1 Chapter 1

I'm late! On my second day of work! Stopping for coffee was a horrible mistake, God forgive me. But now I'm running. And it's pouring rain. My squeaky rain boots are hitting the pavement. Part of me said to slow down, but I am so close to the building! Just...a couple...more...blocks! If I'm late, then he's late. If he's late, then I lose my job! And it pays so well!

Ah! I can just barely see it!

Bam! I crash into something hard, and fall backwards. I can barely see. The rain was already clouding my glasses, but now I was dizzy. I look across from me, only to realize that there is another person in front of me clutching their head. It finally hit me that it was a he. A he in a nice looking suit, at that. Well, at least at one point it was nice looking. Now, it had a large brown coffee stain across it.

He had this messy hair, that was dark and nearly black, not to mention this serious expression. Oh no. He must be upset. He struggled to get up, and then extended his hand and helped me up.

"Oh my God. Are you okay? I'm so sorry," I said, as I brushed off my yellow rain coat.

He looked at me for a second. "Yes. Thank you for asking," he said, as he looked around. "Oh. I must've been absolved in my thoughts. It appears as though I've walked past my office."

He turned around in the direction I had been walking, and I went to catch up with him. "Please. Let me make this up to you," I said.

"That is not necessary," He responded.

"I feel so guilty. Just let me buy you a new shirt," I explained. He nearly laughed.

"Oh. That is certainly not necessary," he said, seriously now. He quickly took out his phone and sent a quick message.

"I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but I'll really do anything. I feel very guilty."

"You can stop talking. I have a headache with a vengeance," he responded harshly. I immediately stopped talking, and decided to just rush a head. I clearly can't do anythi-

And I slipped. Again. This time, I fell forward, and I was now the one clutching my head. I heard a deep sigh, and saw the young man come around to me, and extend his hand. He helped me up, and looked at me seriously.

"Are you doing this on purpose?" he asked, angrily.

I brushed off my bright yellow rain coat again. "What?"

"Are. You. Doing. This. Intentionally?" He nearly yelled.

I looked at him, and took off my glasses. "No. I am not in the business of being late to work, and exasperating it by falling onto concrete. Twice. Why in the world would I be doing this purposefully?" I asked, frustrated. You don't accept my offer to help you, then you accuse me of trying to trick you or something? Oh, the nerve!

"Do you not know who I am?" he asked, now confused.

"No? Should I?"

"Not really," he said continuing off in his direction. I cut my right turn towards the building I worked at, only to notice he turned as well.

"You work here?" I asked.

"You could say that."

I stepped into the elevator on the left, which goes to the higher floors. He looked at me confused.

"What floor?" he asked, pressing the button for the 45th floor. The 45th floor? He must be an executive.

"The 45th," I replied.

"What exactly do you do here?" He asked.

"I am the assistant to the publishing department executive."

"I see," he said. He looked down and his phone and we didn't speak again. I walked into the back of the floor, where I saw my desk. A large corner facing desk. I had four different schedules to the right, and a large desktop computer in the middle. On my left were files should the executive feel the need to delegate work. Thankfully, Mr. Erics hadn't arrived yet. He didn't know I was 15 minutes late. I opened up my email to quickly see over 40 emails, each asking for appointments. Well...I suppose it's time to delegate.

I went through each one, assigning certain appointments to certain places.

"Hello, Melody!" Mr. Erics said, arriving 45 minutes late.

"Hello, Mr. Erics. You have a meeting with President Hyeon at 10:30."

"Oh. Well, I would like for you to attend. I can't take notes to save my life," he responded.

I nodded, and filed it away in my personal schedule.

"Ms. Bee?" I heard. I looked up. A young woman with short brown hair stood over my desk. She had a dry cleaning in one hand, files in the other, and her phone held up to her ear.

"Yes?" I asked. "Would you like some help there?"

"Oh. No. Sorry. I was supposed to meet you yesterday, but Mr. Hyeon had a sudden business meeting in China, and well...I couldn't be here. I'm his assistant Jessica Fierce. Your supervisor, if you will," she said.

"Ah! I'm Melody Bee," I said, almost going to stretch out my hand for a handshake, before remembering her crowded hands.

"Yes, I'm aware. I will send you an email with my phone number. Don't be afraid to call me with any questions, but do note that I'm usually quite busy. You can try to catch me at my desk, but that's also quite unlikely. It's directly outside of CEO Hyeon's. Besides, many issues should be delegated by yourself anyway. You are more likely to know the best solution than anyone else. You will realize that quickly."

"Yes, Ms. Fierce. Could I ask you one question right now though?"

"Go ahead."

"Does Executive Erics usually arrive late?" I asked.

She glanced at me seriously. "It depends who you ask. To me and everyone else, yes. To the Hyeons, no. Trust me, Mr. Hyeon may panic if he knew how little Mr. Erics actually does, exactly. Now. Please excuse me. Mr. Hyeon is expecting his dry cleaning now."

She rushed off, and I sighed. I hadn't expected to already be this busy, although Mr. Erics had warned me. He hadn't warned me that he's usually late. I suppose I'll make a note of that.

As 10:25 rolled around, I followed Mr. Erics to President Hyeon's office. I began to take simple notes. There were new business acquisitions that fell under the publishing sector, and generally that was it. That was until...

"That seems to be all the business, Mr. Erics. Is this your new assistant?"

"Yes," Mr. Erics said timidly. Mr. Erics was an older gentleman who spent many of his years as a small journalist. That was until he found talent in writing history books, and published several novels under Signature Corporate's publishing company. Eventually, he ended up here after showing an incredible ability to manage writers as well. He was a strong man who had been through a lot to get here, but nevertheless he clearly shows some fear towards President Hyeon. Not to say I don't, I'm just surprised that he does.

"And your name is?"

"Melody Bee," I responded quielty.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Bee," the president said, before turning back to Mr. Erics. "I told you that your sector can't afford you paying for an assistant. By next quarter, we'll need revenue to double, or we'll have to let her go."

What?

I just got my job and it's already in jeopardy? Just what I needed. I graduate from an Ivy League university after years of working for it, get a job at Signature Corporate, apparently run into an executive on the sidewalk, and now I'm already losing that job. Great.

Mr. Erics nodded and we headed back to our offices. I sat down, and saw an email from Jessica.

Hello Miss Bee,

This is Jessica Fierce, obviously. My phone number is 212 563 9732 should you need anything. As a reminder, I'm usually quite busy, so presume I won't be able to answer.

Also, I am not sure if Executive Erics has told you that board meetings are usually every Tuesday, but be prepared for CEO Hyeon to call emergency ones.

CEO Hyeon would like to see you today. Should your personal schedule permit, stop by his office anytime.

Sincerely,

Miss Fierce

I've heard stories about the younger CEO Hyeon. I've never met him before, but I've heard that he's much harsher than President Hyeon. I know that he is his son, and that he is the company heir. However, I have also heard that he doesn't hesitate to be honest. Does that mean that he'll fire me on the spot? Oh God. Am I about to get fired?

I quickly put Jessica's number in my phone, and responded to the other several emails I had. I let Mr. Erics know that he had a phone call, and ran off to the office. Through the window, I could see Jessica. I knocked gently on the door. Jessica opened the door.

"Oh. It's you, Melody. Come on in."

I walked in, to see CEO Hyeon facing the window.

"Ah, Melody," he said turning around. Oh. You are kidding me. This day could not get any worse. I had ran into the CEO? The heir? One of the people who held my job in their hands? I had spilled coffee on him? That explains why Jessica had been carrying dry cleaning. I don't even know how I recognized him. He wasn't covered in coffee, or had his hair a mess for the rain. He managed to pull himself together.

"I just thought you would like to know who I was," he said shrugging.

That...is horrid. This is horrid. That's why he was shocked I didn't recognize him. Not only do I work for him, he's probably everywhere newsworthy! Oh, even beyond that, that's why he said I couldn't replace the shirt. I couldn't even afford it. Oh dear. I haven't even properly apologized!

"Oh my God. I am so sorry," I apologized, my hand on my head.

"Have I not made myself clear since we met this morning? Your apologies are unnecessary, although they are appreciated. The situation has been resolved, Miss Bee. On another note, I simply wanted to introduce myself as we will likely be working together at least somewhat."

"Oh...alright," I responded. He nodded.

"You can leave now," he said. I turned around and left.

Is this what my life is going to look like now? Great.