The Hidden Billionaire

This is Not What I Meant

DECLAN'S POV

It was the first day I would get my own assistant. I couldn’t thank Mrs. Jackson enough for talking that tyrant into getting another assistant. Mother was always annoyed with me for putting work first, but the amount of money I made was enough to keep myself and them comfortable.

It wasn’t known that I had made the smart decision to invest in certain companies. I didn’t really need to work anymore, but I felt the call to continue doing so. Mama didn’t raise no fool, but she also didn’t raise a lazy bum either.

When I made it to the office, Beau was pacing back and forth. “Declan? We need to get over to De Moore’s now!”

My assistant Makena was behind me. “Sir? What happened?”

“That bastard Charles…”

Truthfully, that was all he needed to tell me. I knew how much he loathed the man. I remember hearing once that they were sort of kind of friends back when they were children. “Should we head to the company now, sir? I have Makena here with me.”

“She can stay here.”

“But sir, I’ll be escorting you and she doesn’t know her way around the office yet.”

“Damn it fine. Bring her. But she better stay in the car. I’m liable to punch that bastard in the mouth.”

He stormed out of the room. Makena gave no hint of well anything. Her face was a mask of stone. She still rubbed me the wrong way, but my vibes on her could be clouded by the fact I think she wants to take my job away from me. I sighed out of frustration. Beau is a great boss, but a bit of a hothead. We followed behind Beau, walking at a brisk pace.

I knew Marina wouldn’t be happy if he landed himself in jail because of an assault. “Sir? Beau? I think Mrs. Mari would be able to handle it because it is her company, and he is an employee now.”

He huffed at me. I could hear his teeth grinding together. Yep, he was PISSED OFF. “SO? She’s my wife.”

“Yes, your wife, that would rather you be at home than in jail. I mean, I understand that wealth affords you the means to do as you please, but what kind of example are you setting for me? Your assistant that has been by your side through hell and high water? Who will have to navigate the storm if you were to be arrested? Woah is me. My mother will be so upset that I've been working for such a brute of a man.” Pretending to wipe an imaginary tear from my eyes while sniffling.

“Ugh fine I won't beat him to pulp. You’re so dramatic. I’ll just break his wrist.”

“My, you went from punching his face to wanting to beat him bloody! Could I assume that he physically hurt the madam? Do I need to call the police?”

We were in the elevator when he looked at me. “Declan, if you weren’t you I’d wish you wasn’t.”

I gave him an award-winning smile. Usually I would understand what he meant, but he had me baffled. “Sir, are you saying that you love me the way I am? If so, I do need to tell you that you are a married man and I am single. Mother wouldn’t mind me dating men, but she would be absolutely disappointed if I brought home a married man. I can see her now fainting like an old southern bell. Oh, the scandal. The outrage. I’m flattered, but you aren’t my type.”

His mouth twitched at the corner. Makena's eyes were wide. I’m assuming she thought I was crossing a line. “Declan… hush up. Even if I wasn’t married one, your mom would be ecstatic to have me as her son-in-law. Two, I am one hundred thousand percent awesome so you would be lucky too. And three. You aren’t my type either, so no need to worry.”

Clicking my tongue, I placed a hand on my hip. “I beg to differ. Mother would tell you that I, sir, am too good for you and could do better.”

He snorted. “What could be better than a billionaire?”

“A trillionaire with a heart of gold. Oh, and he would have to spoil me so. I’ve gotten accustomed to a certain lifestyle.”

We looked at each other and shared a laugh. “Declan, if we keep this up, Makena will think we have an inappropriate relationship.”

“Well, I would say let her, but again, the mess it could create, I would be forced to clean up.”

Makena finally spoke up. “I do believe that the relationship you two share is inappropriate, but if you’ve been boss and employee for over a decade, it’s understandable. I don’t see how you two don’t separate private from professional.”

“Yes, we still have a professional relationship, but he is a wonderful boss. And I had been doing the work of ten people alone, so I believe I’m allowed to act dramatic with him occasionally. We have been around each other for several years. I view him as a friend.”

“Yes, well, I think it’s unprofessional, but it’s not my professional relationship. You shouldn’t mix friendship with business.”

Beau covered his mouth, trying to hide the snicker I could clearly hear. I glared at him only briefly. After all, he really was my boss first and friend second. “Well, I hope you get to a place in your professional career where you can have this level of camaraderie with your employer. It makes work better, in my humble opinion.”

“I should hope not. It's my job to do as he says and not pry into his personal life. I would never be caught engaging in that kind of behavior.”

She really aggravated me. “You make it seem as if this career is only a blip that will be your life. Do you even plan on staying here long term?”

“Define long-term?”

One sigh later, I was sure she could hear the annoyance I held for her.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. We all exited one at a time. I hated she had gotten the last word in on me, but this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. I didn’t want an assistant that would only be here less than one or two years. No, I wanted someone that would be here for the long haul, put in the work to stay with the same employer for at least a decade. Isn’t that the goal for most people? That’s my goal. Work for Beau until he decided to retire and travel the world. Longevity at an employer shows you are reliable. I wondered how many places of employment she had been at. Taking her words into consideration, I’ll be looking over her resume. Just in case.

We got into the car, Beau in the back seat, I in the driver, and Makena in the passenger seat. Maybe I was more annoyed with how she spoke, but the way she got in the car seemed annoying. I wasn’t sure how to explain that. Not that I would ever voice my annoyance. It was petty. Checking the rear-view mirror as we pulled out. I spoke about a possibility. “Sir? What if we get there and Mrs. Mari has already have it handled?”

“Then I guess I’ll take my wife out for a spa day. She’ll need it because of the stress of dealing with that jackass.”

Nodding my head, it was becoming the norm. Since being married, he’s been leaving me to do a substantial amount of work in his place. I could complain, but from my knowledge, he pined for her for years. “If that is the case, then I will make sure to rearrange your schedule and make sure the important situations are handled immediately.”

“I can always count on you. You’ll have to take a vacation again. Go see your family.”

“Yes, well I should say the same to you sir.” Glancing at him from the mirror.

His body language changed. He cleared his throat. “If you’re referring to she that won’t be named, then you’ll have to forgive me but she doesn’t exist to me anymore.”

“But sir…”

“No buts. Leave it at that. You have the perfect family. Your siblings are far better than what I had. Anyway, how much longer until we reach De’ Moore?”

“Just a few more minutes.”

“Good.”

Eyes seared my skin. It wasn’t from Beau. It was Makena. Sure, there were questions, but if he wants to brief her on it, he will. I don’t think she needs to know this private part of Beau’s life. Even more so if she doesn’t plan on making it as an assistant for much longer.

The car ride from then became quiet. Stifling and soul sucking. Normally Beau and I were a chatterbox, but with a new person and the awkwardness between us, I tried to make small talk with Makena. “So, about what you said in the elevator?”

“What?”

She forgot what she had said? My annoyance level growing. “You asked me to define long term. I want to know what your plans are for working with Beau.”

“I don’t think I need to discuss that with you. It’s none of your business.”

“actually, it is. I need to know if you will be here longer than five years.”

“That depends on what Mr. Beau wants.”

Gripping the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles growing pale. Refocusing myself, I wanted to give her encouragement. Or something. “Well, if you do a wonderful job, then Beau will want you around. Right, sir?”

“Yes, but I’ll leave her training and performance to you. You’re the one that will have to work with her closely.”

Gasping, I was sure he was giving me the opportunity to whip her into shape and more responsibility. “Are you saying I will be the deciding factor in whether she stays with the company?”

“Sure why not.”

A frustrated breath came from my side. I smiled at her. Her eyes narrowed at me. “I understand, sir. Then Declan, will you please teach me to be the perfect assistant?”

Smirking at her as we pulled in front of the building. I relished in the fact that she was kowtowing to me. “Perfection is right here. It can’t be duplicated.”

“Yes, well, it can be replaced. So I leave my training in your hands.”

Huffing, I went on to ignore her. No way was I going to allow her to raise my blood pressure.