1

Marie

I was awoken by my alarm clock, ringing and vibrating. God, I hate Mondays! I pull the covers off my body and head to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror and decide to take a bath, honestly, I look like shit. I put on a knee-length black skirt with a V-neck white top. I put on a pair of black heels and decide to leave my hair open and all-natural today.

Once I'm properly dressed I head to the kitchen and make myself a bowl of oatmeal. After finishing breakfast quickly and cleaning the dishes I grab my car keys and head out the door.

My office isn't too far, about 10-13 minutes so I don't really have to hurry. I work at one of the biggest companies in America, Allan Establishment, I work at one of its branches in New York as Mr. Carl Rodgers, the CEO's assistant. At 22 I'm pretty happy with my professional life, a stable job at a good company, a good boss, and friendly colleagues. I also earn pretty generously, people my age are usually struggling to find a suitable job but I'm happy.

I park my car in my usual parking spot and head inside the building. I reach the elevator and I'm greeted by my co-worker, Adam Smith. "Good Morning Marie. How are you?" He asks politely.

"Morning. I'm good. You? How was your weekend?" I ask.

"Very peaceful actually. We sent the kids to spend the weekend at their grandmother's place! Kids tend to get on your nerves, even though you love them." He says with a dry laugh.

I slightly laugh along with him. Almost immediately the elevator stops at my floor, "Here's my floor. Goodbye Adam!" I say stepping out of the elevator.

"Bye Marie, have a good day!" He says as the elevator door closes.

I walk into my office and put my things down. I reach for the landline phone on my desk and dial a number, "Hello Steve, Marie here. I'm good you? Yeah, the usual for Mr. Rodgers and I. Thank you so much. No he isn't here yet. Okay. Bye!" I hang up. I know how irritated Mr. Rodgers can get without his morning coffee. One of the only times Mr. Rodgers had actually snapped at me was when I forgot to get him his coffee.

Mr. Carl Rodgers has been working at Allan Establishment for nearly 10 years now. He's literally the best boss anyone can ask for. Kind, polite and fair. We all love him. I honestly thought working as the CEO's assistant in such a big company would be hard work but Mr. Rodgers is a really good boss, never burdens me or anything, one of the reasons why I love my job.

There was a knock on my door, I get up and open it and there stood Steve, the coffee guy "Thank you so much!" I say with a smile as Steve hands me two cups.

"Marie, it's my job. Stop thanking me!" Steve smiles and heads to the elevator.

I go to Mr Rodger's office which is right next to mine. I place the cup of coffee on his desk and head back to my office. Before I can enter my office, I hear someone very loudly say my name, "Marie Rodrigo!". A smile instantly appears on my lips as I know very well who that voice belongs to.

I turn around and greet my best friend with a smile, "Hi Nina!"

"Don't "Hi Nina" me! Where have you been? You didn't call me back the entire weekend, I was worried!" Nina narrows her eyes at me, clearly showing that she was pissed off.

"Sorry, I was super busy. It won't happen again. I promise!" I say flashing her with my best apologetic look.

Nina cools down and gives me slight smile. She moves towards me and gives me a hug, "It better not! I'll see you at lunch. I'm somewhat late! I have super important clients coming in. Byee!" Nina says pulling away and heading to the Accounts Department.

Nina Kelly and I were together at the NYU Stern School of Business. She was junior while I was a freshman but we became very close. Nina had actually recommended me to Mr. Rodgers for the job as his assistant as she had been working here for longer. She works as the Chief Financial Officer. Most of my friends are either in Texas or moved to different parts of America after college. Nina is the only one who's close by and one that I trust with my life.

As soon as I enter my office I get back to work. The telephone on my desk ran and I picked it up,"Mr. Rodger's Office, Marie speaking. How can I help?" I ask in the most polite manner possible.

"Marie, it's Carl. Please come to my office." He says.

"Okay Sir" he hangs up and I head to his office.

I knock on the door and hear a barely audible "Come in" and walk inside.

"Good Morning Mr. Rodgers" I smile.

He returns the smile, "Good Morning Marie. Marie now tell me, how long have you been working as my assistant?" He asks.

"Uh about a year now sir?" It comes out as a question.

"Exactly and how many times have I told you to call me Carl?" He asks.

"Sorry sir. I forget." I say looking at the ground.

"It's alright, it's just that Mr. Rodgers is too formal for my liking." He says and I nod, he tells everyone to call him Carl, I always forget.

"Now I need you to schedule all the meetings we have on Wednesday to another day. We can't have any meetings on Wednesday." Carl says.

I scrunch my nose in confusion and look at him, "Why? Is Wednesday a public holiday or something?"

"No, No. It's just that on Wednesday Mr. Allan is coming for an inspection and would like all meetings of that day to be cancelled."

"Mr. Allan...is? A very important client?" I ask not knowing who this man is and why he has so much authority.

Carl chuckles, "Marie, he's the The owner of Allan's Establishment, Mr. Karter Allan himself!"

My cheeks redden in embarrassment, I can't believe I'm so stupid, "Oh. So he's going to be there for the entire day?"

"Yes, since you've never met him Marie, I'll warn you Mr. Allan can be very cruel to people who fail him. So try to be on your best behavior. He won't have any problem with you I'm sure of it but be extra nice" Carl says.

"Okay sir. Anything else?" I ask.

"That's all for now Marie. Thank you!" He says.

I nod and exit his office and go back to mine. 

At around 12 there was knock on my door, "Come in!" I say.

Nina walks inside with a McDonald's bag in her hand, "I got lunch!" She says with a smile.

"You got me McDonald's?" I pout at her, "I love you so much Nina! Thank you! You're like the best thing that ever happened to me." I say with the biggest smile ever.

Nina takes a seat in front of me and laughs, "God you're so dramatic M"

"So how come you had time to go out before lunch to get McDonald's?" I ask stuffing French fries in my mouth.

"Well, the clients called and postponed the meeting for tomorrow. So technically I could have taken a day off but I decided to stay and do some inventory." She says and I nod.

"Nina do you know about Mr. Karter Allan?" I ask out of the blue. She's worked here for three years now, she probably knows about him.

"Well duh! Who doesn't? He's the owner of our company and not just that he's the youngest billionaire in America! Everyone knows him Marie" She says.

"Well not me. I just found out about him today. He's coming for an inspection on Wednesday and demanded that all meetings were to be cancelled." I say.

"He's coming? Oh shit!" Nina's smile is immediately replaced with a worried expression.

"Why what's the matter?"

"That man is cruel, whenever he comes he fires about half of our staff. That man is scary! And I hate to say this but he's insanely hot!" Nina says.

I slightly laugh at her, "Hot? Isn't he like 50?"

"50? No he's like 32 or something. Like I said youngest billionaire! You know you're lucky that you're Carl's assistant, the rest of us are dead. We all have to step up our A-game. I don't want to lose my job!" Nina says frantically.

"C'mon! The guy can't be that bad right?" I ask.

Nina simply shrugs. The guy can't be such a tyrant I mean, he can't right?

Who is this Karter Allan and why is everyone so petrified of him? I mean why is he so terrifying?