Surprising The Boss (True Love Series Book 4)

Chapter 3

Kelly

Why does Austin keep looking like he is drifting off during this interview? Am I blowing this interview? Keep it cool Kelly, keep it cool, I really need this job. I told myself.

“You said you live by yourself, but will a spouse or a significant other be concerned that you are working long hours?” Austin asked me.

I smiled weakly at Austin, “I am a widow, my husband was killed in combat overseas. So no, that will not be an issue.”

“I am so sorry, I did hear about Xavier, that was insensitive of me.” Austin said.

Oh my, so Austin does remember me. Him and Xavier were so close when we were in high school, I really miss those days when it was the three of us.

“Son, I really feel Ms Simmons here is a good fit for you over the other candidate.” Mr Case told Austin.

I smiled at Mr Case. He is friends with my dad and knows my situation. I am grateful that he is giving me the opportunity to get my life back on track after losing Xavier.

I just really need to snap out of this depression and sense of loss I have been in since I had that man in Uniform come up to my door to tell me my husband was killed.

This job is the first step in me getting everything back in my life. I turned my attention back to Austin who, once again, looked like he was thinking about something.

“Alright, let’s see how things go Kelly. I am offering you the position of becoming my secretary.” Austin said, reaching out his hand to me.

I took his hand and shook it, “Thank you, I really appreciate the chance.” I said to him.

*

I got the croissant and coffee with sweet creamer in it. I walk into the office turning on the lights. After I put my purse on my desk, I walked into Austin’s office, turned on his lights, and set down his breakfast and croissant.

Then I turn on his computer, and bring up his daily schedule for the day. I walk back out to my desk. Then bring up my computer. This is my daily routine that I have done for the last few years for my boss, Austin.

But Austin isn’t just my boss. I have known him since middle school when he first moved to town with his family from New York.

I remember the day he walked into class, he was this cute 13 year old with a smile that lit up the room. He also was a smart ass as well. When the teacher asked him to say something about himself to the class, he said the word something and then asked the teacher if we said the word differently in Pennsylvania? Was that why she wanted him to say something? Of course he flashed her his cheeky grin.

That was the first time I think I crushed on Austin Case. Slowly we became friends, but that’s all that ever happened between us, just friends. Most of the time, I don’t think Austin realises I am a girl when we were in high school together.

I am grateful that I was able to reconnect with Austin. He took a chance on me a few years ago by giving me a job as his secretary. I really needed the job after losing my husband and needed to rebuild my life.

Truth is, if it wasn’t for me Austin would be so lost. As much as I needed the job, Austin needed me to prove he could be a great CEO. I keep him organised.

“Morning Kelly.” Austin said as we walked towards his office.

“Good Morning Austin, your coffee is fresh and ready for you on your desk. I got you a croissant this morning. They are so flaky, I think you will like it. Looks like you have a few meetings today starting around 10 am. Oh, I need you to look over some final drafts of contracts that Adam brought up from legal.” I said to him.

“Wow, it’s only 7am and already you got everything under control. What would I do without you Kel?” Austin laughed.

“You say that everyday. Now go on, get in there and drink your coffee.” I said to him as I started going through the emails.

“Sometimes I think you are the real CEO here, miss bossy pants.” Austin chuckled.

“Mr Case, you know saying Miss bossy pants could be interpreted as s****l harassment.” I joked with him.

“Well, I’m in trouble then. Ok, I’m going into my office before you strangle me.” Austin laughed as he turned and went into his office.

——-

Austin

Another day, another deal, another way to make my family proud. That’s how I look at it every day. I sit down at my desk and take a sip of the coffee Kelly got me.

It’s amazing how well Kelly knows me. She is the only person who gets the right coffee for me. I don’t use sugar, I use a sweet creamer. I swear she is the only person that knows this.

I hate when she takes time off. The substitute secretaries that come in never take care of me. The way Kelly takes care of me. Plus I enjoy Kelly. Maybe it’s because we were friends since we were in middle school but I truly love coming to work every day and knowing Kelly is there for me.

My phone pinged had a notification. I love it. It was a random number but I have no idea who it was from. But as soon as I saw the message, I knew who it was from, some girl I met over the weekend.

Already, I can tell this girl is the clingy type, and I need to somehow get out of her grasp. I’ll think of something and I better do it quick.

There was a knock on my door.

“Come in.” I yelled

The door opened and Kelly was there. I noticed she was wearing a very nice pencil skirt today. Over the last few years, I’ve really noticed how nice Kelly looks. I don’t know why in high school I never noticed her like I knows her now.

One thing I do know is her body shape has changed since high school. She's got more of a womanly figure to her now.

But the truth is, I always did think Kelly was cute. But once Xavier started dating her, I knew she was off-limits and then they got married and she was really off-limits and now honestly I couldn’t do that to Xavier. I couldn’t date his wife if I wanted too, it’s like the bro code.

“Sorry to bother you, but I’m gonna have to leave around lunchtime today. There’s sort of a little emergency at home.” Kelly said to me.

“Yeah, that’s ok, is everything alright? Yeah, Babysitting problems, that’s all.” Kelly said.

“Betty all right?” I asked her.

“She has her good days and then she has her bad days, and today is a bad day. Unfortunately, no one else is available, so I have to go over there.” Kelly said.

Betty was Xavier’s mother. About a year ago she had a stroke and it left her slightly paralyzed on her left side. I know Kelly is very close to them, even though Xavier is no longer around.

“I can manage by myself this afternoon.” I told her.

“You sure? The last time I had to leave like this, you somehow got your schedule out of Google Drive and you had messed up meetings for a week because of that.” Kelly said to me.

“I learned my lesson, don’t play with Google Drive.” I told her.

“I mean it Austin, don’t get bored and start messing around with the stuff on the computer.” Kelly warned me.

“Yes dear.” I smiled at her.

“Dear? What are we? Work husband and wife now?” Kelly asked, raising her eyebrow.

“Well, you probably know me like my mother does. Plus, you know my clothing sizes, down to my briefs. So that is a good bet there Kelly.” I laughed.

“I only had to get you boxer briefs one time! That was only because someone decided to go commando in his suit, not realizing he split his pants because Bryan thought it would be a great idea to show you some weird running thing you slip on your shoes so you can exercise without leaving the office.” Kelly said.

“Yeah, I have not gone commando since. Hearing you lecture me about having to go to a drug store to get me a pair of briefs, yeah. I'd rather not repeat that again thank you.” I told her.

“Great, well let me get back to my desk so I can get as much done today before have to leave.” Kelly said.

She left the office. As soon as the door was closed, “s**t, now what is going to happen if she is gone this afternoon?” I mumbled out loud.

Yeah, it looks like I’m going to have a bad afternoon now. I really do need Kelly in my life.