Surrender to My Prodigal Billionaire

Chapter 4 - First Impressions

Nicolette

Getting ready this morning for my new job was surreal. I couldn't believe that after the huge spectacle that Antonio and I made of ourselves, I would be offered a job.

Lady luck was on my side for sure. Ellen explained the job and it seemed simple enough. Their company was in need of a new personal assistant, and she felt that I would be a perfect fit. I'm not sure how she got that impression from the little interaction we had, but I was willing to hear her out. The pay was unbelievable, and I had to will my jaw not to hit the ground when she told me. On top of that, it was flexible with the hours and days. I told her all about my mom and was pleasantly surprised to not see pity in her eyes that I usually receive. Instead, she swore that working around her visits and care would be no problem. After giving me the address and telling me to meet her tomorrow at nine in the morning, she gave me her cell number and walked away.

If this one worked out, I could get us back on track financially and start paying off bigger chunks of mom's medical expenses. For once in my life, I was glad that I had no filter. Had I just swallowed down every emotion when Antonio was berating me, I would still be employed at that God awful job and stressed out.

The only problem was who I would be working with. I did a quick search of Calloway Industries when I got home. It sounded familiar but I couldn't quite place how I knew it. The first result had me cursing the one downside of my newfound luck. Photos of Drake Calloway filled my screen. Tabloids liked to refer to him as "Chicago's Hottest Playboy" or "Most Eligible Bachelor". I prefer to call him what he is. Man-w***e! It made me glad that I didn't eat anything, or I would have lost my lunch.

While Drake Calloway was a gorgeous man with his tasseled brown locks and sparkling blue eyes; he was also a disgusting excuse for a man. Pictures of him with women littered the screen and I was hard pressed to find him with the same woman in any of them. There were even a few dated pictures where he was seen with more than one.

Crossing my fingers, I prayed that I wouldn't be working anywhere near him. That kind of behavior makes him repugnant, in my opinion, and I don't know if I would be able to keep that to myself if provoked.

After a cleansing breath, I take one more look in the mirror. Whether I had to deal with him or not, I couldn't lose focus. I need this job because I knew another opportunity like this wouldn't fall into my lap so easily again.

With the jobs I held recently and our budget, it isn't like I had a lot of choice for "office" attire. I chose my simple black dress that I saved for special occasions. They had been few and far between, so it looked almost new. I paired it with a pair of black heels that I knew I would regret by the end of the day, but I didn't have many options in that department either. With my first few paychecks, I will be able to buy things here and there to make up for what little clothing I have. Keeping my makeup light and my long hair down, I thought I at least looked the part, no matter how inept I felt walking in there.

Walking into the living room, I see mom in her chair, watching television.

"Morning mom." I say as I lean down and kiss her on the cheek. "How did you sleep last night?"

She waves off my question, the same as every day, and never breaks her concentration from her show. "The same as every night."

"You know, too many of these judge shows can rot your brain." I giggle.

That gets her attention, but once she sees me, her thought is forgotten. "You look gorgeous Nikki."

"Gotta impress, right?" I shoot her a wink and busy myself with getting the rest of my stuff together.

"Well, looking like that, I know you will knock them dead." She gives me a warm smile and I send up another "thank you" that I was blessed with such an amazing parent.

I make sure she is comfortable and has everything she needs before I head downtown to start my first day. The address she gave me is two blocks closer to our house than the restaurant was, so my commute is no different than before.

Checking my watch, I see that I am a full twenty minutes early and laugh. I can imagine Antonio's face if I would have ever been that early for one of my shifts. He may have fallen over with a heart attack.

I give a smiling, young blonde my name at the counter and she tells me to take a seat while she calls for Ellen. I don't wait long when I see Ellen's petite little frame coming down the hallway. She is dressed properly in another pants suit, her hair up in a neat bun once again.

"So good to see you again, Nicolette. Please, follow me." She gives me another warm smile that quells some of the nervous butterflies in my stomach. As badly as I need this job, I can't afford any slip-ups.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity. I will do my best not to let you down."

"Oh, I have no worries about that with you," she laughs, as if I should know what she is talking about, but I'm truly confused. I shake it off and chalk it up to the jitters.

Following her down the hallway that she came from, we get to the end where an elevator bank is. She presses the up button, and we wait patiently for it to come back down. I want to say something to make it less awkward while we wait, but my mind is blank. Damn it, Nicolette! Get it together.

I sigh out in relief when I hear the faint chime that it has arrived and step in behind her. I watch as she hits the button for the top floor. At least that will be easy to remember. Ellen takes the time to tell me about most of my duties. For the most part, it is run of the mill. Deal with keeping the appointment book, reminding my boss of those appointments, taking calls, coffee and lunch runs, etc. She told me the same thing yesterday, but it is the last part that surprises me.

"There will be a few occasions where you will have to go to company events as his assistant or run by his house if he decides not to show up for the day."

"Does that happen a lot?" I ask hesitantly.

"The events or trying to find him?"

"The trying to find him." As much as I hate to go to parties, I really don't want to have to babysit my own boss. Sounds to me like a spoiled rich kid that should have been put in his place years ago.

Ellen shrugs. "It has only happened twice before, but I felt the need to mention it. Better to be prepared and not need the information than be caught off-guard."

I nod and remind myself that I can handle whatever is thrown at me. This job sounds like a piece of cake, and I can't give up that kind of money - no matter how much of a brat my boss is.

When we step out of the elevator, I'm in awe of how beautiful it all is. While the downstairs was all black and white with a modern feel to it, the top floor puts it to shame. Burgundy walls surround us with hints of silver accents. There is a bank of cubicles off to our right that are all separated by glass partitions. The dark walnut wood is the side paneling for all of them. I'm pretty sure this office cost more to outfit than I can even imagine.

Everyone looks up at us in interest as we go past them. There are a few murmurs that make me feel a bit self-conscious, but I square my shoulders and keep my eyes forward. I'm sure that they are just curious about the new girl. Or that's what I tell myself.

At the end of that stretch, it Ts and there are private offices along the back wall. We make a right and enter the very last one.

It looks identical to the cubicles that were outside except, instead of glass partitions, it is part of the wall.

Ellen walks over and sits behind her desk as she motions for me to take the seat across from her. There is a door behind her, and I assume that is her boss' office. She pulls out a manila folder and lays it open in front of me.

"Here are all the documents you need to sign. The normal new hire formalities. There is also the company handbook, and the very last paper is an NDA. Please take your time and let me know if you need anything."

"NDA?" I question.

Ellen gives me a tight smiles and nods. "With the business we are in, there are a lot of competitors. We need to make sure that ideas or business practices done within these walls stay here. I hope you can understand."

"Of course."

It takes me no time at all to fill out all the forms. Nothing that I haven't done several times over the last few months. It is second nature at this point. Once I'm finished, Ellen is on a call, so I wait patiently until she is done. I make note of her mannerisms and phone etiquette so that I have a template to go off of when I start. The last thing I want is to stumble along and sound like a complete i***t.

"All done?" she chirps after she disconnects the call.

"Yes," I say as I hand her my forms. She takes a quick look over them and then gives a satisfied nod.

"Perfect. I will just call your boss and then show you around. I will have you help me with some things around her until he's free to meet you."

This won't be that bad. For it being the first day, it is pretty mundane. But most first days are. Hell, the first week is usually the easiest as you are watching others and learning. I get the added bonus of starting on a Thursday, so there are only two days before I can get a recharge.

""Good morning. I have your new assistant here and I am going over a few things before we come over and meet you. Would right after lunch be a good time?" I hear her say into the phone. I hope that she will say a name or something to give me some sort of clue about who to expect. If it is a complicated name, I'd like the extra practice before meeting him.

"Great. We will see you then." is all she says before hanging up the phone. I deflate a little at that but try to keep a positive attitude. The conversation was short, and Ellen didn't seem irritated talking to whomever it was, so he can't be that bad.

"If you follow me, I will show you the copy machine and we will get to it."

I give her my best smile and officially start my first day - hopefully of many.

The morning goes by in a flash and before I know it, Ellen sets a bag of food down in front of me, startling me from the papers I was organizing.

"Lunch time. Time to relax. I hope you don't mind, but I told my boss we wouldn't be eating at your old employer's ever again. I told him it was a very unprofessional establishment."

My eyebrows raise in shock and my mouth gapes at her. "You didn't have to do that." The last thing I want is for her boss to be mad at me already.

"Nonsense," she insists, "he really didn't like the place much anyway. It was just convenient, and they kissed his ass." she chuckles.

I laugh in response. "I really like you."

"You aren't bad yourself." She hesitates for a moment, and I can tell she wants to say something, so I just wait. "If you don't mind me asking, I couldn't help but overhear some of your... discussion yesterday. Do you mind telling me what happened? Only if you feel comfortable."

Heaving a sigh, I tell her about when I first started and what transpired after I turned down his advances. Since I did nothing wrong, there is no need to shy away from it. Something I said must have pleased her because she gives me a proud nod.

We spend the rest of lunch talking about ourselves. I find out that she has worked there almost 30 years and works for Sterling Calloway himself. She tells me all about her husband, Gene, and their two boys, Mark and Mason. Her eyes get that sparkle again when she talks about her three grandchildren.

My heart clenches for a moment as I think of my mother. More than anything else, that was her biggest fear. Missing out on her grandchildren. As much as I wish for her to be around for that, I can't guarantee it will ever happen. Between working and helping her, there isn't a lot of time for dating - kind of hard to have kids when you can't even meet a man.

She asks some more about my mother and home life. I tell her only what I have to. It isn't that I'm ashamed of any of it. but there isn't a lot to tell, and the other stuff isn't worth mentioning.

"I haven't seen Mr. Calloway at all today. Is he in the office today?"

Ellen shakes her head. "He is out in meetings all morning. You will have days like that as well, but they are a blessing. I get so much more done when he's not here. A good catch-up day. Ready to head down to your set up?"

I give her a tight smile and feel my nerves roar back to life. This little bubble I had been in all morning was great. I just wished it would have lasted a little longer.

Heading back the way we came earlier, we pass the turn off for the cubicles and continue down to the other end of the hall. Instead of it being the last office, it is the one right before it. I again retain that in my memory, so I don't look like a fool tomorrow. Opening the door, I see it is identical to her office, with the office of my boss one door away. I swallow down the lump in my throat. I can do this. Nicolette Andrews can handle anything. I chant it over and over in my head as she knocks on the door. I stay behind her and out of sight while she makes sure we are on time. I hear a sexy voice hit my ears from the other side and a shudder runs through me. This won't be so bad if I get to hear that soothing sound every day. That's when my eyes scan the nameplate on the door, and I mentally kick myself. Why would I have expected anything else?

Ellen waves me in, and I try to give a pleasant grin to my new boss. No other than Drake Calloway himself. He's even hotter in life - if that's even possible. His broad shoulders fill out his navy-blue suit like it was a second skin. His white dress shirt leaves little to the imagination as I can count his hard abs through it. I chastise myself again and look over to the other man in the room. He's good looking too, with his short blond hair and equally physical shape. Apparently, they only hire Adonis-like men here. Great.

"Drake, I'd like you to meet Nicolette. She's your new assistant." Ellen introduces us, but he makes no move. He just gawks at me like I have grown an extra head.

The other man looks between us before clearing his throat and holding his hand out to me. "Nice to meet you, Nicolette. I'm Jordan Hughes. I'm a colleague here. Welcome to the team."

I shake his hand and return his smile. He seems nice and is friendly. More than I can say about my brooding new boss.

When no one else speaks, Jordan continues, "You will have to excuse my friend here. Drake isn't used to interacting with humans."

"Now I know that is a lie," I laugh and then bite my lip instantly. Going to have to work on that filter thing. At least it breaks his momentary muteness.

"Nice to meet you, Nicolette." The way he says my name makes me shiver again. Slow and deliberate, like he is trying it out.

"You as well, Mr. Calloway."

Silence falls in the tense room, and I am at a loss as to what to say. Thankfully, Ellen puts us out of our misery.

"I have showed her the main duties. I will have her every morning until lunch tomorrow and next week. She is a quick learner, so she should be up to speed quickly. I will be right down the hall if any issues should arise."

It sounds like the last part was directed at me more than anything else. But I don't understand why. Even if he ends up being an asshole, I can hold my own.

"I have to get going too. I'll walk you out. Nice to meet you again." Jordan adds before he escorts Ellen out, leaving me alone with Drake.

Drake slightly shakes his head, and a smirk falls on his face. "Please, sit down. We will go over your role and what is expected of you as well as get to know each other a little."

Sitting in the chair on the other side of his desk, I keep my guard up. I know all about him and I won't give him the satisfaction of getting to me. He may have every other woman fall all over him, but I'm not most women.

"So," he begins, "How much experience do you have?"

Shit. This isn't going to start out well. I just assumed that Ellen told him about me, but I am finding out quickly that I was wrong.

"Um, this is my first time being an assistant, but I have done customer service before." Ha! That works.

"Really? Where?"

Damn it! "Roscoe's. It is a restaurant-"

"I know what it is." He deadpans. "Alright. I know Ellen wouldn't hire you if you couldn't perform up to her standards."

It takes everything in me not to tell him that she actually has no idea, but I don't feel it would benefit me right now.

"I'm dedicated and driven. I will do my job to the best of my ability." I assert as I gauge his reaction. It must placate him as he nods and gives a small smile.

"What about home life? Husband, boyfriend, kids?"

I furrow my eyebrows and stare at him. "How does that have anything to do with my job? A bit personal, don't you think?"

A low chuckle rumbles from his chest and hits me straight in my core. I'm really going to have to get that under control. "You are my PERSONAL assistant. I think it is pertinent to know about your home life. Things that could distract you from your duties."

Biting the inside of my cheek, I take a cleansing breath. I won't let him get under my skin. Putting on my best fake smile, I make eye contact and regret it as soon as I see how beautiful the blue orbs sparkle.

"None of that. My mother does have medical appointments, but I told Ellen that all upfront. It won't take my attention when I am here. Is there anything else you NEED to know?"

Drake studies me for a moment before getting into what my main tasks will be. It isn't far off from what Ellen said and I'm grateful that we made it to a more professional topic. Once he tells me about the meeting this afternoon that he wants me to attend with him, my shoulders relax. Soon I can be out at my desk and put a distance between us.

"Thank you, Mr. Calloway." I say, standing to flee as soon as I can.

"Drake is fine. My father is called Mr. Calloway."

I nod and turn for the door. Just as I'm almost home free, he stops me.

"Oh, and Nicolette?"

Spinning back around, I ask, "Yes?"

"Were you serious earlier? Looking at you, I can't believe it. No boyfriend? Perhaps a girlfriend?"

That's it. Needing this job or not, I need to set the boundaries now if this is going to work. Unable to stop the words from flowing, I march back over to his desk.

"Look here. I know all about you. Hell, you can't walk past a news stand without seeing you plastered everywhere. I don't know how you treated your other assistants, but I'm pretty sure I won't tolerate what they did. You are my boss and I expect you to act like it. I'm here to do a job - not you!"

He stares stunned at me a moment before he gets himself back together. "Understood. I apologize if you felt I was being out of line. But," he sets his mouth into a firm line, "I will forgive your little outburst this time and this time only. Next time, there will be a punishment for your actions."

Fire sparks in his eyes as I take a step back. Unsure of how to respond, I give him a curt nod and get out of there in haste.

Maybe this won't be as easy as I thought. Now I know the real reason for the unbelievable pay. It's compensation to deal with an unbelievable asshole!