Even without my help.
Today’s the first day as Damon Ridge’s personal assistant. I’m awake with fresh eyes and a new mind. Parking my car in the garage, I enter the building and in big letters I see Ridge, Fowler, Ziegler and Associates. This is the start.
I wait in the lobby for Mandy and when I see her come in, we take the elevator to the eighth floor.
“You ready?”
“Yeah,” I answer, “so ready.”
Stepping off the elevator, Mandy brings me to Damon’s office and once inside, my jaw drops. I’m working for the sexiest man on this planet. He’s tall with dark brown hair, chiseled jaw, muscles galore and deep brown eyes. I look down and move a little to see if my panties are still on.
Oh shit.
“I know. Hot, huh?” Mandy whispers. “Morning Damon.”
“Wait! Mandy,” I utter, trying to get her attention before he sees me.
He looks up and smiles at us. “Ladies, good morning. And I presume you’re Bayleigh.” He looks at me with familiarity and I feel so small. I should walk away now and never look back.
“Hi Damon. Sir. Boss man,” I instantly turn red and curse myself. “Present,” I raise my hand a smile. In the corner of my eye, I see Mandy trying to hold in her laugh.
Getting up from his chair, behind his mahogany desk, Damon walks to me and shakes my hand. Wow, his hand is soft.
“Nice to meet you. Thanks Mandy,” he winks at her and she leaves, mouthing be good. I shake my head and Damon guides me to sit down. “So, today’s your first day.”
“Yes it is,” I confidently say, “thank you again for this opportunity. It means the world to me. I want to apologize about the other day at the gym. That was extremely rude of me.”
“No worries,” he smiles, “you’re feisty and seem like you don’t like to quit.” If he only knew. “I like my employees to be fighters and I think you’ll be a good fit. I’m glad to have you.” Damon sits back down and hands me a packet. “Inside, you’ll find some necessary paperwork, your company credit card and keys to your company car.”
“Credit card? Car? What?”
He nods, “Yes. As my personal assistant I will need you to travel with me at times and you need to look your best. Our firm is all about being professional, and having fun of course. Our clients are multi-billionaires and expect the best, so we show them the best.” I look down at my outfit and cringe. “You look fine, Bayleigh,” he tells me, “and the car will be used for whatever you need to. Working for me, I don’t want you to use your own vehicle or money. If you and Mandy go out for lunch or happy hour, use the card and if you run an errand for me, use the card and car. See where I’m going?” I nod, still in shock that these perks are being given to me. “Also, there’s a card for my driver, Johnson, so whatever you need, please call him and he’ll be at your disposal. Like I said, the information is all there, so be sure to read it over.”
“No problem. I got it.”
“I’m a very laid back and fun man, but I expect the best. My door is always open and I expect you’ll have questions, so be sure to ask. I’ll need you to attend meetings with me and take notes, review anything I write to make sure I don’t sound like an idiot,” he laughs. “In case I am absent, I’ll need you to still attend any meetings or functions. Other than that, there will be basic, every day assistant tasks, and like I said, if you have questions, ask.”
“Got it,” I smile. “So, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What happened to your other assistants?”
“Well,” he leans back and smirks, “I’ve had a few and all of them were let go because of incompetence and one wanted me for herself,” he laughs. “I’m a smart man or else my name wouldn’t be up on the door alongside my best friends. I work hard and expect my team to work hard. I’m honest and expect honesty. Get it?”
“Yes, sir.” Saying this causes him to smile. We talk about some other tasks and he shows me to my office. I’m stunned. My desk is huge and there’s a long couch against the wall along with a bookcase, two chairs in front of my desk, and a view of Rochester. “Wow,” I exclaim, “this is awesome!” Turning around, I look at Damon, “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Get comfortable and settled in. We have a meeting at noon,” he winks and heads out of my office.
Turning on the computer and taking out the information from the packet, I read everything over and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary. Breathing easier, I turn my chair to face the outside world and spread out my arms, feeling free.
Starting at noon until five, we have meetings and seeing Damon in action is brilliant. He’s confident with his words and people listen. We don’t have time to talk between meetings and I keep the notes clear and to the point. In the packet he gave me this morning, it states he doesn’t want essays, he wants the major points, any problems and solutions. In addition, he wants me to add any of my thoughts if I have any, and then all the notes need to be typed and emailed to him, but to store the paper notes in a safe place.
Finishing my email, I press send and gather my things. I head to Damon’s office to say goodbye and see Mandy sitting down, talking to him. Knocking on the door, I get their attention and smile, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I look at Mandy and the look in her eyes confirms my initial thought. Damon’s the Mystery Man. I know her too well and how she’s been acting.
“Have a nice night and good job today,” Damon tells me with a smile.
“Thanks. Mandy, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sounds good,” she responds.
With a final wave, I head out of the office and to my car. When I get back home, I feel different. It feels good to be out of the house and doing something. I have a job and I’ll be making money. I look around my house and check my dad’s office. No one’s home yet. Grabbing an apple from the counter, I have a funny feeling. Looking around, I don’t see anything out of whack. Shaking my head, I ignore the feeling and head to my bedroom. Opening my door, I drop my purse and cover my mouth.
“Ryan?” I let out. Tears flood my eyes and I’m shaky. “Ryan, what are you doing here?”
His green eyes meet mine and all I can do is break down and cry.
“Bayleigh,” he simply says, “hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
Ryan walks around my room, touching my dresser and the pictures on my wall. He’s not talking to me and I have to sit down. This isn’t happening. Ryan Scott is not here. It’s been two years since I’ve seen him. After that night he up and left. No one’s heard from him and now he’s here as if nothing is wrong.
“I’m back,” he easily says. There’s something different about him. I’m not sure if it’s the calm in his voice or the bright green eyes that soothe my nerves.
“You’re back?” I repeat to him, “You think you can come here and be in my room as if nothing happened?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m doing.”
“You’re an asshole, Ryan!” I yell. “You do not have the right to come back into town and into my life. I’ve been through hell and needed my best friend.”
“You have Tyler. He’s your boyfriend, right? And best friend.”
I squint my eyes at him, “Low blow.”
“How so?”
Throwing my hands in the air, I shake my head and ignore his stare. I’ve known the Scott brothers my whole life and never was able to tell them apart. Everything about them is the same, except when we got older, Tyler was the one who got good grades and did sports while Ryan got in trouble all the time and barely made it through high school. When we first met, Tyler smiled at me and something sparked inside. I mean, we were only five years old, and then I met Ryan, and we clicked too. I love both boys and when Ryan left, it was like a piece of me went with him.