From That Night. Best Contract I signed.

Chapter 4

"Please, just help me out." She begged while clinging to the stranger's neck. She was hot and uncomfortable and she was desperately looking for how to get rid of this feeling. Refusing to let go of the greyed eyed man's neck. Leaning her head on the skin of his sensitive neck, the sweet scent of coconut and seawater drifted into her nostrils she sniffed in the sweet scents… “I wish we didn't meet the way we did, I could have chased you myself and made you mine” she said with a bittersweet smile.

Because of the heat she was feeling, Tomika eventually let go of the stranger's neck and tried removing her clothes, she barely removed two buttons from her button down shirt before she was stopped by the gorgeous man. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to avert her gaze.

She looked up at the stranger, her eyes seem to yearn for the handsome man in front of her. “Can I have a taste?” she said while staring at his bottom lips subconsciously. Her hands flew across his neck again bringing him closer to her face, she leaned in then pressed her lips on his lips.

“Hmmm… I knew it'll taste so good” she flashed him a sheepish smile, maybe she sobered up when she realized what happened because her cheeks were now flushed red.

“It's… it's so hot in here, is the AC even on? Water… I need water” she asked like a child asking for permission.

Then the man in front of her changed... To Jordan. The guy who spiked her drink. "Here, take some water." He said, while smiling like a maniac.

Tomika got scared and jolted awake. Sweat was all over her face. Then her eyes met a confused set of honey eyes, Grace. Grace was holding her shoulders. "Tomika, are you alright?" She asked, worry written all over her face. She just came back because she was still on her work clothes.

“I saw him…” she tranced off.

“Him who?” Grace asked, worry written all over her face. “Who did you see Mika?” She asked again.

“Never mind, I'm fi…”

“You are clearly not, so don't give me that.” Grace cut her off.

Then she noticed she may have been more harsh than she intended. She scooted closer and took Tomika into a warm hug, “You don't have to talk about it if you are not okay, okay? I'm sorry I was a bit harsh earlier.”

Tomika gave a deep sigh, “It’s okay, I understand.” Then she pulled out gently out of the hug. “Actually, I saw the guy who almost took advantage of me that night…”

“It's okay baby, he can't get you now.” Grace patted her back gently.

“So enough of the sad stuff, you promised to get me dinner and I'm you remember right.” Tomika changed the topic with a smile on her face, sniffling softly.

“Of course I won't,” Grace played along, even Tomika's smile was obviously forced.

“Tomika, Tomika!” Grace shoved Tomika.

“Hmmm, just a few seconds…” Tomika mumbled as she adjusted her posture. Making herself more comfortable on the bed, and turning away from Grace.

“Just a second?” Grace scoffed. “Today's your first day at work and you are already running late?”

“What wor… s**t!” Tomika's eyes fluttered open. “What time is it Gigi?” She asked as she got out of the blanket frantically.

“At this rate, you'd really be at the freezing part of your ‘cold’ boss.” Grace said the ‘cold’ with air quotes. A cheeky smile on her face.

“Go freshen up, I'll make breakfast.” Grace said as she left the room.

Tomika arrived at Royal’s Jewelleries an hour later. After checking in at the reception, she took the elevator to the executive floor and followed the directions she had been given.

She was checking the room numbers when she bumped into a woman coming around the corner.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Tomika said, stepping aside. “I didn’t see you coming.”

The woman looked at her with irritation. She was pretty, well dressed, and probably a few years older than Tomika. Her makeup was flawless, and her heels clicked against the floor as she adjusted the handbag on her shoulder.

“Do you not look where you’re going?” she asked.

“I said I was sorry. I didn’t see you coming around the corner.”

“That is not an excuse. You should learn to pay attention, especially in a place like this.” She said with so much disdain as her eyes took in all of Tomika with scorn.

Tomika stared at her. “I understand that, but I don’t think you need to speak to me like that.”

The woman raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse me? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“No, I don't. You haven't introduced yourself.”

The woman's expression hardened.

Before she could respond, a male voice interrupted them.

“Linda, is there a problem?”

Linda turned, and her irritation immediately gave way to a bright smile.

“Josh! No, there's no problem. I was just helping this young lady understand how things work around here.”

Josh glanced at Tomika, then back at Linda. He knew her well enough to recognise that smile. Linda was perfectly capable of creating a problem and then pretending she had nothing to do with it.

“What happened?” he asked.

“She bumped into me,” Linda explained. “I was only telling her to be more careful.”

“I already apologised,” Tomika added. “I don't understand why this has become such a big issue.”

Josh looked at her for a moment before asking, “Are you new here?”

“Yes. My name is Tomika, and I'm supposed to resume today as Richard Donalds's personal assistant.”

Josh's expression changed slightly.

“You're the new PA?”

“Yes.”

Linda let out a mocking laugh.

“Oh, so you're the one they hired for that position?”

Tomika turned towards her. “Yes. Is there a problem?”

“Not at all, dear. I'm just surprised.” Linda smiled without warmth. Looking at Tomika from head to toe and back to her head with arched brows. “I hope you understand what you're getting yourself into. That position isn't for everyone.”

“I'm sure I'll manage.”

Linda laughed again.

“You sound very confident. Let's see how long that lasts. People have come here thinking they could handle Mr. Donalds, only to leave with their tails between their legs.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Tomika replied. “I'll keep it in mind.”

“You should. I doubt you'll last a day.”

Josh shook his head slightly. “Linda, don't you have somewhere to be?”

She gave him a look before adjusting her handbag.

“I was just leaving. Good luck, Tomika. You'll need it.”

She walked away, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

Tomika watched her go before turning to Josh.

“Does everyone here speak to new employees like that, or was I just lucky?”

Josh laughed.

“Don't mind Linda. She can be difficult, especially when she thinks someone is beneath her.”

“That's an interesting way to behave in a workplace.”

“You'll get used to the people here. Come on, I'll show you to Mr. Richard's office.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Josh led her down the corridor, stopping briefly to greet two employees who passed them.

“Have you worked as a personal assistant before?” he asked.

“Not directly for a CEO, but I've handled administrative tasks and managed different responsibilities. I'm organised, and I'm willing to learn.”

“Good. You'll need both qualities. Richard can be demanding when it comes to work.”

Tomika glanced at him. “That sounds reassuring.”

Josh chuckled. “I'm only being honest. He expects people to take their responsibilities seriously, but if you do your job well, you'll be fine.”

“I intend to do exactly that.”

They reached a large office at the end of the corridor. Josh opened the door and stepped aside to let her enter.

“His office is right through there. He's probably busy with some documents, but you can introduce yourself.”

“Thank you, Josh.”

“No problem. I'll see you around.”

Tomika watched him walk away before turning towards the office.

She took a breath, adjusted her blouse, and knocked.

“Come in.”

She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The office was spacious, with tall windows overlooking the city. A large desk stood near the windows, and several documents were spread across its surface. The man seated behind it was busy reading through a file, his attention fixed on the pages in front of him.

Tomika couldn't see his face properly from where she stood.

She approached the desk.

“Good morning, sir. My name is Tomika, and I'm here to resume as your personal assistant.”

The man continued reading for a few seconds. Before he finally spoke up…

“You're late.”

Tomika checked her watch. “I'm sorry, sir, but it's still ten minutes before eight.”

“Then I expect you to use those ten minutes to prepare for the day instead of waiting for someone to tell you what to do.”

She held back her response.

“Understood, sir.”

“Place your documents on the desk.”

Tomika set her folder beside his laptop.

“I've brought all the documents requested by the HR department. Please let me know if there's anything else you need.”

“Leave them there. I'll look through them when I'm ready.”

“All right, sir.”

She waited, unsure whether he had finished speaking or simply expected her to leave.

Then he asked, “Have you worked as a personal assistant before?”

“This is my first position as a personal assistant, sir, but I have experience handling administrative responsibilities. I'm also a fast learner, and I take my work seriously.”

“Being a fast learner isn't enough. I need someone who can manage my schedule, organise my work, and follow instructions without constant supervision. I don't have time to repeat myself, and I won't tolerate carelessness.”

Tomika straightened.

“I understand your expectations, sir. I accepted this position because I believe I'm capable of handling the responsibilities.”

That seemed to get his attention.

He stopped turning the pages.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I hope your work matches your confidence.”

Tomika nodded. “It will, sir.”

The man set his file down.

Then, finally, he raised his head.

His eyes met hers.

Tomika felt like she literally forgot how to breathe..

Grey eyes…

The same grey eyes she had seen that night.

The same face she had tried so hard to remember.

The man who had saved her that night was Richard Donalds?

Her supposed boss??