1

My slumber was interrupted by the alarm clock ringing in my ear instantly making me groan. I pull the covers over my head. Please shut up, I don't want to leave my bed today, Monday mornings are really the worse especially in the winters I just don't ever want to leave the comfort of my warm bed. I just want to go back to sleep.

My alarm kept going off agitating me. Can you tell I'm not a morning person? I couldn't afford to be late on a Monday so I slowly roll out of bed and turn the alarm off. It was 7:39 am yet It was still pretty dark out. I decided against taking a warm shower as that would probably make me even lazier instead I pour myself a glass of juice before picking out an outfit.

I put on a pair of black leg warmers then a pair of thick winter stockings. On top of that I wore a maroon high neck sweater dress that covered my calves a fell a few inches above my ankles and topped it with my favorite black coat and of course can't survive without my signature black wedge heels. I put my brown curly locks in a bun, a few strands of my hair covering my face casually. I put on my usual work makeup look which consisted of BB cream, some concealer to mask the dark circles, mascara, minuscule amount of blush on my nose and cheeks to give my face a little color so I don't look pale followed by my favorite nude lipstick.

Luckily, my office is only a 10-minute walk from my apartment. I need to be there by 9 and It's almost 8:30. I also need to stop at Dunkin Donuts beforehand to get coffee for myself and my boss.

Stepping into the building I greet my fellow colleagues checking the time on my phone, it's 8:58. The line at Dunkin really held me back. Hope I make it into his office before 9. C'mon can these elevators move any slower, I tap my feet in annoyance. I make it to my floor and quickly set my bag down on my desk along with my coat. I knock on the door and hear a come-in before stepping inside my boss's office.

Mr. Nayel was standing by the window looking outside when I walked in, he probably saw me sprinting into the building like a loser and laughing to himself. He's a total sadist, he lives off people's misery especially mine.

"Good morning Mr. Nayel, your coffee," I said causing him to turn around.

Nayel Jefferson was quite a catch on paper. He was a 36-year-old self-made millionaire, a kickass lawyer who hasn't lost a case in 10 years and he wasn't bad to look at either. With piercing brown eyes and black hair and tan skin alongside an impressive lean muscular physique, by societal standards, he was the ideal man.

I walk over to him and hand him his cup of coffee, he is 6'4 and practically towers over me at my 5'6 frame. Nayel takes a sip and forthwith a scowl plastered across his face, "It's cold Maria, if I wanted cold coffee I would've asked you to get me cold coffee" he snaps harshly.

"I'm sorry sir," I say biting my lower lip not wanting to fight back. I have been working as his assistant for a year and a half and to say I abhor working for him would be an understatement. He is so difficult and rude, he's a jerk. I can't stand him and I know he's not my biggest fan either but we both know we depend on each other.

I actually enjoy working at Jefferson Legal Co, I'm learning plenty about the legal sector, the work is honestly so fulfilling, it's what I've wanted to do since high school, and working here is very impressive for my resume. Not to mention the I'm paid very generously and living in central New York what could be better? I like my job and if it weren't for my boss being an entitled asshole this would be my dream job. Nayel on the other hand has never had an assistant last as long as me it's because I tolerate his attitude and not to toot my own horn but I'm a very good worker. I'm hardworking and devoted, I never miss deadlines and he knows he cannot afford to lose me but he doesn't like my personality for some unearthly reason. Maybe because I'm not ill-mannered like him, I'm not saying I'm perfect but I have done nothing but be nice to him but whatever. We are like water and oil we simply don't mix.

"Print out the documents for the Evans case, I need them on my desk in 30 minutes" Nayel practically barks.

"I already printed them out before leaving on Friday, they are in your second drawer sir" I flash a fake smile at him.

"Okay, you can leave now," He says and I fight the urge to roll my eyes and walk out of his office.

....

It was sometime after lunch, I was replying to some emails when a man approached my desk. I looked up from my computer to see a man who looked to be in his early 30's, blonde hair, emerald eyes, friendly face. Dressed in a navy blue suit.

"Hello" He flashes me a broad smile.

"Hi, how can I help you?" I smile back.

"I'm here to see Mr. Nayel Jefferson," The man says.

"Do you have an appointment Mr..?" I trail off not knowing his name.

"Winston, Winston Scott, and no I don't but I spoke to Mr. Nayel yesterday, he called me here" Winston's emerald eyes sparkling as he smiles at me. He seems like such a pleasant cordial guy, he radiates warm energy if that makes sense.

"Oh, why don't you take a seat over there and I'll get right back to you" I point to the waiting area and he nods.

I get up from my desk and knock on Nayel's door and step inside after a come-in.

"What is it?" He snaps not even looking at me, would it kill him to be a little nice. I roll my eyes.

"There is a man here to see you, Mr. Winston Scott. He doesn't have an appointment but he says he-"

I was cut off mid-sentence by Nayel, "Yeah yeah send him in" He waves his hand in the air, sitting up straight and buttoning his black coat.

I nod and head back out, "Mr. Nayel will see you now" I smile at Winston taking my seat again.

He smiles fixing his coat, "wish me luck" He says running a hand through his hair.

"What for?" I raise an eyebrow.

Winston shakes his head and shrugs, "This might or might not be a job interview."

"Oh, Good luck" I smile at him, "unless you're trying to take my job then not good luck?" I joke and he chuckles.

"Thank you" He smiles at me one last time before disappearing into Nayel's office.

About 30 minutes later Nayel and Winston walk out laughing like old buddies.  Nayel extends his hand, "I'm glad to have you onboard" he smiles. I genuinely don't remember the last time he was this nice to anyone.

"It's an honor sir" Winston extends his hand.

"Winston, this is my assistant Maria. You need any assistance or guidance you can approach her anytime during the day" Nayel says, "Maria, Winston is our new senior associate attorney"

I smile ear to ear looking at Winston, "Oh congratulations" and Nayel glares at me. See, he can't handle that I like to be nice to people.

"Thank you." Winston smiles at me sheepishly.

"I'll see you tomorrow at 9," Nayel says to Winston.

"Yes sir," Winston says and then looks to me, "Lovely meeting you Maria" He smiles at me.

"Likewise" I smile back as he moves towards the elevator.

"He seems nice" I turn over to Nayel who simply huffs and walks back into his office. Why do I even bother with him, he's an ass.

Less than 5 minutes later the phone on my desk rings, I put the phone to my ear, "Jefferson Legal, how can I be of assistance?" I ask politely.

"Come in here for a minute will you darling" I sigh in frustration and roll my eyes. Looks like he's back to the pet names knowing how angry it makes me.

I walk inside his office without knocking, he was leaning against his desk smirking as if he was anticipating my displeasure, which he probably was.

"Mr. Nayel, I think Holly from HR made it very clear that you are not allowed to call me these pet names anymore" I use air quotes emphasizing pet names.

"Oh did she sweetheart?" his smirk gets bigger.

"Do I need to file another complaint or will you stop acting like a child?"

"I don't think that is the proper tone when speaking to your boss" Nayel grins showing off his white perfect teeth.

"You're unbelievable" I mumble flickers of amusement light up in his eyes at my irritated huff.

"Do me a favor and call Ryan and tell him to clean out the office for Winston tomorrow," Nayel says taking off his coat. His extravagant muscles tightly press against his button-down shirt. There was no denying he was hot. I remember blushing profusely the first time I met him, he seemed so charming and is so obviously attractive. I was thrilled that my interview went so well, I was over the moon when the job was offered to me. Little did I know, the minute I start working here he was going to turn into an evil tyrant making his mission make me miserable.

"The empty office on this floor?" I ask.

"No the one on the first," He narrows his eyes at me clearly annoyed, "yes of course this floor. He's a senior attorney Maria, he will obviously be this floor with the other senior attorneys" Nayel spats.

"Anything else?" I ask.

"No just make sure you show him around tomorrow." His tone was flat.

"Alright," I say turning around and walking out of his office.

Winston seemed nice enough maybe I could finally have someone on this floor who I could befriend? Someone with who I could share the burden of Nayel's attitude with maybe?