2|Search

Chapter 2: Search (Isaiah's POV)

"So, dude, any luck finding any help within the office?" My friend and business partner, Chris, asked me as we waited for our drinks at the bar.

I groaned. I had been avoiding this conversation for at least 3 weeks. Everyone had wanted me to take on a personal assistant to help with my workload and organize my schedule since I always seem to be late, according to my own team and my friends. "How many times do I have to tell you I don't need a personal assistant?"

"But you do." Zade chimed in, smirking. He added, "They have other benefits too."

I rolled my eyes. Zade was known as the classic player; he had dated many women and had laid with twice as many, including his own assistant. "I prefer not to mix pleasure and business." I said, taking a swig of my whiskey. The cool liquid burned my throat, but I ignored it and signaled to the bartender for another.

"Come on, Zade." Chirs laughed, putting his arm around his shoulders. "We both know that Isaiah isn't really the type to lay around."

He winks at me, causing Zade to scowl. "Yeah, and he doesn't know what he's missing. The boy's practically a virgin."

Gritting my teeth, I glare at him. Although it was true that I didn't lay with as many women as Chris and Zade did, that didn't mean I was a virgin. I had laid with many women in my high school days, but that had all come to an end when I became the CEO of the most powerful company in New York: Ford Enterprises.

"Are you still burning a candle for Amber?" Zade taunted. Chris frowned, shaking his head, before smacking his hand in exasperation against his face.

"Not this again, please."

"Oh, come on, we all know it. Ever since your girlfriend left you, you've been pissy to be around. You haven't been with anyone since." Zade challenged.

My jaw clenched, and my hands became so tight around the glass that it felt like it could shatter at any moment. "Shut your fucking mouth." 

Before Zade could put any more words in, Maddie and Zoe came up to the bar, obviously tipsy. "Babe, can you dance with me?" Zoe said sweetly, twisting Chris's hair. "I feel awfully left out while everyone else is dancing with their boyfriends."

 "Just a minute, babe." Quickly downing his drink in one go, Chris grabbed Zoe by the hand and led her to the dance floor, also grabbing a hold of the back of Zade's shirt and pulling him along while he protested the whole time.

 It had been Maddie's idea to come out for some fun since this was one of the new clubs that had just opened, Cold Platinum. I had reluctantly agreed as long as no one brought up work or the question about getting a personal assistant. 

I nodded to the bartender in quick thanks. Pushing off the bar, I made my way toward the back door. Taking out a cigarette, I let it go and drew it in between my fingers, taking a big puff of smoke. It had been a little over a month since Amber, my first official assistant and girlfriend, left the company and disappeared from New York all together.

 Since then, I swear never to fall in love again and never hire another assistant to avoid it happening again. But things had been tough at work, and I often found myself staying over 12 hours in the office due to the workload, even with Chris's help. I had called my father for his thoughts, and he agreed that an assistant would help with my schedule and my workload, but that would mean they would have to follow me 24/7, be available around the clock, and go wherever I went. 

The other thing is that they had to live up to my standards, and according to everyone in my office, I had unbelievable standards and expectations when it came to working for me. I pulled out my phone and texted Damien, asking him to put out applications for a personal assistant. It wouldn't hurt to look at the people who wanted the job before actually hiring them. 

 After about 3 more hours, everyone was extremely tipsy or otherwise face-drunk. Zoe and Chris were all over each other, touching every single second while being escorted out of the bar. I myself wasn't as drunk, but I knew that I would have a killer hangover tomorrow. 

Before going home, I stopped by the office and was greeted by Damien. "So are the applications ready to be sent out?" 

"Yes, I already have a few people in mind who would like to work for you." Damien replied, looking at his phone.

"I would prefer people that I haven't met before and who are actually good at their job." I stated, "The last thing I need is for someone to mess up." 

"Relax man. I know what you want out of people, and sometimes it's a little too much." 

I lifted a brow. "You think I'm being unreasonable?" 

"I think you could lower your expectations." He sighed. "There's no such thing as a perfect assistant." 

"Well, I will settle for nothing less." I growled, messing with the sleeves of my shirt. "They need to know how to fucking work if they want a job; that's how it works, Damien. You should know that."

"I do, but I also know that you are going to try to compare them to Amber." Damien rose from the couch, joining me by the window. 

I signed, knowing they were partly correct. Amber had managed my schedule for at least 6 years, but she wasn't exactly the best assistant. She was more of a good time, and to be told the truth, I didn't even know why I kept her around for as long as I did or why I cared when she left. Love had turned blind, and I was determined to make sure that didn't happen again.

I had to make sure that my assistant knew what she was doing and could handle the stress of working for me, as I had a habit of making people quit two days into their job. I needed someone who didn't mind working very long hours, traveling, or being available 24/7. Above all, I need someone who cares about this company as a whole. This company was my future, along with everybody else that was in it. This company has been here for over 15 years since my father first started it. 

I opened the door to my desk, taking out the bottle of vodka and grabbing two shots, pouring equal amounts into each before handing one to Damien and giving one to myself. "You might be right, but I need someone who is as passionate about this company as I am and can work their ass off."

"You will find that person, but not tonight." We clink our glasses together and gulp down the clear liquid. 

"I hope you're right, because tomorrow the search begins." I said, turning to stare across the city.