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Ana might be good for my company. Her experience and even the loss of her business could provide a unique perspective. I liked the spark and the intelligence behind her eyes. She’ll make my days run smoother for sure. Maybe I can finally take some time off and spend it with Addison.
A pang of guilt hits me. I’m all she has in the world, and I am at the firm all the time. As I pinch the bridge of my nose to stave off a headache, I think of the huge mountain of paperwork in front of me that I need to get through today. I feverishly flip through the pages of a legal document.
Why can’t they write these things in English?
Charlotte buzzes the intercom. “Brando, you have a meeting in five minutes.”
“Thanks, Charlotte,” I reply and release the button. The small drawer to my right holds my lifesaving antacids, and I pop two in my mouth.
This job is a killjoy. There is always an emergency. A meeting, a call, emails up the wazoo, and projects I want to work on yet have no time to even start.
I rub my neck, commanding the tightness to release. But the headache is stubborn. A memory of Ana’s body flashes through my mind. Smart, intelligent, and gorgeous. I could certainly think of other ways to relieve my tension.
Good grief, man, get a grip. You’re hiring her as an assistant, not office eye candy.
I also grab two Tylenol and head out the door to my meeting. Work life balance has not been a thing around here lately.
As I walk down the hall, my mind is still on Ana. Her blonde hair was coiled on top of her head with wispy tendrils framing her clean, make-up-free face. Her blue eyes were sharp and cutting. A memory of her fair, soft skin just above the swell of her breasts in that pantsuit makes me catch my breath.
I snap out of my daydream.
Maybe it was not such a great idea to hire her.
Doubt creeps in.I don’t need distractions. I have enough of those already. My priorities are clear. Now that my father has retired, I am the head of the company. But both he and the board watch me like a hawk, adding to my daily headache.
The meeting started a few minutes ago. The board called it to get a status update on all departments. After, they will call my father and report. He always knows what’s going on before I get a chance to tell him.
I sit through the meeting, barely listening, and think about Ana. I can’t go back on my decision to hire her just because she’s beautiful. I need someone to relieve me of time consuming, repetitive, daily tasks, and she appears to be a good choice.
And it’s not like I haven’t seen beautiful women before. This should be no different.
Though there is something under her beauty that mesmerizes me, and I can’t put my finger on it.
I hear my name and look up from my daydream.
“Yes, ah, can you repeat the question?”
The board president sighs loudly at this inconvenience.
“What are your plans for expanding the office space?”
I clear my throat and speak decisively. I need the board to allow me leeway so I can take the firm in the direction I want to go.
“I have a solution. It’s a building a few blocks from here that came up for sale a week ago. I will look at it this week. It has the square footage we need. We could move a couple of business projects over, as well as the foundation I’m looking to start.”
“We need to see the proposal as soon as possible.”
“Of course.”
“If there are no other questions or comments, this meeting is adjourned.” The board president is already standing up as he speaks. He glances in my direction and gives me a cold look.
Who peed in his coffee today?
I stand up and firmly meet his gaze while buttoning my suit jacket. I will not allow this man or any other board member to spoil my plans.
I grab my notebook. As I walk through the room, I shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the more personable board members and walk back down the hall to my office.
I stare at the document for the building I mentioned in the meeting, going back over the details. It looks great on paper. It’s only a couple of blocks from my current office. I make a decision and press the intercom button.
