Chapter 2

Anastasia's Pov

I blew my stuffy nose into the tissue for the hundredth time. My headache threatening to split me up.

I sat on the worn out couch in the living room, the television blasting Ruth B’s Dandelions. As I sang along,I reflected on the lyrics of the song and burst into tears again.

Where exactly did things go wrong? I thought things were going on well between us?

Desmond and I had been doing great these past few months, we've been friends since childhood and most people thought we were dating. I don't know about him but I've always wanted more.

I've had a crush on him since we were young, his smooth and bright peculiar eyes did a lot to my fragile young heart and I prayed to the universe for him to ask me out which he did six months back.

Our families were happy for us and eagerly awaited when we would tie the knot. Unfortunately for me he declared abruptly that he wasn't sure about us and asked that we take a break.

“A break from what exactly?” I asked away in the empty room whilst sobbing. I scooped enough ice-cream in my mouth again and licked my spoon clean.

My phone ran suddenly from the kitchen, I sat up straight and strided to the kitchen, it was a private number.

“Hello?” I said , bringing the phone to my ears. “Good morning, is this Anastasia Sterling?” “Yes, this is her”, I replied affirmatively.

“This is Sophia from DRIC Interiors, I'm calling to inform you that you have been offered a job at our company as a Personal Assistant after careful consideration, please report to the company on Monday to begin work fully, congratulations” the bubbly voice said, I replied with a thanks and ended the call.

I looked at my phone again and slumped on the nearest chair, “I got the job!” I screamed out and punched the air, forgetting about my worries.

My stepmother and my 15years old step-sister Daisy rushed out, “Did you see a ghost?” Daisy asked, horrified. “No, but I got a job! At DRIC Interiors!” I said happily, hugged my sister and began to wail again.

“Desmond helped me when I was preparing for the interview, I wish he were here” I finished amidst tears. Mom patted my back.

“Desmond isn't worth your tears, I told you he is a playboy but you refuse to listen, now that this has happened, forget about him and move forward my baby” she said while wiping my tears.

I nodded, hugged her and buried my head in her warm chest. If anything, this job would enable us pay our house rent regularly and also cater for mom's health bills.

***

“Keep shut” I said as I stretched my hand and switched off the alarm ringing in my ears.

“6:05 am”, I screamed as I checked the time and jumped out of bed. I need to start preparing or I'll get to work late; on the first day of work!

I rushed to the bathroom, took a cold shower and brushed my teeth. I plugged in the dryer and dried my hair. After I was satisfied with myself, I came out of the bathroom.

Walking to my wardrobe, I brought out the outfits I had picked the previous night. It was a burgundy pencil skirt with a slight slit at the back; I complemented it with a white chiffon top and a flowery polka dot neck scarf.

I put on my clothes, applied a shiny gloss on my lips and curved out my eyelashes with mascara. I combed my hair and tied it up with a band.

I went to my shoe rack and slipped on my black wedge sandals and went out of my room.

“Good morning my princess, did you sleep well?” Mom asked, smiling feebly and pulling me into a tight hug.

“I slept well but my head aches, do we have aspirin?” I asked opening the drawer in the kitchen table.

“Found it”, I said and sat down to eat my breakfast, I dropped 2 tablets into my mouth and down it with water. I rushed out bidding my mom goodbye walking into the busy streets of New York.

DRIC Interiors is a few blocks away from my house, so I walked to work enjoying the cold air. I needed it to clear my head. After a few minutes, I was at the entrance of the company. I made my way to the receptionist.

“Good morning, I'm…” “Miss Sterling?” A voice that sounded just like the one I spoke with on the phone spoke behind me. I looked back and smiled “yes”.

“I am Sophia, please follow me” , she said professionally, I followed her to the last floor.

“Brenda, this is Miss Anastasia Sterling, the newly employed P.A for Mr. Jones”, Sophia introduced me to the woman behind the system in the office we entered and left shortly.

“So, Anastasia, can I call you Ana?”, She asked, “Yes of course Ma’am” I said politely. “Oh, call me Brenda, she said, “I will take you to Mr. Jones’s office and your cubicle, I must tell you that contrary to what you might have heard about him, he is a sweet young man, he is just….. different in his own way” she concluded.

“Oh, please, sweet my ass, he's a total jerk and a playboy known for chasing everything under skirt” I thought in my mind but still smiled anyway at Brenda’s statement.

She showed me his office and my seat like she said, she also gave me an iPad to track his calendar and my Identity card.

As she made her way out she stopped, faced me and said “ you won't have any problems with him if you carry out your duties well, also he resumes around 7am, make sure his coffee is already on his table before his arrival, he likes it dark and strong” she finished giving her instructions and left.

I stood up and went to the lunchroom to prepare his coffee. I made it just like I was instructed, and placed it on his table. I walked briskly to the door and opened it , just as I was about to close the door behind me, I smelled a sweet lavender fragrance in the atmosphere and stood still wondering whose scent it was.

His….I saw him walk towards the door but I was too shaken to move an inch. Not only does his scent do wonders to me, he looks could kill!! He is about 6 '2” tall , with a commanding aura. His athletic broad shoulders show that he spends hours in the gym.

His eyes were a shade of bright blue, it was inviting but with a hint of arrogance, his chestnut brown hair stood messily but perfectly fitted together.

He made confident strides to the door and stood eyes to eyes with me . “And you are?” He asked. I cleared my throat and said my name whilst leaving the entrance “ Anastasia Sterling, your new Personal Assistant”.

“Oh” he said and entered his office, closing the door after him. I calmed my heart and went to my seat.

I sat apprehensively waiting for my first instruction from him as I went through his itinerary.

The landline on my desk rang and I picked up, before I could speak, his thick commanding voice said, “My office, now!” I stood up and rushed to the office.

“Miss Sterling, did you make this coffee?”, I nodded. “taste it” ,he commanded. I hate coffee with my entire being, how can something that smelled so nice be that bitter at the same time. But I brought the cup to my mouth anyway and sipped the bitter content.

“How is it?” “bitter and strong” I replied meekly. “ Well, for you, maybe, but for me,it is not exactly strong like I needed it to be. “Take this out and make another this instant!”, he thundered.

“Crazy bastard!” I said under my breath as I took the cup away.

“Come again?” He queried and I stood still on my heels, he heard me!

Oh God, I'm so dead!