The Cold Hearted Boss

Nathan POV I watched as my fathers casket lowered into the dug out plot. I held my mother and sister, their faces buried in my shoulders. Their bodies were shaking as they sobbed, I didn’t shed a single tear. I felt numb, I felt nothing. My father is gone, I’ll never see him again, and yet I don’t feel anything. The pastor said a few words, I couldn’t hear them. It’s like my head was underwater, everything was muffled. Once I noticed people leaving I nudged my sister and mother. “Hey, let’s head home, everyone should be getting there by now.” I murmured in a low voice. My sister, Raelynn, sniffled and raised her head giving me a small nod. Her makeup was smeared under her bloodshot eyes. “I can’t leave him Nathaniel, I can’t leave him here!” My mother practically yelled as she jerked forward. I gripped her around her middle to keep her from jumping in the hole my father lay in. “Mom, please, he’s gone.” My sister reached out, cupping our moms face to slowly turn her back to us. My mom let out another whimper and slacked back into my hold on her. “Come on mom.” I gently kissed the top of her head as I walked her back to my car. The ride home was deafening, the air was thick with the feeling of loss and sorrow. Our home was full of our family, friends, and even coworkers. “Nathan, my boy, could we talk for a moment?” Greg, my dad's business partner pulled me out of my deep thoughts. “Sure Greg.” He placed his hand on my shoulder as we walked out onto the deck that overlooked our massive plot of land. “I want to say I’m very sorry for your loss, David was an amazing friend and business partner.” Greg stared off into the distance, thinking of my father. “Thank you, Greg. I miss him so much already.” I said, my voice full of sorrow, yet again I feel nothing. “Well, I hate to bring this up on the day of the funeral, but it’s about the company. I know you’ve been traveling and studying abroad, but, well, he left the company in your name.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew this was coming eventually. “I know this is a lot and you’re still young, but some choices need to be made.” Greg continued. “What kind of choices?” I turned to look him in the eyes. I could see his worry in the lines written across his face. “What you want to do with the company. You could take his position, you could sell it, it’s up to you, Nathan.” I had no idea what to do, sell his company? I gazed out at our property. What would Raelynn and mom do? They depend on the company's income, if I sold it the money would only last for so long. What would dad want me to do? “Greg, I don’t think I could sell it, I don’t think that’s what dad would’ve wanted.” Greg smiled at me, his blue eyes shone with pride. “I was hoping you would say that,” he clapped me on the back, “there are more things we need to discuss, but I think that can all wait for tomorrow. You are so much like David, I can see him in you. You’re gonna do great, my boy.” 6 months later “Nathan, this is the seventh secretary we’ve lost.” Greg pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. I don’t care that we lost another secretary, maybe she should’ve been better at her job. I roll my eyes as I look over my list of meetings and clients for the week. “Greg, they have all been terrible. None of them had any experience, with how busy it’s been I need someone more organized. We’ll have to check indeed again, for someone with experience.” I grimaced at the amount of meetings I had lined up. Patricia, the most recent secretary, had booked me back to back three days in a row. A good secretary would’ve placed them more evenly so I could at least get a f*****g break. “Alright, but you’re interviewing the next one. I’ve done the last seven and you hated them all. They’d probably be less frazzled if you were easier on them, you were constantly barking orders. What’s happened with you, Nathan? I know it’s been hard, but-“ “I will interview the next one, but you will not tell me how I should handle my employees. I own this company, Greg, you’d be good to remember that.” I cut him off, my tone clipped. “If that’s all then you may go.” He let out a deep sigh at my words. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” With that he left my office, closing the door behind him. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand down my face in exhaustion. I glanced up at the calendar, June 13th was circled in red with the words “Nathan’s Birthday” written in my fathers handwriting. I’ll be twenty seven tomorrow, yet I feel so much older. The pressure of the company made me feel like my head was going to explode. You would think selling construction equipment wouldn’t be that difficult. I don’t understand how my father juggled this, all these years without a secretary or any help. Sure he had Greg, but he mostly deals with transporting and deliveries. I wish my father would’ve shown me the ropes, I guess he thought he had time. No one ever expects to have a heart attack at fifty, especially someone in good health. I opened my laptop and powered it on. Time to hunt for someone that will actually get the job done. I typed secretary and in the filter option I put 2+ years experience. 150 search results, f**k. I narrowed down the search to a 100 mile radius from our office. 70 search results. I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my eyes, it’s going to be a long night. After searching for almost an hour I found the profile of someone named Violet Foster. She lives in Greensboro, Georgia, and worked as secretary for Bryan J. Martin Reality for 2 years. She’s young and looking for a change of scenery. Willing to travel, work holidays, flexible schedule. I sat back and stared at her profile, she’s well organized and seems confident in her skills. I quickly typed out an email with details of a possible interview. I created a list of a few more candidates, but I kept thinking of Violet Foster. Violet POV “Mom, I got an interview!” I squealed, outstretching my arm to show my mother the email. “Harrison Construction Equipment? Is it a construction job, honey?” She gave me a quizzical look as she popped our pizzas in the oven. “No momma, it's a secretary position. Kinda like what I did for Mr. Martin. I’m sure this will be more work, but I finally have an interview somewhere that isn’t fast food.” I let out a sigh as I leaned against the counter. “Where are they located? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them before.” I scrolled through the email, looking for the address. “They’re located in Atlanta, it’s only an hour away, and maybe I can save up for an apartment! I could live in between here and work.” She cupped the side of my face lovingly. “That sounds great and you’re amazing, I know you’ll get the job.” I gazed down at my phone, Nathaniel Harrison was the owner's name. The owner of the company is interviewing me? My stomach twisted with anxiety, I wonder what he’s like. Although I was anxious, I felt confident, something felt right about this job. “Now what are my girls gossiping about?” I heard my dad's heavy footsteps as he made his way into the kitchen. He wrapped my mother around her waist and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. I want a relationship like theirs, so complete and unconditional. “We were talking about Violet's job interview.” My mom said pulling away, blushing slightly. “What? Where at this time?” My father’s face cracked into a wide grin. “It’s called Harrison Construction Equipment, I’ll be a secretary. I’ll schedule meetings for my boss, etcetera. It’s like what I did for Mr. Martin.” “I know you’ll get the job, sweetheart.” My father crossed the room to pull into a strong bear hug. I smelled like aftershave and mint, it smelled like home. I have no idea how I’ll be able to live on my own without them. “Thank you, dad.” I murmured into his chest. Once he released me he gave my mom a quick peck, grabbed a beer, and headed back to watch his football game. “Hey mom, where are the boys?” “It’s a Friday night, lord knows what they’re getting up to. They told me that they’re staying the night at Aiden’s house. Hopefully I don’t get another call about them drunk and sneaking into the neighbors pool.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back with a sigh. My brothers are absolute menaces to society. They were popular in high school, the cool twins that were good at everything. Me on the other hand? I completely flew under the radar, I had my best friend Piper and that was it. Most people didn’t even believe I was their older sister. To be fair I’m as pale as a ghost and my brothers are half black. My dad isn’t my biological father, but he’s never treated me otherwise. He met my mom when she was already pregnant with me and it was love at first sight. They married shortly after I turned one, two years later, Noah and Jonah came screaming into the world. I love them, but god do they get on my last nerve sometimes. Always rowdy, causing my parents unneeded stress, I can’t wait for them to start college. “Honey, could you pull the pizza out when the alarm goes off? I’m gonna go lay down on the couch.” My mother asked as she picked up her wine glass. “Yeah mom I got it.” I watched as she disappeared into the living room to join my dad. I looked over the email again, Monday is my interview, I felt my nerves spike once again. Deep breaths, I got this, it’s going to be okay. The weekend passed in a blur, I was excited and nervous for my interview. I looked myself over again in the mirror. I had my long ginger hair pulled back in a bun, I had a loose fitted blue blouse, and black slacks with some simple black shoes. I tried on a blazer, but decided it looked a little too formal. I checked the time for the millionth time, two hours until my interview. I should have plenty of time to get there, I glanced at my makeup bag and bit my lip. Will I have time? Will it be too much? I grabbed my bag and chose to do some simple eyeliner and mascara. It really made my blue eyes pop, I snatched up my keys and made my way down the stairs. “Bye mom! I’ll text you once I get there and call you when I’m done, love you!” I called out as I made my way through the front door. “Okay, I love you, sweetheart. You got this!” I jumped into my blue Mazda and turned the key, listen to that kitty pur! Actually she makes concerning noises, but I’m broke so I’m ignoring it. My phone automatically connected and started playing my favorite playlist. I cranked up the volume, this is gonna be a fun drive.