I took a deep breath as I got out from the uber and looked at the humongous skyscraper in front of me. This was it. My first official job. I was not nervous at all. Note the sarcasm.

I stepped into the building and contemplated on whether I should go to the receptionist first or just straight to Ace Rhodes' office.

I was his personal secretary for fucks sake.

Because I was new here, and I wanted to make good relations with the people who worked here, so I decided to have a little chat with the receptionist.

It was seven forty-three anyway, so I exactly had seventeen minutes more to go.

"Hey, it's Isabelle Reinhart," I went up to her and faked a smile.

"Hey Isabelle, how can I help you?" she replied with a smile as she put down the papers that she was previously reading through.

"I'm Mr. Rhodes new secretary...?" I gave her a confused look as realisation dawned upon her.

"Oh yeah, of course. Come on, I'll get you to his office," she stood up from the chair and circled around the counter to reach me.

"It's okay, I'll manage. I know where his office is," I gave her a genuine smile.

"I know you know, but it's my job," she chuckled as she started moving towards where the lift was and I followed her.

We reached the eighteenth floor, where Ace Rhodes' office was, and stepped out of the elevator.

As we were moving towards his office, the receptionist's phone started ringing in her pocket and she excused herself as she pulled the phone out

"Oh, dang, I really need to take this. We're almost there so I believe you'll manage from here onwards. Have a great day and just don't tell Mr. Rhodes that I ditched you halfway through," she blustered and before I had a chance to say something, she was out of my sight.

Um, sure.

As I walked towards his office, I took in the surroundings. The day when I came here to interview, I didn't really have a chance to praise the beautiful interior of the building.

While walking, me being clumsy as ever, obviously bumped into someone and I almost said the F-word out loud as the person wrapped his arms around me, keeping me from falling.

Almost.

"Well, guess who has another excuse for going home early today," the person replied and I looked up from my feet to take a look at the disaster I made.

A man of about my age, probably a year or two older than me, was holding a cup of coffee, half the of which was on his shirt and he had an amused smile on his face.

His eyes were a dark shade of blue and he had this mischievous glint in his expressions which made him look even...sexier?

Stop ogling, dumbass.

"I am extremely sorry. I di-" I started, but he cut me off.

"Nah, it's fine. I'm good," he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Does it hurt?" I pointed to the coffee spilt on his shirt and he chuckled.

"It's iced coffee," he explained.

"I haven't seen you here before? Are you here for a new sponsorship or something?" he asked, while sipping from the contents of the coffee that were left, as he shamelessly checked me out from head to toe and I blushed under his gaze.

"I'm Mr. Rhodes' new secretary," I said in a tiny voice and he choked on the coffee.

He broke into fits of laughter and cough "You're his new secretary?"

I nodded and oh so suddenly, I wanted to slap this man with all my strength, no matter how hot he was. I was offended for God's sake.

He probably read my expressions because he quickly added

"Oh, no, no, it's not you. Trust me, no offense. You're just so beautiful," he babbled.

His words made no sense whatsoever.

"What?" I gave him a bewildered look and he lightly shook his head and stepped closer to me.

"I was just saying that Ace usually hires nerds with no dressing, walking or talking sense. They're just here to follow Ace's orders and they usually are in their late thirties and have no social life whatsoever. Well, you here, my girl, are quiet the opposite," he winked at me.

I still didn't know if I was meant to be offended or not.

I gave him a weak nod as he spoke again,

"Anyway, tell Ace that Alex went home, because his secretary spilt coffee on Alex's shirt and he would be back in like...two hours?" he casually told me and before I could speak something he, too, walked away.

What was happening, again?

I knocked Mr. Rhodes' office door and opened the door when I heard a faint 'come in'.

"Good morning, Mr. Rhodes," I said in a teeny tiny voice as I stepped closer to his desk. He looked busy in his work.

"Good morning, Miss Reinhart. I'm glad you're exactly on time," he nodded and I checked my watch which said that there were still ten seconds more to go to eight.

He still hadn't looked up from the papers he was signing and I was just standing there awkwardly, hoping somebody would tell me what the hell was I supposed to do.

"Mr. Rhodes, I...?" I started as he directed his attention towards me and I swear I felt him look at me from my head to my legs in just a mere second.

Nah, it was just my imagination again.

"Yeah, right, Miss Reinhart, please take a seat," he pointed towards the chair in front of him and I sat down with my hands tied on my lap, my anxiety levels up in the sky.

"Your cabin is right beside mine. I do have access to your cabin from this door right here, while others won't be allowed to come inside without your permission.-"

He pointed towards the door on my left.

"-I'll appoint a mentor for you today and he'll explain everything that you need to understand, along with everything that you are supposed to do here. Now, I would really appreciate if you'd read through this policy and sign in the bottom left corner," he handed me a paper and I nodded, taking it from him.

I started reading the policy paper, but I could not concentrate on any damn word because I knew very well that this Greek God sitting right in front of me was staring at me, quite shamelessly, might I add. So, instead of concentrating on the paper, all I was doing was just squirming under his intense gaze.

"Mr. Rhodes, I'd really appreciate if you'd give me five minutes and I'll sign it and give it back to you then," my throat was dry and my voice was hoarse as hell.

What was wrong with me?

Oh yeah right, everything.

"Of course, take your time, Miss Reinhart," he said and diverted his attention back to the laptop as I stood up and went near the door to escape from this suffocating office.

I cursed under my breath as I remembered something else and turned around to look at my boss again.

"Mr. Rhodes I have a message for you. Someone named Alex to-"

"Alexander Kingston." he corrected me with a hint of anger in his voice, without lifting his head up to spare me a glance.

"-right, Mr. Kingston told me to inform you that he went home for the next two hours because he accidentally spilt coffee on his shirt," I bit my tongue as I contemplated whether to tell him the truth or not.

Obviously, I decided to go with the latter.

"Alright, Miss Reinhart, thank you for informing me," he replied with his head still buried in the damn laptop.

Stupid laptop.

Stupid Ace Rhodes.

***********

❤