“Ms. Green,” I looked up from my computer immediately after hearing Mr. Mávros’, my boss’ voice. He didn’t even wait for my response because before I could speak, “I need the Milan files at seven a.m. tomorrow.”
Mr. Devin Carlo Mávros, also known as the Devil, has been my boss for three years, and as his P.A., I knew better than to make reasons with him, but not tonight. I have a date.
“Those papers are due next Friday.” As soon as I saw the crease forming on his forehead, I stood up and explained my stand further. “The marketing department hasn’t given me their reports, Sir.” I took my black notepad and checked what day it was, although I knew it precisely. It’s Friday, and the meeting for the proposed Milan hotel happened only last Monday. It’ll take up to two weeks to finish a feasibility study with a complete team, give or take. I can finish it alone in three weeks while doing overtime on paperwork until nine in the evening, if I may add.
Mr. Mávros’ face turned sour. Not that he was not already in a sour mood when he came in. His muscles flexed as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Well then, do your job and tell them to do the work I pay them to do.” He snapped, clenching his jaw. “I need those papers in the morning, or else you’re fired.” His voice was commanding, firm, like an unbreakable law, turning his back on me.
Glancing over at my coworkers, who gave me a sympathetic look, I heaved a sigh and focused my gaze back on the computer screen.
Mr. Mávros is a good person; that’s why I worked for him even after experiencing first hand his arrogance with his employees. He is the reason I barely made it out of college, not that he knows about it. The moment I graduated with a degree in Business Economics, I applied for his company, The Mávros Enterprises.
I was ecstatic when I learned from H.R. that I will work as the CEO’s personal assistant. To meet the man whose company sponsored my scholarship in college was a dream, but after two days of working for him, I was already regretting the idea of that stupid dream. He screamed at me when I didn’t get the perfect taste of his coffee. Black with a pinch of sugar, no cream, and he threw the coffee on my white top that day.
In my three years here at The Mávros Enterprise, he fired me six times and scolded me in front of the board of directors too many times than my fingers on both hands and feet can count. The first year was the worst. I cried more for him than I cried for my boyfriend, Max.
He’s not always this acrid towards me. Sometimes he gave me compliments for my hard work as well. Four times, as I counted them. Those were moments like now when I basically bleed and forget the meaning of rest and sleep just to meet his standards and demands.
It was only one in the afternoon, and if I can get the data I need from the marketing and finance department, I might just get lucky and make it to my date in time.
‘You can do this, Ren.’ With a heave of a determined sigh, I paused the report I was encoding for my boss and called both department managers.
Marie, the marketing manager, answered on the first ring.
“Hey, it’s me,” I murmured after her proper phone etiquette in answering company calls. It’s one of Mr. Mávros’ unbendable rules. Be professional.
“Ren, what’s up?” Marie answered in her usual cheerful tone. I’m friends with almost all of Mr. Mávros’ employees, except for the CEO himself, with whom I spend most of my time at the office. Ironic, isn’t it?
“Can you send me the data you have for Milan?” I tried to keep my voice from sounding bitter. Everybody knows how bad Mr. Mávros’s mood can get.
“Oh, no.” Concern laced Marie’s tone. “Did the sexy devil forget the date again?” She was clearly trying to cheer me up by using ‘sexy devil.’ Mr. Mávros is a handsome guy with a towering 6’2 height, black curly locks, blue eyes, kissable lips, and perfect jaw for a Greek God. Yes, he has the body of a super-god-dammed-hot-model, and if he isn’t as moody as a girl with menstrual cramps, I’d say he is fucking perfect, but sadly he’s not perfect at all. Far from it.
“I don’t know, I haven’t even finished the reports for the Rome project,” I said in between sighs, rubbing my temple in circles with my thumb, forcing my eyeglasses to move up to my hair.
I really hate feeling like this, like everything is against me. I’m not a pessimist, but I’ve been looking forward to this date with Max tonight for some time now - I miss him. It feels like fate isn’t on my side. If I can’t accomplish this F.S. in four hours, I’m doomed.
“When does he need the papers?” Marie knows exactly how Mr. Mávros’s mind works. She’s been with the company for five years, and she witnessed how I pushed through all of his needs and survived it like an apocalypse.
“Seven a.m…. sharp,” I mumbled, drumming my fingers on the desk.
“Christ!” she hissed, and I heard a few things dropped and papers ruffling. “I’ll be there in your office. Give me ten.”
“Thanks,” and we hung up.
After a few minutes, my friend’s witty thoughts and banters filled my office. Marie came up with Jeremy, the finance assistant manager, and Coleen, the COO’s P.A. The COO of the company is Mr. Mávros’ sister. We actually became friends, so when she learned from Coleen about her brother’s ‘request,’ she immediately sent Coleen for help.
It’s already four p.m. on the dot, and we’re making enormous progress. We’ve been brainstorming since one-thirty, and I have a good feeling that we can finish the paper. They scattered boxes of sweets and snacks on my desk, but I didn’t care if my office was very untidy, as long as we could finish the paperwork before seven.
The clock was ticking, and when it hit six-fifty, we wrapped everything up, and I let out the breath I was holding. Jeremy headed out early because he had to pick up this new girl he’s courting from her work, and Marie needed to fetch her daughter from her parent’s place.
Coleen and I were the ones left to proofread everything in ten minutes because if there was even the slightest typo error, my boss would chop my head off - literally.
I sighed, looking over the report we finished in half a day, a proud smile stretching my lips. I survived the Devil’s curse once more.
~~
AN
Hi love, thank you for checking out my book. Don’t forget to follow me on lnstagram Castiel_lj
xx
“Good luck with the date,” Coleen mumbled, parking her car in front of my apartment building. She lives two blocks away from my place, and she drops me off from time to time. With my Mávros Enterprises salary, I can afford to buy a car, but I enjoy the rush of riding public transportation somehow, so I take the bus to work in the morning and walk home after. It’s a thirty-minute walk, but I love the exercise, and besides, Manhattan is such a pretty place at night. “Thank you, and thanks for helping me with the paper,” I hugged her after I unbuckled my seatbelt and slid out of her car. “Call me after,” she teased. “I want to know every detail of your lovemaking.” Shaking my head, I responded with a mocking grin, “you need a boyfriend.” She rolled her eyes and stuck ou
It must’ve looked like I had tummy problems for Mr. Mávros’ lips to twitch. “Thank you, Sir,” I lowered my head, gazing at the tip of my black shoes. When Mr. Mávros didn’t speak, I looked up again and saw him already browsing his phone. So much for paying attention to me. Dream on Green. Why would he even care to spare you a second glance? Your boyfriend dumped you on your anniversary! “Is there anything else, Ms. Green?” he muttered after a few moments. I didn’t realize that I was zoning out. “No, Sir, I- I’ll-I better go. Have a nice day, Sir.” I spun on my heels, knowing well that my cheeks were in flames from embarrassment. I let out a deep breath as soon as the door ki
~Devin~‘’I know what it looks like, Sharon’’ I held her icy hands again but she pulled away like my touch burned her. ‘’The media is making me look bad, come on now. I could never do that to you.’’ I lied.
~Devin~ The replacement disappeared like a bubble popping out of thin air, and I am left alone with my thoughts. She left? She fucking left? I fired her more than once, and this is the first time she actually followed my orders. Whenever she makes a mistake, I always fire her, but the next day, when I see my coffee waiting for me at my desk, my anger fades and we start over like we used to. Not that we actually talked about any of it, it was just a mutual understanding. I dialed Ms. Green’s personal number, but she wasn’t picking up her phone. “Fuck!” I cursed loudly. What am I doing? Chasing after that bratty P.A.? Thousands of people around New York want her position and she just left?
~Devin~I offered her as her big green jade eyes widened in surprise. Those eyes, why was she hiding them in her thick glasses? That’s my favorite shade of green, just like Mom’s.
~Ren~‘’So you’re going back to Manhattan?’’ Cali asked. My half-sister looks a lot like Mr. Reed, blond, emerald eyes, creamy ski
~Ren~Days went on and Mr. Mávros’ pleasant attitude towards me continued. Even Angie and Coleen were both curious as to why the devil hadn’t unleashed hell for about two weeks now. That’s a record, a milestone for me, I guess.
~Ren~‘’Ms. Green’’ Mr. Carter spoke to me as I cleared out all the used paper cups and mugs for the meeting. Everyone started exiting the conference room now.
~Ren~ The colorful sparkling decoration of the Christmas tree we put up earlier is dancing in my husband's and son’s eyes. Devin lifted Griffin by his waist, our son held the star in his hands as he reached up and put it on the top of the Christmas tree. “Now, Mama,” Griffin said, giving me a convincing nod. I was holding the plug of the Christmas tree, connecting it with the outlet, the lights came to life and the star above the six-foot tree twinkled with different luminous colors. Griffin giggled as Devin peppered him with kisses on his cheeks. “Can I?” our son asked for the twentieth time today. He’s very excited to open the present Devin has for him. It’s not that we don’t celebrate Christmas before, but this is Griffin’s first Christmas with his father. “Can’t wait after midnight, buddy?” Devin ruffled Griffin’s hair, setting him down on his feet. Griffin pouted, looking a little thoughtful before he answered. “I can, Pap
I’m so sorry about the delay in my update. Please enjoy this additional chapter.~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Devin~ “Are you happy?” Ren mumbled after I made her twirl on our first dance as husband and wife. “Of course,” I grabbed her waist and pulled her back in my arms as we continued to sway on the tune of Shane Filan’s Beautiful In White. “Why wouldn’t I be happy. You’re wearing mom’s ring and my name is now yours.” She giggled, leaning her face on my chest as she wrapped her arms tightly around my waist. “I love you.” “You’re mine completely, you don’t have a choice but to love me,” I teased her and she squeezed me with her light force. “Cara is here.” I looked at my visionless artist friend who was dancing with Klaus. “Yes,” Ren looked over Klaus and Cara. “I met her the day before we left Manhattan. Did you know I got jealous of her?” Cara is a fifteen-year-old girl who lives next door to my place. We became friends when I helped
Hey Babes, I’m so sorry about the glitch. Before reading this one, please check the previous chapter. Thank you so much for staying with me.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Devin~I watched Ren and Griffin walk on the shore, barefoot, hand in hand as I grilled the fish I caught earlier. They were picking up shellfish in front of our beach house in Barbados, the sound of their laughter was mingling with the waves crashing on the shore.Ren waved at me while Griffin held a starfish in his hand and showed it to his Mama.We came here yesterday and Ren hasn't greeted me happy birthday yet.I’ve never celebrated my birthday, I had no reason to. Mom and Eve were the only people who greeted me on my birthday until I was recognized by the public as one of the youngest business tycoons in the world. People started sending me gifts, greetings, wishes, but none really mattered to me since they didn't know the real me. I thanked them, but the love I was longi
~Devin~Ren’s recovery is faster than what I expected, she’s going back to her usual routine around the house within just three days. Even with the bandage still around her shoulder, she helps Mrs. Kelvin in the kitchen in the morning and prepares food for Griffin and me.Who was I to object when the girl I love prepares food for me and our son? Although I am worried about her condition, I can see that the spark in her eyes is back. Those glints that were missing when she first opened her eyes in the ambulance. It scared the shit out of me, seeing how pale she was, slowly losing life. It’s a nightmare, a horror I wouldn’t dare challenge to come to us again.“Papa,” Griffin was rubbing his eyes, standing beside me while I was watching Ren silently from the entrance frame of the kitchen. My son opened his arms so wide, a gesture he does when he wants me to carry him.He’s a big boy now, not a baby anymore, but I&rsq
~Ren~Am I dead? I guess not. My body hurts like a bitch everywhere. Even my pinky is aching. They say that death is peaceful, like an endless emptiness. I’m sure that this isn’t it.The ambulance and police sirens are so loud, people chattering around me. My eyelids were heavy, as if they were glued together and won’t let go of the other. Stupid eyelids.“Ren… please…” I heard his voice. Why is Devin sad? Is he crying? “Ren, hang on.”Something must’ve slammed shut, a door perhaps and I felt warm hands enclosed mine. I knew it was Devin, his scent lingers in the air overpowering the foul smell of blood. Trying to squeeze his hand back, I groaned when I f
~Devin~Watching Ren Sleep in my arms peacefully is my favorite time of the day, except for those ‘practice’ things we do of course, and spending time with Griffin.I’d never get tired of admiring her beautiful features, her long brown wavy hair draped over the sheets of our bed and my arms. Tucking away some mischievous locks that surround her face, I trailed my fingers along her cheeks to her jaws and brushed my thumb over her pinkish full lips. These lips that I can’t get enough of.“I love you,” I fondled my lips over
~Ren~“Mama,” Griffin climbs on my lap as Natalie and I listen to a few singers who are aspiring to make a break in the music industry.My son requested for me to write his name with his father’s surname and he’s been pretty busy shading the paper with incoherent patterns while I work.He’s excited about it, ecstatic even. He jumped high and low when we told him about the news, both he and his father were fairly excited to see the papers even if Griffin couldn’t understand them yet.
~Ren~My heart aches for Devin. Hearing him say that he isn’t worthy of becoming a father is making my heart clench.I can’t help but blame myself for adding fuel to the doubt he was feeling right now. As I watched him sleep peacefully, I reached for his hair and twirled a few locks in my fingers. His hair is longer. It gives him more of that bad boy vibe and I like it so much. He really is the older version of Griffin. Their full lips, their blue hues and long thick lashes, even their nose were very similar. I bet my son would be such a charmer when he grows up like his father.
~Ren~“Why?” was my stupid response. This is not what I was expecting to hear from Devin.I’m happy, don’t get me wrong, ecstatic even, but I think he’s making irrational decisions. Lightning-fast decisions that could either make us or break us.“I love you,” he held my face in his big warm hands, electric shocks flowing through my whole body. “And I want to be with you for as long as I live, Ren.” His eyes looking straight into my green ones.