MY BEST ADDICTION

Chapter 2

“What?”, Marcus and I asked at the same time.
“Dude you can’t be serious. She barely started and you are going to task her that much?”, he asked confused.
“I thought you already had an assistant”
“I do but I just realized the workload is too much for him seeing as he is also the co-owner of the company, right Marcus?”, he said but was met with silence.
‘Marcus was also the owner?’, I thought dumbfounded for at least the hundredth time today. That was when the name of the company clicked. I always thought the double S stood for Seth’s full name, instead it was the letter of both their surnames.
“You weren’t supposed to say that but now that cat’s out of the bag, I guess it can’t be helped since I have to take care of the human resource of the company too”, he said sighing.
“But that is still inappropriate, sir. I’m just going to drag you back since I don’t have the experience”, I said trying to persuade him to change his mind about the whole thing.
“That’s why I have Marcus here, he is going to teach you all you need to know about being my assistant”, he said smiling innocently at me, but I felt that he was far from being an innocent person.
“I guess I have no other option. I’m going to do it very well that you might not want me to leave even after my internship is done”, I said determined.
“We will see about that”, he said challenging me.
“Guys tone down your flirting and no funny business at work”, Marcus warned us.
“Don’t worry, I don’t touch my employees and I don’t go for children either”, he said dismissing Marcus’ warning.
“To have you know I will be 21 soon, and don’t worry I don’t do old men either”, I played along trying to not let his words get to me.
“That’s good, now we know you won’t be a bootlicker like the rest”, Marcus said.
“Seeing as Marcus has agreed then let’s lay down some rules”, Seth said serious.
‘I see why his company is one of the best in the country’, I thought noticing his change in expression.
“Let’s hear them”
“Firstly, no slacking off at work, I hate lazy people and I won’t tolerate anything that is non-productive. Secondly, you can address me by my first name, since it doesn’t seem like there is that much difference between our ages, but that is for only when we are alone, as for when we have company you are to address me formally, and finally, no romantic feelings are welcomed, if you think you might fall in love with me, it’s either you leave now or bury those feelings because they won’t be reciprocated no matter what you do”, he said looking straight into my eyes which made me shiver for some reason.
‘Oh boy, I was in deep trouble’, I thought realising the effects he was already having on me. I understood why a lot of them failed in the end but I wasn’t going to allow myself be swayed.
“Don’t worry, I don’t fall for my employers either and no offence but I’ve met numerous hot guys before you”, I said assuring both him and myself.
“Touché but since that’s out of the way why don’t we start working then, and before I forget, as my assistant you are to attend every meeting I attend and every work trip I embark on”, he added concluding his statement.
“Okay, but where do I go now?”, I asked confused.
“For now you have to stay here and get used to my schedule while they take care of your office for you. After this week your office will be ready for you. Are you okay with that?”, he explained calmly as if worried I might not like the idea.
“Yes please”, I said nodding.
Marcus brought the contract for me to sign and after a while left Seth and I alone in the office. I took my phone and started reading some books online seeing as there wasn’t any work for me to do at that moment.
“What is so interesting on your phone that has got you addicted and smiling widely?”, I heard.
“An interesting book”, I answered smiling
“A book has got you that relaxed?”
“Yeah, for some reason books do calm me down and get me hooked. I guess my husband would have to propose with a book and not a ring”, I said smiling at him.
“Are you insinuating something? Maybe I should write it down for later reference”, he joked and I laughed heartedly.
“Hey, I said my husband”, I reprimanded playfully.
“Who knows”, he said winking at me.
He went back to his work and left me alone in my world.
He later asked me to fetch some documents he had printed from the printing room but seeing as I was new in the company I got lost a few times until a good Samaritan helped me with it. Just as I gave the documents to Seth, my phone rang. I looked in his direction asking for permission and he nodded allowing me to answer and not mind him. I checked the ID to find out it was a call from Haven, my best friend.
“Hello”, I greeted after answering the call.
“Hello sis”, she greeted back
“How is my favourite dancer doing?”, she asked. Well she was also kind of my part time boss since I usually go to her bar during the weekends.
“I’m good but I’m busy now so can you make it quick?’
“Chill, are you free this Saturday?”
“Saturday, yes I’m free. What is it that you want?’
“I need you”
“But I just came home, I need to rest”, I said trying to dissuade her from convincing me.
“You have to come, I told him you were coming back”
“What? You should have asked me before making such a decision”, I yelled at her causing Seth to look at me and ask if everything was okay. I mouthed an apology to him and excused myself to continue my call.
“I’m sorry okay, please just do me this favour and I’ll owe you”, she said and I could bet that she was pouting and giving her puppy eyes at the other end of the line.
“Okay fine”, I sighed and answered.
“Thank you, thank you, you’re the best. I would kiss you if you were here”, she said which I shook my head to.
“Let’s talk later okay, bye”, I said and hang up. I entered the office after the call and sat back in my seat.
I felt myself heating up at the thought of meeting “him” again.
“Is everything alright?”, I heard and turned to look in his direction but my current state made me excuse myself again to the washroom. I looked in the mirror to find my eyes clouded over and knew I was in trouble. I splashed water on my face and presented myself well before going back to the office.
“Well, who was that? Your boyfriend?”, he asked just as I entered and sat down.
“My fiancé”, I said smirking at him.
“Congratulations then”, he said and went back to his work and paid no more attention to me. We later went to the cafeteria in the building for my lunch and brought Seth’s lunch as well but he was too busy to even eat. The day passed in a blur and before we knew it, work had closed. All the interns were called back to the ninth floor for an announcement before we could go home.
“Not another elevator trip”, I muttered.
“Are you leaving?”, I asked seeing him arrange his desk
“Work’s over and there is no extra work to be done, so of course I’m leaving”, he said sounding so serious that I wondered who had pissed him off. I packed my things and followed after Seth to the elevator. Upon entering I pressed the ninth floor button and held on to the bar for the ride.
“Aren’t you getting off?”, I heard and opened my eyes to see that we had reached the ninth floor and he had already gotten off waiting for me. I got off quickly and followed him hoping I got there before the announcement started. I got there and saw some of the people I met earlier in the day. We greeted each other and waited for Marcus to show up. He came with Seth this time round to the front and greeted us.
“Most of you may not know, but this is our boss, Mr. Seth Simmons, he was busy earlier so couldn’t meet you”, Marcus said motioning to Seth to address us and I wondered who the boss really was between the two.
“Good evening everyone. Hope you enjoyed your first day here. I don’t know if you’ve been told but we are all a family here and you can approach anyone if you have a problem at work, all that matters is that you get the work done well and on time and you’re going to enjoy your internship. I wish you all the best in your internship and hope you do well for yourself and the company. Good evening”, he said and left for Marcus to continue.
“Since all is said and done, we will end here. Work starts at exactly 8 am and no excuses will be tolerated. Have a goodnight”, he said dismissing us. Just as I was about to leave I heard someone call my name. I turned and walked towards them waiting to hear what they had to say to me.
“I have a meeting tomorrow and I wanted to ask if you would want to go with me”, he asked leaving me dumbfounded.
“But I just started today and do not know the basics…….”, I started to say but calmed down.
“Yes sir. Is there anything I need to know before the meeting?”, I asked
“Don’t worry about that. I know this is your first day so to not pressure you too much Marcus would be attending with us. You just need to get used to everything, as of now consider yourself on probation for the position. Is that good for you?”
Who am I to decline such a nice offer. I agreed and we walked towards the elevator once again.
“I guess I have to get used to this”, I mumbled as the elevator opened and we entered. Holding tightly to the bar I felt a hand on mine and calmed down a little.
“Thank you”, I whispered and the smile he gave told me he heard me.
“See you tomorrow”, I waved at them and left to go home smiling.
‘My first day at work was a blast’, I thought and went to bed. I knew Haven wanted to know how work went for me but I declined since I was going to fill her in over the weekend anyway.