THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRETARY

I ran up the stairs, out of breath with my heart pounding in my chest. I had just missed the elevator. I was already running twenty minutes late for the interview. Everything seemed to go wrong today and I was a complete mess. Just as I turned a right corner looking for the interview room I rammed into someone and the papers I held in my hand flew like leaves all around the floor. I looked up with a sneer and clicked loudly. ‘Why can’t you just move out of the way? Now my documents are ruined!’ The man who was six foot tall and two inches stared at me calmly without uttering a word. He side stepped my papers and walked on as if nothing had happened. I could not believe his audacity. ‘You are the biggest prick I ever met!’ I yelled at him as he disappeared around the corner. ‘What more could go wrong today!’ I muttered and cursed under my breath as I arrived at the interview venue. A bunch of pretty ,made-up faces stared at me as I joined the line to wait for my turn. All these young beautiful women were here to contest to be Richard’s Roch secretary. It looked like a beauty contest. I was the only one who looked like I had been hit by a train. My hair was in a shambles, my papers were all over, and I barely had any makeup on. I was suddenly jolted out of thoughts by someone calling out my name loudly. ‘Clea Upshaw! It’s your turn. Proceed to room number three please.’ I stood up nervously and quickly straightened my hair with my hands. Butterflies were already dancing in my stomach. I took a deep breath and opened the door. This was do or die, I needed this job badly and I couldn’t afford to screw this up. The panel asked me a few questions about my education, experience and expectations. After answering as best as I could I was ushered out. When they had interviewed all the applicants they called us to a small room to announce the results. Everyone held their breaths , each hoping they were the chosen one. ‘Good morning ladies, I am the Chief of Staff for Mr. Richard Roch.’ A tall man stood in front of us and introduced himself. He was among the interview panel. 'We have decided to make our choice immediately since Mr Richard does not have a personal assistant currently. After careful deliberation we have decided to hire Miss Clea Upshaw, her education, experience and composure makes her the best candidate for this job.’ A bunch of half-hearted clapping and applauding went up as I stood up smiling. This was the last thing I had expected. I never thought I could actually land such a position, especially considering the complete train-wreck that I had been that morning. The other ladies eyed me jealously. It was quite clear they had high hopes to land this kind of job. Judging from their demeanor and beauty, I knew most of them were models. The chief of staff asked me to follow him to his office. He wanted to speak to me. ‘Clea please have a seat. I want us to have a few words as I make some basic introductions of your new workplace.’ He said once we got to his office. ‘You are now the secretary and personal assistant of Mr Richard Roch. As you know Roch industries is one of the largest companies in the world and the family is one of the wealthiest and richest in the world.’ I acknowledged it would be a great opportunity to work for a reputable corporation. ‘I am honored to work for the organization sir’. I replied. ‘You can call me Mark and since you are Richard’s secretary now, I will take you to his office to meet him. Please follow me.’ Mark and I left the office and went further up to the top floors of the skyscraper. Nervousness and apprehension hit me once again. I was going to meet the son of one of the country’s most powerful men. This was the hour. We reached Mr Richard’s office. Mark knocked twice on the door and opened without waiting. Sweat started pouring down my back. ‘Please come in,’ Mark beckoned me to enter after him and closed the door. I nearly fainted when I saw the face of the man sitting on the desk in front of me. ‘Miss Clea, this is Mr Richard Roch, your new boss.’ Mark made the introduction. Richard Roch, my new boss was the man I had run into earlier that morning in my haste to get to the interview. I bit my lip. He just stared at me with cold blue eyes and inhaled deeply. I knew I was done for. He was probably going to deny me the job. He spoke ‘Mark, thank you for the introduction, you may leave now. I want to speak alone with Miss Upshaw.’ Mark excused himself and left. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me. I did not want to be left alone with this intimidating hulk of a man. The best thing was to apologize to my new boss for my earlier conduct. ‘ I am truly sorry sir. I never meant to be rude to you, I was just having a bad day.’ I muttered in a shaky voice. Mr Richard just stared at me. Finally he spoke ‘ If I were not desperate for an assistant right now, I would fire you before your job even began. You are just lucky today. But I don’t forgive my employees so easily for their transgressions .’ When he said that I swallowed. At least I had not lost the job. ‘You will begin your work immediately. Your office is the one adjacent to mine. You can start by getting me a cup of coffee.’ I left the office hurriedly and went in search of the kitchen. Where the hell was I supposed to find the kitchen? The place was a maze and I was new. I decided to ask one employee who I met in the elevator. ‘Excuse me please, where is the kitchen? Sorry I am new.’ I smiled awkwardly. ‘Go to the twelfth floor. That is where the kitchen is.’ ‘Thanks a lot,’ I replied and rushed out. When I got to the kitchen I asked for coffee. Then I realized my boss had not specified what kind of coffee he liked. Did he like it hot, warm, with or without milk, sugar or no sugar? This felt like torture. I decided to take hot coffee with milk and sugar. I ran back to his office. ‘ Here is your coffee sir.’ He barely thanked me. I was not surprised. I went to my new office to start doing the other work. I was scheduling meetings, booking flights and planning events. After a few hours my office telephone rang. It was Richard. ‘Clea ,come to my office immediately,’ he commanded. I went to his office. ‘ Call my driver and take your items. I want to go somewhere and you are coming with me.’ I fetched my handbag and sweater and followed him out of the building. Necks craned and faces lifted to stare at us as we walked. Many of the young female staff stared at me with envy, I knew many of them wanted to be in my position. In every organization I had previously worked at, the ladies were always throwing themselves at the feet of the rich men who were their employees. Evidently that was also the case at Roch Industries.