Million Dollar Devil

7.

I get to the office early, hoping to get a head start on my work before Mr. Hayes arrives. Sitting at my desk, I nervously chew the eraser of my pencil as I scroll through all the emails, sorting them by urgency. I begin to schedule Mr. Hayes' upcoming weeks, meeting after meeting. I don't envy his life.

I sip my coffee and sit back in my comfy chair, running my hands through my brown curls lazily. I'm tired; there's no denying that. I get home from Lilacs at 1 a.m. and wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get here by 6. The office is quiet; I make a note to myself to get here early more often. The drive is easier, the view from the office even more beautiful, and I manage to avoid the looks of all the beautiful women at AKMO who see me as wholly undeserving of my proximity to Mr. Hayes. I'm used to competitive female environments; that part doesn't bother me, though I wish we didn't all feel pitted against each other.

I hear the door to Mr. Hayes' office click open, and voices fill the room. What sounds like laughter echoes through the hallway. Laughter? I'm so sure Mr. Hayes is completely incapable of such an act. I quietly tiptoe to my door, cracking it open just enough to peek one eye out. Mr. Hayes stands by his desk, and the man I remember as Jackson stands across from him with the same goofy smile. They talk like old friends. Mr. Hayes' lips curve upwards at the sides as he fights back a smile. Jackson playfully punches his shoulder. Mr. Hayes rolls his eyes in response before sitting down in his chair and opening his laptop, ignoring Jackson's childish games. Jackson's eyes wander toward my office. I quickly shut the door, scrambling to my desk just in time.

Knock! Knock!

"Door is open!" I call in response, quickly pulling myself together and positioning my hands on the keyboard as if I were mid-email.

"You're here early for a negligent assistant," he smiles, walking into my office. He leans against my wall casually, as if this is the usual morning ritual and we haven't just met last night.

"What type of errands are you running for Mr. Hayes today? Dropping off new stilettos for the receptionist, perhaps?" I raise an eyebrow at him. He chuckles in response.

"No, just dropping off a coffee for Mr. Hayes," he winks at me, a smirk growing on his face. I roll my eyes and huff dramatically. Clearly, he knows the whole story, though I had hoped he had been kept in the dark.

"Shut up," I glare at him, only making him chuckle more. He is even more handsome when he laughs.

"Jackson!" Mr. Hayes' deep voice echoes through the hallway.

"In here!" Jackson shouts over his shoulder, showing no intention of moving from his place in my office. His broad shoulder leans against my wall, a smirk still evident on his face as he watches me with amusement. I can already tell this is going to be our relationship—sarcastic banter and endless smirks. I'm not mad about it.

Heavy footsteps sound in the hallway before Mr. Hayes appears at my door, looking curiously between a smirking Jackson and me.

"Stop distracting Lillian," Mr. Hayes says pointedly at Jackson, though his eyes aren't as serious as his tone.

"Why?" Jackson looks at him blankly, "It's so much more fun than talking to you." Mr. Hayes is now the one rolling his eyes and shaking his head. I can tell that their relationship exceeds office banter; they are friends. It is obvious. Mr. Hayes is the brooding, quiet one—handsome but mysterious. Jackson is the yin to his yang—charming and sweet, a real smooth talker. I can just see the power duo they make picking up girls at a bar.

"I'm not paying you to distract my assistant," the way he says "my" sends an immediate shiver down my spine. I stop myself from thinking about it any further.