Chapter 2 Julian
JULIAN
Islam my laptop screen down, completely frustrated. I don’t understand how to read the calendar; the assistant had some color-coding system that gives a freaking rainbow a run for its money.
This is the last thing I need. We are restructuring, with many internal changes on the horizon, and I need everyone on their A-game.
The previous assistant was too slow, and I didn’t appreciate her inability to make a proper espresso, nor did I need to tell her what to order for my lunches.
She should have been ahead of the curve.
I twirl on my office chair so I can soak in the view of the skyline.
This company is important to me. I didn’t break away from my father’s claws only to fail.
Succeeding is the only option. My thoughts drift briefly to him.
We don’t speak anymore, his lacking qualities as a father and husband made sure of that.
Before I can dwell on it, I shove the memory aside.
Now isn’t the time to dig up old wounds.
Let’s just say he gave me one more reason to start my own company and excel.
My sister follows the same policy. We both cut ties with him.
Never looked back. Now, I focus on what really matters: running my billion-dollar empire.
Hence, I have limited tolerance for assistants who do not meet expectations.
A sudden knock interrupts my train of thought, snapping me back to the office.
“You look like you could use a break.” Charles smiles as he strides into my office. The man doesn’t have a single ounce of stress in his body, and that alone is irritating as hell, but he’s a good guy, so I can’t fault him for it.
“Nah, simply not caffeinated enough.”
He sits on my dark leather couch. I leave my desk, cross the room, and head to the coffee machine on a side table by the wall.
“Could that be because you lost another assistant?” He crosses his arms and gives me a stern look.
I shrug. “Jess wasn’t doing well on her trial, and I don’t have time to show her things.”
“You mean Jill? Her name was Jill,” he corrects me with a bit of disapproval in his tone.
I hold up a cup to see if he wants a drink, but he declines with a gentle shake of his head. “Jess, Jill, they’re all the same.”
He rubs his face with his palms, and he appears exasperated, which often happens around me. “They’re not, and now you're without an assistant.”
“I’ll just have HR send me another.” They have a few agencies on their speed dial for temps if needed. Although they mentioned that one agency is no longer willing to collaborate.
“My retirement is upon us,” he reminds me.
We talked about it the other week and set a plan in motion for the transition. There will be a battle over who will be granted his role, but I’m good at sensing snakes and vipers.
I hit the button on my machine to drown out my sigh. In truth, I’ll miss him. He is more of a father figure than my own. But as much as I breathe work, I understand why he wants to enjoy life beyond the office. He deserves it.
Coordinating a smooth transition is leaving me with a headache.
“Listen, I’ve accepted that you’re leaving, but let’s not throw it in my face every time we see one another.
Especially with some of the deals we have in the pipeline.
Unless this is your way of telling me that you’ll name your new sailboat after me.
” My mouth twitches, wanting to smirk due to my satisfying effort at humor.
“I only brought it up because I have had a few meetings today, as we agreed. Slowly trickling the information to our key players.” He snaps his fingers and grins from ear to ear. “Let’s talk about your assistant.”
I bring my small Italian-sized cup of espresso to my lips and take a quick sip, then approach the couch across from him.
“I don’t have one. I’m waiting for Linda to return.
” I settle in opposite Charles, crossing one leg over the other and leaning into the leather, getting comfortable.
Our talks are always smooth and casual. Probably because he’s damn good at his job—there’s no need to chase or question his decisions. He’s been with me from the start.
He rolls his eyes. “Linda? The assistant from four months ago?”
I lift a shoulder. “She was actually good at her job. What happened to her, anyhow? I don’t remember firing her.”
“She went on maternity leave, and since our company has great benefits for our employees, it means she won’t be coming back for at least another six months, and she already expressed that she would only come back if she had a different role… away from you.”
I set my cup on the coffee table as I flex my neck side to side. “Someone is being a little honest today.”
“I need to keep you in check. As I was saying, I’ve been having meetings to inform everyone, and today I spoke with Savannah.”
My fixed expression almost falters. I don’t enjoy that woman. She’s too young, sassy, good at her job, and always tucks a honey-brown tendril behind her ear. I shouldn’t notice that. Her name is Savannah May; that chimes like a bell. Chiming melodies are for happy people. I’m not a fan of those.
“How did she take the news?” I play it cool, return to my position, and extend my arm across the back of the sofa.
“Okay. I’ll miss having her as my extra eyes to keep me in order.”
I scoff. “Tell me about it. If we hired real talent on the assistant front, someone would’ve brought me my 10 AM power bar by now. This morning’s treadmill run was tough." I always get up early to exercise before conquering the day.
“Well, that will be solved soon. As Chief of Operations, I’m ensuring you have an assistant who will stick around after I’m gone.”
I wait patiently. He’s building up to something, I can feel it.
“That’s why I told Savannah that she is your new assistant.”
My brows immediately rise from being zapped by shocking news. “What now?” I grit out.
“Effective tomorrow, she’s your new assistant. She set up a strong system so I can have someone else. You? Well, you will drown if we don’t get you help. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this earlier. You’ve seen her, she’s sharp.”
Yes, I’ve fucking seen her. That’s the whole damn problem with his solution that he feels is wise.
I scratch my cheek, weighing my thoughts. There are a dozen other options in the company for her. Finance, import & export, legal, clients from every industry, and I’m the winner on the list? "As CEO, I do have final say. What if I have concerns about her fit as my assistant?"
He gives me an unimpressed look for my hypotheticals. “Well, her contract states we can assign her to a new role. Letting her go would be a bad move because she’s talented, and also, it would be an unlawful termination. Of course, you are well aware of that.”
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.