Bliss' POV

I was pissed, livid, angry, and irritated at the same time.

"Who in the hello slashed my tires?!!"

"We have security cameras all over the property. I'll call security. In the meantime, you can drive your Range Rover or the Infiniti."

Shane pulled out his phone and made the call to security.

"Bliss, you have a Range Rover and an Infiniti?"

"Wait until I tell you what else. We'll talk at home. I'll drive the Infiniti."

So, everyone made their way to the cars and went to the Chinese restaurant. It was not too far from the office. But I still followed someone. "Hey, we could check some of the houses in Long Island. We need to get a listing first."

"Skip talking at home. Let's talk about it now," Andrea blurts out while smirking at me. So, while in the car on the way to lunch, we talked about the day's events.

"Yeah, Bliss, spill the beans," Jillian agrees with Andrea.

"Before I do, remember that I am driving. No loud screaming, got it?"

They all said in unison, "We got it."

"He gave me a beautiful office with an amazing view of Manhattan, a massive pay raise, a sweet bonus, two luxury SUVs, a Starbucks and Chipotle in the food court, and a company credit card with a huge limit for business purposes. And he told me to call him Shane."

"I told him about your weakness for Starbucks and Chipotle. You're welcome, sis."

"Thanks, Andrea." The next part, I muffled.

"He confessed that he likes me and wants us to be in a relationship."

"Wait! Repeat that last part?" Mariah says to me.

"Ugh, do not repeat this outside of this vehicle. If you do, I will hurt you. He confessed that he wants me."

"Oh, Bliss, I know he does. He told me. Jessica and I made him sign a 'What is needed to date my sister?' contract. Bliss, he really, really likes you. Are you going to give him a chance?"

Kamilah chimes in, "Come on, Bliss. Give the guy a chance. We could tell he liked you at the meeting in May."

"Bliss, every guy is not a jerk," Jillian adds too.

"Mr. Landes is charming. He is not a player at all. Both Jessica and I approve of him."

"But, what if he turns out like the guys you all dated? I saw the heartbreak you all went through."

"Listen, Jessica and I sat Mr. Landes down and peppered him with a list of questions. We did what mom and dad would have done to him - grill him. He passed with flying colors. I think he loves you."

"We all may have experienced heartbreak, but look at us now. We all have great guys. Who would have known that Adam and I would have started dating? I already knew the perfect guy for me," Kamilah says with a big grin on her face.

"Think about it, girly. Mr. Landes said he is willing to wait forever for you. Don't make him wait too long."

"I already thought about it, and my answer has not changed. I don't want Shane or any other man. Let's end this discussion because we have arrived."

****************

Narrator's POV

Everyone made their way inside the restaurant. They didn't have to wait long because the owners knew about Shane. So they took the group to the room Shane uses to entertain clients. After everyone had ordered their meals, a conversation ensued. Bliss looked up at Shane, and he knew what she was going to ask, and he told her, "No."

**********

Bliss' POV

"Why? Why do they keep sitting me next to Shane?"

"So, Bliss, how has your first day gone so far?" Carly asked me.

"I had to put two chicks in their place this morning. They called me a 'slut', saying I slept with Shane to become his assistant. Number one, I am a virgin and proud to say it."

I heard Shane choking suddenly on what he was drinking. So, I patted his back. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Water went down the wrong way."

"I can be blunt. But I am not ashamed of being a virgin. Other than that, it has been wonderful, a little overwhelming because of what Shane has given me."

"That is Mr. Landes for you. He is very generous when it comes to his employees. By the way, I am Mercedes, and welcome to the company."

"Nice to meet you, Mercedes. I'm Bliss."

"My name is Natalia, and sitting next to me is Wyatt."

"It's nice to meet you both."

I have observed that Shane has a very diverse group of employees, especially on his executive team - many of different races and quite a few women. The servers brought our meals to us. After a few minutes, I excused myself and went to the restroom.

I bumped into someone on my way back and made them almost spill their drink. "Oh gosh, I am so sorry."

(Portrayal of how I picture the character Alexander Mahoney)

When this guy turned around, needless to say, he was hot. He stared at me as much as I stared at him. His eyes gave off an 'I am in command' look - like he didn't need to say a word because his eyes did the talking. He finally broke the silence.

"It's okay. Not every day that I get bumped into by a beautiful woman such as yourself. By the way, I am Alexander."

"Hi, I am Bliss. And I am sorry about that."

"Beautiful name. Ms. Bliss, would you like to go to dinner sometime?"

"Thanks for the offer. But, I am not interested. I have no interest in dating."

Alexander's POV

"I understand. Well, it was nice bumping into you." Then she walked away.

"No way am I letting her get away from me."

There I stood, watching that sexiness named Bliss walk away.

"The things we could do during se......."

I was snapped out of my thoughts by my personal secretary. "Mr. Mahoney, we await you to deliver your speech."

"I am coming over, Lorraine."

**********

Our group was leaving the restaurant at the same time as another group. And, look who it is - Shane Landes. Ooh, Ms. Bliss is one of his employees. Interesting.

"Time to start trouble."

"Hey, Shane?!"

He turned around and had a scowl on his face - classic. So, I walked over to where he was standing.

"Hope to see you at the conference this weekend."

"I hope I don't see you at all. Now, if you will excuse us, we need to get back to work."

I knew this would get him riled up. So, I blew a kiss to Bliss. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Bliss."

He was angry. Did I care? Absolutely not.

Shane's POV

"Ladies, do you mind riding back with the others? We have two more stops to make before we head back to the office."

"Sure, not a problem Mr. Landes."

"Bliss, I will be right over to your truck."

"Sure." I waited until she got in her Infiniti.

"Why is a hot woman like that working for you? She looks tasty - good enough to eat if, you know what I mean," he said while smirking.

"Alexander, I am going to make this perfectly clear. Leave Bliss alone!!! I know you are trying to provoke me in front of my employees. But, it is not going to work. Try harder."

"It already worked because I hear it in the tone of your voice. Keep a close watch on her because one day she could be working under me - catch my drift?" He started laughing and walked away.

Let me get in this truck before I strangle him. After that fiasco, I headed to Bliss' Infiniti and got in the passenger side.

"When you pull out of the parking lot, make a right turn. Then at the second light, make a left."

"Okay."

"Did Alexander do anything to you in the restaurant?"

"No. He was quite the gentleman. I bumped into him on my way back to the table. He did ask me out on a date. I declined it. I told him what I told you - I don't date."

"If he ever comes near you again, please let me know. He may be an excellent businessman, but he is a monster regarding women. He treats women like they are sex objects. You are now on his radar. How would you like to attend your first conference this weekend? You would have your own room, of course. Make a left into the shopping center to the phone store."

"What should I pack for this conference?"

"We leave on Friday so that you could dress casually. Saturday morning, you would need business attire. And, in the evening, you would need something formal."

"The only formal dress I have is what I wore to the retirement party."

"Use your company card to purchase an outfit. It is for business, so that you will be fine."

Bliss found a parking space near the store.

"For your phone and tablet, Android or Apple?"

"Ewww. I can't stand Apple's products. I am an Android girl all the way. Uh, Shane, I only have space for one of the trucks at my house. Where am I going to put the others?"

"There is an underground, private garage at the office. I will have both trucks parked in there."

"Okay. Thanks."

********

Tuesday Morning

Bliss' POV

Today, I will be attending my first meeting. So, I left my house early and made my way into the office at 8:30 am.

Adrian must be back upstairs because someone different is there now. So, I just made my way past the desk, but she stopped me.

"Excuse me, but where do you think you are going?"

"Not another one of these jealous heifers I have to put in their place."

"Excuse me, but I work here, and I am going to my office on the 50th floor. I am Mr. Landes' new assistant. Is that a problem? Here is my ID. If you excuse me, I will resume what I was doing."

"That ID could be fake."

"Honey, this ID is 100% real. Unlike your boobs, which are 100% fake. Look, I don't have time for this. You will have some explaining to do if I am late for my meeting."

"I will call security on your........."

She must have seen Shane because her attitude changed drastically.

"Good morning, Mr. Landes."

"Seriously, can this chick be any faker?"

"Good morning, Lucy. I see you met Ms. Sanders. Good morning, Bliss."

Shane could sense that I was not happy. "Is there something wrong here?"

"Yes, it is. Little Ms. Fake Boobs stopped me from going to my office - telling me I had a fake ID. She was going to call security on my black behind as she was about to say before you arrived."

"Lucy, you are fired! I can't have my employees spewing racial remarks against one another. Ms. Sanders is my assistant, and you or anyone else must show her the same respect you show me."

"Shane, you don't have to fire her. I am fine. I want to get to work."

"Consider yourself lucky for now. But you are out of here if I hear that it happens again!"

As we walked through the double doors, "Before I forget, the person who slashed your tires was caught and sent to jail. He said he was paid to slash them."

"Why me?"

"I will give you one word - Amy. I will take care of her."

"Ding!!"

"Good morning, Carly."

"Good morning, Bliss. I have two floral arrangements here for you."

I opened the card on the first arrangement to see who had sent them.

It said,

"Congratulations on your new position.

Mom and dad would be so proud of you.

Love,

Jessie and Andrea"

I started crying a little bit. It was a vase of different colored roses.

"Honey, are you okay?"

"Hi, Adrian. I mean 'mom.' My sisters sent me a beautiful flower arrangement. But, I am about to check this other one to see who sent it."

I opened the card and read it.

"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady. Hope to see you this weekend at the conference.

Love, Alex"

Shane, Carly, and Adrian were angry.

"Shane, why is Alexander Mahoney sending Bliss flowers?!!"

*********

Thank you all for reading chapter 5.

Pictures are courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

The outfit is courtesy of PNG Tree - ©pngtree.com/ Marshaila Geovanni.

Ad, thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘