CHAPTER 5

Riella's POV.

Five seconds.

Five whole seconds and I was still standing on the spot, my eyes glued to the man seated on the seat, behind the desk.

Harrold Williams.

Rich, fine, smooth, and creamy skin, doe-shaped brown eyes, well-structured nose, and sexy as hell lips…a face that screamed art stared at me. His raven dark hair mirrored mine, straightened in a style that made him look so hot and stirred the urge to run my hand through it.

What the hell?

“G-good morning, sir.” I snapped out of my fantasy just in time for him to raise a brow at me, questioning.

“It's already noon.” That was his monotone reply, face pulled into an impassive expression as he watched me.

And god damn his voice.

Deep. Firm. And Sexy.

“I'm sorry, sir.” I exhaled and straightened up properly. “Good afternoon, sir. I'm Riella Monroe, your newly appointed EA.” I introduced myself formally.

Leaning back into his swivel chair, he sent me a smile that almost made me drool. When he beckoned at one of the chairs before him, I moved away from the door and took short strides toward him.

When I finally got to the front of his desk, I bowed for a moment before putting down the file I came up with. He took it on the desk and beckoned for me to have my seat.

“Thank you, ” I muttered as I drew one of the cushion chairs backward and took my seat. While he looked through the file, I let my eyes flicker around the room.

Comforted by the grey and wine-colored room which I felt was an odd color but looked very cool and mature. The flat screen at the left corner of the room was turned off and surrounded by a set of couches.

Moving on, I took note of the technology posters on the wall and other advertising media, to the shelf which contained some documents and another that housed the company's achievements. 

There was a door by the right which I guessed led to the restroom and the urge to run in there and hide suddenly overwhelmed me because I could feel his sudden scrutinizing gaze on me which made me feel somewhat self-conscious.

“You worked at Samon.” His voice had me whisking my eyes away from where it was glued at the door back to him. He was still leaning back on his seat, watching me.

“Yes, sir. I worked at Samon New York branch before it closed down.” I nodded.

“So, you have never done this before?” He asked me.

“No, ” I shook my head. “But I'm very sure I can take up this job,” I told him, meeting his brown eyes for the first time since I settled down.

“That's good. If you didn't qualify, you wouldn't be seated in my office now.” He mumbled before putting down the folder, his eyes still holding mine.

“Let's lay some ground rules, here.” He started. I played with my fingers which were on my lap while allowing myself to remain calm.

“I hate tardiness. As much as I'm welcoming and tolerant, I wouldn't accept tardiness. I need my PA to be smart. You are going to be smart, and be ready to work with me every day. I take a cappuccino every morning. Sometimes, I prefer tea but I would let you know when my taste buds change."

"I also would like you to fix appointments, accept meetings in my place and run errands when I need you to. Will that be fine with you?” He said all at once.

“Yes, sir.” I nodded, taking in everything he just said.

“That is nice, then. I can be a little demanding but if you play your part, then you would enjoy working with me.” He smiled, his lips stretching wide and a very fine glint in his eyes.

“Alright, sir.” I smiled with a small nod.

“Alright. You can go home now and resume to the office by seven AM tomorrow. On that note, I officially welcome you to SMARTSPACE. I hope you enjoy your time working here.” He ended the conversation with a wide grin, his hand outstretched for a handshake.

I hesitated before bringing my hand out to take his. “I am certain I will, sir,” I said as I tried not to let my eyes trail further from his jaw down to the unbuttoned and exposed part of his shirt.

When he took my hand in his, a firm grip felt so foreign yet so familiar. I couldn't comprehend the swift jerk of emotions that traveled up my spine. When I took in his eyes, a gleam I couldn't decipher in them, I felt the need to smile back and I did.

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze that felt so comforting before he let my hands go. I took a step back and smoothed my hair which was pulled into a ponytail before going ahead to pick up my bag from the seat beside me.

“Thank you, sir.” And with that, I turned around and walked out of the premises that I would soon grow to be familiar with.

I just really hoped that I could keep myself together.