Chapter 3 #2
The more the conversation flowed, the more I got to see more of his personality. He was funny, real chill, and still slightly mysterious. It felt weird how easy our conversation flowed, because I knew some of the things we were talking about shouldn’t have been a concern as his assistant.
I understood he wanted a background check on me, but wanting to know my favorite color and what I liked to do in my spare time shouldn’t have been the topic of discussion.
Or should it?
I mean, I was working closely with him, so shouldn’t he be made aware of the person he had given vital information to? I suddenly didn’t mind him asking me about myself.
As the clock struck nine, I didn’t realize we had been sitting and talking for over two hours.
“We’ve been talking for quite a while that I forgot that you said you needed me to do one more thing,” I reminded him.
“Oh, I just wanted you to eat. I knew you’d be here past dinner, so I wanted to feed you. Now that that’s complete, we can head out.” He pushed his chair back and stood.
“That was nice of you. Thank you.”
“I told you, I’m not a mean person.”
“But you can be.” I laughed and stood as well, grabbing my satchel and taking out the topknot to give my scalp a break.
The relief I felt had a soft moan escaping my lips and my eyes closing as I ran the pads of my fingers through it, massaging my scalp.
When I opened my eyes, his were stapled to me with that seductive look in his eyes from earlier.
I had to get away from this man.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
He finally blinked and grabbed his jacket and briefcase. “Forgive me. Yeah, let me walk you to your car.”
“I-um, actually don’t own a car yet. I’ve been saving for quite some time. I’m almost there though, and I’m sure it’ll be soon since I have this good paying job now.” I giggled.
“I can drive yo?—”
No!
“No, I’m fine, really,” I protested.
“So how are you getting home?”
“Uber.”
“Taking public transportation is dangerous at this time of night.”
I laughed. “It’s literally only nine o’clock.”
He shrugged. “It’s still late.” We walked out of his office and took the elevator down to the first floor. The lights were dim, and the custodian was busying himself with cleaning out the offices on the first level.
“You sure I can’t give you a ride?” he asked again.
“I’m sure. My ride is only one minute away.”
“A’ight, well, this is where we part ways . . . I’ll see you in the morning, bright and early.”
“I’ll be here with your black coffee, three sugars, and splash of oat milk.”
He smirked lightly. “Get home safe, Ms. Grant. Shoot me a text to let me know you’ve made it safely.”
I wouldn’t text him that. This chemistry I felt brewing between us wasn’t good. Doing things like texting him to make sure I made it home safely wasn’t professional.
Keep it professional, Lay .
“Mr. West.”
“’Sup?”
“I’ll see you in the morning. Pinky promise.”
He chuckled again, then turned to head toward the parking garage without a reply, while I headed out of the front entrance to my awaiting Uber.
I had no idea my day would end like this, but all I knew was that I needed to stay focused and not allow myself to fall for the beautiful, seductive Sagittarius.
Morning had come quickly as I got up, took care of my hygiene, and got dressed for the day.
Since it was going to be eighty degrees, I wore a white sleeveless blouse, knee-length white mermaid skirt, with my gold Blahnik pumps that my dad bought me for my graduation.
I slicked my hair back into a low bun this time and gave myself a light beat since I didn’t want my face to melt in this weather.
I never splurged on designer wear. My main focus had always been school and working odd jobs to pay off those stupid loans, so I never had it to splurge after leaving Vic with the friendly dick.
I’d never dare ask my parents for anything, even though I knew they would do it for me in a heartbeat.
They had always taken care of me up until I graduated high school.
After year two in college, I told them that I wanted to take out a loan and pay for my last two years on my own.
Of course, they were against it, but I wanted to be the one to take care of them now.
To show them my appreciation by doing it alone.
Giving myself a onceover in my full-length mirror, I grabbed my satchel, making sure everything I needed was inside, then left my room. On the way out, I bumped into my dad, Sergio.
“Good morning, baby girl. You look beautiful as always.”
I smiled and pecked his cheek. “Morning, Daddy. What are you doing up so early?”
“I have been demanded to go fix the kitchen sink before sunrise. I’m already an hour behind schedule. Prayerfully, she won’t kill me before the sun comes up.” We laughed.
“Well, we both know how Mom is, so I won’t hold you up. I’ll see you guys later. Love you!”
“Wait. You’re not going to eat?”
“I’ll grab something on the way.”
“You came in a little late last night. How’d the interview go?”
“I got the job.” I smiled.
“That’s dope. I guess they really needed you, huh?”
“Yes . . . And they need me now, so I have to go. I’ll tell you all about it this weekend since I’ll be on call.”
“Okay. Have a good day, baby.”
“Will do!” I replied, leaving out of the house.
My parents were both retirees and had been traveling and adding on to their home.
I had no idea why they were adding on to the house when our family wasn’t all that big.
I was almost sure they were doing it in hopes that I’d give them grandchildren.
With the way these men were set up, they wouldn’t get any, any time soon.
I got inside of the Uber and directed him to the Starbucks directly across from where I worked.
Since this would be my first official full day, I decided to bring coffees for the team that I met yesterday as well.
After getting eight coffees, five with a side of cream and sugar, I made my trek across the street into the large building.
As the elevator doors opened, people filed out while I waited to get on.
When the last person stepped off, I heard “Whoa!” come from someone with a deep tenor.
I looked up to see a very handsome chocolate man with locs in barrel braids, taking my hand. “You’re stunning.”
“Thank you, but I also have to go,” I told him, catching the elevator before it closed.
He stepped on with me, and I inwardly rolled my eyes.
I didn’t have time to chat or flirt. Avery would be in his office in fifteen minutes, so I needed to make sure I had everything in place for the start of his day.
“Twelfth floor . . . You must be the new assistant?” he inquired, smiling at me.
Goodness gracious, he’s fine.
“I am. Layne Grant. Mr. West’s new assistant.”
“Denver West . . . Avery’s cousin.”
“Oh. Nice to meet you,” I said, offering him my free hand. He took it and planted a soft kiss on the back of it. I quickly pulled my hand away and cleared my throat.
Were all the men in his family fine? Geesh!
“You as well, beautiful. Would you be interested in going out for coffee sometime?”
I smiled. “As much as I would love that, I have to follow the no fraternizing policy.”
“I don’t work here,” he said, giving me a soft smile. The elevator reached my floor as I looked up at this fine man.
“How about you take me to lunch this afternoon, if you’re available.”
He handed me his card. “I work in the next building over. Give me a call whenever you take your break.”
“Will do.” I smiled and stepped off the elevator. I knew he was watching me when I heard a soft damn exit his mouth before the doors closed.
I let out a small breath as I approached Liz’s desk.
“Good morning, Ms. Grant.”
“Good morning, Liz. Not sure if you’ve had your morning coffee or if you even drink it, but I got one for you.”
“Girl, you know the way to my heart! I didn’t get a chance to stop this morning because I was running late. You’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m assuming the other coffees are for the team?”
“They are.”
“Okay. Make your rounds, and I’m going to show you to your new office.”
“Office?”
“Yes. Mr. West called ahead this morning and told me to give you the office right next to his.”
Since when do assistants get an office? I looked across the lobby at the empty desk, directly across from Liz, then back at her. She smiled and shrugged.
“Did the others have an office?” I had to ask.
“No, ma’am.”
“Then I won’t have one either. See you in a bit,” I told her, walking off to make my rounds.
Once I got to Mr. West’s office, I placed his coffee on his desk, then headed back out.
I went to the empty desk and began to unload the things I brought to make my desk pop.
I powered on the computer and took out his work phone to begin making the proper calls for him.
The elevator pinged just as I hung up with the flower shop. Mr. West stepped off, busying with his phone while heading to his office.
“Mornin’, Liz. Mornin’, Ms. Grant,” he acknowledged as we both replied to his greeting. He stopped in his tracks then slowly turned to look at me.
“Can I see you in my office for a second?” he asked me.
“Sure.” I stood from my desk and grabbed my notepad and paper.
“Leave that,” he said. I placed it back on my desk then followed him into his office. “Close the door, please.” I closed it then clasped my hands in front of me as I stood waiting for him to speak.
“I told Liz to place you in the office next door to me. Why are you in the lobby?”
“Well, I asked her if all the other assistants who worked for you had their own office, and she informed me that they did not. I just don’t feel as if it is appropriate to change things up now. It makes it seem as if I’m being favored. I don’t want a rep here,” I replied honestly.
“Ms. Grant, those other assistants were temps. I actually hired you. Therefore, you get your own office. Why would that thought even cross your mind?”
“It’s easy for people to assume things when it’s never been done before. I apologize. I’ll relocate now,” I told him, turning to leave.
“Hold up.” I stopped walking and turned back to him.
He reached inside his satchel, pulling out two boxes.
One small and one mid-size. I saw the apple logo on both items when he extended them out to me.
I stepped closer and took the items from his hand.
“I love the little pen and pad method, but it’s old school.
I need you up-to-date with everyone else.
Set it up, get familiar with it, because I want you to take notes from there from now on. ”
I giggled. “I’m familiar with an iPad and pencil.”
“Good. We’ll sync my calendar a little later. Go handle that, then meet me back in here to go over the anniversary party. It’s a few weeks away, so we’ll be in and out of the office for that amount of time.”
“Noted.” His eyes roved over me once again as silence filled the space.
I cleared my throat and smiled, then turned to head out.
“You look nice today, by the way.”
“Thanks. See you in a bit,” I threw over my shoulder before I hurried out of his office.
Something was telling me that me being his assistant wasn’t going to last too much longer.