The Substitute.

chapter one.

I sat in one of the two black leather chairs opposite Damien. His name had startled me a little and I couldn't resist a vampire diaries comparison. Then I remembered the guy in the series was Damon not Damien but still. He had that dangerous aura around him and he had probably played football in high school, a total jock, I thought while fully taking in his impressive biceps and what I knew was a six pack beneath that starched shirt.

His gaze burned holes into me, forcing me to meet his emerald orbs. My heart skipped a beat much to my dismay and I reluctantly noted that he was the finest male specimen I had ever laid eyes on. Macy had vaguely mentioned that her boss was sort of cute but looking at him now, that was the understatement of the decade.

Said specimen cleared his throat. "As my assistant, you work twenty four hours a day and seven days a week. " he paused when he notice by bewildered expression. Unless I was hallucinating for the last year and a half, Macy left for work at 8 and was back before six.

His rugged features morphed into a questioning look and I wondered how he managed to look both arrogant and hot at the same time.

"Is there a problem?" He asked. His head cocked slightly to the left.

I gave him the 'duh' look, quickly disguising it as a cough when he looked unamused." Yes. Well not really. But from watching Macy, I mean Ms. Lane. I assumed this was a nine to five job. Well, eight to five but you get my drift...Sir? It ended up sounding like a question.

An expression I couldn't decipher crossed his features but it was gone as fast as it came.

"Ms. Lane might have given you such an impression but that's not the case." I snorted inwardly. Yeah, no kidding. "If I need something, you handle it. No matter what it is or what time I need it."

My fists clenched under the table and I counted from a hundred backwards in my head to clamp down the sudden surge of anger at his tone. Fortunately, I would only bear this for four more days, well six since apparently this was a 24 hour job.

More so, he probably didn't need much cause Macy was at home more often than I was and I was the one working in a bakery. That made me feel almost better. Almost.

The trill of a cellphone cut through what was quickly turning into a tense silence and I breathed a sigh of relief. Damien held up a single finger asking me to give him a second before standing up.

"Hello," he muttered huskily into the sleek iPhone. I made a mental note to never answer my battered phone in his Majesty's presence.

In a second, Damien's entire demeanor changed. I couldn't see his face cause his stood with his back to me but his stance appeared more relaxed. Serene even.

"Yes, baby?" he said softly. My eyes widened at the term of endearment to the person. A girlfriend maybe? He had no ring on his finger, I'd checked.

The taste of jealousy was bitter on my tongue. It must be nice to be addressed so sweetly. Not that I would know. My last boyfriend which was over six years ago had asked me out me on a dare apparently and proceeded to dump me via a text message. After collecting his a hundred dollars that is.

"- of course my darling," Damien's voice broke through my thoughts. At this point it was too late to give him privacy so I just listened on. " No, I promise. I won't. I love you too, princess."

" I need you to deliver flowers to this address," He said as soon as he hung up and it took me a second to realise he was talking to me. He obviously took his relationship very seriously if he was still giving her flowers.

My eyes snapped to his. "White roses in a large size flower basket." He scribbled what I assumed was the address and held out the paper. " Have them delivered as soon as possible and charge everything to this card." He said curtly.

I took the shiny black card gingerly. "Um- what should the card s-say?" I asked awkwardly. When he said assistant, what came to mind was lots of paperwork and coffee making not delivery girl to his lovers.

"To my princess." He replied.

"Huh?- oh right the card..on the flowers.." I fought the blush threatening to consume me. He probably thought me both incompetent and a moron.

Suddenly, the office phone on his desk rang. He glared at it for a second before picking up.

"Storm." He barked into the receiver and I flinched slightly at his tone. Wow. My heart went out to the person on the other end of the line.

When Damien swivelled his chair to face the window, I took that as my cue to leave. Outside his office, his receptionist, Rita was it, gave me a strange look but silently pointed me to a door across the room. As stepped in, it was obviously my temporary office. Beige walls, a high tech computer on a small neat desk with several piles of what looked suspiciously like paperwork.

I let out a sigh before digging into my purse for the number of the specific flower shop he had demanded I order from. I kicked off the dangerous stilettoes before sitting back in the comfortable leather chair and dialled.

"Good morning. I would like to order some flowers and have-," the conversation lasted several minutes and I hung up only after giving a detailed description of the flowers and reading out the address twice to the man.

Curiosity got the better of me and I grabbed the top folder, flipping through. It was mostly hard copies of sent and received emails mostly from different countries. My eyes widened ,Brazil, China, Australia? Obviously, this was a worldwide business.

"Aubrey come to my office." The voice startled me causing the folder to fall out of my hands and I held on to the desk to keep from falling out of my chair. My eyes flew to the door and I froze when I saw nobody. The hell!?

Then I notice a small red light on the phone. Oh right! It was like some sort of intercom. I stood up knowing it was only Damien who was that rude. It did not skip my mind though that it was the first time he had said my name.

I knocked twice on his door, proceeding inside when I heard a gruff ' come in'. Damien sat with his arms folded on the desk in front of him.

He glared at me before he pointedly glanced at the door. Right. I quietly closed the door I'd been unconsciously holding open and crossed the room before sinking into the chair.

Damien's mouth morphed into a smirk. " Why are you barefoot? "

It took me a second to fully comprehend his statement. To my horror, when I glanced down, the first thing I saw was the purple nail polish I'd applied two days ago. Fuck.

"So, sir is there a reason why you called?" Changing the topic seemed like the least embarrassing option for me. I regretted it though when all the mirth slipped from his face and the sardonic look was back.

He held out a thin file. "I need you to sign these. It's an NDA."

I took the papers. "Okay. But I honestly do not think that is necess-," his icy glare cut me off ,"I mean, yes."

A pen was placed neatly on top so I just signed immediately.

"Will you not read through it?" Damien asked.

I smiled tightly. "No," I would be out of here permanently after a few days so I was good.

I asked if that that was all and he didn't reply. He instead held out a calendar of sorts. The numerous colours made my head swim.

"That's my schedule for the next month. Feed it into this." My eyes widened when he held out a brand new iPad. I'd never seen Macy with one which was weird.

I grabbed the device, eyeing it with suspicion. "Okay. Must I hand this in at the end of the day?" That seemed logical.

He gave me an odd look, "No."

I blinked. Fine. I tightened my grip on the iPad, "Is that all...Sir?" The word felt really weird on my tongue.

"Call me Damien." He said.

I looked at him sharply. "What?"

He gave me a blank look . "Call me Damien and that will be the last time I repeat myself."

I gritted my teeth, what an arrogant jerk!? But I nodded anyway.

"Alright... Damien." I sucked in a breath through my teeth. This was gonna be a long week.