chapter six

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, I woke up at 5 am, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was my first day as the personal assistant to the CEO Of Crystal Cove Hotel, a position I had secured through a combination of luck and perseverance. I couldn't wait to start working alongside my new boss, who just so happened to be my newly acquired boyfriend.

As I got ready for work, I hummed my favorite BTS song, feeling like I was walking on air. I danced into the bathroom, twirling in front of the mirror, and caught a glimpse of my reflection. I smiled, feeling a sense of happiness wash over me. It had been a while since I'd felt this carefree.

I quickly finished getting dressed, choosing a brown bodycon top and a pleated white skirt that fell just above my knees. A brown belt added a touch of elegance to my outfit, and I felt confident and prepared for my first day.

As I walked out of my room, I hailed a cab on the road, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. When I arrived at the hotel, I was surprised to see a flurry of activity, with people bustling about and going about their daily routines. I thought to myself, "Isn't it a bit early for all this?"

I made my way to the receptionist, who greeted me with a warm smile. "Good morning, ma'am," she said, her eyes sparkling with friendliness.

"Good morning," I replied, feeling a bit unsure. "I'm looking for the CEO's office. Could you please direct me?"

The receptionist looked at me with a hint of curiosity. "Your name, please, and do you have an appointment with him?"

I smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'm so sorry, I didn't introduce myself properly. I'm the new personal assistant to Mr. Alex."

The receptionist's expression changed, and she looked at me with a skeptical gaze. "Oh, hold on, please," she said, her voice measured.

She dialed a number and made a quick call, her eyes never leaving mine. "Mr. Alex's office is the last office on your right on the third floor," she instructed me, her tone polite but detached.

I thanked her, smiling, and made my way to the elevator. As I stepped out on the third floor, I felt a sense of trepidation. What would my first day be like? Would I make a good impression?

I took a deep breath, smoothed my hair, and walked into Mr. Alex's office. "Good morning, Mr. Alex," I said, trying to sound confident.

He looked up from his laptop, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Good morning," he replied, his voice curt.

I stood there for a moment, waiting for him to acknowledge me further, but he simply returned to typing on his laptop. I felt a pang of uncertainty and cleared my throat. "May I have a seat, sir?"

He looked up at me again, his expression unreadable. "Are you here to sit down?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I apologized, feeling a bit taken aback by his tone. What had happened to the charming, sweet man I had met yesterday?

As I stood there, trying to compose myself, he asked me, "What are you here for?"

I took a deep breath and tried to explain, but my words tumbled out in a jumbled mess. He looked at me, his expression stern, and said, "You seem to have lost the ability to speak coherently. Do you need lessons on audible speech too?"

I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to maintain my composure. Who was this man, and why was he being so cruel?

I took another deep breath and tried to speak again, my voice shaking slightly. "I'm sorry for acting out, sir. I came this morning as instructed by you to resume as your assistant."

He looked at me, his expression softening slightly, and handed me a book. "Go through it and sign," he instructed me, his voice a bit more measured.

As I flipped through the pages, I felt a sense of unease. The terms of my employment seemed...unusual. I looked up at him, feeling a bit uncertain. "I'm finding it hard to comprehend some of the listed obligations here," I said, trying to sound calm.

He looked at me, his expression patient. "And what is it that you find hard to comprehend?"

I hesitated, feeling a bit unsure. "It states that I don't have a resumption and closing time, which is confusing enough, and then goes on to say you can call me at any time and also send me on any errand as you please."

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he explained my role, his eyes darted back and forth between his laptop and me. "As my assistant, you won't have any direct involvement with the hotel's operations. Your primary responsibility is to be available at my beck and call. Whenever I need you, you'll answer. Rest assured, you won't be expected to engage in any inappropriate activities. Your annual salary will be seventy thousand dollars."

I listened intently, my initial excitement dwindling as I began to see him in a strictly professional light. "Okay, when do I start?" I asked, my tone neutral.

He stood up, packing his belongings into his bag. "You'll begin immediately, as soon as you agree to the terms. I have a business trip to Africa, and I need you to accompany me."

I nodded, having already signed the contract. "Alright, I've signed. May I have a few moments to return home and pack the necessary items for travel, sir?" I asked, making my way towards the door.

He shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Just follow me."