Alexandra was quick on her feet and allowed William to take the company's position as CEO under her guidance. William took it as an opportunity and strived hard to prove something to someone who was already dead. Although he was known for his rude and unapproachable aura, he was still famous with the ladies. Since he had the name, the money, and the face, no one with tits could resist his charm. He was also known as a player who only sleeps with women rather than get into a relationship with them. The last relationship he had was in college to a now-famous supermodel.
I absorbed the information Ally told me about the man who might have my life crushed with one phone call. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I thought of some defense so he couldn't hurt me, but I found none. The man owned more than half of the city's businesses and real estate properties, with local and international branches. He was the worst kind of enemy. And I had the worst kind of luck. I just had to be one of the few people that could piss him off.
I sighed in defeat when Ally finished. I was definitely screwed. I didn't know how to face him on my first day at work. I could only pray that I don't cross paths with him at all … But then I remembered something that made me want to jump off a bridge: since Alexandra's office is right beside his, then my desk was located right outside of it!
After finishing our drinks and bagels, we headed back to our apartment and said our goodbyes. I quickly locked the door and headed towards the bedroom. I plopped onto the bed and curled into a ball, not bothering to change into my pajamas. I sighed hopelessly and thought, ‘How the hell was I going to deal with Mr. Mogul?!'
The next day, I woke up with a bit of a headache. I didn't mind the pain and rolled out of bed. When I finished taking a bath and dressed in my usual outfit, I skipped breakfast and went to the hospital right away.
One of the perks of my new place was the short bus ride to and from the hospital my father stayed in, which helped me save time. As I got there, he had just finished eating his breakfast. He was shocked to see me this early. I started telling him about what happened yesterday after he put away his dish. I skipped the part when Mr. Famous and Serious took me home. I don't know why I skipped that, but I felt like I had to.
By lunch, I'd already covered most of the details, even having coffee with Ally. My father's eyebrows scrunched together when I started telling him about William Maxwell. I mentally smirked at his reaction. Maybe it was a response to the way I was narrating the story, but what can I say? A person can only tell a story from their point of view.
When afternoon came, Terry visited with Andrew. It was the first time my father met Terry's boyfriend. He wasn't judgmental and was very carefree the entire time they stayed for a chat. I also told them about my night at the most talked about party. Andrew was taken aback when he knew I was going to work for Alexandra Maxwell. He almost lost his ability to breathe from the shock. He started questioning me about everything. I got uncomfortable at one point, which made Terry cut him off and lie smoothly about leaving for work early. In reply, I smiled to him in thanks.
I left a few minutes after Terry left because my father insisted that I head home. I didn't want to go since I wouldn't be seeing him until the next weekend. My new job was quite time consuming. I'm not complaining, though, since I had a higher paying salary and a free apartment. Money can sometimes change the way you think.
Monday arrived and I reluctantly got up from bed at five thirty in the morning. I may be a morning person, but five thirty is just too early for anyone to be up. However, I wanted to get to work before it started. I needed to be ahead of his game or he'll take advantage of me again. I can't allow him to weaken my resolve.
Once I finished showering, I stood in front of the closet to decide what I was going to wear. I found at least ten different kinds of skirt and pantsuits, all lined up neatly. I haven't really checked it since all my clothes fit in one drawer beside my bed. I'm surprised Alexandra included clothes along with all the free stuff she had given me.
With careful hands, I caressed the soft fabric of each suit and felt its silky texture under my fingertips. I couldn't help the huge grin creeping on my lips. For a few minutes, I stood there, contemplating on what to wear for my first day at work. I couldn't look too uptight or too sexy. I just needed a balance of the two to look killer. As the saying goes, you have to look the part to play the part.
I grabbed the grey pantsuit and the satin emerald blouse to go underneath it. I stood in front of the full-length mirror beside the drawer as I assessed my appearance. I picked a pair of black, closed wedge shoes that came with the suits (there were five pairs of black and brown pumps and wedge heels). For a second, I was stunned by my reflection. The last time I wore something this formal was for my mock job interview in college. Even during my real job interview, I never looked this sophisticated.
Then, I fixed my face and hair. I couldn't do much to them since I didn't own any cosmetic products, except for a blow drier and the face powder that I had already applied. I left my hair messy, wavy, and undone. With a final glance at the mirror, I tore my eyes away from my reflection and walked out of the apartment. I didn't want to linger any longer since it would only heighten my uneasiness.
Maxwell Enterprises was located on the first avenue in the heart of the city, a one-bus ride from my apartment. The building was on the same street as the real estate offices, telecommunication buildings, hotels, and other top-notch businesses. When the bus stopped just a few blocks away from the building, I absent-mindedly walked towards it with wide eyes. I noticed some people were giving me strange looks. They must have thought I was a tourist, especially with how mesmerized I was by the beauty of the buildings.
The main Maxwell building was made of tinted glass and thick steel, and it towered at almost fifty floors. The high glass walls created an illusion of vastness and space, making the lobby appear even larger. On the far right corner were couches filled with people wearing suits. There was also an identical set of couches on the left side. I was so overwhelmed with my surroundings that I didn't notice someone walking in front of me. Like hitting a wall, I staggered backwards from the force. But I didn't fall down flat on the floor because an arm wrapped around my waist.
"Watch where you're going," a deep voice, with a British accent, hissed.
I looked up, stunned to hear the familiar tone.
"You've got to be kidding me," I mumbled in frustration.
"Pardon me?" William asked, then looked at me pointedly. He realized that it was me, and in effect, his eyes hardened and his jaw clenched.
"Ms. Peterson. You're late," he stated after a few seconds of glaring at each other.
"What do you mean late?" I glanced down on my second-hand watch. "It's still seven forty five in the morning!" I retorted angrily.
His eyes hardened from my little outburst. I stiffened at his reaction and mentally cursed myself for losing composure.
"Secretaries are asked to come an hour before work starts. I thought Alex already briefed you on that," he stated in reply, his voice low from his obvious restraint.
I took a deep breath, calming myself down just like he did. "I'm sorry, Mr. Maxwell. Ms. Maxwell hasn't briefed me about the office hours. I will come early tomorrow."
"Good," he nodded and stepped away from me. "Get up to the top floor and ask Maggie to help you out with the schedule and the reports to be filed," he added as he walked away from me towards the exit.
Before I could ask him anything, he was already out of the door and towards a waiting black SUV. I watched as the car drove away on the busy street. With a frustrated sigh, I walked up to the reception desk in the lobby, asked which floor Alexandra's office was located, and told her who I was with my head slightly bowed down in embarrassment. She gave me an I.D. pass since everything had a computerized access key.
I finally reached the office after making a few wrong turns and was greeted by a huge open space with two opposite desks on the far corner of the room. A dark-haired woman with fair skin, wearing a white printed shirt and black skirt, occupied one of the desks. She was talking to someone on the phone.
I silently made my way towards the desk opposite hers, which I guessed was mine. She looked up when she saw me and gave me a warm smile. I smiled back in reply before taking a seat on my new desk. When she finished her call, I stood up from my chair to introduce myself.
"Hi. I'm Andy, Ms. Maxwell's new assistant. You must be... Maggie."
She took my hand and gave it a little shake before she replied. "It's Margarette. Mr. Maxwell is the one who calls me that. But if you prefer, you can also call me Maggie."