Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
He was hardly ever seen by anyone other than those in the inner sanctum, those precious few who were blessed by his presence everyday. I wonder what that must feel like, to be that close to such greatness everyday.
I’d learnt a lot more than his bedroom antics in my months of searching. I knew he was one of the leading businessmen in our city. That even before he’d lost his family he’d been driven.
He had risen to the top in record time and stayed there. He was a Harvard business alumnus with a Masters from Oxford. Very smart, a very lethal combination of looks and smarts.
He’d started from the bottom and worked his way up in one of the better venture capitalist companies in the city before branching off on his own. Now he was a force to be reckoned with. The man everyone turned to when their business fell into the dark and needed a lifeline.
It helped that he was thought of as a fair man. Maybe it was because of his humble beginnings that he had such compassion for those who were trying but needed that extra boost to get them over the top.
Whatever his reasoning, it was a well known fact that he’d helped many a business in the area stay afloat. Everyone sung his praise, well most everyone. There were those who he’d turned away who didn’t look too kindly on him and his actions.
For every company he saved, he owned majority shares in more than half of them. He was a staunch businessman after all, not a charity.
I knew all of this by the time I first met him in the flesh. In fact I’d venture to guess that I knew him as well as or better than any of the people who’d been here before me. But even with all that knowledge I was no closer to the man.
Chapter 5
***
That first week after his visit the place was in an uproar. No one had heard anything about his decision and tempers were flaring. There were way too many women who thought they qualified for the position, but we all knew there was more on their minds.
The last admin for Mr. Harp had been an elderly woman. There was no one in this pool older than thirty to his thirty-three. It was a not too well hidden fact that anyone who got that close to him was sure to catch his eye and from the talk on the floor they were more interested in the perks gained from time in his bed than an actual job.
The tension was almost palpable by the end of the week and nerves were frayed. I seemed to be the only one not interested, not throwing my hat into the ring. I knew I wasn’t even in the running. At least it kept me from worrying myself to death the way some of the others were doing.
I kept my head down and did my work, willing myself not to envy whoever the lucky recipient turned out to be. Though I did spend a lot of time studying my coworkers, looking for that special something that would draw him to them.
“So, aren’t you at all interested in this job? Even if he doesn’t turn that wandering eye of his your way, I hear the pay is nothing to sneeze at.”
I could see why Amy would come to the conclusion that he wouldn’t have an interest in me sexually. After all I wasn’t his usual fare. I was brunette to his preferred blonde and I topped off at five-two in stockinged feet.
It didn’t matter that I didn’t fit his preferred taste, I’m more of the dream from a distance type anyway. Sometimes the dream was better than reality. I didn’t kid myself that he wouldn’t live up to all expectations, but I knew I didn’t stand a chance so why bother.
“Why would I get that job? There are about five women ahead of me and don’t forget we’re not the only pool here. He could be looking anywhere for his new assistant. And besides, I’m very happy where I am.” I almost convinced myself of that lie.
She shrugged off my excuses, and stood to leave from her perch on my desk. “Well I for one would love to be upstairs. The perks alone are worth it, and getting a look at the great man everyday can’t hurt.” She wiggled her brows and grinned.
I brushed her off and turned back to my work, feigning disinterest. Why doesn’t he choose someone already and put me out of my misery? At least if I knew who she was then I could move on. As it is, I stress day in and day out over which of the beauties surrounding me would gain his attention next.
There were any number of them that would fit the bill. I wondered if they’d all applied for a job at this particular firm because they knew of the boss’ preferences.