It was a terrible Monday to start the week. The company I work for is in one of its busy periods and I'd just learnt that my usually prompt personal assistant, Anne, hadn't turned up for work. She was involved in an accident at the weekend and was in hospital. I felt for her but I had a problem. Her role was vital to me.
I quickly checked my diary to check for any upcoming meetings or problems. Thankfully there was only one meeting which was in the afternoon. After doing that I rang the hospital to see if I could get any information abut Anne's situation. It turned out that she was seriously injured and had needed surgery. She was expected to make a good recovery but it would take some time, probably at least a month.
That was too long to be without my trusty aide so I rang head office HR department.
"Hi. It's Marie from Northern division. I have a problem up here that you could help out with."
"Sure, What's the problem?"
"My PA has been injured and is not expected to be able to work for at least a month. Can you spare anybody to fill in for her? I don't have anybody suitable up here."
"I'll look into it and get back to you."
"Thanks. As soon as possible please."
"OK."
All I could do now was wait for that so I got on with my day. I'm at the top of the food chain here. My role is to manage the whole operation, overseeing eighty full time staff and sometimes up to twenty temporary workers.
The day was busy, but uneventful. Late in the afternoon I got an email from head office to say that a temporary replacement for Anne would be there Wednesday. I would have preferred Tuesday but didn't have much choice.
At the end of the day I had a meal in town then went to visit Anne in hospital, taking some flowers. I saw that she was in a bad way and worried about losing her job. I assured her that her job would still be waiting for her when she came out and I had a temp to cover for her.
As I left, I said.
"If there is anything you want or need, just call me and I'll sort it for you."
"Thanks." She replied. "I appreciate that."
It didn't take long to drive the six miles to my little heaven. It was two bedroom cottage on the riverbank. I bought it ten years ago with my share of the family house sale after my divorce. Eric, my cheating bastard of a husband decided to desert me at the that age of forty four to live with the young bimbo that was his secretary. I'm not bitter about it at all.
After a glass of wine, I checked my online diary for tomorrow and went to bed.
Tuesday morning came all too soon. I rise early to get to work for eight thirty. I showered and dressed before having a light breakfast and heading off for work. The day was busy as usual but thankfully no major issues to sort out. I finished work at six and headed home.
It was a fine evening so I cooked a meal and sat in the garden to eat. The sounds of the river and the birdsong soothed me. I really loved this place.
I arrived at work on Wednesday at eight thirty to find a tall blonde young man waiting by my door. He was gorgeous and I felt a warmth spread through my lower body. What the hell? I'm a fifty five year old woman. I shouldn't be thinking like that. He was far to young.
Mentally shaking my head, I said.
"Can I help you?"
"I'm Charles." He replied. "I've been sent to be your temporary PA."
Hell, I thought. Just what I need. Somebody still wet behind the ears. I don't need this.
"OK. Charlie. Come in." As I opened my door.
"Please, my name is Charles, just Charles."
Not only wet behind the ears but pretentious with it, I thought. This didn't look good.
"Sit down." I said, pointing to the chair by the desk.
Sitting in my chair, I said.
"I need to know some more about you. HR didn't give me any information. What qualifications and experience do you have?"
"I graduated from university last year with a first class degree in business management. Six months ago I joined this company on their fast track management programme."
This guy certainly has the academic qualifications and the company seem to think he's good. I wonder how he will stand up in the real world.
"That's impressive." I said. "Why did you come up here? Did you volunteer or were you sent?"
"Thanks. It was a bit of both. I was offered this position and I accepted it. As you are reported to be the best manager in the company, I couldn't pass up the chance to work and learn from you."
"It's good to know that my talents are appreciated in head office. I won't be teaching you though. You're 'here as a PA, not a student. If there's anything you're not sure about, just ask."
I had to get him out of my office as soon as I could. I'd managed to get this far without squirming in my seat. Not only was he amazing to look at, his voice was like liquid honey.
What the hell was I thinking? I wasn't thinking. My body just reacted to him. I had a hole that was aching to be filled, and filled by him. It wasn't even fifteen minutes since I first set eyes on him and I was in heat.
I couldn't do anything about it though, even if he was interested in an old lady like me. This company doesn't approve off managers having relationships of any sort with underlings Given that I love my job and the healthy pay packet that goes with it, I wasn't going to succumb to my feelings in case I lost my job.
It was a dilemma. If I sent him back, it would raise questions that I couldn't really answer and it could jeopardise his career through no fault of his own.
"OK Marie." He replied. Where do you want me to start?"
Oh God. The way he said my name felt as though somebody had run their fingers down my spine. I struggled to suppress a shudder. I said.
"Your desk is just outside my door. Please go and familiarise with the systems on the computer and then let me know what meetings I have today."
"I'm on it Marie." He said.
There was that shudder again. I looked at him and saw the look on his face. He knew. The bastard knew what he was doing to me. Was he really interested or was he messing with my mind? Get a grip, Marie, I said to myself. Whatever he's doing, nothing is going to happen. This is going to be awkward.
