The Butler

Chapter 13- Aston Martin

8 years later

"Miss Rise! Who was the man you were seen with yesterday? How do you feel about being one of the few companies with stocks that have doubled" a paparazzi loudly yelled from the closed gates.

I kept my head down and readjusted my sunglasses as I briskly walked to my Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante that I bought three years ago. My bodyguard got into the passenger seat after opening the driver's side door. My bodyguard took most of the space in the car because he was built like a titan that could have taken down Zeus. When he was interviewed, this giant sat like a proper lady with his legs closed and his back straight. That's when I knew I had to hire him.

I sighed loudly as I tried to drive onto the narrow streets without running any of the paparazzi that ambushed me outside of my home. My bodyguard was getting ready to take his seat belt off to probably try to scare the paparazzi away, but I stopped him.

"Don't bother Liam. I've already experienced this before. They'll eventually move when you inch closer to them with the car."

"Yes ma'am," Liam bluntly replied.

I cringed. "I told you to call me Stella." 

He stayed quiet. I knew he was going to keep calling me ma'am. I felt like he'd eventually warm up and call me by my name. It was only 2 weeks since he was hired. My assistant lectured my ear off that I needed a bodyguard now that the company was making millions, and anyone could kidnap me for ransom. She's been recently telling me to get another one. I do admit, I felt much less fearful when I had him with me to walk to my car late at night after business dinners.

We were finally able to break free of the confines of the paparazzi. The feeling of driving a beautiful car was divine but also therapeutic after a rough day of work. We comfortably drove in silence to my multi-million company. 

My company first started four years ago when I created a technology that was able to travel in the bloodstream that would detect any cancer, blood clots, parasites- basically anything that was harmful to the body was sent to people's phones so they could detect the conditions of their body. If the technology detected massive blood loss, severe organ damage, or harmful levels of any substance in the body, an ambulance would immediately be sent to that area. This technology was microscopic and was administered as a shot. There were tons of news how it saved kidnapped victims, victims lost in dangerous places and more miscellaneous victims due to the GPS tracker. We were getting free publicity that shot our company from being small to the number one item that had to be bought every year. The technology was fairly expensive, so only high class could afford it. However, I was diligently working with the engineers to figure out a way to make this universally affordable.

I had all my workers injected with the technology from the chief operating officer to the janitor. Of course it cost quite a large sum of money, but if I didn't show appreciation for my workers, then they could easily be unenthusiastic and lazy at work. I learned from my business class that it takes money to earn money. This also allowed me to have a better relationship with my staff. I made sure to take each of the groups in our company to dinner and parties at my home. The automatic doors opened as I approached, and my three receptionists all waved at me with a smile.

"Good morning Miss Stella," they said in uniform.

"Good morning," I said enthusiastically as I walked past them. 

As I entered the elevator, I could smell the cologne of Liam. I reminisced the days when I would avoid places with men because of what Caleb did. With lots of therapy, I was able to overcome it. Obviously I didn't like it when men would grab me without any warning from behind, but I took self-defense classes and jiu-jitsu in case I had to defend myself.

I smirked when I recognized the scent. It was the most favorite scent of my private secretary. She once recommended the best smelling men's cologne to Liam. Someone had a little crush I observed.

"Nice cologne," I giggled.

He whipped his head around with angry bright ears, but as soon as he turned around to look at me I put my poker face on as if I didn't find this entertaining. 

He cleared this throat. "Thank you ma'am. I just got this as a gift."

I could feel my poker face facade start to crack as I witnessed Liam try to cover it up, but luckily, the elevator reached its floor. I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't want to laugh at Liam when he was trying his hardest to woo, my beautiful assistant.

Speaking of my beautiful assistant, Nia, she saw me and gave me an evil eye. Her chocolate skin glowed under the sunlight that was streaming from the windows. She had the best skin complexion I've ever seen. She had large, doe-like brown eyes. She was curvy but she was shorter than average. I learned the hard way not to underestimate her despite her height because she had a fiery attitude. I, also, hired her because she wasn't an ass-kisser. I needed an assistant that would tell me what's wrong from right, but she was competent too which made her the best candidate.

She followed behind me to my office in silence. Probably waiting to lecture me behind closed doors. I was right. As soon as the door closed, my best friend lectured my ears off.

"Why did you meet that man by yourself? Are you crazy? He's a business partner so I know it was for a business dinner, but that man is crazy for you. He's been sending you flowers nonstop. Something could have happened! Did you also hire a butler and maid for your home? Next time I help you with those staff dinner parties at your home, I'm going to ask for a raise. A raise you can't afford. Like a billion dollars!"

Liam closed the door behind us, but I could see a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. 

"I told him to stop or else I would file a restraining order but since he'd be doing criminal activities to fulfill any business procedures like meetings, the business contract would end and he would pay seventy million dollars." I waved my hand to dismiss the danger that Nia saw, "I also haven't hired a butler, but I'll eventually get to it."

"Well good thing I already scheduled a butler interview tonight. Tomorrow will be a maid interview," she said with a grin waiting to be praised.

Oh goody. I can't wait I thought to myself with an extra helping of sarcasm.