So it ends. I want to thank everyone who followed this tale. I hope you truly enjoyed it. I asked myself a question. Can one man make a difference? This journey answered it for me. It is a resounding YES. These characters came to life for me as each went on their own journey. I truly enjoyed telling their stories.
A special thanks to Overstar for taking time to edit this chapter. Any errors found are my fault and not his. Again, thank you all for reading and supporting me through this adventure. IR2R
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Speeding down the long winding road, Kevin Knight was heading to work. He had just been promoted to Vice President, second in line to replace the President when he retired. He'd worked for the company for years. At thirty, he'd accomplished more than most men his age dreamed.
He'd trained many people. Normally, he wouldn't give a rat's ass about others but things changed. Today he was meeting with the President and CEO of a new company he worked for to recommend someone deserving for a more prominent position in his department.
Kevin was ready. With the help of his friend, Eileen, he was more than prepared. The two of them had worked nonstop for months to prepare him for this meeting. He knew people hated working under him, but Eileen was different. She worked well with him and dealt with his eccentric personality.
Kevin was a workaholic. He had family, but they were mostly married with kids; He was still a bachelor, having long ago given up on finding someone. His adopted Dad often encouraged him to date, but he really didn't have time to deal with the intricacies of it. His job was his main focus.
He was impatient and would quickly dismiss anyone he deemed wasting his time and not getting to the point. His often harsh and curt mannerisms lead many in his office to avoid him at all cost. Eileen was the only person that could deal with him. She was at least a foot shorter than him and thin. Clear alabaster skin and russet red hair that was naturally curly and wild. She wore it long and often twisted it in a bun. She dressed conservatively, always professional, unlike the other young women her age. She was a natural and beautiful woman. Kevin really liked that about her, although he'd never admit it. He loved the way she carried herself, unapologetic and proud.
As one of the only Irish women in the office, she never stopped being true to herself. She was also the only one that was strong enough to deal with him and his boorishness. Kevin had gone through several secretaries before Eileen was assigned to him.
He smiled as he recalled their very first meeting a few years earlier and how she quickly put him in his place.
Kevin failed to attend another family gathering, Delia was now concerned so she called him. He made some excuse about work, but she didn't believe him. She talked to Shaun.
Shaun MacGregor was ready to retire. Not that he had a reason to, but he wanted time with his lovely Delia. He'd had his physical and learned he was in the best of health. His sons were all successful, and now raising their own families. Only one wasn't, and he'd take care of that.
"Good morning, Kevin. We've hired a new secretary to work with you. Since you have a hard time keeping anyone around you, we had to pay her more and give her a title of Executive PA. She will work directly with you and help with any and all assignments you have. Now son, you've gone through twenty-six secretaries in the last year. If this girl quits, you will work by yourself from now on", Kevin's boss, Mr. MacGregor explained. He liked Kevin. He knew his past and realized that he'd had a hard time growing up. So he took the young man under his wing and molded him.
His investment was well worth it as Kevin was invaluable to the company. Often positions would open up, and Kevin would be passed over because of his lack of social skills. He simply could not work with others, but the man was a designing genius. He could create and design proposals that seem to fall from the heavens.
Pushing a button on his desk, Mr. MacGregor called, "Ms. Isaacs, please come in." Kevin was floored as the most amazing and exotic creature entered the room. He'd never seen a more beautiful woman. She was awe inspiring. She had clear alabaster skin, with a few freckles across her nose, thick naturally curly red hair, big plump lips, dark green eyes, and smile that stopped his heart. He admired her svelte frame. Eileen was not thin and frail like most of the women in the office. She was slender, but healthy. She had a narrow waist, wide hips, and an ample bosom. Kevin had to remind himself to breath.
"Yes Mr. MacGregor," the Red-haired Goddess answered smiling as she entered. Then she noticed Kevin sitting in a chair and her smile vanished. "Eileen, remember that post I offered you. Well this is your new boss, Kevin Knight. You will be his Executive PA. Kevin, this is Ms. Eileen Isaacs." MacGregor introduced the two. He didn't miss the younger man's reaction to the young woman that walked in.
Eileen hesitated. Everyone knew this guy's reputation and no one wanted to work with him. But it was just a job, and she needed to work. With her illness, she didn't have the luxury of walking away. So she turned and faced her new boss, taking in the look of shock and then the frown that crossed his face.
"Hello, Mr. Knight. I look forward to working for you." She politely stated extending her hand.
He is fucking gorgeous,
she thought as she quickly hid behind a cloak of professionalism. He looked bookish, and she'd always found bookish men irresistible. He was a tall man, muscled, but not in a grotesque way, long and slender. His hair was cut short and his beard neatly shaved. His dark green eyes which were hidden behind a pair of wire framed glasses sitting on top of a crooked nose.
Clearing his throat and collecting himself, Kevin went into his super vicious mode. "We'll see how long that lasts. I certainly hope you don't mind hard work. I mean, you won't have a lot of time to hang with your friends", he answered snidely.
He asked his employer, "So Mr. MacGregor, when will she start, so we can get the crying over with?"
Mr. Macgregor shook his head. His young man was so rude. Even after trying to mentor him for years, he didn't change. "In the morning, she's already cleared everything with payroll and we are finishing her last transitions today."
"Good, Then Ms. Isaacs, report in at least thirty minutes early, I want to go over what I expect in detail. Don't be late. I don't tolerate slothfulness. If that is all Mr. MacGregor, I have work I need to be doing." Kevin explained to his boss then he exited the meeting. As soon as he left, Macgregor asked Eileen to come back into the office.
"Eileen, he's rather abrupt, but he's excellent at what he does. At any time, if you need a break. I'll personally grant you time off." he offered hoping to convince the young woman to not leave. Shaun MacGregor knew people and he knew if anyone could handle this angry, young man. It was the young woman standing before him.
"Mr. MacGregor, I can handle him." Eileen assured her mentor, praying that her words were true. Kevin Knight was one ill-tempered son of a gun.
The next morning, Eileen arrived at work a half hour early to get acquainted with her new boss. Kevin was nervous. She would be here any minute and he had to get himself under control. Here he was thirty years old acting like a schoolboy with his first crush. Besides, she might not even like him. No one liked him.
"While sitting at his desk, he heard the outer office open. She went to her desk and took a few minutes to settle then knocked on his office door. "Come in." Kevin called out gruffly. Eileen walked in and he was momentarily dazed.
"Good morning, Miss Isaacs. Please have a seat." Kevin eyed the lovely woman sitting before him. He had to admit to himself that she was beautiful, but they worked together and nothing would come of it. He had a few women he'd call when he needed companionship and they took care of his needs.
"Well, Ms. Isaacs. I see you've worked here for five years. You started as a receptionist and obtained training to elevate. I can see that you are very ambitious, I like that." Kevin stated. He proceeded to explain to her how things worked.
"First, let me preface this meeting by informing you that I'm not man that minces his words. I expect you here early and I will need you to stay late until our contracts are complete. You will dress appropriately, no tight clothing, anything that exposes you midrif, or short skirts. I hope you aren't offended, but I would appreciate if you maintain a professional air, no girlfriends or boyfriends dropping in. Please keep any and all personal drama you may have out of the office.
I will expect you to be free anytime I call, mornings, nights, and yes even weekends, so please let your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse know in advance in order to avoid conflict." Kevin continued as Eileen watched him intensely.
Kevin Knight was an extremely sexy man. He wasn't drop dead gorgeous, just regular. He was so intent on is work that everything else around him faded. The sound of his voice was like a soothing balm over burning skin and it massaged Eileen's senses. She'd heard horror stories about this man, and seen the ladies that couldn't work with him. The fact that he'd gone through so many assistants fascinated her even more. MacGregor thought he had to offer her incentives to take this guy on, truly he didn't. She would have done it just for the challenge.
Smiling she listened to the rest of his reverie. At the end of his short, but very detailed speech, Eileen nodded her assent that she understood, now it was her turn to set her parameters as well.
"Mr. Knight, I am grateful for the opportunity to work for you, but let me explain myself. I think we need to get some things straight before we even begin." She looked him in the eye. "I am your assistant, not your servant. I will do my job and do it well, but I will not put up with your abuse." Kevin started to speak, but Eileen held up her hand and stopped him.
"No, Mr. Knight, you need to listen. I have spoken with several of the young women who refused to work for you and their reasons were often the same. I will not quit. Nothing you can do will force me too. So get the idea of bullying me out of your head. I am Eileen Isaacs. I can be your best friend here, or your worst enemy. You, Mr. Knight need to decide. Now, that we seem to understand each other, let's get to work. How do you like your coffee?" she asked smiling sweetly at him. Kevin was speechless. The two of them clearly understood each other, and that was the beginning of their relationship.
Eileen, true to her word, came in and did her job to perfection. Kevin could not find fault in anything that she did. He even created assignments just to challenge her, and she excelled. Kevin was very aware of how his coworkers felt about him. Most hated him on site, but he was the best designer the company had so they tolerated him. He came earlier than most and stayed late many evenings, as his assistant, Eileen was expected to follow the same schedule.
One day Eileen came to work and wasn't feeling well. She knew her health issues were aggravated because she'd not followed her diet and exercise regimen as closely as she needed to. So she called her doctor and scheduled an after work appointment to come in. That afternoon, Eileen walked into Kevin's office and informed him that she needed to leave, she had a medical appointment.
Kevin looked at her, their Cortol Proposal was due in two days and he needed her there.
"Well after you see your doctor, can you report back here to the office? I hope this doesn't take long. We need to finish this proposal tonight. Eileen didn't respond. She asked herself,
"Can he really be this clueless? I have not taken a day off since I started and he wants me here even if I'm sick,"
