Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Exhaustion. Immerse, Intense, total exhaustion.

I kicked my shoes off the moment I got into my apartment and immediately collapsed on my bed. My first day of work had been so tiring and I knew tomorrow was probably going to be much worse. I hadn't seen much of Miss Rose and spent my day with Alice who gave me instructions on what to do a mile a minute and frowned really hard at me when I couldn't keep up. Hopefully, after today I wouldn't have to see much of Alice anymore.

I needed this job. I slowly turned over on my back staring at the plain white ceiling. My parents had abandoned me long ago, and I was self-sufficient. I needed to raise enough money to be able to go to grad-school and get my masters. Of course, there was also the issue of paying for rent and food, the prices here were a whole lot higher compared to back in Philly. I let out another sigh and rubbed my eyes before forcing myself out of bed and towards my kitchen.

I was way too tired to cook a proper meal and succumbed to eating a pot noodle instead, I knew I couldn't do this every other night or I would be very unhealthy. I just hoped I wouldn't feel this tired every day after work.

As I brushed my teeth I thought about Miss Rose and found myself smiling at my reflection despite myself. I couldn't deny that I wasn't excited to see her again, and I was a little intrigued by her. Just the idea that I was going to work in such close proximity to her made my heart flutter. I wondered a lot about her, how did she get to be a CEO this young? Why did she move to America? I fell asleep that night with her deep green eyes and playful smirk on my mind.

Thank God, I thought to myself as I looked down at my watch, 8:25am. I was five minutes early. Alice did not scowl at me when I showed up this morning so that was good. I was seated at my desk which was right outside the huge brown doors of Miss Rose's office as I reviewed her schedule for today. I felt a sense of pride, I had somehow managed to pull it all together just in time and was on top of what I needed to do. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

"Ah, If it isn't my beautiful PA"

I almost passed out realizing the CEO had appeared around the corner she was now standing in front of me. I quickly shot out of my seat avoiding her gaze as I bowed my head slightly, "good morning Miss Rose."

I tried not to focus on the fact that she had used the adjective 'beautiful' in describing me a few moments ago.

"Good morning Muna, what's my schedule for today?" She asked already walking into her office.

I guessed she expected me to follow her, so grabbing my iPad I rushed after her trying not to trip over my feet. I tried not to think about how nice my name sounded coming out of her mouth.

I cleared my throat, "you've got a meeting at The Royal Centre in thirty minutes..."

She had sat at her table and crossed her legs one over the other, resting them on her table while she listened to me read out her schedule. I felt my voice shake a little feeling her intense stare boring into me.

"What's your star sign Muna?"

"What?" I was thrown completely off balance by her sudden question.

"Your star sign, you know, astrology and all that." There was a hint of amusement in her eyes as she spoke.

"Um, Libra," I replied but it came out as more of a question.

"Oh yeah?" Miss Rose said grinning at me, "I'm a Pisces, we're compatible you know."

I stared at her for a moment and she just looked straight back at me with amusement growing in her eyes. How was I supposed to respond to my boss suddenly talking about star signs? Furthermore, how do I respond to my boss telling me that we are 'compatible'. My heart was beating heavy in my chest as I just stared dumbly at Miss Rose.

Today she was wearing a striped suit, matched with a pair of trainers as per usual. I could see the hint of what appeared to be a tattoo slipping through the collar of her shirt.

She glanced at her watch and I glanced at it too, it looked very expensive then she cursed quietly under her breath, "I'm going to be late to my meeting if we don't leave now."

I followed her out of the room on her heels. I felt a strange feeling of satisfaction watching her walk, each step she took seemed so assured, confident. I didn't even realize when we had ended up in the Starlight Industries car park and she led me to a black Jeep.

"Here," Miss Rose stated, tossing the car keys at me.

I stared at the keys in confusion. Why would she be giving me the keys to the car?

"Don't worry, there's the GPS system already installed in the car, I know you might not be familiar with this area yet"

That's when the panic seeped in, she wanted me to drive. She expected me to drive.

"Muna, if you continue standing there we're going to be late," Miss Rose stated as she began making her way towards the passenger seat.

I cleared my throat, "see um...the thing is. I can't drive."

Miss Rose did a double take, her eyes widening slightly, "you... you can't drive?"

I nodded. There was this silence as we both just stood kind of staring at each other.

"You do realize a huge part of your job as my PA entails you driving me to my various meetings and retreats, but...you can't drive?"

I nodded my head some more, I was going to lose my job and I had barely even started. My throat had gone dry. Miss Rose continued staring at me, it was almost comical, we looked like we were having a stare-off in the parking lot.

She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, "get in."

I basically sprinted to the passenger seat, my heels clicking against the gravel. I was too shocked at the fact that she hadn't just fired me on the spot.

Miss Rose placed her hand at the back of my chair as she looked over her shoulder and began reversing out of the car park. I ignored my heart racing up and kept my eyes ahead. The car was filled with her scent, it smelt like flowers. It seemed like such a contrast to her stern personality.

I sat in silence as she pulled out of the Starlight Industries car park and began racing down the highway.

"Muna"

I had to stop feeling my insides melting whenever she said my name.

"I know this sudden change must be hard for you, having to leave your life behind in Philadelphia. Especially having been forced to be so independent at such a young age."

I looked at her in shock, how did she know about that? There was a particular tone in her voice that I couldn't quite place.

"I ran an extensive background check on you," Miss Rose responded as if reading my thoughts.

I mean, obviously they had to. But how much did she know? I felt my heart picking up speed in my chest.

"Obviously not extensive enough, seeing as I didn't know you couldn't drive," Miss Rose mumbled, whatever emotion I thought I heard in her voice a few moments ago was gone.

The rest of the journey was in silence, Miss Rose seemed deep in her thoughts and I didn't want to disturb her. I just silently observed the way her jaw moved and her green eyes deep that were in serious concentration. Her knuckles held the steering wheel firmly, everything she seemed to do seemed so firm. She seemed so in control.

"We're here"

I could hardly take in the large building we were now parked in front of, Miss Rose had already stepped out of the car and was now making her way towards the building. I hurried after her clutching my iPad in my arms.

"You good?" Miss Rose said turning to me once we got into the elevator, her voice was calm and her eyes held mine.

"Um, yeah," I said, trying to suppress my panting.

I was very aware of her shoulders that were lightly brushing against mine.

"Good", she simply replied just as the elevator doors opened up. She began walking again leaving me trotting after her in my heels.

"So glad you could make it, Anastasia," a bald man said the moment we walked into the room.

We now stood in a large room, in the center of which was a huge round table with a diversity of old white men seated around it.

Miss Rose began shaking hands with the men whilst I stood there awkwardly clutching my laptop. She then walked towards the other side of the table and took a seat, not before pulling one out for me.

"Okay, so looking at the businesses financial records..."

The bald man had begun talking again and I brought out my iPad furiously typing notes. I felt rather anxious being in a room of such important looking people and began bobbing my leg awkwardly.

Miss Rose's hand reached and grabbed my leg to stop its jittering, all the while she was still looking up ahead, focusing on the meeting, but all I could focus on was her hand on my thigh.

I gulped.

She moved her hand away and I immediately felt cold from the loss of contact.

Sometime during the meeting, the bald headed man called for a brief break and that's how I found myself standing on a balcony. The view was beautiful and I kind of felt like I was lost in a trance looking out, watching the palm trees whilst the wind slapped my face, almost causing me to tear up.

"Hey there."

I turned around to see one of the men from inside approaching me, he was slightly overweight and had a grey beard. I suddenly felt uneasy.

"I see you're Anastasia's new PA, think you're gonna last?" he had a dangerous gleam in his eyes and he took a drink out of the glass he was holding, all the while not keeping his eyes off me.

I didn't reply but instead watched as his eyes scanned my body, immediately causing me to tug at my skirt.

He smirked. I was immediately filled with disgust and my mouth tasted sour.

"Malcolm, don't you think it's a little too early for alcohol?"

I felt my insides jump for joy as Miss Rose appeared through the doorway. She was wearing an expression I couldn't quite place and she slowly walked up to us. When she got to me, she snaked her arm around my waist.

My legs had already been trembling and I now felt like I was going to pass out.

"Just because you don't drink doesn't mean you've gotta spoil the fun for everyone else," Malcolm replied, his eyes lingered on Miss Rose's arm around my waist.

Then he looked up at me again, "nice seeing you around, don't think I got your name..."

Miss Rose's arm tightened around my waist and she basically drew me into her.

"It's none of your concern, Malcolm."

Her voice was so low and there was venom dripping from it, my heart was beating really fast now. Who was he? There was some form of tension between them and I seemed to be in the middle of it.

Malcolm smirked.

He took a gulp of the alcohol in his cup and walked away leaving Miss Rose and I behind on the balcony.

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