From Boss to Boo

2. Grayson

2

Can I handle a distraction like Amara?

I had to consider it. I was expecting an over-eager intern in a cheap suit. Not an elegant Black goddess in a skirt that hugged her at the hips. I could barely hold my composure when her soft brown hair fell over her shoulders, showing the neat lines of her collar bones through the holes in her designer sweater.

As I grapple with my thoughts about Amara and the undeniable attraction I feel towards her, a knock at the door interrupts my musings. I look up to see Maggie, our HR manager, entering my office with a stack of papers in hand.

"Good morning, Grayson," she greets me with a warm smile. "I have a few documents that require your signature."

I nod, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Of course, Maggie. What do we have here?"

As Maggie explains the nature of the documents, my mind can't help but wander back to Amara. It seems I'm not the only one who has taken notice of my new assistant.

"So, how's the new girl settling in?" Maggie asks, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "Amara, right?"

I lean back in my chair, considering my response. "It looks like she will adapt well," I admit, keeping my tone professional. "Her qualifications are impressive, and she seems to be catching on quickly."

Maggie nods, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "She seems sharp, from what I've seen. Hopefully, she'll be able to keep up with your demands. Lord knows you've gone through your fair share of assistants."

I chuckle, acknowledging the truth in her words. "I have high expectations, Maggie. But something tells me Amara might be different. She already pushed some workflow changes and is taking ownership of her work. Hope she’s the one."

"Indeed," Maggie says, standing up to leave. "It would be nice to have some stability in that position."

As Maggie exits my office, I find myself once again alone with my thoughts. The brief conversation has only reinforced my belief in Amara's potential, but it has also reminded me of the need to maintain a professional distance.

I cannot allow my personal feelings to cloud my judgment or compromise our working relationship. The truth is I need a good assistant. Someone who doesn’t annoy me or call in sick all the time, or that I have to make work. I don’t need to hold my assistant’s hand. Is that so much to ask for?

As long as I remind myself she’s here to assist me, to help me navigate the challenges of running a successful company. Nobody is talking about how good she looks in the business casual outfit that hugs her in all the right places. I must focus on her skills and contributions, rather than the magnetic pull I feel towards her.

With a sigh, I turn my attention back to the documents Maggie left behind, forcing myself to concentrate. There will be time to assess Amara's performance and potential in the coming weeks and months. For now, I must maintain my composure and lead by example, ensuring that our professional relationship remains just that – professional.

I can only hope that her skills and dedication will continue to impress. Her body certainly impresses me. When I met her bent over the copier in the break room, I learned two things. Firstly, that she’s the first assistant I’ve hired that can manage a double sided print, and two, her thighs are a distraction I easily welcome.

As the day progresses, still I find myself increasingly impressed by Amara's performance. I observe her work, marveling at the speed with which she’s adapting to the complicated data pipelines and project management software. She tackles each task with a level of efficiency and professionalism that belies her status as a new hire.

Throughout the morning, I attend various meetings with her in tow, my focus split between the matters at hand and the intriguing presence of my new assistant. Amara's contributions during these meetings are insightful and well-articulated, showcasing her quick grasp of the complex issues we face.

As I prepare for my next meeting alone in my office, a critical strategy session with our top executives, I make a decision that surprises even myself. I buzz Amara's intercom, summoning her to my office. "Amara, could you please come in here for a moment?" I ask, my voice steady despite the unexpected flutter in my chest.

Moments later, Amara appears at my door, her expression a mix of curiosity and professionalism. "Yes, Mr. Winthrop? How can I assist you?"

I gesture for her to take a seat, leaning forward in my chair. "I have an important meeting coming up, and I'd like you to join me. Going to take a gamble on you. Already, I’m very impressed with you. So let’s see how you deal with the bulls upstairs. I believe your input and perspective could be valuable."

Amara's eyes widen slightly, surprise evident on her face. "Of course, Mr. Winthrop. I'm honored to be included. I’ll give it my everything and try my hardest."

I nod, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "You've already shown great potential in your short time here, Amara. I can finally make sense of my damn inbox and shared folders. You did in a few hours what I couldn’t get my last assistants to do in a week. So now I’m curious how you handle high-level discussions. It will give you a better understanding of the company's direction and challenges."

"I appreciate the opportunity," Amara replies, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "I'm eager to learn and contribute in any way I can."

"Excellent. The meeting starts in ten minutes. Please gather any relevant files and meet me in the conference room."

As Amara leaves my office, I lean back in my chair, a sense of anticipation building within me. The decision to include her in this meeting is kind of unprecedented. Is it because I’m attracted to her? No, she’s already put in work. Of course not.

That’s just a bonus.

As we enter the conference room, the executives are already seated around the large table, their faces a mix of curiosity and anticipation. I take my usual seat at the head of the table, with Amara settling in beside me, her notebook and pen at the ready. "Good afternoon, everyone," I begin, my voice commanding the room's attention. "Before we dive into today's agenda, I'd like to introduce Amara Jeffries, my new executive assistant. She'll be joining us for this meeting to offer her insights and perspective."

The executives nod in acknowledgement, some offering polite smiles in Amara's direction. I can sense their surprise at her presence, but I'm confident in my decision to include her.

As the meeting progresses, we delve into complex discussions surrounding our latest product launch and the challenges we face in an increasingly competitive market. The head of R&D, Dr. Larson, presents a detailed analysis of the product's technical specifications and the innovative features that set it apart from our competitors. "The new XR500 model boasts a state-of-the-art processor, capable of handling up to 10 billion operations per second," Dr. Larson explains, his enthusiasm evident in his tone. "This, combined with the advanced machine learning algorithms we've developed, allows for unprecedented speed and accuracy in data processing."

I watch as Amara absorbs the information, her pen moving swiftly across the pages of her notes. Her brow furrows in concentration as she grapples with the complex technical concepts being discussed, tapping her pen against her notebook.

She throws her soft brown hair over her shoulders as she tries to zero in on the concepts before her. Despite the harsh blue of the LED lights overhead, I can’t shake the shimmer of highlights in her hair that match the copper tones of her delicate brown skin.

As the conversation shifts to the marketing strategy for the product launch, I turn to Amara, curious to hear her thoughts. "Amara, from a fresh perspective, what do you think are the key selling points we should focus on in our marketing campaign?"

Amara takes a moment to collect her thoughts before responding. "Based on the technical advancements Dr. Larson highlighted, I believe we should emphasize the product's unparalleled speed and accuracy. I think we’re what, 70% ahead of the competition? In an age where data is king, businesses are looking for solutions that can help them process and analyze information quickly and efficiently."

She pauses, glancing around the room before continuing. "Additionally, we could focus on the user-friendly interface and the seamless integration with existing systems. Many of our potential clients may be hesitant to adopt new technology if it requires a steep learning curve or significant changes to their current workflows."

I nod, impressed by her insights. "Those are excellent points, Amara. We'll definitely take them into consideration as we refine our marketing approach."

As the meeting continues, I find myself increasingly reliant on Amara's input. Her unique perspective and ability to grasp complex concepts quickly prove invaluable to the discussion. The other executives, too, seem to recognize her contributions, seeking her opinions and insights on various topics.

By the end of the meeting, I'm more convinced than ever that including Amara was the right decision. Her presence has added a new dynamic to the discussion, and I can see the potential for her to become an integral part of our decision-making process.

As we wrap up and the executives file out of the room, I turn to Amara, a small smile on my face. "You did well today, Amara. Your insights were spot-on and added real value to the conversation."

Amara beams, her confidence bolstered by the praise. "Thank you, Mr. Winthrop. I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute and learn from such an experienced team."

I can't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. Amara's performance has exceeded my expectations, and I'm eager to see how she will continue to grow and contribute in the days and weeks ahead. If this works out, Amara could help us meet our quarterly target. If this works out, I’ll get to see more of Amara’s cute pantsuits around the office.

Walking back to our offices, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and anticipation. Amara's presence by my side has already begun to shift the dynamics of my work life, and I find myself eager to see how she will continue to grow and contribute in the days and weeks ahead.

As I settle back into my chair, my gaze drifts to Amara's office, where she's already engrossed in her work. The attraction between us still simmers beneath the surface, a constant presence that I must navigate carefully. But for now, I'm content to focus on her professional development and the value she brings to my team, knowing that the future holds endless possibilities for our working relationship.

But as I watch Amara settle back into her work, her brow furrowed in concentration, I can't help but wonder what the future holds for our working relationship. After all, with a 40 hour work week and 8 long hours in a working day, anything could happen to two people with our kind of proximity.

As I stare into her lovely brown eyes, she looks up, darting a gaze at me as though she caught the thought running through my mind. Who could blame me for entertaining the thought of a drink after a long day. And of course, a drink could always lead to another, and another.

“Need your signature on these new hire forms,” Maggie says, hustling a stack in front of my face that draws my attention away from the stunning view across the office. I jot my name down and do my best to knuckle down for the rest of the afternoon.

As the day progresses, I find myself buried in a mountain of emails and proposals, each one vying for my attention. One particular business proposal catches my eye – a potential partnership with a cutting-edge tech startup that could revolutionize our industry. The opportunity is exciting, but the risks are significant, and I find myself grappling with the decision.

On a whim, I decide to reach out to Amara for her input. I buzz her intercom, my voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling in my mind. "Amara, could you please come to my office when you have a moment? I'd like your opinion on something."

Moments later, Amara appears at my door, her expression a mix of curiosity and professionalism. "Of course, Mr. Winthrop. How can I assist you?"

I gesture for her to take a seat, sliding the proposal across the desk. "I've received a rather intriguing business proposal from a tech startup. They're developing a groundbreaking algorithm that could significantly improve our data analytics capabilities. However, partnering with them would require a substantial investment and a shift in our current strategy."

Amara leans forward, her eyes scanning the document with focused intensity. "I see," she murmurs, her brow furrowed in concentration. "The potential benefits are certainly impressive, but you're right to consider the risks."

I nod, watching as she absorbs the information, her keen mind already dissecting the pros and cons. "What are your thoughts? Can you look it over and give me a report?"

“Of course, sir.”

She returns thirty minutes later with a basic presentation ready to go. "From what I can gather, it looks promising. The algorithm they're developing could give us a significant competitive edge in the market. I suggest we set up a meeting with their leadership team to discuss the proposal in more detail. We can ask targeted questions about their technology, their business model, and their long-term vision. This will give us a better sense of whether this partnership aligns with our strategic goals."

I'm impressed by her insightful analysis and fresh perspective. Amara's ability to think critically and anticipate potential challenges is a valuable asset.

"I think that's an excellent approach, Amara," I agree, my admiration for her growing with each passing moment. "Let's set up that meeting and gather more information before making a decision."

As Amara leaves my office, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude and respect for her contributions. She's no longer just an assistant in my eyes – she's a trusted advisor and a valuable member of my team.

However, I can't ignore the undercurrent of attraction that pulses between us. The way her eyes sparkle with intelligence, the curve of her smile, the confident way she carries herself – all of these things draw me to her in a way that goes beyond mere professionalism.

With a sigh, I turn my attention back to the proposal, my mind now clearer and more focused thanks to Amara's input. As I make notes and draft a response, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement for the future – both for the potential partnership and for the growing role Amara plays in my professional life.