I Take Care My Appearance

I always take care of my appearance. Not because I haven't put myself out there on the market means I am going to let myself go. I may not make an exorbitant amount of money especially with the decline in business which prevents us from getting a raise.

But I dress well, knowing how to mix and match. That Arts degree may not turn out to be much in terms of financial profit but it helps in my personal life.

Satisfied that I am looking up to par except for the creases in my skirt which can't be helped, I leave the bathroom and go over to knock on Mr Cather's door.

*********

"Come in."

I push the door open. "Just letting you

know…" I trail off, my smile freezing at the sight of the man sitting across from my boss. It's the same guy I'd run into earlier. The one who had made me feel like a child in the way he had addressed me. He is staring at me too as I had earlier stared at him and I try to retreat.

"Uh, I-umm," I stutter, the cleared my throat to start over. "Excuse me, I didn't know you have a visitor."

"That's fine Emmy," Mr Cather says with a smile and beckon to me. "Come on in and close the door. I do have something to discuss with you."

"I wouldn't want to impose on your meeting," I explain. "We can speak after if that is okay."

"Actually, what I have to say to you involve Mr James Thomson here," Mr Cather explains. "Close the door behind you. I wouldn't want word getting out to the other staff members until I get to break the news to them."

I enter the office reluctantly, aware that he still has his eyes on me, causing my stomach to flutter unsettlingly.

"Mr. James, this is my Personal Assistant I was talking to you about."

They were talking about me? I wonder I alarm. What about? I have a bad feeling whatever it is Mr. Cather wants to see me about isn't something I am going to like.

"Ah, the Assistant who knows everything," Mr. James states ruefully but do I hint sarcasm in his voice. "Except it seems how to exit a building."

"I beg your pardon?" Mr. Cather asks, thrown off by the other man's comment.

Mr. James waves him off. "Your Personal Assistant understands what I mean."

"You two have met then?" my boss enquires.

"No, we're not," I pipe in, realizing I haven't said a word since being asked to step in. "We just ran into each other while I was on my way to lunch but we've not been officially introduced."

"Literally ran into each other," Mr. James adds. "I hope texting on the job is not something that is promoted here at Cather's."

Heat suffuses my cheek. "I was on my lunch break," I reply to his statement which is meant as a direct cut to me.

Mr. Cather looks from me to Mr. James with a frown before he shrugs. "Anyway, Mr. James this is my PA Emmy. this is Mr. James. You'll be working for him as his PA as of tomorrow."

"What?" My eyes shift instantly from James and towards my boss as his words sink in. "What do you mean work for him?"

"It's no surprise we've been lagging behind in the publishing business Emmy," Mr. Cather states. "You of all person understands this as you've been working closely with me.

I've long since wanted to go into retirement but thought it cruel to shut down the operation, leaving everyone here without a job so when Mr. James put in an offer to take over the company, I accepted his offer."

No! No! No! My mind screams in protest. I couldn't work for that man. Everything would change. He is nothing like Mr. Cather, nice and friendly, looking like everybody's Grandpa.

How would I get any work done with this man around when I find it hard to focus with him around?

I nod my understanding, though my face is probably white from shock. "I see. Is there anything else that I should be aware of?"

"Not that I can think of," Mr. Cather responds thoughtfully. "Except that this will now be Thomson Publishing. I do trust you will continue to do an excellent job with Mr. James, Emmy but then again I know you will."

"Of course," I agree, not looking at the man who I feel is about to ruin everything for me. How old is he anyway? He couldn't be older than his early thirties. How is he able to afford to buy this company at such a young age.

"I've to get back to my desk," I announce, then for the first time since finding out I would be working for him, I turn to my new boss. No, not a new boss yet. Mr. Cather did say tomorrow.

"Nice to meet you Mr. James," I tell him with a tight smile. "O, my God what is this?

"The pleasure was all mine, Emmy."

The way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine. Our eyes meet and the air is sucked out of my lungs. This man has the potential to be dangerous. I can see it in the depth of those icy blue eyes O God.

Those cynically, cold blue eyes. How could a man who appears so stoic cause the warmth pooling into my belly?

With another nod, I hurry from the office, knowing he is still observing me. The walk from the office has never seemed longer on trembling legs. When I am finally on the other side of the closed door, I lean heavily against it and my body sags.

The shrill ringing of the phone on my desk startles me and I nearly jump out of my skin. My elbow hits the door at my back and I move away as though burnt. Damn. Now they would know I had still been standing at the door after leaving.

"Get a grip, Emmy," I caution myself. "James Thomson will be your new boss. Get over it already. What do you think is going to happen?"

"Mr. Cather's office, how may I assist?" I answer the phone and sat heavily on my chair. Time to get back into work mode.

********

After hanging up, I power on my computer, giving it some time to warm up while I get the mails. I am waiting at the elevator when Mr. James and Mr. Cather walk out of the office.

"Oh crap," I mutter and hit the button over and over again as though that would make the elevator appear faster. I would not ride the elevator with that man!

Ding! Yes, now to get in and hit the button for the first floor before…

"Emmy, hold the elevator for Mr. James, will you?"

For a second I contemplate acting as though I didn't hear him but I make the mistake of looking up at them. No way out of this one. I press the hold button and watch both men shake hands.

Mr. James steps confidently towards the elevator and I shuffle to the back in one corner as far away from him as possible. My heart thumps wildly in my chest and although I try to avoid looking at him,

my eyes keep flickering to him, drawn to him by some inexplicable reason. It couldn't be that I am attracted to the man. Men like him scare me. I always envision myself in the future with a gentle, kind man.

Not someone who makes me feel intimidated as this man does.

Without warning, he presses the emergency stop button on the elevator. What the hell? Doesn't he know that would alert emergency response?

"What are you—?" my question ended in a gasp when his long strides bring him over to me and he is close. Way too close.

I am running out of oxygen which causes my breathing to turn shallow. Bup! Bup! Bup! Good God was that my heart beating?

"I can't wait to see if you're the saint Cather makes you out to be," he says gruffly, pressing my lower lip with his thumb.

I flinch at first believing he is about to strike me and then strokes my cheek with the back of his hand gently.

"You're afraid of me, aren't you?" he asks softly but I know better than to ignore the steel in his tone.

"I- I'm not," I croak out, hating myself for the way my voice trembles.

The gentle caress of his hand turns rough as he grips my jaw. I want to say his grip hurt but it doesn't at all. He holds me firmly enough for me to know I wouldn't be getting out of his hold if he doesn't wish it. Still, I could feel the power and strength in him.

"You should be afraid," he cautions.