Do you trust me?

one

-Gabriella POV-

My head was pounding from not having enough sleep. I am working 2 jobs to care for my wheelchair-bound father and putting my younger brother, Gary, through college.

I quit college in my second year when my parents were involved in a car accident. My mother passed away while my father was left with no mobility on his legs.

I had above average grades all through high school and in freshman year of college. Life was tough for me in school, being picked on every single time. I was bullied and made to do people's assignments so that they will not give my brother a hard time.

All this time, I kept these incidences hidden from my family. Especially my brother whom I know will not stand for it. Despite our 2 years gap, he is very protective of me. I am just happy that he didnt experience what I did throughout high school.

As I walked to my desk for my day job as a HR assistant for a courier company, I heard giggles coming from some of the staff while glancing at me.

"Oh no. What did they do now?" I sighed to myself.

I am casted at my workplace to the bottom of the social circle. The reason? Because they felt like it. One of the staff, Stacy, was my high schoolmate who eventually told the rest about me. About how it was easy to pick on me. And that I was too afraid to retalliate.

To be honest, I was not afraid anymore, I just felt numb to it and have more important things to worry about. It is better I just take it in. She is also known to be having an affair with my boss. I dont want to lose my job because of her. I need this job desperately.

Not all the staff is bad, but those who did not pick on me prefer to stay out of trouble with Stacy.

As I approached my desk, I saw it was littered with post-its. There were some writings on it.

Loser

Bitch

Office skank

Those were some of them.

I took a deep breath holding back the tears which were threatening to fall and picked out all the post-its from my desk and throw them away.

-Zach POV-

I met Josh Gabber, the Vice Chairman for the courier company Im assigned to for my mission. The agency did well to put me in as the managing director for human resources.

"So are we meeting the Chairman?"

Josh: Oh no. The chairman rarely comes in. He prefers to work out of office. He is very involved but prefer to have minimal interaction with staff. You will have a chance to meet him soon though. He interacts mostly with management.

Wow. Now I know why Im placed in this position. The amount of homework I had to do for this position is impeccable to ensure the fake CV and identity the agency crafted for me is believable. I have 6 months to complete my mission.

Now my identity is Warren Ashton, 30 years old.

Josh: So Mr Ashton, I will take you to your office and introduce you to your staff.

"Thank you Mr Gabber."

Josh: Call me Josh.

"In that case, Warren for me."

As we were walking through the office, I saw the staff members glancing at my direction with utmost curiosity. Some of the female staff even tried to flirt through their smiles.

I kept my stoic expression throughout until I saw a woman not looking at my direction. She was busy picking out post-its and throwing them away. It looked as if her whole desk had them.

My attention was fixed onto her that I didnt realise Josh clearing his throat to introduce me.

Josh looked over to the woman picking up the post-its and called out to her.

Josh: Ms Sanders, would you care to join the rest of the staff here?

Gabriella: Yes Mr Gabber. Sorry I didnt see you there.

I was mesmerised by her for some reason. She has dark brown hair that curls at the bottom below her shoulders and a petite figure. She is almost a foot shorter than me. She looked down avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Josh: Good morning everyone. I would like to introduce you to Mr Warren Ashton. He will be replacing Mr Andrews, who has retired, as your new Managing Director for Human Resources.

The staff clapped as a welcome to me with flirtatious glances from some of the female staff.

This is going to be interesting. I get turned off by outward advances from woman. I am traditional. I like my woman wooed after.

Josh: Mr Ashton, let me show you to your room. (Turning to the woman I saw earlier) Ms Sanders, come with me please.

As we entered the huge office overlooking the streets on the 20th storey, Josh closed the door behind them.

Josh: Warren this will be your office and Ms Sanders will be your new personal assistant.

I saw a shocked expression on her face.

Gabriella: Yes Mr Gabber.

Josh: Ms Sanders will fill you in Warren. Ill be in the office above.

With that he left the room with me and her.

"Whats your name?"

Gabriella: Gabriella Sanders sir.

"How old are you Gabriella?"

Gabriella: Im.. 22.. sir.

"How long have you worked here?"

Gabriella: About 3 years sir.

I nodded.

"Why did you look shocked when Josh told you that you are my assistant? "

Gabriella: Im.. sorry sir. I wasnt informed on that. Normally Ms Stacy Denver would take on that role.

I nodded to her.

"Very well. Now that you are assigned to me, I expect impeccable work from you. Now fetch me the current reports that needed to be looked through and you can fill me in."

I saw a glimmer of excitement in her eyes which I noticed was hazel. I could get lost in her gaze.

I shook the idea off my head when she nodded and left my office.