The CEO'S Biggest Distraction

A Weird Boss

Anita is the secretary to the famous CEO of the Brent's Global Fashion Company, Donald is his name. Brent is one of the best companies in New York that specializes in the production and sale of Fashion clothing apparel for males and females, luxury bags, and shoes. Recently, a proposition was made for a new expansion which will revolve around jewelry items for both genders.

Donald became the CEO immediately after he graduated from the University because his father had always wanted him to maintain the legacy of the family's business.

Donald Kings is the epitome of refined masculinity. His dark brown hair, often tousled just enough to suggest a hint of rebelliousness, contrasts sharply with his piercing blue eyes that seem to hold the weight of the world.

Donald is known for his commanding presence and authoritative demeanor, and he has a reputation for being uncompromising and fiercely ambitious. He has an almost magnetic charisma that can both draw people in and intimidate them.

He is strategic and meticulous, with a great intellect that allows him to anticipate market trends and effortlessly maneuver through challenging business scenarios. Underneath his tough exterior, Donald possesses a deep sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards those he cares about, though he rarely shows this side to the public.

However, life in the university is different from life in the real world and his position as the CEO requires that he exhibits a high level of expertise when it comes to people management. Six months into the job and Donald has successfully changed the atmosphere of the company with his style of leadership.

Time check 9:00am, Monday Morning.

'I expect that you should have sent the report last week Friday before leaving' He said, raising his voice.

'I am so sorry about that sir, I had to close early because I did not want to miss the Doctor's appointment' His secretary replied.

'Well, that is not an excuse. A simple message upfront would have been very good. You have just thirty minutes to submit the report. You can leave now'

She walked out of his office feeling embarrassed and sad. She was determined to work harder henceforth because she cannot just afford to lose her job at this point.

Walking briskly to her office, she sat on her chair, opened her laptop and began to work on the report. Fifteen minutes later, report all done and sent via mail, she proceeded to inform her boss about it.

Anita is a tall, slim young lady with long, straight, brown hair. She is a graduate of Business Administration and Management and she is an only child. Her mother died when she was five and her father raised her single handedly since then up until her last year in college. He became very sick afterwards and he has been in and out of the hospital. She has been the only one taking care of him since that happened. Her father refused to marry another wife after he lost his first wife because he wanted to be there for his daughter and he did not want any other woman to treat Anita like she did not matter.

'Always remember that you are beautiful, highly confident and charismatic' He would always say.

'You can achieve whatever you set your mind to, my child.' These were his words to her during those tough college days when she would call and rant because she was tired of schooling.

In retrospect, those words really made her more resilient. Life however decided to show her a little bit of pain by making him really sick. For the past six months, watching him lose the spark in his eyes, speak more slowly, take extra careful footsteps has been really heartbreaking. She wished she had a super power to just make him get back to being healthy.

Few hours later, time check; 2:00 pm Lunch hour.

It's time for lunch and Anita is elated. She hibernates her personal computer and proceeds to the dinning hall. The hall is usually filled with lots of people at this hour.

She usually likes to order her favorite meal at least thrice in a week. Today, she placed her order as usual - french fries and chicken with ketchup. Scrolling through her phone whilst waiting for her order, a disturbing sound erupted from the entrance of the hall and she lifted her head in reflex. What she saw made her open her mouth and eyes so widely.

Walking majestically alongside his aides, is her boss - Donald, the CEO.

She was stunned.

First of all, he never comes to the hall at this hour, so his presence definitely calls for concern.

As he strides slowly towards the queue, the cloud cheered in what eventually became a round of applause. The member of staff seemed elated.

He stopped walking, smiled briefly and waved. Then he proceeded to place an order.

'Oh wow' she muttered.

At this point, her order was ready. She collected her food and started walking to her seat only to be stopped by a voice that sounded really familiar.

'Hey Anita, you have to sit at my table, we have some things to talk about.'

Her heart skipped a beat.

That was Donald's voice.

Raising her eyebrows whilst turning towards him, she mumbled a reply.

'Yes sir, I'll be right after you'

Donald walked to the table at a corner of the hall and she followed suit.

He sat down, unbuttoned his suit while his aides stood behind him.

Anita sat on a chair in front of him with so many thoughts running in and out of her mind:

What could he be here for?

Why does he want to have a discussion with her?

Why now?

He could have at least allowed her to enjoy her meal before that?

Moments later, his food came through and she noticed he ordered the same thing she did. She found that interesting.

'Who knew the very strict boss likes chicken and fries.’ She wondered.

'Henceforth, we have to come for lunch together' He says, clearing his throat.

'what?' she exclaimed with her eyes widely opened.

'You heard me clearly,' He replied sternly.

Anita was speechless. She had always loved her lunch hours because it was a period where she had the space to clear her head and take a break from work. Now, having her boss make joint lunch compulsory already seems overwhelming, especially because of his personality.

'Okay, that's fine sir.' She replied.

She ate her meal quietly while processing the information she just received. At regular intervals, she felt his gaze lingering over her as she ate. She was extremely shy.

As she reached for her glass of juice, she accidentally hit the cup and it spilled on the table. With reflex, she immediately tried to raise the cup before it became completely empty whilst muttering apologetic words.

'I'm so sorry, that was a mistake'

'oh my god'

'so sorry'

Stares.

Whispers.

Avoidance.

'It's totally fine, you need to relax, you have been fidgeting since you started eating' He replied as he helped her clean the liquid with a table towel.

'Oops' she muttered.

Lunch was over in no time and they went back to the office.

Sitting on her chair as she turns on her personal computer, she let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding onto.

Looking at her to-do list for the day, she skimmed through the page and realized that she had a few more things to tick off the list.

Briefing about the new business proposal was next on the list. Thankfully, it was slated to be a virtual meeting. She joined the meeting a few minutes before it commenced so as to ensure that the network signal was in a good state.

Surprisingly, the meeting started and the third participant was nowhere to be found. He was absent and he did not give a prior notice about it. It was strange. She had no choice but to have the meeting with her boss only. She cringed at the sight of his face on the screen.

Conversations.

Propositions.

Ideas.

Arguments.

It was a typical board meeting. After so much back and forth, the meeting came to an end.

Sometimes, she wonders if she is just a secretary or a board member.

On the other hand, it is great that her prowess is acknowledged and recognized. This will most definitely be a plus to her appraisal in the long run, and in her career journey, she will move at a swift pace.

Right from college days, she had always looked forward to working in the Brent company, because it is one of the top three companies in the State and Continent as a whole. What a great place to start her career journey, she thought to herself. In the near future, she has the desire to have her own company. Big dreams require big actions, they say. Little wonder she worked hard towards getting a job in Brent's. Brent is just the perfect place that will give her the experience and exposure needed to forge ahead in her career in the incoming years.

After different stages of interviews, she finally got the job. She was elated when she got that mail. It was a Friday evening.

She was thrilled, excited, pumped and she screamed right there in her room. Afterwards, she shared the news with her father and best friend. Her first day at work was amazing, she had someone show her around the company before she eventually started her orientation seminar which lasted a week.

Orientation was done and she was already acquainted with the company's values and principles. Hence, her job started. However, her numerous encounters with her immediate boss has made her excitement and smile fade quickly like a flash of light. He gives the vibe of a typical strict boss who always wants everything to be done in his own way and at his pace. Though outgoing, confident and goal oriented, he comes off sometimes as quick tempered, irritable and condescending. Occasionally, he says and does some things that project him as caring and observant. A very complicated man actually.

Time check; 5:00pm. It's closing time.

She proceeds to clear her desktop and shut down finally, having finished all tasks for the day.

Few minutes later, her boss strolled out of the office as he made his way out of the building.

'Bye for now, see you tomorrow' he muttered.

'Bye sir.' She replied, as she bowed.

'What a day!' She said out loud, carried her bag and stepped out as well.