[This is the first part of a story I have been working on. I hope y'all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed creating it]
[[Logline:
When Delaney Morrison, a 26-year-old personal assistant craving excitement, pushes her executive boss, Declan Pierce, a 44-year-old titan of industry, for more responsibility, she inadvertently opens the door to a forbidden encounter.]]
"Delaney, could you get me a coffee, please?" Declan's voice calls from his office.
Yet again, another mundane task that doesn't challenge me or push me further in my career.
I know I shouldn't complain. After all, this is a great job. Other assistants would kill to have it easy, but I want to do something bigger...something important.
I've been Declan Pierce's personal assistant for two years now, and despite how much I enjoy working here, I feel like I am caught in a tidal wave of mediocrity. There is only so much work he can give me, and I need more. I'm hungry to prove myself.
I bring his third coffee of the day. The cup warms my hand as I approach his desk. He's hunched over a pile of papers, his suit jacket draped neatly across the back of his leather chair.
The light blue dress shirt he has on today squeezes his arms just enough to showcase the outline of a toned and muscular physique. For a 44-year-old, he's clearly taken good care of himself.
He runs a hand through his dark hair, specs of gray scattered throughout. Even though he's busy pouring over paperwork, he remains poised and commanding.
"Here you go." I set his coffee down next to the laptop computer on his desk. He doesn't even look up at me.
"Thanks." He flips through another page, not bothering to give any eye contact.
I clear my throat before speaking. Today's the day. The day I shove away any nerves I have to stand up for myself and demand more from him.
I straighten my posture, pushing out my chest ever so slightly. "Mr. Pierce, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Hmm?" He grunts and continues examining the documents in front of him.
"As much as I appreciate being your assistant and helping you with various things..."
He finally looks up at me, giving me his full attention. I freeze momentarily, suddenly lost in those beautiful blue eyes of his. The sharpness of his jawline is accentuated by the way he runs his hand across it, waiting impatiently for me to finish.
"I feel like my skills are not being utilized to their full potential."
His eyebrows furrow at this. "What are you saying?"
I swallow hard before answering, "I'm saying that I want to do more. I need you to give me bigger projects...something that will help me grow my career."
Silence...
He ponders for several minutes, his eyes scanning over me, making me squirm under his intense gaze.
"You want to do more...Is that right, Delaney?" His voice is so smooth, deep, and rich, his faint Irish accent dripping with every word. It makes all the women in the office weak in the knees.
I nod my head yes.
A sly smile creeps across his face. "And sure about this?"
I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off before I can, "Choose your words carefully, Ms. Morrison..." His eyes narrow at me, voice lowering in pitch. It feels like a warning.
I straighten myself out, trying not to let the slight intimidation show. "Yes." My voice is strong and steady, full of confidence. I know I can handle more tasks.
Revising documents on his behalf, answering phone calls, and arranging meetings aren't challenging enough for me. They don't require any real thinking or effort. I want to challenge myself. To push myself beyond my limits.
He pauses for a moment, contemplating something. "How old did you say you were?"
"Umm...I'm 26..." I respond, a little thrown off by the randomness of his question.
"Very well, then. I'll need you to stay behind today. I'll have some tasks for you to try. We'll see how you hold up..."
Stay behind? Why would I need to do that? He never made me stay late before. Perhaps he already has a big project for me. I know we have an audit coming up soon. Maybe he'll allow me to assist him in preparing for it. Just the type of duties I need.
"Okay."
He looks back down at his papers, signaling our conversation is over. I step outside his office, ready to return to my desk and resume work.
~~~
It's almost 5 p.m., and most of the office has cleared out. Everyone is probably rushing home to enjoy the weekend, eager to get away from the demands of work. It is Friday, after all.
I head into Mr. Pierce's office, ready for whatever he has to throw at me. I close the door behind me without him saying anything.
He glances up at me from his desk, a serious expression across his face. I wasn't expecting him to look so grim, but I don't let it deter me. I'm sure I can handle whatever he wants to give me.
"You asked me earlier today for something challenging, Ms. Morrison..." He says my name slowly, letting my name roll off his tongue.
"Yes, sir, I did," I reply with confirmation.
"Well...I hope you didn't say that in haste." His tone is deep and firm. It's almost scary, how threatening he sounds, yet there's something oddly intoxicating about it.
How he sits in his chair, looking like he owns everything within reach, makes me shudder.
"Lock the door," he orders without looking at me, eyes never leaving his computer screen.
My mind races through a million scenarios at once. Why would I need to lock the door? What kind of assignment does he have for me?