ROME
I noticed something different about Carly for the last three days. She wore pants instead of skirts, not that she wasn’t spectacular, even in baggies. Today, she tied her hair in a bun.
I admitted she was pretty good at her job. But that was all after she placed things on my desk- she left without a word unless I asked and concisely answered me as if she would pay a penny for extra words.
And when she looked at me, it was like she switched off the light in her eyes-she was good at masking her emotions.
I wondered if I had done something wrong or if this was her another day in the office. Anyhow, I had to admit that I missed her annoying opinions.
“Can you order coffee?” I badly needed caffeine, and I had no time to go down. I had to see the proposed plan for the next project.
“Of course, sir.” That was all. She left.
“Thanks.”
She paused on the door for a moment before she vanished out of my sight.
I sometimes missed the silence and peace, but I also missed her glaring at me, reading my thoughts, or pursing her lips if I said something, but she had a better opinion.
A few minutes later, she knocked and walked in with my coffee. “You’ll be seeing the plan in five.”
I rose from my chair. “You’re coming with me.”
After I buttoned my suit, I grabbed the coffee she had placed on my desk. She grabbed the iPad and followed me. We went to the showroom, and everyone was already there, from the finance, engineering, and the architect team.
They first showed the land area, then the plan in the 3D model through the hologram. I had never been a tech geek, but I was impressed by how technology made people’s everyday lives easy.
After a few minutes of showing, they applauded. I listened to comments and compliments from different teams later on. I had a few things to say, but I wanted them to tackle one thing, but I had not heard it from anyone.
I looked at Carly beside me with a deep frown. “You have something to say?” I knew she had. It would not be her if she kept her mouth shut.
She met my gaze and shook her head.
“Just tell me, Storm.”
She swallowed hard. “It doesn’t matter.”
“My friend once told me that I can make a difference and that I should not focus on following my dad’s footsteps, doing his job, and being Sterling Langston’s son.”
“You have a wise friend, Mr. Langston.”
“Now, tell me what you have in mind.”
“How old is that tree?”
I smiled. I didn’t know why maybe because we were thinking the same thing a while ago. We already felt the devastating effect of global warming. And as much as I loved making millions, there was no use if the people suffered from drought and floods.
“Don’t cut the tree.”
Pairs of eyes found me, especially from the architectural department.
“It’s just a tree, Mr. Langston,” the head of architecture said proudly.
“It’s a damn old tree. Make an adjustment, or I will not approve the plans.
“So we’re going to redo-”
“That’s what I said. Protect the tree. How old is it?”
“Ninety or order,” someone from behind answered.
“We’re all dead before we grow a tree older than that.”
“We can transfer it to the end of the project,” the architect insisted.
“No. Keep it where it is or so help me, God, if you move a root.”
Everyone looked at me as if I had grown another head.
“Don’t compare me to my father as you all think now. Do you want profits? So do I, but it won’t kill you all to keep the tree and make it the center of the project. It adds a little attraction.”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Langston.”
“Good. That’s all. Enjoy the refreshments.” I left before they could celebrate. Carly followed me silently as we reached my office.
She went to sit on her desk, took her leather notebook, and wrote something.
“What’s with you and your silence, Storm?”
She shut the notebook quickly as if I had just caught her cheating in the exam. She then met my gaze. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, sir.”
“Really? Did you put some swear words jar under your desk?”
She looked more confused. She opened her mouth to say something but shut it closed.
“You’re not talking.”
“And is it a bad thing, sir?” Damn her accent. It’s sexy as fuck coming from her.
I slipped my hands into my pocket and sighed helplessly. I didn’t know how to make her talk again, but I got one move left, and she was not going to like it.
I waited for her to knock and say goodnight, but thirty minutes later, nothing had happened. I went outside only to see her desk empty but with an envelope.
Fuck.
I grabbed it and saw my name in beautiful cursive writing.
I didn’t have to read what was in it. She just sent her resignation before I could even decide to make her my permanent executive assistant.
I was torn between celebrating and cursing the hell out of her.
I quickly dialed her number, and it went directly to her voicemail. What’s wrong with this woman?
I went back to my office and scanned her file. The first thing I saw was her picture. Not the kind of photo that I saw in most resumes. She even looked younger, and she was beaming at the camera.
“Carlott Laylin Jemaine Storm,” I muttered her name. She had a beautiful name, just perfect for her.
I snapped a shot, put it back into the drawer, and called Zee ready for the car.
I showed the address on Carly’s resume to Zee. “Take me to this address.”
“Sure, boss.”
“Did you see my assistant leaving the premises?” I typed a message to Linden. I wanted an update if he found something about the favor I asked for. I hit send.
“Yes, sir. A couple of minutes before you call. With a companion. Is everything okay, boss?”
A companion? “Yup. Thanks.”
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. Linden just called.
“Sup?”
“Do you still want me to do it?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“She’s pretty. My brother, I suggest you not do it. Get to know her.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. I couldn’t find any red flags. But you might be surprised to find out who Carlott Storm is.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Not even the slightest. Your heart will be in good hands.”
“It’s not about me, Linden.”
“Then why am I doing this?”
“I just feel-”
“Trust your heart more than your gut, bro. We’re not in the middle of a war zone.”
“You’ll tell me if you find something, will you?”
“Of course. See you.”
“Bye.”
I just slipped the phone into my pocket when Zee looked over the rearview mirror. “What is it?”
“Nothing, boss.”
“Just say it.”
“I’m sure I’m mistaken.” He slowed the car down, parking it in front of a brick-stone building.
He was about to leave the car, but I stopped him. “It will only take a few minutes.”
“Let me check the area first, boss.”
“That won’t be necessary. I can take care of myself.”
The building was pretty decent and in a safe neighborhood. I climbed out of the car and met a man in the lobby.
“Can I help you, sir?” He was in his late forties, tall and well-built, just like Zee.
“I’m here to see my assistant. I’m supposed you know her apartment.”
“Your assistant’s name, sir?”
“Carly Storm.”
He nodded. “Follow me, please.”
“Thank you.” I followed him to the elevator and noticed a difference in his accent.
He pressed number seven.
When the door shut, I asked, “How long have you been working here?”
“More than two years, sir.”
“Where you from? I’m sorry I noticed a little in your accent.”
“I’m Caprean.”
“Oh. Doesn’t a monarch rule your country?” I heard about Triberis Capria, and their accent was almost as similar to British and Australian.
“Yes, Mr-”
“Rome Langston.”
“Yes, Mr. Langston. King Kamrun rules it.” The elevator door slid open. “Apartment 7-4, sir.”
“Thank you-”
“Seth Thorn, sir.”
“Thank you, Seth.”
I knocked on the door of Carly’s apartment. Seconds later, a woman appeared but not Carly. She must be Middle Eastern, around Carly’s age. And she was wearing a scarf around her head.
“Can I help you?”
“You must be the best friend? I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.” I smiled and offered a handshake. “I’m-”
“The boss.” She smirked, shaking my hand.
“If I may guess, there’s more than to it.”
“An arsehole, grumpy, gloomy, douche…bag.”
I chuckled. “Those are probably all true.”
“Please come in.” She opened the door wide.
“Thanks. I was hoping I could talk to your roomie.”
She closed the door behind me. “I’m Heera, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Heera.”
“Let me guess. She doesn’t know you’re coming, and I won’t ask how you found the address.”
“It’s in her resume.”
“Have a seat. Let me call my roomie.” She beamed before she left.
Their apartment was decent compared to what I had and spacious too. I took a seat on their modern contemporary couch.
“Who? No. I’m not expecting-” Carly stopped with wide eyes as she found me sitting in their living room. If she looked gorgeous in fancy corporate dress, I knew she would look hot even in a baggies makeup-free face. She was wearing a beige baggy knit sweater showing off her toned thighs. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun.
She suddenly turned into a mad lioness as she stalked in my direction. Her eyes narrowed at me, groaning. “What are you doing here?”
“I don’t and won’t accept your resignation.” I rose from the seat.
Her roomie, Heera, giggled and sang out I told you so before she walked to the hallway, probably to her room.
“What resignation?” Is she kidding me?
“Really, Storm? That’s how you wanna play it?”
She stopped in front of me, glaring. “Yeah, because I have no plan to resign even if my boss is arse most of the time.”
“I’m an ass, huh? A douchebag, grumpy, gloomy.”
“I didn’t remember saying those.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her sweatshirt became shorter, and I could almost see whatever she wore beneath it.
I pulled the envelope from my jacket pocket. “What do you mean by this? And I called your number, but I couldn’t reach you.”
She grabbed it from my hand. “No midnight calls, unwanted errands, weekend calls, too.”
“Technically, it’s still weekdays.”
“This?” She literally shoved this into my face. “What’s this?”
“I saw that on your desk.”
She checked the name on the envelope, groaned, and pursed her lips. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She growled in annoyance. “And, of course, you can’t even recognize your assistant’s penmanship because you never looked at it.”
I was confused. “What do you mean?”
“Heera came by, and we left together. And she must have left this on purpose.”
“And you didn’t even tell me that you were leaving?”
“Why would I? You will just say to me, go.” She opened the envelope and read what was inside the paper. “See?”
It was empty.
I should have read it, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to.
I pressed the bridge of my nose. I felt the surge of heat through my neck. “I have to go.”
“You’re leaving?” She shut her mouth quickly as if she didn’t mean to ask me.
“See you on Monday.” I turned my heels and walked toward the door.
“So, I’m not fired?”
“I’m still thinking.”