c h a p t e r o n e
m a k e h e r w a t c h p o r n b u t s h e w i l l s t i l l s i t w i t h a s e r i o u s f a c e
***
As I park my Range Rover in the basement of Parker Corporation, I get a text from someone with whom I hadn't talked for four years or something. All those promises of keeping in touch after high school – bullshit! I read the text from Shay Woods and I could imagine the excited tone she would use when she gossiped. Some things never change.
'U gotta c him now! He looks hawwtt!'
I roll my eyes at the short forms she used. It didn't take me a second to understand who she was referring to but I don't do online lurking anymore. I got over him as soon as high school ended. I got another text from Shay right after that moment.
'I know you're over him but a teeny peeny bit of your heart still wants him.'
Nope, she's wrong. I had forgotten about him in all these seven years and I couldn't care less. I rolled my eyes again and replied with, 'Whatever helps you sleep at night.' She immediately read it and started replying but I locked my phone and kept it in my handbag. I ran a hand through my hair.
You think you're the queen of this world but let me tell, you're not. You are just another girl in his life and he will forget you as soon as high school is over.
I remembered her words clearly, etched in my mind as fresh as new. I closed my eyes and forced my mind to think about the meetings I had to handle today.
I got a text from Ethan saying that the new CEO was already here and the media was squirming at the door. He asked me to handle it along with Andrea.
How was I supposed to handle the curious people when I hadn't seen the new CEO yet? I didn't even know his name, oh my god.
I went to the lobby, greeted by the doorman with a gentle smile. I waved at him and continued to go to the next lobby where the media was creating havoc. I spotted Andrea at the raised platform trying to calm the media. Parker Co. was an influential name, so this news had spread like wildfire. I supposed Andrea, being the publicist, had released a statement of a new CEO.
'We have some rumors stating about Mr. Parker's...ah...reputation about girls, is it true?' A reporter from News Daily asked Andrea as I joined her on the platform.
'I cannot confirm these rumors because right now Mr. Parker is concentrating on expanding and holding on tight to this company and this company alone. Such rumors are false and a mere attempt by the opposition parties to bring down Mr. Parker.'
Okay, but can Andrea please tell me the name of the new CEO?
A reporter turned to me and asked me, 'Miss Hastings, you definitely might have noticed some difference in working for Mr. Kenneth Parker and Mr. Sebastian Parker, can you mention some points?'
Sebastian Parker?
The blood in my veins ran cold at the mention of the name.
There are thousand people with the same name of course this can't be him.
I can't believe, seven long years and his name can do this to me. No, no. Fuck this shit.
'It is Mr. Sebastian Parker's first day as CEO here, I cannot say anything. But he is a gentleman and knows what he is doing, I am sure the whole Parker Co. is in support of this. Now, if you will excuse me and Miss Waters, we have a meeting to attend. Thank you.' I want this to get over with. I need to see him.
Once we were in the elevator, I turned to Andrea and crossed my arms on my chest. 'Why didn't you tell me the name of the new CEO?'
In her reply, Andrea glared at me, 'There is a specific gadget which allows you to receive messages from around the world and it is called a phone. Check your cell, woman, I sent you a text at 8 but obviously you were sleeping!'
I frowned and saw Andrea's text right below Shay's. I gave Andrea an apologetic smile.
'Sebastian came in here at eight and he looks hot as hell. Like not just 'He is so hot, I want to kiss him' hot but 'I want to rip his shirt off and lick his abs' hot, you're so lucky!' Andrea drooled. I frowned. So much for calling herself a 25 year old!
Andrea never lost her self control like this. Make her watch porn and she will still sit with a serious face. Nothing, I repeat nothing, has made her excited like this before. This was high school experience all over again.
We reached the top floor where I kept my bag in my cabin and checked my phone. It was flooding with emails, texts and phone calls asking for an interview with Mr. Sebastian Parker. I looked at Mr. Parker's schedule for the day in my notes and folded it. I think I would have to explain Mr. Parker all the working of this cooperation or maybe Kenneth did that already.
At that moment, Lily, the receptionist, knocked on my cabin.
'Good morning, Miss Hastings. I have come to remind you of the interviews you'll be taking today for the position of your assistant. The Human Resources department has shortlisted the name of four ladies and their interviews are scheduled between the time of 1 pm and 3 pm.'
'Thank you Lily!' I continue after Lily smiles at me, 'Is Mr. Parker in his cabin now?'
'Yes ma'am but he strictly instructed me not to allow anyone in his cabin, including the office workers.'
'Oh.'
'Have a nice day, ma'am.'
'You too,'
My previous assistant, Samantha, had to leave her job after she got married and shifted to South America. I missed Samantha a lot but young love, taking impulsive decisions and getting married at 21, I can't really do anything.
-
I finish my black coffee and look at the completed document in front of me. I stretch my fingers after half an hour of typing and call Lily at the receptionist desk asking her to fax the document. I was really thankful for her help in the past few weeks. I look at the time and it's time for the new CEO to address the board of directors. I have to be there to write the minutes. I haven't even seen him yet.
I get up from my chair and smoothen up my clothes. I tuck a few stray strands of hair sticking out of my bun with a pin. I step outside my cabin and pass by Lily's desk. Behind Lily's desk is a glass where I can see my reflection clearly. A bespectacled woman with a stern face and a neat bun is what I see as my reflection – nothing new. I have been the same throughout my life. Lily smiles at me as I pass by her and I can see Andrea waiting for me near her cabin. I can't help but admire her – she's not only intelligent but she is a very beautiful woman too. She has blue eyes and long eyelashes, perfect nose and lips and brown hair which reach down till the middle of her back. She wears a black shirt tucked inside a grey pencil skirt and the clothes hug her perfectly. I look at my loose shirt and trousers.
'Are you ready to see the hot CEO?' Andrea asks me as I roll my eyes.
'Yeah, dying to meet him,'
'And I am dying to hump him.'
I make a puking face when Andrea says that. She already has called dibs on that guy.
We reach the conference room where the meeting is going to be held. On the last second, Andrea gets a call from US Weekly and she signals me to go inside.
I turn in the knob and take a deep breath.
-
I entered the room.
The very first thing I see is his stormy grey eyes. His eyes dilate after he sees me but he hides it the very next second.
It was him.
I could recognize him anywhere. It had been seven years since I last saw him but it didn't take me a second. I would never forget his eyes and the scrutinizing look they held – like he knew each and every one of your secrets.
So many 'Sebastian Parker' named people in the world and my CEO is the Sebastian I hate the most. In these seven years after high school, I had learnt to hide my emotions really well. Like really, really well. I kept a straight face like I didn't even recognize him.
As I walked up to his chair at the further end of the room, I kept my eyes straight ahead at the projector behind him. I looked at him only to see him typing something on his laptop. I bit my lip; I didn't know what to do. I took this two minute silence to check him out.
Shay and Andrea were correct.
He was really hot. I could see his muscles flexing under his white shirt as he typed on the laptop. His stubble defined his jaw line, which was clenched right now. He was taking deep breaths and I could see beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He was really nervous about his first meeting as a CEO. I finally gained my senses and tried to speak in a confident voice, but it came out like a rat was being tortured, 'Good morning, sir. I am Leah Hastings, your personal assistant. I worked for Mr. Kenneth Parker and now I will be working for you,' I said and then muttered, 'hopefully.'
All this time Sebastian kept his eyes on the computer.
The same old bastard
'What's my schedule for the day, Ms. Hastings?' Sebastian said finally looking at me. The moment he looked, I wished he never looked. The same old stare, cold stare.
'You have a meeting with Mr. Robert Johnson to discuss about the joint venture of opening a cruise line and I will send you the details of it as soon as this meeting is over. That is it. I also have been told by Miss Waters to organize a party to celebrate you...succeeding your father, I will work on the party as soon as you say the word, Sebas...' I was cut off by him. Rudely.
'Mr. Parker.'
'What?'
'You will address me as Mr. Parker at all times.' Oh shit, I might have called him Sebastian unintentionally.
I look down at my heels trying to calm myself down. I was only one step away from injuring this guy.
'I am sorry, Mr. Parker. That was a mistake.' You were the mistake, bastard.
'Yes, go on with organizing the party. I will have my assistant give you the details of where I want the party to be.' Okay...WAIT WHAT? I suppose I was his assistant? What the actual melon shit was this?
I cleared my throat and asked him, 'Your assistant?'
He smirked and continued, 'Yes, Miss Hastings. I wanted to keep her as my personal assistant but my father...was keen on keeping you. But I believe you were in the search for your helper? You have got one now. I appointed her already. She will be here once the meeting starts.' He looked at his watch, 'The meeting starts in five minutes, you can have a seat.'
I start to take a place on his right but he holds up a hand.
'I will like the other assistant to sit here and you can sit beside her, thank you.'
I get it, I am not the personal assistant here. I am his toe rag. As I sit quietly, I mentally write the resignation letter in my head. I look at Sebastian wearing his black blazer now. I looked at my watch, the meeting was about to start in two minutes.
Andrea entered first with Ethan by her side. She gave me a confused look when she saw me sitting one seat away from Mr. Bastard Parker. She sat opposite me and greeted him. She nudged Ethan to greet him and he did, reluctantly.
Matt Jackson, head of the finance department, came in after Andrea. He sat beside me and whispered close to my ear, 'Did you forget your seat, Leah?' I could feel him grinning.
I grinned back and said, 'I just wanted to be close to you, sweetheart.'
'Oh my, you make my heart jolt, honey.'
Mr. Bastard Parker cleared his throat and I almost jumped in my chair. I looked at him but he was looking at his laptop. He drank some water.
Need some cough pills?
If you need some, tell your other sweet personal assistant to get you some.
I rolled my eyes and looked down at my lap.
'Good morning, sir.' I looked up as soon as I heard a flirtatious voice from behind me. I looked behind instantly and my neck experienced a shooting pain.
Oh fuck, no.
Of all his girlfriends, she had to be his assistant?
The bitch I hated. Since seven years.
Beth Rogers
A short pencil skirt with a black strapless top and Louboutins
Her straight brown hair was let loose and she wore makeup more than I ate – bad comparison but I hope I made my point.
She smiled at him seductively like she was ready to give him a lap dance in front of us and he looked at her like he was waiting for her to sit on his lap. Can they stop behaving like high school horny teenagers?
My stomach churned as if thousands of stones had been thrown inside. I gritted my teeth so hard that I was afraid they would fall off. I balled my fists in my lap.
The other executive and board of directors started pouring in and I started taking deep breaths to calm myself down.
'Ladies and gentlemen, let's commence the meeting, shall we?' Sebastian says as he stood up from his chair. I had no option but to pay attention to him.
***
Okay, this was pretty lengthy. I didn't know how it was because I didn't proofread it. Sorry, I will just do it later. I really hope you like it.
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