where the coffee machines and fridges are stocked up with drinks, and shelves are filled with snacks. At least they look after their employees. I take a moment to appreciate the thoughtful amenities, wondering if I'll have time to enjoy them given how demanding this Mr. Steele seems to be. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, and I can see why having a well-stocked kitchen is essential in such a fast-paced environment.

I was enjoying my caramel latte and people watching when Mrs. Rodrigo came bouncing along. "He is out of his meeting. Let's go and get you acquainted." I nod and follow her through the office toward the CEO's office. I was really baffled every time she said the words 'introduce you' like I hadn't met him at the interview. Maybe she forgot. A knot forms in my stomach as we approach the office. Despite my earlier confidence, I can feel my nerves starting to get the better of me.

We walked into the office big office, Miss Rodrigo had said it belonged to the CEO. The painting on the wall caught my eye, and I was admiring it when I just about noticed Mrs. Rodrigo say my name. "Mr. Ramsay, this is your new executive assistant, Grace." I spin and look at him. Our eyes meet first, then I let my gaze wander the length of him and my heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.

"You."