Recommended Song For Book:

"Love
Bittersweet,
Irresistible
Loosens my limbs
And I tremble."
- SAPPHO

Chapter 4

Allison's POV

"One tall, hot chocolate for Cassie!"

I groaned in annoyance and checked the time on my watch for the fifth time. My watch read 7:35 A.M. and part of me began to freak out. I needed to be at work with James' coffee in twenty five minutes and my order wasn't even close.

I was currently at La Luna's cafe, sitting at the bar, waiting for my order to be called. I would have asked Camilla but unfortunately she didn't get into work until twelve.

"One grande black coffee and one grande pumpkin spiced latter with whipped cream for Allison!" I smiled and walked to the counter to pick up my order.

"Thank you." I said to the cute barista. I took my drinks from his waiting hands and gave him one last smile before quickly walking out the door in a hurry.

I stood outside and searched around for a taxi until I spotted one coming this way. "Hey! Wait! Wait please!" I shouted and ran to the yellow taxi, struggling to keep hold of my purse and my two drinks. But the taxi driver didn't stop and continued his way down the street.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, trembling and breathless. The taxi had left and I didn't see anymore taxies in sight. Now, I had to walk to the office and be late on the first day of my new job. I huffed and checked the time on my watch to see it was 7:45 A.M.

I needed to be at work in fifteen minutes and I was ten minutes away. Hope over took my body and I began to walk briskly in the direction of the office building. I had stayed up last night, celebrating with Camilla, and woke up late this morning. The alarm on my phone didn't go off but luckily Camilla had woken me up before 7:00 A.M.

Ten minutes later of struggling and walking, I finally arrived in front of De Luca Worldwide. I checked my watch one more time before quickly running up the steps and into the open doors, opened by the kind doors men. It was 7:55 A.M and I still needed to take the elevator.

I got to the area of the elevators and saw that the lines were incredibly long! Oh My God! There is no way I'm gonna get there on time, now!

"Hey, you're Allison Green right?" I turned around to see the guy from the elevator that I had met yesterday. I nodded my head, a little annoyed about my situation, but I still needed to be  nice. "You're Adrian, right?"

"Yeah. I couldn't help but notice that you seem a little frustrated about standing in line. Would you like to take the private elevator? You are my brother's personal assistant after all." He politely smiled.

"I would love to," I answered beaming with delight. He smiled and began to walk to the far end of the lobby. I followed close behind him until we stopped in front of an elevator with a sign reading: ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE DE LUCA FAMILY.

I looked up at him confused. "Wait, earlier you said 'my brother' and this is for the use of the De Luca family. I'm sorry I'm asking, but what's you're last name?"

He chuckled and the elevator doors opened. "My full name is Adrian De Luca. I'm James' younger brother. I hope that's not a problem."

I shook my head quickly but part of me was still shocked. He extended his arm out, signaling for me to enter first. I nodded shyly and stepped into the elevator, followed by him. He pressed the number for his floor which happens to be mine as well.

We rode up the elevator in complete utter silence but I didn't complain because I still couldn't get over the shock of knowing that he was related to James De Luca. They were so different yet I could see the physical resemblance that I hadn't seen before. Such as their gorgeous blue eyes and great upper body structure that just makes you want to melt.

The elevator doors opened, interrupting my thoughts and bringing me back to my current situation. I needed to get to James' office or I would be late.... On the first day!

"Thank you so much but I'm running late. It was nice to see you again!" I yelled to him, running out of the elevator and down the hall, not waiting to see hear his reply.

My grip on the two coffees tightened as I ran past Sally, saying a quick good morning before continuing down the hall until I saw the familiar black office door. I bursted through the door, panting and breathless, holding up his coffee.

"I'm here!" I barely breathed out.

The black office chair instantly turned around to reveal James De Luca with an irritated look on his face. "You're late," He announces calmly and looked down at his watch. "By two minutes."

"I am so sorry." I apologized, walking to his desk and placing his coffee in front of him. "The coffee shop was very busy."

He stared at me for a moment before taking a sip of his coffee. I watched as his face slowly changed from irritated to pleased, bringing a smile to my face. "Miss Green, tomorrow I expect you to be in my office at 7:30 A.M. and if you are just as one minute late, you are fired."

I nod my head in understanding. I guess that was my punishment. To go in at 7:30 A.M. instead of 8:00 A.M. and be miserable about it.

"Now, as I informed you yesterday. I will be giving you an iPhone and iPad specifically for work." James pulled out two white boxes, one small and one big, with an apple brand sign on each and slid them over to me.

"In the iPhone, you have my number along with Sally's. The iPad carries you're own work email along with mine and Sally's. That will also be used for taking notes and for anything I tell you to." James told me quickly. "Any questions?"

"Yes, just one. Where will I be working?" I asked, taking a sip of my latte.

"You will be working outside in a desk next to Sally's." He paused and thought for a second. "Actually, let's go show you where you will be working from now on."

He stood up and gathered a pile of folders before walking out the door with me following close behind him. We walked outside and stopped at an empty desk that was directly to the left of James' door. I noticed that Sally's desk was only a few feet away from mine and to the right of the door.

I sent her a small smile and a small wave, which she returned politely.

"Are you done with your little exchange? Because I need to explain these files to you." He stated, clearly irritated.

I nodded my head and felt my face redden with embarrassment. "Yes," I replied, staring into his brooding eyes.

"Good." James said. "Now I need you to file this stack of forty-five files into the company's system and put them into alphabetic order. When you are finished, come notify me in my office. Any questions?"

"Yes. How do I get into the company's system? Is there a folder located on the desktop?" I asked, confused about where to file the important files.

James nodded his head," There is a folder on the desktop, marked 'IMPORTANT PROJECTS.' It is linked to the company's system and that is also where you file them in alphabetical order. Do not screw this up because these are the most profitable projects this company has had. If you mess up, you are fired."

Before I could ask what part of the file do I file, he slammed the heavy pile on to my desk and walked back to his office. I growled under my breath in frustration. There is at least forty files in this pile! I turned around and placed my purse on my desk.

I sat down on my black office chair and scooted forward so that I was closer to the computer. I took off my jacket and looked back at the computer.

I opened on to the desk top and clicked on the folder labeled, "IMPORTANT PROJECTS." The folder led me to a list of different business names and dates.

I studied the list for a minute and immediately knew what to enter into the system: the name of the business project, the owner, and the date. I grabbed the first folder of the pile and read:

The Anderson project, Owner- Vince Anderson of Anderson Corporations.

Project date: 11/4/13.

I scrolled down the list and typed in the necessary information under the business name, "Anderson Corporations." I felt excitement overcome me body as I completed another file. Daniel and Camilla were right! Maybe I could do this.

Two and a half hours passed until I had completed all fifty files. I placed my final file on the finished pile and fell back in my chair, releasing a breath of relief. I was finally done with the large pile given to me and I couldn't feel any happier.

After a minute of relaxation, I got up from my seat and walked to James' office. "No! I needed that paper work yesterday for the client to sign today at 3:00!" I heard as I neared James' door. I peaked in and saw him on the phone in what seemed like a heated conversation.

His face turned crimson as he grew frustrated. His eyes sparkled with ferocity and his once open hands became fists, attempting to contain his anger. James' nose flared at something said over the phone and that was when I knew he lost it.

" I don't give a crap if you had other paper work to finish. I pay you good money to complete my paperwork and I expect it to be completed. So if I do not receive the property file in my hand by 2:00, today, then I will make sure you are fired and never work in this business again!"

James slammed the phone on his desk and took a big swing of his scotch. He fell back on his chair and put his right hand to his forehead.

I stood by the doorway, unsure and scared of what I should do next or what he would do next. But I needed to tell him that I was finished and ready for my next task. I pushed down the funny feeling in my stomach and lightly knocked on the door.

"Mr. De Luca." I called, stepping into his office.

"What?!" I jumped back, appalled by his rude tone of voice, but quickly managed to regain my composer.

"I finished the pile of files you gave me," I announced.

I placed the pile on his desk and stepped back. James looked up at me. His stormy eyes met mine and I held his gaze for a moment before I looked away, feeling my face become warm.

James cleared his throat and said,"Well done, Miss Green. I have another assignment for you that will take you some time." I nodded my head and watched as he pulled out a black leather folder from his right desk drawer.

He placed the folder on his desk along with a white ID card. "There is a meeting tomorrow in the afternoon. I need fifteen copies of each paper and put in the same order as the folder I'm giving you. Each packet should have ten pages. Come back when you are finished."

I nodded and took the leather folder with the white card on top. "What is the white card for?" I asked, holding up the white card in confusion.

"The white card is the card for the copy room. You need to have one to get in." James answered.

"Okay. I'll get right on that sir." I walked out of his office with the card in hand and the folder held up against my chest when I realized that I didn't know where the copy room was.

"Shit!" I cursed quietly. How was I going to copy and make fifteen copies if I didn't know where the copy room was?!

I looked down at the card and saw that the copy room was in 'Room C.' Maybe I could look up a map of the building and find it or I could--

"Is something wrong, Miss Green?" I turned around to find Sally standing there with a steaming cup of coffee.

Should I ask her for help? What if she thinks I'm dumb for not knowing? I mentally debated in my head when I finally make a decision.

"Yes, actually I just have a tiny problem. I have to copy this for James and I don't know where the copy room is."

"That's understandable. You haven't had a tour of the office yet." Sally stated. I nodded my head in reply.

"So how about I show you where the copy room is and at the same time give you a tour?"

"I don't want to trouble you with giving me a tour, Miss...." I said, not knowing her last name.

"It won't be any trouble at all, Miss Green, and please call me Sally." She beamed and took my arm. "Now let's get started on our tour."

My tour began with us walking down the hall and Sally explaining the different offices in the company.

"Here is Mr. Adrian De Luca's office. He's always very very busy so I'm surprised if you've seen him." Sally explained, as we walked past Adrian's office.

"I have actually. We even talked. He is a very nice man and a gentleman." I said. Her shocked expression made me stop.

"I'm sorry if I'm scaring you. I'm just surprised that you talked with him since Adrian never usually talks with anyone."

"Why?"

"Well Adrian used to be very high spirited and had a great personality until his wife passed away." Sally paused.

"Actually this is none of my business and we shouldn't be talking about this. Let's continue our tour." Sally said frantically and we walked past the conference room.

I didn't question the subject further since Sally was right. It was none of our business and we had no right to talk about Adrian's personal life. But it didn't mean I couldn't feel sorry for his loss.

"The conference room is right here and mainly used for meetings or presentations." Sally explained, pointing to a rather large glass room with a conference table and a projector screen at the far end.

I turned my head to get a better look at the elegant room when I collided  with someone. "I am so sorry, Sally." I apologized, picking up the black leather folder I had dropped.

I looked up expecting to see Sally but instead I saw a very handsome man in her place. "You're not Sally," I said with an embarrassed smile.

The man chuckled and I soon joined him. "No, I'm not Sally. But my name is Ryan Phillips."

                ~~~~~~~~~
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Editor: bilautaaxoxo

Dedicated to: one of my best friends, whynotread24   , for always supporting me!