BILLIONAIRE'S ASSISTANT

CHAPTER TWO

The woman was bat–shit crazy. I mean, anyone who thought I was qualified for a position as personal assistant to the CEO of a thriving company had to be some kind of crazy.

I already mentioned that I only finished high school. After that, I worked a ton of jobs, like my mom, trying to pay bills and what not. Do I even remember where I kept my certificate? Is that even useful?

“I…uhm…” I wasn’t sure what to say. If I had the option of calling her crazy, I would.

Ursula laughed. “No need to be so flustered dear.”

My mother was wearing a delighted grin from her comfortable position nestled on our old sofa. “Are you being serious, Ursula?!”

“Of course. I think she’d be a perfect asset for my Harrison,” Ursula replied assuredly.

“Ma’am…I’m not fit for that position,” I started. “I don’t have the kind of qualifications that will—”

“Oh, forget all that,” Ursula interjected, rising to her feet. “These days it's more about capability than certificates.” She looked at her watch. “I must be on my way now. I have something rather urgent to attend to, but you can start tomorrow, yes? I’ll have someone send the details.”

“But…my job at the grocer—”

“Never mind that. I’ll have it sorted out. Now, I’ll let you think things through for a few hours, but I still want a response tonight. Your mother has my private cell. Alright?”

Holy crap. Everything was happening so fast. What the hell was wrong with this woman? I just nodded like she was making sense and she smiled. She said goodbye to my mother and I walked her down to her SUV while residents of my neighborhood watched us closely.

Before her driver took off, she grinned and left me with the words, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

This crazy woman…she wasn’t leaving me an option, was she?

“I can’t be P.A to a CEO!” I whined to my mother when I got upstairs. “I’ll ruin the company.”

“I doubt it could go that bad,” Rose countered, and I stared at her dryly. She sighed. “Willy, you’re not giving yourself credit. Ursula saw how brilliant you are, and that’s why she thinks you’d be a good fit for the company.”

“Brilliant?!” I mused with raised brows. “What good is that if I have nothing to show for it?”

Rose sighed. “Yes, you’re right. That’s my fault.”

My eyes narrowed. “Don’t play that emotional card.”

Rose put a palm against her head. “If only I weren’t sick, you’d certainly have lived a better life in this big apple.”

I shook my head disbelievingly before settling by my mother’s side. She knew how to play me well. “Have you taken your medication?” I asked, changing the topic.

“I’m almost out of those. You’re trying so hard, but your current job won’t carry us forever.” She had somehow managed to bring the topic back.

I gave in, rolling my eyes but smiling. “It’ll pay well?”

My mother’s eyes gleamed. “You have no idea!”

*****

So, the next day, I was ready for work, except my mom told me I looked like a carpenter’s apprentice.

“I don’t exactly have the most stylish wardrobe,” I told my mom while she leaned weakly against the doorway of my room and I inspected myself in a mirror.

I was wearing baggy, faded blue denim overalls, a white shirt beneath that, my overworn gray sneakers and of course, my trusted black cap. I certainly did not look like a CEO’s assistant, but I think I put in more effort than I would on a normal day.

“I’ve seen your wardrobe, Willy. You can do better.”

“Thanks mom, I’m good,” I said, turning and smiling in a way that meant she wasn’t going to convince me to change.

There was a knock on the door. My mom, in sweat pants and a bra top, was in no position to open the door, so I did. The man standing at the door was clearly Hispanic. With his slick black hair and black three-piece suit, I could assume he was a secret service agent.

He ran his gaze over me. “Miss Willow Peterson?”

“Hi.”

“My name is Ricardo Hans. I’m the driver who’ll be taking you to the company, as per Miss King’s request.”

Wow. Fancy. I glanced at my mom who was out of view and she shrugged. “Uhm…okay. Let me just grab my things.”

I called Ursula and made sure the man at the door was legit before following him. Lo and behold, my ride was an ash–colored Aston Martin.

I eyed Ricardo as he held the door open, while people—including Juanita the florist—eyed me. “You’re driving me in this?”

“Yes ma’am,” the driver answered curtly.

I was a sales attendant yesterday, and today it’s like I’m a freaking celebrity. I swallowed before going in. I was driven from the Lower to Upper East Side of Manhattan. My eyes widened when I saw the company building, the large words ACE centered on the plethora of windows that was the sky–high building’s front.

My eyes quickly spotted a cafe shop closeby. “By the cafe shop, please.”

Ricardo looked hesitant, but thankfully did as I asked. I just needed a moment to process things, and is there any better help than some morning coffee?

I alighted the vehicle before Ricardo could do the whole door–opening thing. I declined him escorting me in as he would just look like my security, and that was a no–no.

I joined a line in the cafe full of professionally dressed people—more than I can say for myself. I stuck out like a sore thumb, but I tried not to think too much about it.

When it was finally my turn to order, someone suddenly cut in front of me. Well, it wasn’t like he stood exactly in front of me. More like he stood a little beside and a little ahead of me, clearly ready to make an order.

He glanced back at me, and for a brief moment, we both held eyes.

I decided right there and then that he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, yet the words came out of my mouth, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”