Jasmine.
That goddamn son of the devil himself wasn't seriously denying the fact that we knew each other.Was he?"We don't, I met Miss Castor outside your office seriously hyperventilating and almost going into shock," His words weren't harsh but I could feel the sting on me, "They need to be some sort of orientation for staff in the office here."I rolled my eyes at his words and turned to Mr Warner."Sir, you asked me to be here," I said confidently now. Or as confident as I could be without turning to look at Alexander.His eyes narrowed down on me and while I couldn't determine if it was disappointment or annoyance, I certainly knew I had made some sort of first impression on him and my task of seducing him was going to be really hard."Yeah yeah, I need you to take down some notes during my interaction with Mr Castor......," His eyes widened this time like he had come to a realization, "How peculiar, you guys share the same last name.""It is a common last name so it shouldn't be too surprising," Alexander countered almost immediately. It seemed any form of knowledge that we might know each other was to be squashed like a bug."Take down some notes and records so we'll have a baseline for our next meetings, that's something my assistants do whenever I have someone new," Mr Warner explained to me after getting over the last name issue.I nodded at that and proceeded to start working, arranged files and got my phone ready for recording.Mom couldn't give me a normal task like every normal adult. She had to find one that involved Alexander, the annoying stepbrother. Did she know he was going to be working here too?I stared at him discreetly from my place at the side of the office, watched for any sign of the boy I had known years back that was notorious for taunting me and making me mad. He used to have a best friend I was interested in."Does your assistant work or does she stare at men all day?" Alexander's smooth voice reached my ears, the tone and words snapping me away from my fantasies of when I was younger."I'm sorry," I fumbled, "I wasn't trying to stare at you, I was taking notes or isn't that why I am here," The end of my statement was directed at Mr Warner.Was I always this defensive when cornered?Alexander chuckled, "I haven't seen you write a thing since we started."Was this man going to make my work difficult? Yes, yes he was. I turned to Mr Warner, I knew I wasn't the assistant he knew but he wasn't going to let him belittle me right.Was I planning on seducing a coward?"That's enough please," Mr Warner finally said, he placed his fingers on his temple and massaged it, "I don't know what happened within the few short seconds of your first interaction but whatever it is, it's seriously affecting my meeting so cut it out."I scoffed, the sound low but I was sure was heard by everyone and turned to the side. Mr Warner's words made me feel like a child."Just try and take the notes miss, I would hate for anything to go amiss during my short time here."Alexander Castor, my stepbrother and Charles Castor's son. He was older by two years and wouldn't find it annoying to remind me about it every single day when we were younger. I used my height to annoy him too because I was much taller.Until I wasn't. When both himself and his best friend unlocked their growth spurt and became fine specimens, he grew taller than me and I had nothing to taunt him with again.Didn't mean I didn't find other ways to disturb him.Until I couldn't anymore. When he left after the accident without even a goodbye."I'll like to start with a budget of at least five hundred million dollars for the first six months," His tone was like something from a romance movie, it made heads turn and bodies wet.And here he was. Some sort of CEO of a multi billionaire security defense company, charging five hundred million dollars for a start.Mr Warner held unto his chin, "They told me you were expensive but I didn't know you would be this expensive," He laughed a bit at his own words.Alexander shrugged, "I provide the best and I'll be covering a lot of homes and offices, I doubt you want anyone to get hurt sir," Anyone."You're right, thank you for your time," Mr Warner said before turning to look at me, "My assistant would send you an email later to confirm the use of your services," He brought out his hand for a handshake probably.Perhaps I would ask him for the reason he blatantly denied me. Did he think he wouldn't get the job if Mr Warner found out we were related.But Alexander just stared at the hand like it offended him, "I don't think there's anything you should think about, do you want my services or not? The only thing the assistant should be messaging me for are the lists of homes and whatever you plan to work on first," He said confidently, even added a scoff at the end like he couldn't believe him.Mr Warner stared at him incredulously, I doubted the persons who had recommended Alexander had told him he would be this fast with words."Well you're hired Mr Castor, I just didn't want to overwhelm you with those unnecessary details," He gave him a small smile.Alexander finally stood up, he towered over Mr Warner who was pretty tall himself and gave him his hand for the handshake. There was no smile on his face though so it was quite difficult to figure out what he was thinking."Your assistant can talk to my assistant, she would send you a message," He directed the last words to me before turning back to Mr Warner with that stoic expression on his face."This meeting was a success then. Thank you."I didn't expect to feel the thread of disappointment pulsing through me at the thought of him ignoring me. Was this what happened when you didn't see someone for seven turning eight years in a few months.Would they completely ignore you for reasons unknown to you."Oh well, that seemed to go well right," Mr Warner's voice brought me out of my thoughts.I raised my head from the book on my thighs so I could look at him."Yes sir," I said while getting up from the chair. I was supposed to seduce this man but all I had done today was made a blubbering fool out of myself.He looked skeptical when he examined me, his eyebrows pressed together before he shook his head."You're not exactly like my last assistant but hopefully we'll get you up to speed, email me the details of this meeting and talk to his assistant like he said, you can go," He dismissed me without another glance and I felt like the most insignificant fly.I didn't know how to seduce a man, how the heck was I supposed to do this. This was the most daunting task I had ever done."Mr Warner," I tried a last minute attempt."Yes."I walked closer to him, "I'm really sorry about what happened, I really want to work with you and would make sure I get everything right," Even I sounded a bit dramatic but what could I say.He raised his eyebrows, "Anything?" He asked, his lips were being pulled into a smile.Yes. That meant I wouldn't have to do this job for a very long time."Yes sir," I replied enthusiastically."Then try not to annoy the people I have meetings with next time, thank you," And just like that he dismissed me for the second time in one day.Was this man going to be this hard?And if he was, how the heck was I going to get him to do what I wanted?Jasmine."There are a lot of colors you can match together to give a room a warm feeling, once someone walks into it, they would feel this sort of connection with the ambience and might not want to leave.......""Jasmine," The voice was sharp and curt. Feminine. The reason why I dreaded and loved coming to work for the past two days."Yes Ruby," I looked up from the design I had been working on into the sea green eyes of the one person that made sure she annoyed me every single day.She grinned, showing her pearly whites."What are you working on? I called your name multiple times and you didn't even flinch to show you were ignoring me," She said while taking a seat opposite me and then propped her legs on the table.I made sure I pushed them off."Come on Jasmine," Ruby pouted."Whatever I'm working on is none of your business Ruby," I teased her, making sure my pout mirrored hers.Ruby happened to be the assistant make up artist that gave Mr Warner a push up whenever he was going to
Jasmine."The last thing I want to do is overwhelm you Miss Castor, I don't want you running away like my last assistant," Mr Warner said, his eyes were focused on the screen in front of him.Those were his first words to me the moment I entered his office. No hello, no how was your night. Nothing."Good morning Mr Warner," I greeted wearily. I still didn't know what to make of him and I have been working with him for quite some time now.I guessed he didn't expect that because of the rapid blinks that followed my words. "Good morning Miss Castor," The sides of his mouth lifted up in a small smile. "Take a seat please," He pointed at a chair directly opposite him.I took the seat while trying to stifle a yawn. Last night with Amanda had taken a toll, she wanted to talk about anything and everything that would bring me to the discussion of Alexander but this time I watched my words. I wasn't interested in talking about him. I was sure they would run into each other one day. After all
Jasmine."What? That's wrong," I denied it immediately. It wasn't the truth and was nowhere close to the truth.Ruby giggled and wriggled her eyebrows at me, "I saw both of you and I saw the way you looked at him when he walked into the office, like you couldn't believe such a fine specimen of man had graced this earth," She explained to me."What are you talking about?," I asked stupidly because I didn't understand what was happening anymore.I had only seen Alexander once and he denied knowing me. When did Ruby witness an interaction between us that involved me staring at Alexander like he was something new."You got the whole story wrong Ruby, did you listen to our conversation?" I asked her before she could reply the last question.The smile on her lips turned down and so did her eyebrows, she looked confused."I didn't listen to your conversation but I thought your facial cues were enough to show that you had a crush on him or something because he was really handsome and most of
Jasmine.Sometimes I felt like Ruby knew more than she let on, like she knew what I planned to do and was perhaps even sent by any member of my family. Charles, mom or even Amanda."That dress just hugs every curve in the right way," She screeched when she saw one of the dress she had personally picked for me. The red coloured bodycon like dress with ruffled sleeves and some sort of corset that seemed to push my breast upwards. I felt like a character from one of those medieval movies Amanda loved to watch when we were younger."This dress is too revealing," I tried to reason with her, my hand reaching towards the cup to pull it upward. There was no way I could wear this to a fundraiser event, not even to seduce a man.I could feel the stares and hushed whispers already. What a prostitute the presidential candidate had chosen as a second. Mr Warner would be so embarrassed, he wouldn't invite me for anything again and that would limit my chances.Ruby had other ideas on the other hand
Jasmine."What's she wearing?""Why would she wear something as skimpy as that? Does she think that this is a clubhouse?""Who even is she? Some sort of assistant?"I could hear the whispers from every part of the room, the women and men I was introduced to by Mr Warner and even the celebrant."And who is this beautiful young girl? I haven't seen her before....." The celebrant had started when she was done with the show of love with Mr Warner.I honestly felt the most inadequate when I stood close to her. She had the most vibrant red hair and looked really beautiful with the sort of natural makeup I knew Ruby would love to try on herself. And her clothes, they were purely designers and quite expensive.She even smelled expensive.Mr Warner placed his hand on my shoulder and brought me forward a bit, "She's my new assistant after the last one left under mysterious circumstances, I decided to show her around and allow her help me.""After all, her job is to assist right," The celebrant
Jasmine.The rest of that party passed like a blur with Gia passing drinks after drinks into my hands and making me much more intoxicated."Mr Warner, do you like my dress?" I asked after one too many drinks, resting my hand on the table and placing my chin on it so I could look at him very well.Blood rushed towards Mr Warner's cheeks and even under the dark light of the building, it was very evident."Miss Castor," He croaked out before clearing his throat, "I am sure I have told you before about how this shade brings your eyes out and makes them pop. You look beautiful dear," He smiled through clenched teeth, his eyes darting towards Alexander.I giggled like he had said something funny, drawing the attention of Gia that had been invited to talk to a group of women. Her eyes betrayed the questions she wanted to ask and the desire to leave that place.Alexander on the other hand acted like nothing had happened. I would have turned towards him and ask him why he was behaving like a j
Jasmine.I scoffed, "You can't possibly know that. I'm telling you all there is to know about your brother's whereabouts," I said, trying to keep my voice as low as I could. I wasn't interested in causing a scene.But Amanda had always been one for dramatic exits. She simply rolled her eyes at me and slammed her hand on the table, when she was sure all eyes were on her, she smirked and walked away.Utter embarrassment. Tell me she didn't believe me and walk out like that, she was just so mature.The waiter didn't come forward for the payment of the bills so I assumed it had been paid beforehand or perhaps Amanda had an habit of paying for meals later on. I left the place before anyone could look closer at me and realize they know me or perhaps something even worse.The headache I felt became worse and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep for the remainder of the day but I had too much work to do. I still had to meet with my other boss and show him the work I had done. Damnnnnn.S
Jasmine.There was nothing more humiliating than one's boss coming to the office before them, starting a board meeting and then you, the personal assistant barging into the meeting like you owned the place.It was mortifying. Especially because Alexander and Gia were there to witness my downfall."Can we help you?" The lady at the right side of Mr Warner asked, she had the reddest hair I had ever seen. "I..uhm..I," I stammered out the words confused, cleared my throat and then tried again, "Sorry, sorry," I tried again as I carefully walked outside.And once I was out, the embarrassment was enough to make me run to my office and shut the door against myself.I didn't think I would ever come out again. How on earth was I supposed to face Alexander ever again. How would I face Gia?I calmed myself down by focusing on the other things I had to do. I made a lists of things I had to do and the places I had to go to, calls I had to make.How on earth was I supposed to flirt with Mr Warner