Roses Are Blue

Terms And Conditions

Henry placed his cup of coffee back on the saucer and stared at the lady before him with scepticism. One thing was certain, she had no coffee-making skills.

" The coffee taste is too strong and there is almost no sugar in it. It's too hot too. Were you planning to scald my tongue?"

"Sir?" Mabel bowed her head. "I'm sorry sir."

He sighed and stroked his beard "Have a sit miss Paul."

She sat down still unable to look at him. He watched her grasp the edge of her jacket like it could stop her from being nervous.

"I'm not a harsh boss. In fact, I'm so benevolent that my father is scared it would be a problem for Beltec. As long as you do the right thing... There won't be any problem. There's no need to panic as much as you're panicking right now." he said in a bid to reduce her tension.

"Thank you, sir... I know you're a good boss... I mean, of course, I've only heard good things about you." she replied.

"You had time to hear things about me?" Henry asked worried about what she might have heard. That he was into BDSM or he was married?

"Not that I have been gossiping sir, I just heard someone say you're a great person. Which made me feel bad about my actions the other day."

Henry sighed "Good. You're my secretary now Miss Paul, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but avoiding eye contact and fidgeting like this won't work. I'd rather work with the Harriet Tubman that barged into my office the other day. So press whatever button you need to press to snap back into that mode."

She looked into his eyes and swallowed hard "Yes sir. "

"Miss George must have filled you in but I'll like to reiterate and also add some more things to the list. Your job is to assist in planning meetings, attend meetings, be almost everywhere I am, make travel arrangements, handle confidential documents, receive, screen and redirect phone calls, maintain records, and prepare reports and presentations... " He paused and stared at her flushed face.

" Breathe miss Paul. "

" Huh? " She didn't even realise she had been holding her breath for a while. She exhaled and straightened her skirt." Go on Mr Daniels. "
 
He continued staring into her eyes as he added "There are other things you would have to do which normally shouldn't be on the list. "

He forced a smile even as he prayed in his mind that everything would go as planned. To protect her life he must risk everything including his safety. Kimberley might just be right. It would be hard to keep her close.

*****

Mabel adjusted in her seat. What else was he expecting from her? He wasn't expecting her to drive him around, was he? Whatever it was she had a bad feeling about it. This whole promotion has brought her nothing but discomfort and curiosity.

"I'm hiring you as a full-time personal assistant You'll be staying at the secretary's quarters in my house... If you miss your family, you can inform me and I'll let you spend a day or two with them, on weekends of course."

"Sir?" Her Jaws dropped in shock. "Why do I have to do that sir? Why do I have to live with you? I'm sorry sir I can't do that."

The CEO nodded slowly. "you finally pressed the Tubman button...Miss Paul come to think of it, why will a company offer such a huge salary to a secretary if there wouldn't be certain conditions?"

Mabel scoffed, what a shameless pervert! What did he take her for? "I'm sorry I'll have to decline sir."

"it's not what you're thinking miss Paul. I'm a very decent man. Your staying at the secretary's quarters in my house is strictly for business purposes. I have no ulterior motive, I will also sign an agreement which gives you and your next of Kin the right to sue me and my company for any breach of the contract."