MIXED SIGNALS : HOT THEN COLD
1835 Words
It’s been two weeks.
Two whole weeks.
Selene had been adjusting, adapting, learning. She now knew where the files went, how Alaric preferred his coffee, how long the board meetings lasted, a few important faces in the company.
The executive floor wasn’t as bad as she had thought it would be.
Except for her boss, who had all of a sudden become grumpy. It’s like he has an on and off switch. Sometimes he’s cold, sometimes he’s hot.
Extremely bipolar. As Nyx would say.
He had a weird way he operated. A particular way he liked his things to be.
Like his coffee, for example.
Americano to be precise. Medium, never large because he doesn’t like to indulge. Exactly 2 shots of espresso with 120 ml of hot water. Not too hot though, just enough so he can sip on it immediately. If it’s too hot, he’ll wait, but he’ll be mildly annoyed. Black coffee. No sugar, no cream, no milk, no syrup or flavoring. Just coffee, as it should be according to him.
You would think that was enough until you realize that it got worse. He had a special mug for it. The coffee must fill the cup, not so full that it overflows, but just enough to satisfy him. The cup must be placed on the right side of the desk, because he’s right-handed.
It took Selene three trials to get it right. Not one, not two, THREE, even though she had been given the “EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT HANDBOOK.”
It seemed funny to her when she had first received it. ‘Mr. Blackwood dislikes having to repeat his preferences. Please familiarize yourself with the following routine before your first day.’
Is it that serious? Nyx had laughed when she read it.
Yes, it was that serious. Selene had later realized.
Flynn helped though, without him, Selene was sure she would have gone crazy. He found a way to lighten up both the mood and the workload for her.
Another day, more discoveries.
Selene knocked on the door of her boss’ office.
“Sir, it’s time for the board meeting,” she said, not waiting to hear a reply before opening the door.
“Hmm,” he replied, not raising his head to acknowledge her.
That’s it? Just hmm? Does he think he’s some kind of god or something? Nyx was clearly irritated.
Shutting the door quietly behind her, Selene proceeded to get her tablet and the other necessary documents needed for the meeting from her desk.
“Let’s go,” she heard as the door to Alaric’s office closed behind him. Taking long strides, he proceeded to the boardroom with Selene trailing right behind him, trying so hard to keep up in her stilettos.
Flynn joined them on the way.
“Is there a reason for the rush?” he teased.
“Clearly!” Selene replied, rolling her eyes at Alaric who was still hurrying in front of them.
Alaric stepped into the boardroom, Flynn and Selene just right behind him. The boardroom was already filled up, executives seated in their respective seats. Some came alongside their assistants, just like Selene.
Well, I guess the rush here is justified. Nyx commented, seeing that Alaric was the last to get there.
Conversations died almost instantly as the boardroom doors opened.
Chairs scraped softly against the polished floor as the executives rose in practiced unison.
Alaric entered without acknowledging the gesture. He walked to the head of the table, placed his tablet on the polished wood, and took his seat.
Only then did everyone else sit.
This was another thing Selene had found very strange. Now she understood. It was them giving respect and honor to whom it was due.
Everyone in the room was between the ages of 45 and 70, but that did not change the fact that there’s only one CEO. The one currently sitting at the head of the table, with a cold, calculating look in his eyes.
What’s rich people’s obsession with long tables anyway? Nyx butted in. And suits. Very expensive suits.
Selene chose to ignore her. This meeting was very serious, and she could not afford to mess it up.
“Let’s begin,” Alaric’s voice bounced off the walls of the large room.
“The Redwood acquisition is facing resistance,” Victor Ross, Chief Financial Officer of Blackwood Corps said. “I believe postponing the acquisition would minimize financial exposure.”
Alaric doesn’t even look up.
“No.”
Victor waits.
“… Would you care to explain?”
Alaric flips another page.
“No.”
“We’re simply suggesting caution,” another executive added, Malcolm Sterling, the Chief Strategy Officer.
“I’m suggesting competence,” Alaric replied, his tone declaring that there wasn’t any option to argue. “Anything else?”
The meeting went on with the executives taking turns to bring up matters concerning the company and Alaric shutting most of them down, with just a few words and Flynn making funny remarks on everything possible.
Selene sat quietly, taking notes and trying to keep up.
The meeting went on.
Then, just as she was turning the page over to a new sheet, the stack of papers in Selene’s hand fell to the ground, a few papers scattered.
Selene’s heart drops.
The room was completely silent.
With shaky hands, Selene immediately knelt down, trying to gather all the papers together.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, over and over again.
Every executive waits with their breaths held, waiting for the CEO to explode. Instead, he reached for a piece of paper beside him and handed it over to her. Quietly.
“Careful!” He muttered, although it sounded very loud in the quiet room.
EVERYONE FREEZES.
Flynn almost chokes.
“Thank you sir,” Selene replied, color rising to her cheeks from embarrassment and shyness.
Whispers arise in the boardroom. Shock is evident on the executives’ faces. Murmurs arise from left and right.
“He’s never done that before.”
“That’s strange.”
Not only did the CEO help his assistant, but he also showed care and concern. Very surprising.
Even Eleanor Ashcroft, Director of Corporate Affairs, one of the few people who was not intimidated by Alaric, was surprised.
Alaric, noticing what just happened, cleared his throat as a way to call everyone to order.
“I think we’re done here,” Alaric said, about to get up from his seat.
“Actually, there’s one last thing we need to discuss,” Victor said, making eye contact with “Actually, there’s one last thing we need to discuss,” Victor said, making eye contact with Dominic Hale from across the table.
"Since Blackwood International continues to expand, it's only prudent that we begin discussing long-term stability and future leadership," Dominic said.
Alaric’s jaw tightened. He knew exactly what they meant.
When is the future Alpha getting married and producing an heir?
That was the question everybody was asking. Selene might not know it, but she’s one of the few humans on the executive floor. Everyone seated at that table was a wolf. The topic couldn’t be avoided for much longer.
It was clear that everyone expected him to make Bianca his Luna. He would have succumbed to that idea some time ago, but now, NOW he has found his mate, even though she’s human.
“We’re not discussing that today.”
The room falls silent.
Selene simply writes in her notebook:
Agenda item postponed.
The room remained silent for a moment after Alaric’s words. He closed the file before him with a quiet snap.
Then, without looking at anyone else, his gaze settled on Selene.
“Miss Hart.”
She immediately straightened.
“Yes, sir?”
“The incident during today’s meeting…”
Her stomach tightened.
“…Yes, sir.”
“I expect it won’t happen again.”
She lowered her gaze.
“I’m sorry, sir. It was an accident.”
“I am aware.” Alaric’s tone remained unreadable. “Nevertheless, the executive floor demands a higher standard.”
A lump formed in Selene's throat, “I understand.”
“Good.” He gathered the files neatly into a stack. “Ensure your composure reflects your position going forward.”
“… Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”
Without another word, he rose from his seat.
“The meeting is adjourned.”
Everyone stands.
As they’re leaving…
Eleanor quietly tells Victor, “He’s hiding something.”
Victor glances toward Selene.
“You noticed too.”
“Watch that girl,” she said firmly, as they both exited the room.
Selene, on the other hand, is left confused.
One minute, he’s acting nice and concerned. The next, he’s being rude about the tiniest thing.
Even I can’t keep up with him. Nyx butted in.
Maybe helping me was a mistake. Selene sighed, settling back into her desk.
Inside the office, Alaric is not having the best day either.
“Well, that was unnecessary,” Flynn said.
Alaric doesn’t even look up.
“You embarrassed her,” Flynn added.
“I corrected her.” Alaric refuted.
“No!” Flynn stretched out, “You embarrassed her.”
Silence.
Alaric walks to the window. “People were watching.”
Flynn laughs. “So? She’s your assistant, not theirs.”
“You know what would happen if this gets to my father.” Alaric sighed, moving towards the window. “He’ll get suspicious and start investigating.”
“So you thought the best thing to do was to make her think she’d done something wrong?”
“She’ll get over it,” Alaric replied.
Shaking his head, Flynn moves to take a seat just as a knock is heard on the door.
Clank clank.
The sound of heels on the tiled floor of the hallway pulled Selene out of her thoughts.
A woman walked towards her desk, hips swaying gracefully with every step. She was breathtakingly beautiful with a face shaped like that of a model and eyes that glistened like the ocean. Her hair flowed down her back, shining like polished glass.
She wore a red colored dress stopping right below her thighs, which looked like it belonged on a fashion hallway rather than a corporate office. She walked like she owned the entire place, carrying an air of grace and confidence.
She came to a stop directly in front of Selene’s desk.
“Is Alaric in?” she asked, her voice calm like a gentle breeze.
“Yes ma’am. Let me just inform him—"
“There’s no need for that,” she interrupted, walking towards the door.
“You’re the new assistant, right?” She asked just as she was about to enter.
“Yes!” Selene nodded.
“I’m Bianca Ashford,” She said, walking into Alaric’s office.
Selene watched the office door click shut behind the woman. She didn’t knock, she noticed. And neither Flynn nor Alaric had come out to say a word.
Who exactly… was Bianca Ashford?
- Writer
