The arrogant C.E.O is obsessed with me

Episode 1

NEW START

Flashback 5 years ago.

I had finished packing up my stuff and waiting for my parents to arrive. *phone rings must be them calling. “Hey Dad, I’ll be down in a minute” i hurriedly said. “this is Goodwill Hospital. Am i speaking to Josie Kings?” a female voice asked, “this is she” i responded already panicking. “your parents were involved in accident and they’re at the hospital. I’d advise you come over here immediately” the voice said and the line disconnected.

In a whirlwind of emotions and panic, I hurriedly made my way to the hospital, driven by an urgent sense of dread. Little did I know, that fateful journey would forever alter the course of my life. Upon arrival, the crushing weight of reality descended upon me as the doctor solemnly informed me that despite their best efforts, they were unable to revive my mother. The shock of that revelation was only compounded by the subsequent devastating news: my father had succumbed to a heart attack upon learning of my mother's passing. In an instant, I found myself thrust into a world of profound loss and grief, robbed of both parental figures in the span of mere moments. The crushing guilt of wondering if things could have been different haunts me, as I reflect on the heartbreaking truth that my simple request for a ride ultimately led to the unimaginable loss of both my beloved parents on the very same day.

Present Day

As I said goodbye to my therapist, I felt a mix of relief and worry about our last session. Walking away from her office, I thought about how far I'd come since we first met. I felt better and more positive now, but I also realized that being in the same place where I had tough memories made it hard to move forward completely.Thinking about leaving that familiar but suffocating environment, I saw a chance for a fresh start. Renting an apartment and paying for it felt like a big step toward a future without the weight of the past. Each time I sorted out a practical detail, I felt hopeful about what was ahead, and it made me want to break free from the emotional baggage that was holding me down.Deciding to leave soon became clear to me. I knew that leaving behind this emotional trap would let me discover new things about myself and start over. So, even though I was nervous, I made up my mind to say goodbye to my old life and embrace whatever came next in Texas, believing it could be the new beginning I needed after feeling stuck back home in Alabama.

***

After settling into my new apartment, I embarked on the daunting task of job hunting, casting my net wide by applying to over ten different companies. Despite my initial enthusiasm, the relentless stream of rejections eventually wore down my resolve, leaving me on the brink of despair. With each passing day, the dwindling funds in my bank account served as a grim reminder of the urgency of securing employment before the month's end.

Exhausted from the fruitless pursuit of opportunities, I succumbed to fatigue one night, falling asleep amidst the glow of my computer screen. Startled awake in the dead of night, I stumbled through the motions of preparing a meager dinner before collapsing back into bed.

As the sun's rays pierced through the blinds, rousing me from slumber with a groan, I begrudgingly resigned myself to the relentless cycle of job hunting. Fueling myself with a hastily prepared breakfast, I sat down at my computer, only to be greeted by a new email notification. With trembling fingers, I opened the message to discover an unexpected glimmer of hope: an offer of employment from StrageiX Marketing Solutions for the position of personal assistant. My heart racing with disbelief and elation, the realization dawned upon me with a sense of urgency: the interview was scheduled for 10 am—mere hours away. Panic coursed through my veins as I glanced at the clock, registering the daunting reality that I had less than two hours to prepare and make my way to the interview. In a whirlwind of activity, I hastily dressed and dashed out the door, propelled by a newfound sense of determination and the promise of a brighter future on the horizon.

In a flurry of activity, I hastily adorned myself in presentable attire and applied a touch of makeup before grabbing my belongings and swiftly departing from my apartment. Standing before the imposing facade of the building that housed my potential opportunity, I momentarily marveled at its grandeur before regaining my composure and proceeding inside. Navigating past the bustling reception area, I approached the receptionist who kindly directed me to the designated location for the interview.

Upon entering the hall, my gaze swept over the sea of faces, predominantly women, numbering over twenty-five. Among them, I couldn't help but notice the subtle anticipation, perhaps fueled by the allure of encountering Noah Williams on a daily basis. With a silent prayer for success, driven by the urgent need for financial stability, I steeled myself for the impending interview. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, my name, "Josie Kings," reverberated through the room. I took a deep breath to calm myself down, then walked to the office where the interview was happening. When I got there, the person greeted me with a friendly smile. I gave them my resume and answered their questions. They said they would let me know their decision later. After leaving the office, I felt a mix of hope and worry as I walked to a nearby café. I decided to treat myself to a cup of coffee to relax. It made me feel a bit better knowing that the café was close to where I lived. I thought about how convenient it would be if I got the job because I wouldn't have to spend much money on transportation. Feeling determined, I waited anxiously to hear back from them, hoping that I would get the job.

***

The rest of my day was spent with me refreshing my email every 5 minutes just incase I missed any notification all to no avail. I slept wallowing in disappointment. The next morning, I sluggishly got up from my bed still feeling very exhausted, I walked over to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I headed over to the kitchen to make myself a nice meal so I can feel a lot better. While whisking some eggs, I heard a ping from my computer, while rushing over there I hit the edge of the table and fell. Maybe I needed to calm down a bit. Groaning, I got up and went over to the computer, it was a letter from the bookstore i used to work in. Disappoinment washed over me, I got up and resumed the comforting routine of preparing breakfast, finding solace in this familiar ritual. Reflecting on the therapeutic nature of this simple act, I acknowledged its significance as a constant in my life. Afterwards, I ambled over to the couch, allowing myself to unwind as I indulged in breakfast while immersing myself in a movie streaming on my computer. However, as the hours passed, a sense of restlessness crept in, prompting me to venture outside for a stroll, eager to acquaint myself with the surrounding neighborhood. Finding myself amidst the serene surroundings of the park, I settled onto a nearby bench, captivated by the tranquil beauty of the setting sun. It was during this tranquil moment that I retrieved my phone from my pocket and discovered an email notification, dated a few hours prior. With bated breath, I perused its contents, my heart leaping with joy upon learning of my impending employment at StrageiX Marketing Solutions, scheduled to commence the following day. I was so happy when I got the news that I felt like I was back in college, with all those carefree days. I was filled with so much hope and excitement that I practically ran home to get ready for my first day of work.As I looked through my clothes, picking out just the right outfits to make a good impression, I thought about how I could spend some of my remaining money on a shopping trip over the weekend. Now that I had a job, I felt more secure about spending a little extra on myself. It felt like a fresh start, and I wanted to make sure I looked and felt my best for this new chapter in my life.

I began my day bright and early at 6 am, lacing up my running shoes for a refreshing jog to clear my mind. Upon returning home, I swiftly prepared myself for the day ahead, a routine that extended past 8 am. As I stepped out of my apartment, the allure of the nearby café beckoned, and I indulged in a cup of coffee before making my way to the office. Upon arrival, I was promptly shown to my office and handed a list of tasks to familiarize myself with, along with a memo detailing information about my new boss. Eager to acclimate to my surroundings, I learned that there was a sense of urgency to settle in before his return. However, whispers circulating in the office hinted at a recent incident during his trip to Paris where he dismissed his assistant, sending her back home on a plane. Though I couldn't help but sympathize with her plight, I couldn't deny the opportunity that presented itself to me as a result. Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her departure, I couldn't help but acknowledge a twinge of gratitude, recognizing that her misfortune had inadvertently opened the door for my own employment. After a long day at the office, the clock finally struck the hour for departure. I meticulously gathered my belongings and embarked on the journey homeward. Upon arrival, sustenance beckoned, and I indulged in a meal before immersing myself in the contents of the memo detailing the expectations of my boss.

Aware of the imminent return of my employer, scheduled for the weekend with a return to work on Monday, a sense of heightened vigilance enveloped me. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my mind as I internalized the importance of avoiding any missteps. The stakes were high, as the slightest error could potentially jeopardize my employment—a risk I simply couldn't afford to entertain amidst the current circumstances of my life.

The weekend was here and it was time for me to shop for new work clothes. I dressed up and headed for the mall by the park. I bought some nice looking clothes and was satisfied with myself. The whole day went by quickly and I went to bed. Soon, it was Monday again. I woke up at 6 and did the usual. I bought a particular cloth for this very occasion. I need to look spectacularly well since I’d be meeting my boss today. I can’t afford to look tacky so he won’t fire me by just looking at me, first impression matters a lot. I stopped by at the cafe to get two cups of coffee for myself and my boss and walked into the office building. I walked over to my desk and dropped my things on the table while heading over to his office. I walked in and paused seeing him on the desk. He’s not supposed to be here until 10. “You just barge into people’s offices without knocking?” He said without looking up. I stood there in shock, he finally looked up at me “since you can’t talk, I believe you can walk. Bring the coffee over here”. I still stood there looking at this wonderful creature. He’s a demigod. In a blink, I was face to face with his chest and he was looking down at me. His scent intoxicated me and I shivered as he took the coffee from my hand where his skin brushed mine. “I don’t know why they keep employing stupid people” he said as he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. I finally regained composure and introduced myself to him and I saw that he was looking at my file.

I trailed behind him as he made his way to his desk, settling into a chair opposite him. "I was under the impression you started at 10. Seeing you here so early caught me off guard," I ventured, initiating conversation. Without so much as a glance in my direction, he retorted, "This is my company, I come and go as I please. Unlike some, I actually have work to attend to."

Accepting the list of tasks he handed me, I nodded and made my exit. Barely thirty minutes later, he emerged from his office with a directive: "Come with me." Rising swiftly, I followed in his wake, only to be halted by his piercing gaze as he scrutinized me from head to toe. "Do you not have a notepad, or are you simply incompetent?" he demanded, his tone unwaveringly stern. Apologizing profusely, I rushed to retrieve my notepad, only to find him gone upon my return.

Quickly consulting the elevator's display, I discovered he had descended to the ground floor. Opting for the stairs, I raced after him, but by the time I reached the exit, he had vanished into his car and driven off. Determined to keep pace, I hailed a taxi and followed his vehicle until it came to a halt in front of a restaurant. Exiting the cab, I hurried to catch up, determined not to lose sight of him.

Stepping into the restaurant, I took a seat at his table, bracing myself for what was to come. "You nearly jeopardized your position today. It's your first day, and yet you've managed to exasperate me more than anyone else in mere hours," he began, his tone laced with frustration. "I deeply apologize, sir. I assure you, I'll strive to improve," I responded earnestly, eager to rectify the situation.

As he delved into the tasks he needed me to undertake, I diligently jotted them down, determined to fulfill my responsibilities to the best of my abilities. Before long, a woman approached and joined us at the table. "Ms. Kings, return to the office and ensure your tasks are completed before my return," he instructed without preamble. Rising promptly, I excused myself and made my way back to the office, intent on completing all assignments assigned to me, both old and new.

Time dragged on as I awaited the end of the day, longing to escape the oppressive atmosphere created by his presence. The exorbitant pay suddenly seemed justified, as I found myself grappling not only with the workload but also with his overbearing arrogance, compounded by his tendency to treat me like a mere lackey, constantly trailing in his wake like an obedient puppy.

As I gathered my belongings, the intercom buzzed with his voice: "Come to my office." Letting out a resigned sigh, I made my way to his door, where I paused to knock, awaiting his permission before entering. "Sit," he commanded as I stepped inside, feeling as though my body moved of its own accord.

"You won't be leaving just yet. There are still tasks I need you to attend to," he informed me, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You may leave once you've completed them, but starting tomorrow, you are to depart only when I do."

"Yes, sir," I acknowledged obediently, resigning myself to the extended hours and increased demands of my new arrangement.

Leaving the office, I buried myself in work, and after about three hours, I finally completed my tasks. Exhausted, I found myself confronted only by the security personnel as I exited the building. Too fatigued to contemplate walking home, I hailed a cab and made my way back.

Upon arriving home, I shed my work clothes, discarding them haphazardly on the floor before collapsing onto the couch, succumbing to exhaustion. However, my attempt at rest was disrupted by the intrusive sounds of loud music and movement emanating from the adjacent apartment. Irritated, I mustered the energy to confront the source of the disturbance.

Knocking firmly on the neighboring door, it swung open to reveal a young man inside. "I've had a long day and I simply need some rest. Could you please lower the volume of your music and be a bit quieter with your activities?" I requested, my irritation palpable.

A voice from within questioned the exchange as another person joined the doorway. Repeating my request to the newcomer, a woman, I received an apologetic response. With a nod, I turned away, hoping for some peace and quiet to finally get some much-needed rest.