Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

1. Chloe

1

Chloe

“Boring.” I throw a black skirt onto the pile of rejects scattered on my bed.

Amber chuckles, flailing her hands up in defeat. She’s seated on the edge of her bed at the other end of our little room in our cozy apartment, her long black hair tousled over her shoulders. Sunlight peeks in through the blinds, painting golden stripes across the worn floral carpet and the powder-blue dress resting on her lap.

“This has to be it,” Amber says, lifting the dress, waving it around.

I cock my head to the side, eyeing the dress. It’s sleeveless with a fitted bodice and a flowing A-line skirt.

“I’m not sure I feel very powdery-bluey today,” I say.

“So…we’re to the point of making up words now?”

“Duh. I can’t afford to look plain on my first day at my new job.”

“Plain? Come on, girl. Those bouncy, blonde curls, emerald green eyes, and flawless skin are made for the runway. Seriously, if you ever decide to become a supermodel, you'd kill the competition!”

I roll my eyes.

“Look, I’ve been your roommate for four years now, and you’re about as plain as fireworks on the 4th of July.”

“Three failed relationships in the last year would argue with that,” I challenge.

“Their losses, Greg’s especially. You just gotta find the right one,” she pauses. “And speaking of the right one, I have the perfect idea that will totally help.”

Ugh. Greg. My ex-fiancé. The man I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with until I caught him cheating on me with his personal trainer. Classic.

Snap out of it, Chloe. Don’t go down this rabbit hole again.

“Trust me, the only ‘right one’ worth finding now is a dress,” I counter.

“OMG, girl! It’s just a dress. Pick one already,” she grunts, throwing the blue dress onto the disaster zone that is my bed.

“I think I’ll go with this.” I hold up a beige dress with a multicolor geometric pattern. “This would look good with my bright yellow blazer.”

“Sunshine and rainbows? You sure Daniel Andrews would think so?”

A nervous flutter fills my stomach. Landing an assistant position at Andrews Enterprises is a dream come true. Except for Amber’s – and everyone else’s – constant chiding that my new boss is a grump.

“I doubt he’s as mean as y’all make him out to be,” I say.

Amber shakes her head, her eyes wide with exaggerated horror. “You haven’t heard the stories, Chloe. Everyone who works under Daniel has a dark tale to tell. He’s known for insulting everyone, demands unrealistic perfection in everything, is impossible to please. The list goes on. Want me to continue?”

I raise an eyebrow. “It can't be that bad.”

“Are you not listening to the words that are coming out of my mouth? He's notorious for his temper,” Amber continues. “I heard the last person who worked for him lasted three months before she had a breakdown and quit. I don’t want you to go into this thing blind.”

I frown. “Maybe she wasn’t cut out for the job?”

“Maybe,” Amber concedes. “But she wasn’t the only one. There’s a pattern, Chloe. Daniel has a revolving door of assistants. They say he’s a perfectionist to the point of being a tyrant. Misses nothing, criticizes everything.”

I swallow hard, feeling the nervous flutter in my stomach intensify. “He’s gotta have some redeeming qualities, right?”

Amber shrugs. “He's brilliant, no doubt about that. The company thrives because of his vision and relentless drive. But it comes at a cost. He demands the same level of dedication and excellence from everyone around him.”

I glance at my reflection in the mirror, wondering if I’m truly ready for this. “I can handle it. I’m dedicated and hardworking.”

Amber gives me a sympathetic smile. “I know you are. Just…be prepared. The workload is gonna be intense, and the expectations even higher. And whatever you do, don’t take his criticism personally. It’s just how he is.”

I nod, absorbing her advice. “Thanks, girl. I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t worry.”

“For your sake, I hope so. I don’t wanna lose my bestie to an asylum because of this guy. Call or text me as soon as you settle in, okay?”

“Yes, Mom,” I tease.

The ride to Andrews Enterprise feels like a dream, a slow-paced, hazy dream. Occasionally, I’ll fidget and adjust in my seat, bubbling over with excitement.

“We’re here, Ma’am,” the Uber driver says.

“Thank you.”

I step out of the car and admire the grand entrance.

A smile stretches across my face as I step into the lobby. Sunlight spills through the glass atrium overhead, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floors.

I take a deep breath, caught in the simplicity of the interior: the potted plants lining the white walls, the abstract paintings hanging above the receptionist’s desk, and even the sleek, modern furniture.

Everything is beautifully minimalistic.

Employees mill about with stoic expressions and black suits. I could mistake this for a law firm if I didn’t know better.

But I do know better. This isn’t just any media outlet. Andrews Enterprise is one of the biggest in the country, and not just for their reach alone. They’re always a step ahead of their competition. No other outlet compares to how they cover news, gossip, everything.

A figure ahead catches my eye, commanding attention effortlessly. His face and broad shoulders fill his suit perfectly, tailored to accentuate every contour. His jawline is fit and firm, exuding an air of confidence and masculinity. I allow my eyes to drink in the sight, savoring every inch of his impeccable frame, lost in admiration.

Whoa. Deep breaths, Chloe.

The receptionist, a woman with a smile and a name tag that reads ‘Sarah,’ greets me. Just like everyone else, she’s dressed in a monochrome outfit.

“Welcome to Andrews Enterprise,” she says.

I point toward the handsome man, who is a little away from where I stand. “Is that—”

“Mr. Daniel Andrews. He owns the place.”

I suppress a smile as Amber’s warnings about my new boss come to mind. She clearly has no idea what she was talking about.

The receptionist clears her throat. I chuckle and turn back to face her.

“Thanks, Sarah,” I reply. “Is that a phoenix brooch? Nice.”

She taps the brooch on the lapel of her black blazer, beaming brightly.

“Thanks, Ms.—”

“Summers. Chloe Summers. I’m Mr. Andrews’ new Executive Assistant.”

“Well, in that case, welcome to Andrews Enterprise once again.”

“Thanks, Sarah. If you don’t mind, can you point me toward his office?”

“Of course, that’ll be the top floor. The elevators are down that way. Top floor, second door to your right.”

“Thank you so much, Sarah.”

“You’re welcome.”

I turn to leave.

“Ms. Summers?” Sarah calls.

“Yes?”

“That’s a nice outfit you have on.”

“Thank you,” I reply. “I must stand out like a sore thumb, though.”

She glances around and drops her voice to a little above a whisper.

“From one employee to another, just take things slow, okay?”

I narrow my eyes, then smile.

“Thanks for the heads-up, but I’m sure I got this.”

“I’m sure you do,” she says. “Mrs. Chen from HR should be up soon to help you get settled.”

My smile grows even wider as I skip through the gleaming metal doors of the elevator. When I finally step out onto the top floor, there are several people moving around with boom mics and cameras.

At the center of the buzz is a lady with brunette hair talking into one of the cameras. She looks like a familiar face from television. I consider walking over to say hello. But then again, this could be a live transmission, so I stay back.

Nonetheless, I observe them for a while before walking away. As much as I’d love to do that someday, my job right now is behind the desk.

I stand in front of a frosted glass door. Etched on it is DANIEL ANDREWS, CEO.

Here goes nothing.

I knock on the door and wait a few seconds before turning the handle. There’s no one inside.

The office shares the same simple design as the rest of the building, characterized by a colorless palette. There are dull white walls adorned with numerous awards and minimalistic black-and-white objects on his glass desk. In the center, two sleek, black leather couches around a glass coffee table suggest they’re used for informal meetings.

I step out as quietly as I had stepped in. The office on the opposite side of the door has EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT written on it.

It shouldn’t hurt to take a little peek, I guess.

As I step in, the faint smell of mint and cinnamon fills the air. The interior is modern, yet as bland as every other space around here. I take deep breaths and walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The view is breathtaking. The city sprawls out below me, a sea of skyscrapers. I step back to my workspace. There are neatly filed folders arranged on both sides of my laptop. I reach for the topmost file and casually flip through it.

I hear footsteps approaching outside the ajar door and rush toward it.

Before I get there, it swings fully open. Standing in front of me is the captivating man from the entrance earlier, Daniel.

He’s even hotter up close. And for a minute, I’m sucked into the charm of his piercing blue eyes.

“Who are you?” he asks. His voice is deep, like a low growl, resonating with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.

“Chloe Summers,” I say. “I’m your new Executive Assistant.”

He looks me over. Then his expression turns cold.

“Dressed like that?” His outburst catches me off-guard. I open my mouth to speak, but the words won’t form.

“Didn’t you read the new hire orientation packet?” He barks.

“I did. I was asked to dress appropriately.”

“And that’s appropriate in your books? How do you plan on being focused and efficient dressed like that?”

“I didn’t know everyone else would—”

“Everyone else is dressed as they should be, except you,” he interrupts. “How did you even get in here?”

“I came by your office, but you weren’t there, so I decided to take a look around.”

“You’re a distraction in that…like I’m staring at a ridiculous mascot,” he claims. “Go home and change. Something black, something professional.”

My smile vanishes like a thief in the night. I stand dazed for a few seconds. “But—”

“No buts,” he cuts me off, his voice dry. “Do you understand?”

Before I can think of a response, he turns and walks out of the office.

“Be back in an hour, or consider your job offer rescinded,” he says as the door slams shut behind him.

I remain glued in the spot where I stand, speechless and suddenly overcome with anger. So much for sunshine and rainbows. That explains the cold black look on everyone’s face downstairs. I just got a taste of the grumpy tyrant.

Be back in an hour…

His words echo in my head, and I rush out of the office. Everything else feels like a flash, even Sarah’s wave as I run past her and head outside.

Reaching the nearest clothing store, I fling open the doors and head straight for the racks of professional attire. Black. Instant mood killer. Everything has to be black: black blazers, black dresses, black pants, black blouses, and black shoes. It feels suffocating, like being trapped in a perpetual shadow. The monotony is a stark contrast to my rather sunny disposition.

As I sort through the racks, a cheerful salesclerk with curly red hair and a name tag that reads ‘Lily,’ approaches me.

“Hi there! Can I help you look for something specific today?” she asks with a bright smile.

“Yeah, unfortunately. I need something black and businessy fast,” I reply, glancing at the limited time on my watch.

“Ah, going for the timeless classic look,” she says, winking. “Or are you trying to blend in with some undercover agents?”

I chuckle. “More like under duress. My new boss has a strict dress code, and apparently, my vibrant ensemble didn’t make the cut.”

Lily nods sympathetically. “Sounds like a real charmer. Let’s see what we can find to appease the Dark Lord of Corporate Fashion.”

She starts pulling various black items off the racks, holding them up for my approval. “How about this blazer? It screams ‘I’m professional, but let’s grab drinks after work.’”

I grin. “Perfect. Now, do you have a skirt that states ‘I’m classy, but I might kick you under the table if you annoy me’?”

Lily laughs, rummaging through the skirts. “Absolutely. Here’s one with just the right amount of menace. Pair it with these killer heels, and you’ll be ready to conquer any corporate dungeon.”

I shake my head, smiling. “You should get a raise for making your customers more relaxed during a dress code crisis.”

“I’ll bring it up at my next performance review,” she says, handing me the clothes. “Now, go try these on and let’s make sure you’re ready to face Mr. Bossy Pants.”

In the dressing room, I quickly change, trading my colorful outfit for the somber attire. The reflection staring back at me feels foreign, a Chloe Summers stripped of her usual brightness. A hostage to fashion, I step out to show Lily.

“Wow, you clean up nice,” she says, giving me a thumbs up. “You look like you’re ready to take on the world—or at least a very grumpy boss.”

I sigh, smoothing out the blazer. “Thanks, Lily. This is exactly what I needed. If this doesn’t win him over, I don’t know what will.”

“Remember, it’s not just about the clothes,” Lily says, her tone turning more sincere. “It’s about showing you can adapt and still be amazing at your job. You got this.”

I smile, feeling a surge of confidence. “And another reason you deserve that raise. Thanks for the pep talk—and the outfit. I better get back before he fires me.”

“Good luck!” Lily calls as I head to the register. “And remember, if all else fails, just imagine him in neon pink holiday boxers with the Grinch's face on it. Works every time.”

I laugh at the image of Daniel in those boxers. After paying, I rush back to Andrews Enterprises, determined to make a better impression.

I’ll be fine. I have to be.