Mr. Lawson's Assistant

Chapter 3

Working with Mr. Lawson was much more difficult than I expected. Every day he would start the morning off by giving me a boat load of paperwork and tell me it needed to be done by the his first meeting. If I didn't finish the work, he would have me work on it between meetings. Luckily I was only needed for the public meetings, because Mr. Lawson constantly added to the papers throughout the day. While the work load was heavy, Mr. Lawson made it slightly easier. He was much more understanding than I had expected for a man in his position. And whenever I made a mistake he promptly insisted I fix it. He never yelled. His accomplices were somewhat vulgar with their comments about women, but he never uttered an inappropriate comment to me or around me for the entire two weeks I had been working for him. He also made it a point to correct the mens' speech, once I left the room.
Another thing he did not do, was burst into my office as he had done the first day. He always called for me, or knocked first. I thought that was odd for a man who was not much of a gentleman- as people had stated on the Internet. Mr. Lawson was a polite business man, he paid me well, and he never spoke to me out of his normal calm and collected tone. If something was really wrong, like I had forgotten about his meeting or something, he would quietly scold me in private. Often, just a look was enough to make me regret disobeying or forgetting, without him having to even raise his voice. 
I sat behind my desk, sorting out the papers that Mr. Lawson had given me this morning, trying to rush because I knew he had a meeting in an hour, and I hadn't even printed his papers for it yet. Jumping up, and rushing out of the room to get the pitcher of water, after I stuck the correct papers into the printer, I hurried around the corner and towards the pitcher counter. Seeing that there was only one left, I picked it up, but grimaced when I saw the remnants of orange juice inside. Throwing my gaze around for a sink, I pursed my lips when I saw none. I wanted to find Amy and ask her, but I needed to get my papers done. I had to pick up my brother from the airport tonight. But there was no doubt in my mind that Mr. Lawson would refuse to let me leave my work undone.
Growling in annoyance, I turned, and with the pitcher in hand, I ran towards the ladies restroom. Bursting inside, and kicking off my small heels, I shoved the pitcher under the water and began scrubbing it. By the time I was done, I knew my papers were as well, so I rushed back to my office. Midway there, I realized I forgot my shoes, and with an annoyed breath, and a half-curse under my breath, I turned and ran back. Unluckily for me, as I turned the last corner, I saw Mr. Lawson walking down the hall towards me. Immediately, he spotted me, and his eyes caught mine. He glanced down to the pitcher, then to my bare feet, raising his eyebrows. For a moment, his expression didn't change, and he just stared at me, but I didn't have time to explain, so I just ducked inside the women's restroom, adverting my eyes. Thanking God that my shoes were still there, I slipped them on, fixed my disheveled hair, and peeked back out into the hallway. Taking a look at my watch, I saw that I had under forty five minutes to finish the stack of paper work. Groaning inwardly, I rushed back to my office, as fast as the little heels would allow, and set the pitcher on my desk. I had sat down in my seat and began scrambling through the papers, before I glanced up to the empty water pitcher on my desk. 
Crap. 
Standing up again, kicking off my shoes under my desk, I grabbed the pitcher and moved towards the hallway. Just as I ran past Mr. Lawson's door, it opened.

"Oana..." My name caused me to freeze mid-run, "What are you doing?" Mr. Lawson asked me, stepping out of his office. I let out a shaky breath, and turned to face him. 
"Filling the pitcher- sir." I tacked sir on to my sentence quickly.  
"And your shoes?" 
"It's hard to run in heels." I replied quickly, feeling his intense blue gaze burning into me. 
You're definitely fired
"When you're done..." He paused, glancing me over once more, "Meet me in my office." With that, he closed the door, and I was left to go hurriedly fill my pitcher. Grabbing two glasses from the counter, and preparing the trey, I walked back to my office, and set it on my desk. Pulling the correct papers off the printer, I slipped on my shoes, and strightened my shirt, taking a deep breath before I walked into Mr. Lawson's office. His back was turned to me as I entered, but when I closed the door behind me, he turned and his eyes moved down to my feet.
"I wanted to tell you that my brother has flown in from out of the country, and I need you to cancel the rest of my plans for the day." He started, and I glanced down. "You might as well take the rest of the day off too." He sighed, seeing my expression, and I bit my lower lip. 
"Thank you-" I began, and a faint smile graced his beautiful lips. 
"But I need you back tomorrow." He quipped, and I wondered whether it would be acceptable to nod. 
"I'll be here at nine sharp." I decided to reaffirm my starting hour, instead of agreeing with him. He nodded, and as I turned to leave, he called after me, making me stop and turn back. 
"Did you finish the papers?" He asked, raising his eyebrows, and I was sure I visibly deflated. 
"No...sir." I managed, and he crossed his arms. Pursing my lips, I mumbled that I would finish them before I left, but he shook his head. 
"I'll finish them, go enjoy your date." He waved his hand dismissivly, but I frowned. 
"Date?" 
"Where else do you have to go that's so important?" He smirked, and I fumbled for words. "The picture on your desk?" He raised his eyebrows, and I turned a shade of pink. Thank goodness my complexion was tan-ish. He was referring to my brother and I in the frame on my desk. 
"I have to pick up my brother from the airport." I finally said, and he raised his eyebrows.  
"I see." 
I nodded, and he dismissed me with a wave of his hand, as he turned back towards his desk.
*
"Are you wearing heels?" My brother's voice echoed behind me, and I whirled around with a grin. 
"David!"
I rushed over to my brother like a six year old, and jumped up into his arms. David laughed, pulling me up to his chest, and squeezing me. Finally, he set me down, and I took a step back from him, gazing at his camouflage uniform.
He'd been away on duty for over a year, and I'd scarcely had any contact with him since he left. Last night, I got an email that told me he was coming home. All day I had barely been able to contain my excitement. "The heels make me look more professional." I pursed my lips, and he flashed me a bright smile. He hadn't changed much since I last saw him, but he had grown a little taller, and definitely stronger. His hair was grown out to almost an inch on top, but his beard was clean shaven, and he looked perfectly healthy. 
"Professional? For what?" He chuckled, and I rolled my eyes. 
"This thing called a job." I retorted.
At this, he chuckled and shook his head, lifting his backpack up onto his shoulder. "The car is out front." 
* 
"You work for Lawson's buisness company?" David asked, raising his eyebrows, as I threw my shoes into my closet, and gestured that he set his bag in front of my dresser. 
"I'm a personal assistant." I shrugged, yanking a pair of sweat pants and an oversized t-shirt from my closet. 
"How'd you manage that?" He grinned, and I scoffed. 
"My good looks." I pursed my lips, and David's eyes gleamed. 
"Is he blind?" 
For that, I hurled a pillow at my brother, but he caught it and hurled it back. David was four years older than me, but he never acted like it. 
"You can sleep on the couch." I threatened, crossing my arms. He grinned, and burst into laughter. "You think that's funny? I'm completely serious!" I gave him a satisfied smirk, and he returned the favor. 
"Make me." He taunted, and I glared at him. 
"Jerk." I rolled my eyes, stomping out of the room, but a small smile was itching at the corner of my lips.
I had missed him so much.