BILLIONAIRE'S ASSISTANT

CHAPTER FOUR

You have to be kidding me! Him? He’s my boss?! THE BOSS?!

I could just hear the world laughing at me. The one question I kept asking myself was why I didn’t look up the company and those that ran it. It wasn’t like me to come unprepared. Perhaps Ursula’s promise that someone would brief me on the company and my roles had caused me to relax.

Still, I felt so stupid, especially as he stared at me with impassive features for a long moment while I just stood there in silence.

He had his jacket draped over the rest of his brown armchair, so he was just in his white shirt, the sleeves folded halfway up his arm, two buttons undone from the neck so that some skin was peeking at me—what the hell am I thinking right now?!

I had to admit he looked more comfortable. Well, duh. He was in his office. Fingers crossed that he’s forgotten about the whole incident at the cafe and doesn’t hate me.

“Good morning sir. I’m—”

“You’re fired.”

Mmmmmmmmm…definitely hates me. Fired on my first day. Scratch that, fired my first five minutes in the company building. That had to be some kind of record.

I cleared my throat. “Uhm…Mr King, sir—”

“Sucking up to me now, eh? Where’s all the attitude from before you figured out I’m your boss?” he mused.

Down the drain, apparently. I still felt like kicking his shin, but you know, CEO and all. I blew out a small, steadying breath. “I believe we got off on the wrong foot,” I said, impressed at how diplomatic I sounded.

He leaned back against his seat. “We got off on the perfect foot. Now I know exactly what kind of person you are.”

“Right back at ya’” I retorted…unintentionally. It just sorta slipped out, and it caused Harrison to grimace. “I mean…it was a pretty tense situation. You were being an…” I cleared my throat. “You were being difficult, and I was trying to maintain order. Looking at things objectively, I was in the right, wouldn’t you agree?”

Wow. I am bad at this. My intention was to convince him not to fire me, but I was instead trying to convince him he was wrong.

“You. Are. Fired,” he said, then returned his attention to the papers before him. “Get out before I have to call security.”

I worked my jaw angrily, chewing and swallowing all curses or apologies I might spill, rather, turning and leaving the office, the company, and what was supposed to be my new job.

*****

“I’m a twenty–four year old without money or a job,” I voiced my thoughts while I sat on my couch, my thighs held to my chest.

My mother was beside me, soothing me with a back rub. How embarrassing was it to leave for work and return almost an hour later with news that you’ve been fired? I’ll answer that one. It’s terribly embarrassing.

“Sweetie, don’t overthink it,” my mother said in a soft voice.

“I should’ve just kept my mouth shut and let him cut in line.”

“We both know that’s not the kind of person you are, and I’m proud of you for it.”

I sighed, burying my face in my thighs. “He’s so…infuriating! And arrogant! And nothing like Ursula.”

My mom didn’t seem to have anything to say to that one. She just rubbed my back with more vigor. I could tell she was out of words to give me. I had been whining since I got back, and she had been encouraging.

“I’ll go back to Mickey this evening and ask for my job back. Pride won’t put food on the table.”

My mother looked sad. “I caused this.”

“No, no, don’t do that. It’s not your fault.” I smiled at my mom reassuringly. “Besides, Ellie will be glad to have me back.”

I spent most of the day reading a book, like I usually did when I worked at Mickey’s. I also considered getting another job that would work with my shift at Mickey’s. It would be tiresome, but the money would be more than useful.

I was about changing out of my black sweatpants and white T-shirt so I could head over to Mickey’s when there was a knock on the door.

I went and opened the door, revealing Ursula and Harrison King. Before I had even opened the door fully, I shut it.

Reflex.

My mother appeared at the short passage before the door, my wide eyes fixed on her. “Who is it?”

“Royalty!” I hinted through a harsh whisper.

My mom’s eyes went wide in understanding. “Well why’d you shut the door?”

“I don’t know, I panicked!” I was still panicking, otherwise why was I whispering?

My mom prodded me with her eyes to open the door, and so I did. Ursula had a smile on, but Harrison looked deeply irritated.

“I’m so sorry about that,” I apologized, looking at Ursula. The other one would be hearing no apologies from me.

“May we come in, Willow?” Ursula asked. “Harrison was going to talk to you about giving you your job back.”