Page 4 of Protective Boss
“What do you want, Ellsworth? Calling to slander me yet again?” he asks. Great, we’re off to a strong start.
“David, I know we just went through this a few months ago. I am truly sorry for the misinformation the article spread, and I wanted to personally call and tell you I just fired Selina Adams for her infraction. You don’t deserve to have these lies spread about you and I apologize for employing someone that ruthless,” I reply, surprisingly calmly, but I’ve always been able to admit when I’m wrong.
David takes a moment to reply. “You know, Ellsworth, I really wasn’t expecting that decisive of an action—or an apology—from you. The old me would have told you to go to hell still, but I’ve changed in the last few months and am trying to be more understanding. I appreciate your call and letting Selina go, I have never understood what she has against me and her articles have only caused us trouble.”
“I completely understand. I’m glad I caught you in a moment of change,” I say with a chuckle. “Let me know if there is anything I can do for you to help make up for this David,” I add. After a few more seconds of pleasantries, we part on amicable terms, and I hope that this signals the end of my troubles with MicroBot Tech.
While I do feel bad for letting Selina go, I know it was the right decision. She was causing more problems than she was worth.
With that, I wrap up the day, hoping to get home and prepare for what will surely be another rough day tomorrow—I have a new assistant starting tomorrow, something I am not looking forward to.
***
My new secretary is ten minutes late on her first day.
This is absurd, and I am planning on sending her right back out the door as soon as she shows her face. I’ll have to go through the hiring process again, but I don’t want to deal with someone incompetent.
Just then, I hear a knock and Greg Dawson, my HR director appears in my office. He steps aside to reveal a gorgeous, raven-head woman standing slightly behind him. The words suddenly die in my throat as I stare blankly at her. Her shiny black hair cascades down her shoulders in glossy waves, framing a delicately carved face. Each feature seems to stand out yet harmonize perfectly, from the elegant curve of her eyebrows to the subtle contour of her cheeks and those soft, rosy lips.
She has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. They're a striking gray color, piercing and enigmatic. Yet there's something calming about those stormy depths, a deep sense of tranquility that's arresting in its intensity.
“Mr. Ellsworth, I believe you have spoken to Bianca Harris on the phone, and would like to introduce you in person, Jason Ellsworth, your new assistant, Bianca Harris,” Greg says, gesturing to the stunning woman in my office. I conducted my interviews with Bianca over the phone—a large portion of her position is speaking with clients on the phone, so I am always sure to run potential candidates through rigorous phone-etiquette testing—and have not seen her in person until now, she is much more beautiful than I anticipated.
Clearing my throat, I make a less-than-stellar first impression, “Unfortunately, I don’t know if someone who arrives ten minutes late on their first day is the right fit for this role. While I appreciate your time, Miss Harris, this is not going to work out. Greg, get me new candidates by tomorrow.”
“I'm sorry, sir, but it's my fault she's late,” Greg says. “I got carried away attending to an email while she was waiting to be shown around.”
“I see,” I murmur, arching my brows at him. “You're fired.”
Dawson’s superficial smile instantly crumbles, replaced by an alarmed expression. “W-what?” He stutters, blinking at me in disbelief.
“You just admitted to being incompetent and nonchalant,” I say, leveling him with a hard gaze. “You kept an employee waiting and made her late on her first day.”
Dawson’s already pale face grew even whiter as the realization of his situation dawned on him; he'd shot himself in the foot.
“I-I'm sorry sir, I…”
“I'll leave,” Bianca, stepping forward. Her voice was soft, yet firm as she confidently met my gaze. “I take responsibility for my tardiness; Mr. Dawson is not to blame.”
I hold her gaze for a second, waiting to see a flicker of hesitation in her eyes but she doesn't flinch. I lower my eyes from hers, taking in the rest of her in a slow, deliberate sweep. Her body, tucked in a prim skirt and modest shirt, is carved to perfection. She's slim yet luscious, curvy in all the right places. Her olive-colored skin has a radiant glow that anyone would admire.
There’s a magnetic pull that is drawing me to her, her beauty and confidence combining to fill me with a need I have never felt for anyone before, let alone within moments of meeting them. More than that, her willingness to stand up for Greg, someone she just met and who nearly cost her job, has earned my respect.
“Stay,” I say after a long, slightly tense silence. “Get back to work, Greg.”
“T-thank you, sir!” Greg stammers as he scurries out the door.
I turn to Bianca, keeping my face inscrutable. “Now, Miss Harris, for your first task, I'd like you to contact the publication editor and set up a meeting with him for noon.”
“Yes sir,” she replies promptly and turns around to leave.
“Miss Harris?”
“Yes, sir?” She says, turning around to look at me.
“I also need you to refill the coffee stash and get me a sandwich from Big Ben's.”
“Will you be needing anything else, sir?” she asks in a polite tone, but there's no missing the sweetly masked sarcasm in her tone.