The CEO's One Night Stand

New Day, New Job

Ava’s POV

As if time had somewhere to be, the whole week had gone by and I was to resume my new position as Alexander Knoxx’s Assistant. I had been dreading this day and been mentally preparing myself for it, but now that it was here, I found myself wishing I could rewind the clock a couple more hours so I didn’t have to face him just yet. It was only 6am and I was to resume work by 8. I wondered if I should close my eyes for just a few for minutes, perhaps when I wake up again, I’d finally be prepared. But I decided against it, I was already awake and if I were to go back to sleep now, I wasn’t too sure I’d wake up in time to get ready. I picked up my phone and called Emma, hopefully, she’d be able to give me some words of encouragement. “Hello?”. I said into the phone when she picked up.

“Hello, baby girl. How are you doing. Ready for your first day at work?”. I sighed deeply.

“Honestly, I don’t know. This is not the first time I’m starting a new job but I’m such a nervous wreck”. I said.

”Oh, baby, don’t be nervous, I’m sure you’re going to do just fine. Be your usual confident self, smile, don’t give your boss a hint of what you’re thinking, even though I know you'll be thinking a lot. I’m sure you’re going to do a fantastic job. You don’t have to worry one hoot”. I felt a bit better.

“Thank you, my love. This is just what I needed to hear”. I said, smiling a little bit.

“You know I’m always here for you, baby girl. Anyway, I have to go now, I have a patient to attend to. Come over when you’re back from work so you can tell me how it went”. She said. “I will”, I said gratefully and hung up the call.

I slid off my bed and made my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower, allowing the hot water hit my skin in steady streams. Once I was done, I stepped out and wrapped myself in a towel, padding back to the bedroom where I opened my wardrobe. My fingers skimmed over the rows of clothes until they landed on a black knee-length skirt and a green silk button-down shirt. The combination was simple and functional. I slipped into the skirt, feeling the fabric hug my hips, and then buttoned up the shirt, the silk cool and smooth against my skin.

Next, I grabbed my favorite pair of black pumps and slid them on. I stood in front of the mirror and smoothed down my outfit, making sure everything was in place. My hair was the next task. I gathered it up into a sleek, slicked-back bun, securing it with pins until not a single strand was out of place. A bit of makeup followed just enough to highlight my features without being too much and a touch of jewelry to add a little sparkle. Satisfied with my appearance, I took a step back to admire the final result, turning this way and that. I checked the time. 7:30 AM. Fair enough, I had a good amount of time to get to where I needed to be.

Heading to the kitchen, I opted for just a cup of coffee, knowing my nerves might not allow me to keep anything solid down. I took a deep breath, gave myself a little pep talk, and then grabbed my black work bag, making sure my laptop, phone, and notepads were inside and with one last glance around the room to make sure I wasn’t forgetting anything, I stepped out, immediately hailing a cab.

The drive to the office was uneventful, my mind lost in thoughts as to how the day would go, but feeling hopeful, nonetheless. We reached the office building with time to spare, I got down, took a deep breath and walked briskly to the entrance, my heart beating in sync with my footsteps. I approached the reception desk, where a woman with a bright smile greeted me. I gave her a small smile in return, that was really all I could muster and headed toward the elevators.

The ride up to the top floor felt like an eternity, my stomach churning with anticipation. When the doors finally slid open, I stepped out into a corridor that was just as sleek and modern as the rest of the building. The office at the end of the hall belonged to Alexander Knoxx as I had been told after the interview. I paused outside the door, taking one last deep breath before knocking softly. “Come in,” a deep voice called from within.

I pushed open the door and stepped inside, he was seated behind his huge mahogany desk. Wearing a crisp white button down shirt, rolled up at the sleeves, hair slicked back and styled as usual, face clean shaven. He didn’t look up as I walked in. “Mr. Knoxx?” I said, my voice betraying the nervousness I felt.

He looked up and for a moment, I shrunk at the intensity of his piercing blue eyes which seemed to take in every detail as they settled on me. His expression was unreadable.

“Miss Hardacre,” he said, his voice cool and smooth, just as they had been on the interview day. “Welcome to your first day.”

I swallowed, forcing myself to maintain eye contact and straightening my shoulders as I stepped further into the room. He doesn’t have to know the sort of upheavals my stomach was doing.

“Thank you, Mr. Knoxx. I’m looking forward to working with you”, I said offering a small smile.

He didn’t smile back. Instead, he simply nodded, his eyes never leaving mine as he gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss.”

I did as he instructed, my heart pounding in my chest as I sat down. He walked around the desk, revealing his tailored black trousers and black suede shoes. He took a seat opposite me, his gaze still fixed on me in a way that made me feel as if he could see my every thoughts.

“As my assistant, your role will be critical to the success of this company,” he began, his tone matter-of-fact. “I expect nothing less than perfection from you, Miss Hardacre.”

I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady as I responded. “Of course, Mr. Knoxx. I understand.”

“Good.” He leaned back in his chair, still watching me with those piercing blue eyes. “I’ve had many assistants before you, Miss Hardacre, some have succeeded, others… not so much. But I have a feeling you might be different.” I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I said nothing and gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of instructions and information as Alexander went over my duties in meticulous detail. He was a man of few words, which I attributed to the professional setting. He seemed more free and outgoing when we met the first time and I tried so hard to let that image of him get out of my head, because from now henceforth, he was my boss and I was his employee, there was room for nothing else and as noon rolled by, my head was spinning with all the new information he was dishing out, but I was determined not to let it show.

Just as I thought we were wrapping up, the phone on his desk buzzed. Alexander glanced at the caller ID, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face before he picked up the receiver.

“Yes?” His tone was clipped, his expression darkening as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

I couldn’t hear what was being said, but whatever it was had clearly struck a nerve. Alexander’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he responded in a low, dangerous tone.

“I don’t care about the complications. Handle it.”

He slammed the phone down, the sound echoing through the room, and for a moment, I was sure he had forgotten I was even there. But then his gaze snapped back to me, his expression unreadable once more.

“Miss Hardacre, I’ll need you to accompany me on a business trip tomorrow,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Clear your schedule for the next few days.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the abruptness of the order. “Of course, Mr. Knoxx. Where are we going?”

He didn’t answer immediately, instead rising from his chair to the floor to ceiling window, his back to me as he looked out over the city.

“London,” he said finally, his voice carrying an edge of something I couldn’t quite place. “There’s a deal I need to close, and I’ll need you there with me. Be ready.”

As I nodded and made a note in my planner, a sinking feeling of dread settled in my stomach.