His Personal Assistant

7. | Deal

"This is for you." I set the coffee down on her desk.

She leans back in her chair, eying the cup. "Why?"

I inhale. "I...believe we got off on the wrong foot." I link my hands together.

"We didn't." She looks up at me, a smug look on her face. "But thanks for the coffee." She smiles, taking a sip while maintaining eye contact with me.

"I'm trying to make amends." I state.

"Well, don't." She glares. "It won't do you any good." She stands up, walking away.

"Why do you hate me?" I call after her, turning as she freezes.

She turns to me. "Because you stole my job."

"I didn't steal anything! He didn't even have this position before I worked here." At least I don't think he did.

"And what makes you so special?" She narrows her eyes.

I stammer. "I— I don't know." I whisper.

"Well, then." She smiles, but it's anything but kind. "I believe this conversation is over." She turns, walking away.

Sighing, I walk to Mason's desk and place my hands on it, leaning. "Did the boss have a personal assistant position before I came here?"

"Not that I know of." He answers while still typing on his computer.

"Do you know why he'd pick me? Of all people? To take that job?" I raise my eyebrows.

He finally turns and looks at me. "I do know." I smile. "But I'm not gonna tell you." My smile vanishes.

"Why?"

"Because it's Rhys' business, not mine. You want an answer, go ask him. He's in his office." I sigh, pushing off his desk and walking to Rhys's office.

"What is it?" He calls, typing on his computer.

The closer I get, the more I realize he never went home. "Did you even go home last night?" I cross my arms.

"I did exactly as you told, Naomi."

"Really? Because you're still in the same clothes as yesterday, you still have the same cup of coffee," I use my hand to gesture to the cup. "And you have eyebags as deep as the pacific ocean." Little exaggerated, but he looks exhausted.

"I'm fine, Naomi. I got plenty of sleep."

"That's the biggest lie I've ever heard. And mind you, I have a friend with chronic insomnia." I cross my arms. He runs a hand through his messy hair, and I point to the door. "Go home." I enunciate slowly.

"I don't need to."

"Rhys whatever-your-middle-name-is Croyso, go home and get some sleep, because quite frankly, you look like a wreck. And you're supposed to be professional! This is not professional."

"I have no meetings today." He looks up at me tiredly.

"Exactly why you should go home and sleep. I'll take care of things in the office." I sigh. "Besides, it's my fault you didn't get any sleep anyway." I cross my arms, looking up at the ceiling. "If I hadn't fallen asleep, you would've gone home and gotten some rest."

"Jesus." He mutters, running a hand over his face. "If I go home, would it make you feel better?"

I grin. "Yes. It would."

"Fine. I'll go." He pushes himself up. "Mason!" It takes only a few seconds before Mason pokes his head in. "Naomi is in charge while I'm out. See to it that everyone follows my rules." He tells as he shrugs on his suit jacket, grabbing his phone and laptop.

"Aht." I grab his laptop. "Nice try."

He sighs exasperatedly before walking out the door. Once he's gone, Mason turns to me. "What's first, Boss?"

I smile, walking toward him. "Nothing. Just continue work as normal."

"Ugh, that's so miserable." I grin, shaking my head as I walk to my desk. "Come on. There's gotta be something fun we can do."

My phone buzzes. I pull it out as I respond, "We're not doing anything but what we normally do, Mase." My smile fades as I read the email I received.

"Nai? You okay?"

I shut off my phone, turning to face him with a fake smile. "I'm fine." I wave at him. "Get back to work. There's no fun happening."

He seems to know there's more to it, but he plays along, smiling before jogging off to his desk. I exhale as I sit down in my chair. I run my fingers through my hair. Anxiety simmers in my stomach as I think back to the email.

From: reynolds.kylie@gmail.com

To: walker.naomi@gmail.com

I know your secret. You wouldn't want word to get around about your sick, old daddy, now would you? Stay away from Rhys. This is your last warning. I don't care if you're his personal assistant. Quit the job if you have to. He's mine. Next time, I won't ask so nicely. And someone's bound to get hurt.

Okay. It was a literal threat. Meaning, I could end up seriously injured. Or someone else.

Do I report it? Do I let it sit there?

"New girl, where—" She cuts off. "What's wrong with you?" Her brows furrow.

My hands are shaking and I feel like crying. Pushing myself up, I dash to the elevator, taking it down to the main floor. I dash to a back exit, inhaling the cool air, but there's a knot in my throat.

I pace back and forth, trying to keep my tears down. "New girl, what the hell?" Lindsey bucks her hip, staring at me with anger.

"She-She knows. She threatened me. Could she hurt me? Could she hurt other people? Oh, God." I panic.

"Woah, okay. Let's calm down." She places her hands on my shoulders, stopping my pacing. "What happened?"

I pat my pockets. "My phone. Where's my phone?" I mumble.

"You mean this?" She holds it up.

"Yes." I take it from her, unlocking it and pulling up the email to show her. "Here." I hand it to her, and she takes it from me, reading it. I begin pacing again.

"Okay, you need to report this. She threatened you, Naomi." She states.

"I know. But she-she could hurt me, or other people, right? What if she retaliates?" I rub my hands against my skirt.

"Okay, Naomi, look at me." She places her hands on my shoulders again. "Take a deep breath," I do as she does. "Now relax. Don't think about this." She holds my phone up before tucking it away in a pocket.

"My dad. What about my dad?"

"Don't worry about him. I won't let her spread any rumors about you." She assures.

I tilt my head, confused. "Why?"

She exhales. "Because...I know what it's like. My mom is sick, too." My anxiety lessens. An idea sparks. "She won't do anything if you're with me, because she's afraid of me..."

"What are you saying?"

"What if you become my work best friend?" She tilts her head, eyes narrowed as she thinks about it. "She wouldn't do anything knowing you're fitting in with the crowd. So what do you say we become work besties?" Her lips tilt up slightly, her eyebrows raised.

I inhale deeply. "Deal."