I am. Now I need to try another angle. “I mean, surely, she doesn’t want to travel more or work late nights?”
Late nights in my office, in case my body needs the reminder.
“She’s up to the challenge.”
“No other solutions?” I volley back.
“Nope.” His smile is wide. “I’m sure you’ll both figure out a rhythm for working together.”
A rhythm together… My mind is too dirty for 10 AM.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Right. Tomorrow it is then.”I exhale audibly.
Charles claps his hands and stands. “Great. You’ll have an assistant who is committed and won’t back down. Julian, I want to leave the company feeling truly at ease. You always respect my opinions, and I respect yours. It would bring me joy to know that, day to day, everything is running as it should. You deserve that peace.”
Pausing for a long beat, I soak in the genuine regard and esteem that we have for one another. On a professional level,the man is my mentor and easily took me under his wing when I was young and decided to branch away from any business related to my family, and he left that company, too. He stayed with me even when I became a powerhouse that couldn’t be tamed.
“Thank you. I respect you, which means if you’re convinced,I’ll humor you.”
He grimaces as he reaches the door. “Good. See you later at the 1 PM meeting on quarterly numbers.”
I give a little nod, and as soon as he exits, I scrub my face in frustration. Savannah has always been Charles’s assistant, and we rarely cross paths. But that’s about to change, leaving me uneasy. There is only one way to ensure my safety.
Ensure Savannah isn’t closer in my orbit.
I’ll just have to push her buttons until she quits.
3
SAVANNAH
The loud click of my finger pressing the enter key comes only from frustration at my situation. I didn’t even get a day to process. I’ve already been thrown into his majesty’s kingdom. Charles was adamant that Julian needed help immediately. Fine. I’m a professional.
I will not be fired. I will stand my ground to the point that he knows he needs me to keep his days in order. He won’t even remember how to fire someone once I’m through with him.
I check the time on the corner of the screen. I’m surprised Julian isn’t here already. It’s 7:30 in the morning, and I assumed he would be in before anybody else. Normally, I don’t get in until 8:00, but I wanted to be ahead of the curve, and I’m assuming these are my new hours anyway.
The ding of the elevator draws my attention, and I can already feel his presence. How can I not? Julian is a dominating force that radiates confidence and success. And why, oh why must he be wearing the dark gray suit with no tie today, and his face clean-shaven?
I stand behind my desk, perpendicular to his door. Hewalks from the elevator to his office. I smooth my maroon suit dress as if it matters. His eyes, cold yet burning, land on me.
“Good morning, Julian.” I smile politely, with extra pep in my tone.
“Savannah,” he responds curtly and doesn’t bother stopping; instead, he heads straight into his office and shuts the door behind him with force.
Blinking, I try to adjust to what happened seconds ago—a wave of irritation mingles with confusion. He really isn’t one for a bright start to the day that usually entails a friendly greeting, leaving me feeling a bit unsettled.
I blow out a breath and sit down. I opt to continue researching his calendar while nibbling on a bagel from the break room, which is for our floor only.I chose blueberry because I didn’t want to risk smelling of onion; not that it matters around him, except somewhere inside me cares.
There is a very slim chance I’ll be able to leave on time today, and I’ll need to study late into the night. The deadline for my final paper is looming around the corner.Most of my degree is online, but I’m approaching the end. I don’t want to just pass, I wantcum laude. It’s for me more than anything, because my family is already proud of my efforts.
Before I know it, it’s 8 AM, and since he didn’t ask for an earlier meeting, I’ll assume this will be the time for our daily meeting to discuss the day ahead.
My heart hammers in my chest as I stand, grab my laptop, and head toward Satan’s cave.
One gentle knock is all it takes for Julian to say, "Enter.”
He doesn’t even look up when I approach his desk. “Would you like a rundown of your agenda for the day?” At least I sound measured and not at all apprehensive.
