The first night
737 Words
Andrea stood outside the CEO’s office, staring at the key card Eve had just given her.
Her mind still felt dizzy.
Personal assistant…
To Lucien Hale…
Starting immediately…
She looked down at the card again.
Her name was printed on it.
Andrea Collins — Executive Assistant
The words felt unreal.
Just hours ago she had been standing behind a counter at her exhausting part-time job.
Now she was working for one of the most powerful men in the city.
Andrea inhaled slowly.
Mom… this could change everything.
“Follow me.”
Eve’s calm voice interrupted her thoughts.
Andrea quickly walked beside her again.
They moved through another hallway of Hale Tower.
Everything still amazed Andrea.
Tall glass walls revealed the glowing city outside.
Elegant lamps lined the walls.
Even the carpets looked expensive.
Andrea whispered quietly.
“This building is beautiful…”
Eve glanced at her briefly.
“Mr. Hale designed most of it himself.”
Andrea blinked in surprise.
“He did?”
“Yes.”
Andrea suddenly pictured Lucien again.
Cold eyes.
Sharp features.
That calm voice.
He doesn’t look like someone who designs buildings…
But she kept that thought to herself.
They entered another office.
This one was smaller but still elegant.
“This will be your workspace,” Eve said.
Andrea stepped inside.
A desk.
A computer.
Stacks of organized documents.
A digital schedule board on the wall.
Andrea slowly placed her bag down.
“So… what should I do first?”
Eve handed her a tablet.
“You will manage Mr. Hale’s schedule.”
Andrea looked at the screen.
Her eyes widened.
Meetings.
Phone calls.
Business reports.
International conferences.
And most of them…
Were at night.
Andrea frowned slightly.
“Why does he work so late?”
Eve simply answered:
“Mr. Hale prefers the night.”
Before Andrea could ask more—
Her phone buzzed.
A message.
Lucien Hale
Come to my office.
Andrea froze.
“He’s already calling me?”
Eve nodded calmly.
“Get used to it.”
Andrea walked back toward the CEO office nervously.
Her heart beat faster with every step.
Calm down…
He’s just your boss.
She knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Andrea stepped inside.
Lucien was standing near the massive window.
The city lights glowed behind him.
He didn’t turn immediately.
“Close the door.”
Andrea obeyed.
Lucien finally faced her.
For a moment she remembered their hallway collision again.
But he still acted like it had never happened.
“You reviewed the schedule?”
Andrea nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir.”
Lucien walked back to his desk.
“You’ll accompany me to meetings.”
Andrea blinked.
“Meetings?”
“Yes.”
“Starting tonight.”
Andrea glanced at the time.
It was already 7:15 PM.
People actually have meetings at this hour?
Lucien continued speaking.
“You will take notes.”
“Organize reports.”
“And stay near me during discussions.”
Andrea nodded.
“I understand.”
Lucien watched her carefully.
She looked nervous.
But she wasn’t complaining.
Most assistants he hired quit within days.
Too demanding.
Too intense.
Too exhausting.
But Andrea…
She looked determined.
Suddenly the office phone rang.
Lucien answered.
“Yes.”
A short pause.
Then he ended the call.
He looked at Andrea.
“Conference room.”
“Now.”
Andrea grabbed the tablet quickly and followed him.
As they walked through the hallway, several employees turned their heads.
Some looked surprised.
Some looked curious.
But a group of women near the elevator began whispering quietly.
Andrea heard them.
“That’s her.”
“The new assistant.”
“She’s already walking with him.”
“On her first night?”
Andrea felt her cheeks warm.
She kept walking.
Pretending she didn’t hear.
But their whispers followed her.
Inside the elevator Andrea stared at the floor.
Lucien noticed.
“You’re quiet.”
Andrea hesitated.
Then spoke honestly.
“People are already talking.”
Lucien pressed the elevator button calmly.
“They always do.”
Andrea looked up.
“You don’t care?”
Lucien glanced at her.
His expression unreadable.
“Neither should you.”
Andrea didn’t answer.
But somehow…
That response made her feel slightly better.
The conference room doors opened.
Inside were several executives.
Serious men in expensive suits.
They all stood when Lucien entered.
“Good evening, Mr. Hale.”
Lucien nodded once.
Andrea quietly took a seat beside him.
- Writer
