Serving Mr. Grayson

CHAPTER 3

Mia

Monday, 9:00 a.m.

4U Luxe. The letters glittered in the morning sun from atop the thirty-four-floor sky-blue glass building as I stood at the entryway.

The last time I was here, I didn't really get the time to take it all in as I was in a hurry.

I take a deep breath. Today was my first day of work.

"Mia, you can do this," I tell myself as I walk through the sliding doors.

I reach the lady at the attending desk and tell her I am a new employee. She directs me to the human resource office on the thirty-fourth floor.

In the elevator, I glance at my reflection on the glass. I am wearing a baby blue blouse and a black pencil skirt with black stiletto heels. My wavy brown hair is in a low burn. I am also wearing light makeup—foundation, concealer, and nude lipstick.

When I get to the floor, I find the human resource office and knock.

“Come in.” A female voice answered.

I enter the office. There's a woman behind the desk.

“Good morning Madam." I say "I am Mia Hathaway, I passed the interview for the post of CEO Executive Assistant. The welcome desk directed me here.”

Wow.

The woman was stunning. She looked like she was in her late twenties or early thirties. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes.

“Ok, good morning Miss Hathaway, have a seat." She smiles at me. "I am Mitchelle O’Connor, the Human Resource Manager. We will go over your contract details and its terms. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Okay?”

“Okay, Madam.” We spend the next thirty minutes going over my contract details and I finally signed my contract.

“All right, we’re done here. Welcome aboard Miss Hathaway. I am hoping to see you show us your skills and achieve outstanding results.”

“Thank you, Madam. I will do my best.” I answer.

“Ok, that's good to know. The CEO is not yet back from his business trip. For the time being, try to focus on adapting to the working culture here."

"Okay Madam,” I answer.

"Come on, let me show you around."

We leave the office and showed me the various departments, the offices, conference halls, cafeteria and bathrooms.

Our final stop was back at the top floor on the thirty-fourth. She showed the CEO's office, and my desk, which was just outside his office. Next to my desk, was another desk occupied by a lady. Her desk was next to the COO's office.

"Hello, ma'am," she said to Mitchelle.

"Hello Suzan, how are you doing." She smiles back.

"Am good."

"Ok good to know. This is Mia, the new CEO's executive assistant. Pls help her get started around here ok?"

"Okay."

Mitchell turns around and head to the elevator.

As I settle on my desk, Suzan turns to me.

"Hello, I am Suzan. I am the COO's executive assistant. Feel free to ask me anything you want to know here."

"Hi, okay. Thank you."

She whispers. "I also know all the rumours around here." She laughs.

I laugh too. "Ok noted."

The rest of the day goes by in a blur with Suzan filling me on our responsibilities and other colleagues from different departments.

"Really? He can't be that bad, can he?"

Suzan just told me about the CEO's cold, strict, and very demanding nature.

"Unfortunately, yes. His longest assistant lasted five months."

"What? Ahh!" I put my head in my hands.

She laughs at my expression. "You can do this, take it as a challenge to last longer than the rest."

I let out an exasperated breath. "Ok, thanks for the heads up."

"Sure, anytime."

***

Three days later, 8:55 am

"Excuse me." I said to the two ladies I just bumped into on the way to the elevators.

The meeting was in the conference hall on the twentieth floor.Mitchell told me yesterday that the CEO was back and there would be a meeting concerning marketing strategies for the next campaign at 9:00 a.m. this morning. I had to be present as the CEO’s assistant to take important notes and prepare his schedule.

Last night, I slept and forgot to set my alarm, so I missed the first bus and it took another fifteen minutes for the next bus.

Remembering Suzan telling me about how strict the CEO was, I hope I don’t get fired just after getting this job.

Faster. I murmur as the elevator stops on each floor to drop people and let others get on.

On the twelfth floor, I get out and practically ran to the meeting room. Thankfully I'd taken upon myself to tour the rest of the building these few days and knew where it was, saving me the pain of checking every door on the floor.

I looked down at my watch, 8:59 a.m.

"First day meeting the CEO and I am almost late!! Hope he's not there yet." I murmured.

After a brief attempt of hand-smoothing my hair and adjusting my clothes, I enter the room.

"Good morning, Mia, just on time." Mitchell said.

"Good morning ma’am." I answered.

She showed me my seat. I look around the room. There was a u shaped oak table at the centre. The marketing director, head in charge of the marketing team, Mitchelle, Suzan and I.

"Hi," I say to Suzan.

"Hi," She greets back.

At least, the CEO was not here yet. I release a breath of relief.

Few seconds later, the door swings open and two guys are standing just outside the room.Their faces are turned to each other and they're talking in low whispers. I can't really see their faces clearly from here.

They finish talking and one of them enters first.

Wow. Is everyone in this company a model or what?

He has brown hair with hazel eyes. Six feet one or two. He was dressed in simple white shirt folded to his elbows and black slacks. He was dashingly handsome.

Then he smiles. Am pretty sure that smile had ladies swooning all over him.

"Good morning everyone," He claps. "Hope you all slept well because we have a lot of work today."

A series of voices echoed. "Good morning Mr. Lincoln."

Ahh, so he's the COO—Ethan Lincoln.

He scans everyone in the room and his gaze falls on me.

"Ahhh, so this is our new face. Welcome Miss…" He trails, waiting for me to finish.

"Mia Hathaway," I answer.

"Ok Mia, welcome to the team."

"Thank you sir."

Then he sits and the other guy enters. Suzan nudges me on the side and whispers.

"That's the CEO, your boss. Well, our boss."

As soon as I see his face, I freeze.

No. This can't be happening.

His green eyes meet mine and I can see the recognition settling. He remembers me. Of course, he did.

I would recognize that face anywhere.

My boss—Aaron Grayson, the CEO, was the guy who saw me in my bra in the men's restroom the day of the interview.

I yelled at him and called him a p*****t.