In The Light Of His Darkness

4- Jeremy Sterling

"Fuck man, how did you enter my room?" I groaned, trying to shield my eyes from the morning light with my blanket.

"How the heck can you be a CEO when you can't get up on time to do your work, man?" Josh retorted, climbing onto my bed. He knew full well how much I hated having anyone on my bed. It's not even during my one night with some girls, I ended up making a different room for that.

"Get off my bed," I mumbled, my voice muffled by the blanket.

Josh ignored me, yanking the covers away. "Seriously, dude, you need to get your act together. You've got a meeting in an hour."

I rubbed my eyes and sat up, glaring at him. "I know, I know. Just give me a minute."

Josh smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "You said that an hour ago when I called you. Come on, get moving."

Reluctantly, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, my head still foggy from the lack of sleep. "Alright, alright, I'm up. Happy now?"

"Ecstatic," Josh replied sarcastically, stepping back to give me space. "Now hurry up, we've got a busy day ahead."

"aye- aye captain" I said as I rubbed my face with my hands.

The next few hours went by in a rush. I ran through daily meetings and rechecked countless files. Some bastard had mixed up his story with a movie he was watching, completely changing the novel's situation.

I called an emergency meeting with the editorial team to sort out the mess, spending an hour dissecting the manuscript and cross-referencing it with previous drafts. My head pounded from the constant barrage of issues, but there was no time to rest.

By noon, I barely had time to grab a coffee before diving into another meeting with the marketing team. They were excited about a new social media campaign for our latest thriller, but I could hardly focus, my mind drifting back to the manuscripts on my desk. After approving the campaign, I hurried back to my office.

The afternoon was a blur of phone calls, emails, and quick consultations. A tense call with an author's agent about contractual disputes had me pacing the room. I finally collapsed into my chair, glancing at the clock and realizing the day was slipping away faster than I could manage.

I rang the bell on my desk, summoning my new secretary. She had pleaded with me for at least two hours on her first day of work, begging for a second chance. Just before that, I had scolded her for not being at her post when I needed her. She had thrown a fit, insisting she could handle the job and promising never to be late again.

Honestly, she was just so nice that I couldn't resist her request. She looked so earnest and determined, and I just couldn't bring myself to turn her away. Besides, she had helped me on the bus the other day, a small act of kindness that I couldn't forget. Despite her rocky start, I decided to give her another chance, hoping she'd prove herself in this demanding environment.

The door in front of my desk opened, and she walked in. My new secretary, around 26, had an undeniable presence.

Her light brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, complementing her hazel eyes that seemed to sparkle with a blend of determination and nervous energy.

She wore a crisp white blouse tucked into a sleek pencil skirt that perfectly accentuated her hourglass figure, highlighting her curves in a way that was both professional and alluring. Her attire, coupled with a pair of modest heels, showcased her confidence and poise.

Despite the hectic morning, she managed a polite smile, her demeanor a mix of eagerness and trepidation.

"Yes, sir," she said in her sweet, thin voice. I could easily hear the tension in her tone. I cleared my throat and asked, "Do you have the files from this morning's meeting ready? I need them." As I spoke, I looked directly into her hazel eyes, trying to gauge her readiness.