First Day at Nero Inc. (III)

"Ah, yes," I softly said with a nervous chuckle.

"Have you always worked here?" he asked me, "I don't believe we've met before."

I shook my head, 'No.'

"I'm new here," I told him, clasping my hands together.

"I see," he simply said.

There was a moment of silence, and the elevator doors opened on the twelfth floor. We stepped out and walked in the same direction.

"...your name?" he said, his one hand placed in his pants pocket, the other holding his bag.

"Huh?" I raised my eyebrows, bewildered.

I was lost in thought, so I hadn't heard him talk.

"Your name," he repeated with a smile, "What is it?"

I stopped in my tracks and lightly bowed.

"My name is Lai. Lai Xiulan," I told him, raising my head slowly.

He smiled and nodded, proceeding to walk.

'Is he not going to tell me his name?' I raised my eyebrow as I stared at his broad back.

I softly sighed and walked towards him, avoiding the questioning and confused looks I was getting from seated employees and those walking past.

The employees were surprised at seeing a new face. Not to mention a gorgeous fresh face.

"Is she a new model?" one employee whispered to another.

"Maybe an actress?" another whispered.

"I have never seen our models come so early to meet the boss. Isn't she too early?" one asked.

"Yeah," one replied, "The boss isn't here yet."

"Damn, she's fucking gorgeous," another added.

I pressed my lips together, not really liking the attention I was drawing.

'Me a model?' I wondered, 'Huh! I wish that were true.'

He directed me to Room 22, the waiting room.

"The boss will be here in a few minutes, so you can wait for him in the meantime," he told me.

I smiled and nodded, thanking him for his assistance. He waved goodbye and left. The first thing anyone would notice in the waiting room is the company's logo and slogan.

The company's slogan was "Redefining Impossible," which matched the company as its focus was on technological advancements that seemed out of this world.

I was not alone in the waiting room, obviously. It seemed like others, just like myself, were waiting to meet Mr. Ying. Some looked nervous, while others looked tired.

Together with my fellow waiting acquaintances, we sat for half an hour before he showed up. Again, looking like a billion bucks.

'So much for being here in a few minutes,' I thought as I immediately stood up and watched him approach the waiting room.

"How can someone be this handsome?" I softly mumbled, tightly clutching my bag.

He was wearing a simple shirt buttoned up fully to support the elegant dark blue tie he wore. On top of the shirt, he wore a trendy vest with four buttons.

It had a narrow v-line, which made the top visible even when the dark blue suit's jacket was buttoned up.

'He must have saved this country in his past life and was rewarded godly looks and immense wealth in this life,' I thought, staring at him as he stood by the door with folded arms.

His suit jacket fit him like a glove. An elegantly tailored glove that radiated finesse. The three buttons of his double-breasted jacket were not buttoned up.

It added a casual touch to his elegant look.

His pants complimented his suit jacket, balancing each other perfectly with his classy pair of shortwing blucher shoes. He wore an elegant belt accompanied by cuff links to top it all off.

His suit practically screamed, "I'm worth more than you could earn in a month."

"Good morning, everyone," he greeted as his eyes scanned the room filled with people who needed to meet him.

They landed on me, and I noticed a quick, subtle smile appear on his face. I pressed my lips together as his smile disappeared as quickly as it came.

He ushered me to follow him, and I walked toward him. The others looked at me curiously.

"I will speak to everyone soon," he told them, "Please excuse us."

With that, he ushered me to follow him to his office. Once we were inside, he walked towards his black leather office chair and began to take off his suit jacket.

He draped the jacket over the chair and sat down. I awkwardly stood by the door.

"Please take a seat, Miss Xiulan," he told me, pointing at one of the chairs in front of him.

I sat down and looked at him as he opened his drawer and took out a notebook. He held it in his hand and extended it towards me.

"Take it," he ordered.

I took the notebook, and he smiled, leaning back in his chair. I opened it and skimmed through it.

"The notebook has duties my previous PA..." he paused.

I looked up to see a shadow of despair and a murderous expression dancing on his face at his last statement.

"...did. The duties are still the same," he continued after a while, "Although some things have changed now."

I was confused as to why his expression suddenly changed at the mention of his previous PA. However, I shrugged it off.

It was none of my business, after all.

"You will start off by going with me to a meeting at Mystic Microsystems," he said, looking at his watch, "That's at 10. For now, I will be meeting those people who are in the waiting room."

I nodded in understanding, clutching the notebook in my hands. I gave him my signed contract.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?" he asked, leaning forward, "You've been awfully quiet."

"Well," I said, "T-thank you for this opportunity."

I paused and then smiled.

"I promise I won't let you down."

He smiled in amusement and stretched out his one hand, ushering me to shake it. I placed my hand in his, and he gently shook it, pulling me closer till our faces were inches apart.

A blush crept across my face.

"Uh, I-I...w-well," I stuttered, leaning my head back.

"I'll hold you to those words," he said, letting go of my hand.

"For now," he continued, grabbing a folder on his desk, "You can go call the people in the waiting room to come see me one at a time."

I stood up and nodded. It was my first task, and as much as it was something simple, I wanted to do my very best.

I don't want to look incompetent, nor do I want to be fired. I really need this job... desperately so.

"Ah!" I heard him exclaim as I was about to open the door.

I turned around and stared at him. He was pointing to a table and chair on the left of the office. It was beautifully decorated and had a laptop, books, and stationery stack.

"That's your mini office," he said with a smile, "You can leave your bag there."

I left my bag on the desk.

"Now go and call them. I want to get as many meetings done before we head to Mystic Microsystems."

"Right," I nodded, "Got it."

I walked out and headed toward the waiting room. I walked in and stood in front of the entrance. The room was full of conversations.

No one paid me any attention. Well, I figured this would happen.

"Excuse me," I said, trying to get everyone's attention.

Ignored.

"Excuse me!" I said again, this time much louder.

This caused everyone in the room to go silent. I internally sighed and clasped my hands in front of me.

"Mr. Ying will see you all one at a time," I said, "Please, can the gentleman in the first seat go see him first."

The said gentleman stood up and walked out with me. We stood in front of the door, and I knocked.

"Come in!" I heard Mr. Ying say.

I opened the door and ushered the gentleman to step inside. I then walked to my "mini office," as my boss had called it, and sat down.

The gentleman took a seat in front of Mr. Ying, and they began the meeting. While I waited for their meeting to end, I grabbed one of the books piled up on my desk.

'Ah,' I said as I began reading it, 'So the books here are all business-related. I'll also go to the library to get more books on economics and finance. It'll help me in the long run and I'll be able to do my job better.'