My demanding CEO

Chapter 19: Café Magnolia.

Tiara's POV

I checked around my office, admiring the interior design. This is so beautiful, even though it's a bit small... I still love my space.

As I settled down on the chair, I remembered something... holy f**k. I immediately ran out of my office to meet Asher, that sly.

Without thinking twice, I barged into his office. With the bad look he gave me, I just realized that I should have knocked, but the deed is done.

"So what brought you here that made you forget your manners?"

"To ask you something," I shrugged as I replied.

"Oh, so what is the urgent question? huh?" he asked with a wicked smirk.

I walked closer to his table and asked him my stupid question which I had to ask, so that there won't be problems for me later.

"Seems you've forgotten that I'm not only your boss, but everyone's. The CEO can do anything he likes, so who can question his orders, huh?" He replied with a bossy tone.

Arghh, this man, jeez... I rolled my eyes inwardly to avoid being the devil's prey.

"I know you are. But I don't want people to talk bad things about me behind my back."

"Is that so? Anyways, I told Rachael and Emma about it, they should have passed the information by now," he replied.

"Okay," I nodded and turned to leave when he called me back.

"You can't just leave like that, you have a lot of work to do."

"What?"

"First of all, we have a meeting with Mr Collins by noon which you should have known by now and you're to tag along. The location will be sent to you by his assistant."

"Hmmm, but why do I have to tag along?" I frowned.

"I guess you forgot that you're now my personal assistant."

"Damn it, this is frustration."

"Whatever," he replied, handing me a folder. “Here’s my schedule for the week. I guessed Ethan should have told you about this. You’ll handle my appointments, arrange my meetings, and make sure every document that reaches my desk is properly reviewed before I sign it. Understood?”

I looked at the thick folder, then at him. “Do you plan to let me breathe?”

He leaned back, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ll survive.”

I scoffed at his reply.

"Sure," I said as I rolled my eyes.

“Now, get to work, Miss White.” he said, turning to his laptop.

I bit my tongue to stop the response forming in my head, grabbed the folder, and left before I said something that’d get me fired on my first official day.

---

Back in my office, I opened the folder, and my eyes nearly popped out.

Meetings. Deadlines. Reports. Emails.

Did this man ever stop working?

I sighed, rolled up my sleeves, and got to it.

After about two hours of juggling appointments, sending emails, and confirming a meeting with a board member, my phone buzzed.

I was an email from my boss.

From: Asher Gold

Message: Bring me the finalized schedule. Now.

I exhaled sharply. “Of course. Now.”

I grabbed the folder and walked down to his office again. This time, I remembered to knock.

“Come in,” his deep voice said.

When I entered, he was on a call. He gestured for me to sit while he finished.

He looks damn sexy, I scanned him from head to toe, more like ogling.

Why can't I control myself? Tiara, stop it.

Argh, I can't... The way his lips are moving makes me want to kiss those lips. Damn, how would it feel when those lips touch mine?

I tried to stop myself from my thought but his deep voice kept drowning me.

Then I heard him say, “Yes, Mr. Collins,” he said into the phone, voice calm but firm. “We’ll handle it. My assistant and I will be there by noon.”

He glanced at me.

My assistant.

I don’t know why, but the way he said it made my stomach flutter.

He hung up and looked at me. I cleared my throat and handed him the file. I hope he didn't catch me ogling just now, else I'm done for.

He flipped through it, occasionally humming in approval.

“This is… surprisingly accurate,” he said finally.

"That's great."

He signed the necessary documents and said something that shocked me.

"Don't think I did not catch you ogling, it was a beautiful sight to see," he said with a smirk on his face.

Oh my God, what do I do? I wished the ground could open and swallow me up.

"A..ahem, I... I d.. didn't..." gosh, I don't even know what to say, this is the first time. What's happening to me?

"No need to deny it, you love what you see, huh?"

"No, I wasn't ogling. I should go now," I replied. "We have a meeting with Mr Collins, so we should get ready on time."

Before he could reply I ran out of his office.

---

"Meet me downstairs in 5 minutes," that was a call from Asher.

Auch, I forgot about the meeting. I rushed to pack my things and got downstairs, before I got punished by my boss.

When I got downstairs, Asher was already waiting beside his car, checking his wristwatch like time itself bowed to him.

“You’re late,” he said flatly.

“It’s been four minutes,” I replied.

He finally glanced at me, one brow raised. “Four minutes can ruin a deal.”

Typical.

We drove across town in silence until we pulled up at Café Magnolia, one of those upscale places where even the air smelled expensive.

Inside, Mr. Collins and a young lady, whom I guess is his assistant were already waiting at a corner table. They stood when they saw us.

Mr. Collins, a middle-aged man with a warm smile, shook Asher’s hand and gave me a curious glance. “New assistant?”

“Yes,” Asher said smoothly with a smile. “She’s efficient.”

My eyes widened, my heart skipped. Efficient? From him? That was probably the closest thing to a compliment I’d ever get.

I sat beside Asher, scribbling notes while they discussed figures, contracts, and partnerships. I gave some suggestions at times, though I wasn't asked to. Their voices flowed easily, but I could feel Asher’s eyes flick toward me once in a while, checking if I was keeping up.

During the meeting, I could feel Mr Collins's assistant flirting with Asher with her eyes and movements. I looked at Asher, but he didn’t seem to notice — or maybe he was just ignoring her.

When the meeting ended, Mr. Collins stood. “Pleasure working with you again, Asher. You’ve got a smart one there.”

Asher smiled faintly. “I know.”

I almost dropped my pen.

Did he just—? Compliment me?

Maybe this day wasn’t a total disaster after all.