I groaned as I felt my phone vibrate for what felt like the millionth time. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone, seeing the caller ID. "Goodmorning Mother." I rolled my eyes as I heard her take a deep breath. "Where are you Bruce? You're late." "I am five minutes away from the office. How are you feeling today?" "I would be a little better if you were actually at the office. Did you forget about your new assistant?" "Of course not, Mother."

"Good, she seems like a good one. Hopefully you keep this one." I looked out the window and said, "I hope so too, Mother." "I am serious, Bruce. If Natalia doesn't work out, we might have to reconsider this deal." I rubbed my brow, annoyed. "What deal?" "Your father and I wanted you to run the business. And as you well enough know, you can't run a business well if you keep scaring off your employees." I chuckled in annoyance. "Why is it my fault that the people we hire don't have tough skin?" "Well, I just hope you actually try with Natalia." "I will Mother." "Bruce-"

"Mother, I have to go." I hung up the phone as Lewis pulled up to the building. I fixed my suit as I waited for him to open the door. "Thank you Lewis." He nodded in response. "You're very welcome, Mr. Payton." I checked my watch. 9 AM, not the best timing but I am here. I walked into the building, the usual nods and smiles as I walked to the receptionist desk. I looked around, finally seeing Ashlyn. "Goodmorning, Ashlyn." She nodded and smiled. "Good Morning, sir." "Any news?" She smirked "Aside from the one about you and the french lady last night? No." I eyed her, reminding her how much I hated the tabloids. "Blown out of proportion, of course."

She nodded and walked from behind the desk. I watch her grab a coffee cup, taking a sip. I watched her as we reached the elevators. "Coffee doesn't seem like the best way to start the day for you or the little guy." She shook her head. "As the wife of your cousin, I appreciate the concern but it's green tea." I looked at her, surprised as we stepped into the elevator. "Tea, green tea? You would never buy that." She nodded in agreement. "True but I didn't buy it. Natalia did." "The assistant?" She smirked and shook her head, in disapproval. "Yes Natalia." I watched as we rode past the 14th floor. "What?" "Your cousin told me not to say anything but I love you like a brother and I am pregnant, so listen. She's a very sweet girl, don't scare her out of here."

I rolled my eyes "Why do I keep hearing that?" She chuckled "Did Sandy say the same thing?" I shook my head. "Says I can't run the business if I keep scaring them away." "Agreed." I shot her a look as the elevator came to a stop and opened to the floor. Ashlyn followed me as we walked to the joint offices. I turned and looked to see her door open, I walked in seeing it empty. I walked into my office, finding a coffee cup sitting in the middle of the desk. "Coffee?" Ashlyn shrugged "Coffee." I took a sip, the liquid warm due to the fact it was sitting out for so long. I pulled it from my lips, popping off the top. "Black, impressive. A safe choice."

I placed the cup back on the desk. "So where is she?" Ashlyn motioned towards the door. "Probably the main conference room, she seemed pretty starstruck by it. Don't say I blame her." I felt my annoyance show again. "Starstruck or not, office work is for her office. Not the conference room." I walked past Ashlyn, making my way down to the conference room. I turned my head, watching her from the door. I watched as she sat comfortably in my chair, papers in front of her. Her pen hanging from her lips as she studied what was in front of her. Her hair, a long and shiny curtain, covering the left side of her face.

I almost felt my demeanor relax watching her work, for a second it seemed like the roles were reversed. She was the COO and I was the assistant in training, it was new. I jumped back to life when Ashlyn tapped my arm. I cleared my throat loudly "Comfortable?" That caught her attention, the pen dropping from her lips. She stood up from the chair, straightening her dress, and then fiddling with her hair. "Oh, hi.. I mean, good morning. Sorry I didn't realize anyone needed this room. I was just starting some work for Mr. Payton." I watched as she fumbled with her words, enjoying the contrast from her calm demeanor just a minute ago. "I am Mr. Payton." I watched as she looked at me, her expression, flustered.

"Right, yes. I knew that. Good morning, sir." She walked up to me, hand extended to me. "I am Natalia, your assistant." I looked at her hand, her skin resembling caramel, nails painted black. I looked at her up and down, noticing that every part of her attire was black. I walked by her without giving her my hand. I walked to her papers, stacked and signed. "Miss Florence, I am going to excuse this on the fact that it's your first day. But office work is to be handled in the office, not the conference room." At first, she seemed wounded but that soon changed to a calm demeanor as she folded her hands in front of her and nodded.

"Ashlyn will show you around the most important parts of the building today. But I will need you to return before 1 PM to discuss what is needed of you, understood?" "Absolutely, Mr. Payton." Ashlyn turned to her "I hope you're ready, Natalia. Things can get tough around here." She chuckled, the sound grabbing my attention. "Please, I grew up in the Bronx. I think I can handle it." I watched her full lips curl into a smile. "1 PM, Miss Florence. Don't forget." I walked out leaving her in Ashlyn's care as I walked back to my office ready to start the day.