The Billionaire's Personal Assistant

Chapter 4

Harper’s POV

“Hi.”

That word echoed through my brain, almost as if I couldn’t comprehend it. I looked up at the man who owned this deep voice and grinned. He was in a leather coat, a shirt underneath, paired with grey sweatpants.

Deadly combination, I tell you.

“Uhm, hi. Is this your dog?” I asked, uncertainty laced in my voice.

“She is,” he grinned sheepishly. “I’m Ravi, you are?” He extended his hand.

“I’m Harper, nice to meet you.” I shook his hand, smiling.

“The pleasure is mine. Mind if I sit?” He asked politely, a warm smile on his face.

“Oh! Sure.” The metal chair was cold against my butt as I shifted over. He sat next to me, grabbing hold of his dog’s leash.

“So, what’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting out here all alone?” His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me. I noticed his hair was shoulder-length and wavy. It was calling me to run my fingers through them, and it did take every will in my body not to.

“Um,” I found myself confused. “I’ve been trying to reminisce on some turn of events…” I trailed off.

I fumbled with the zip of my coat, finding myself suddenly nervous.

“Oh, it’s fine if you don’t want to discuss it! I don’t mean to pry.” he chuckled, brushing his hand through his hair.

“Oh, I can tell you,” I muttered, my fingers still on the zip.

“Yesterday, I got dismissed from work.” I ranted, “And a lot has been going on back home, my mom is sick, I have bills to pay, and I can’t starve to death well, can I?”

“I’m not with her right now, so I’m apprehensive about her health condition now.” I continued without a single pause.

My head was throbbing and it felt like a tension headache was coming on.

“Sorry, it’s just like a lot,” I babbled, grinning sheepishly.

Ravi stared at me, almost as if trying to decipher me like a code of sorts. “I completely understand where you’re coming from. I worked pretty hard to get where I am now myself.”

He sighed, “The journey’s tough, but the destination is sweet. You’ll be fine, Harper.” He smiled as his warm eyes melted into my soul.

It felt like he was trying to drag me into an abyss of love with those eyes. He gave off major golden retriever vibes; the type of boyfriend to spot you in a crowd and start flailing his arms crazily with a big, wide smile on his face. I loved his aura and we had only just met like 5 minutes ago.

“Where do you work?” I questioned, shifting my butt.

“I am the COO of Touright.”

“Wow, like the traveling agency? That’s so cool!”

“I know right?”

“It must be amazing to work there.”

“It is.”

I nodded sharply, running out of words to say. My brain was going blank and the anxiety was starting to creep in again, so I grabbed hold of my necklace. I stared off into the distance, taking in the park’s environment. There were much more people now than before.

“Would you want to work in the company?”

I snapped my head towards him so fast I could’ve had whiplash. “What?!”

I laughed. “That’s too big of a favor to even ask for.” I waved it off, as my hand slapped my knee.

Ravi laughed along with me, as he shook his head.

“Honestly, it’s not. I’d be more than happy to get you a job.” He beamed.

“It’s okay, Ravi. I mean it. I’m sure I’ll sort something out,” I smiled. “But thank you. I appreciate it.”

I was shocked. It wasn’t every day I had a COO approach and offer me a job. Right?

“Well, if you don’t mind Harper, could I have your number?” His smile was cheeky, so cheeky that I wished I could pull one of his cheeks teasingly.

“Oh! Sure,” I called out the digits of my phone number nervously.

I hope I didn’t miss any numbers.

Did I call the wrong number?

My disquieted thoughts were all over the place, but when Ravi called the number and my phone rang, my mind finally landed from its soaring heights.

“Hehe. That’s it,” I grabbed my phone, waving it in his face before quickly saving his contact as ‘Ravi’.

I glanced at the time noticing it was already 9:24 AM.

“Well, I have to be on my way Ravi, but it was nice chatting with you!” I shoved my phone into my pocket as I stood up. “And I didn’t get her name.” I looked down at the golden retriever in front of me. Her eyes looked sad, almost as if she didn’t want me to leave. After all, she was practically cuddling my foot the whole time.

“Daisy, that’s her name,” He smiled. “And that’s my cue, I should probably get going as well, milady.” He stood up, letting go of Daisy’s leash.

Coincidentally, at that time, a ball went flying through the air and Daisy ran to catch it. I ran after Daisy trying to grip her leash. She had caught the ball and finally stilled. I leaned down to grab the leash, and almost immediately felt a warm, soft hand cover mine. I immediately pulled my hand away, as if an electric shock rippled through me.

“Yeah, you caught her-” I stammered, nodding.

“Yeah, thank you,” he grinned. “Bye now.” His smoky voice traveled through the crisp air. I turned around awkwardly gripping my tumbler so hard I was sure my knuckles turned white.

As I headed home, I couldn’t stop thinking about his invigorating, masculine scent. He smelled earthy, like a whiff of fresh air,or maybe a whiff of leather.

God, I wish I had that cologne all to myself.

I smiled, lost in thought until I finally reached home. I immediately set my tumbler on the kitchen island and ran to the bedroom, jumped on the bed, and kicked my feet while screaming into the pillow.

I phoned Anya and told her all about my interaction with Ravi. “He sounds like the man of your dreams honestly.” She remarked.

“He seems to be. His lips crook in the cutest way with those bunny teeth and the way his ears get pink in the cold. He’s so cute.” I babbled, as Anya squealed in the background.

“Perfect way to get over everything right?” She groaned.”Though it won’t be easy, but I want you to know I’m here for you.”

“I know babes,” I sighed. “Thank you, again.” I laughed.

“No problem-o.” Anya chimed, popping the p.

Anya and I flew into a rampage of laughter.

“By the way, where were you last night?” I hummed suggestively as I jested.

“With a handsome man, as you were my young, innocent child. That guy totally had the hots for you last night!” She retorted.

“Yeah, the s*x was too good to be true,” I winced jokingly. “I’m not even joking when I say he’s drop-dead gorgeous, but I can barely remember his face!”

“s*x?” she yelled, her high-pitched voice piercing through my ear drums.

“Well, get it girl,” she hummed, assertively.

“Did you get his name? Number?” She asked, with a hint of desperation in her voice.

“No, it was more of a one night stand,” I sighed, though I wished it wasn’t. “I didn’t get anything, I only remember his scent and the colour of his eyes, and he was gone before I even woke up.” I wailed loudly.

“Woe is you.” Anya chortled, taking in my playful misery.

“Okay, the question of the day, Mystery Guy or Ravi?” She asked.

“Okay, I hope I don’t get put in this type of situation ever. Besides, I only just met them both yesterday.” I declared, gnawing on my lip nervously.

However, that question got me good. If push ever turned to shove, who would I choose? Though it was too soon to think like that, I’d probably never see Mystery Guy again.

Actually, there was a probability that I would, like 20%. Since I met him at that bar, it must’ve meant he either resided around the area, or a bit closer to the Upper East Side.

A ring broke my cycle of thoughts as my mum’s call intercepted Anya’s. “Talk to you later,” I hurriedly spoke as I accepted my mum’s call.

“Hi mama,” I chimed happily.

“Harper?” A familiar voice asked, sounding off.

“Harry? What are you doing with momma’s phone?” I enquired, annoyed.

Harry always did this, he would call me just to hear my voice. Though, I was more confused as to why he had to call me with Momma’s phone. Maybe he missed me too much, being away from his elder sister for a while was no joke to him.

“Mama’s in the hospital again.”