Chapter 6

• "Can I skip that question, Mister? It's a bit of a sore subject for me at the moment. Sorry," her voice lowered as the sentence finished.
• He was silent for a moment but then she heard his footsteps at the back of the room again.
• She opened her eyes and took a deep breath, "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you, Mister?"
• There was a pause and she started to think that he wouldn't answer but then she heard his deep voice call out, "35."
• And she was taken aback. She remembered hearing that he inherited this branch of the company when he turned 30 but he was still so young, "A whole branch of a company at the young age of 35? I couldn't even begin to imagine all you've had to sacrifice to be this successful."
• He came to sit beside her in the chair to her left and studied her for a moment while taking a sip of an amber-colored liquor.
• It seemed a little early in the day to be drinking already, but she could only assume the stresses this job held. One drink would be fine for a man of his size, though. It probably wouldn't even affect him.
• "You don't think I'm too old," he suddenly asked, catching her off guard.
• She looked into his eyes, searching, surely he couldn't mean... She looked at the hand in his lap and found it absent of any rings but that didn't mean he still wasn't spoken for.
• "Too old for...," she let the question ask itself.
• He smiled, cleared his throat, and then took another sip. "So, you would like to be my personal assistant? You'd work when I'm working, fetch my paperwork, lunch, drinks if I so choose. You'd take my phone calls and be in charge of organizing my schedule. You'd accompany me on any business trips or lunches I take, whether they be near or far. Would your boyfriend be okay with this?" That was so blatant.
• "I don't have a boyfriend, Mister. I actually live alone, so all of that would be fine with me. I really appreciate you even giving me a chance at an interview."
• "Alright, Annalisa," he stood up, and she took it as a cue that she should as well. They were almost chest to chest or rather, head to neck as she had to look up at him. She started to back up but forgot that there was a chair behind her, so she began to fall back. He was quick to reach out and catch her with an arm around her waist and one around her shoulder.
• Her right hand clung to his side, and her left to his bicep. If she didn't feel like this interview was a little personal before, she certainly did now. Their faces were far closer than they should be for an appropriate interview. She felt her face flush again and noticed that he hadn't let go yet. She looked into his dark honey-colored eyes and let a shallow breath escape her lips. What it would be like if he just leaned down a little bit...
• He looked down at her for a few seconds more and then finally stepped back, allowing her to right herself as she tried to regain what composure--and dignity--she had left. She just wondered what it would be like to kiss him...to kiss her 35-year-old maybe-boss who she was almost certain saw her as a klutzy, stuttering young girl.
• "Well, it would seem from your resume that you are more than qualified for this job. I would be an idiot if I didn't hire you. So, I'll see you tomorrow at seven, Annalisa," he said, his face void of any emotion.
• She looked up at him once more, "Thank you so much. And yes, Mister. I'll be here," she breathed out.
• As she walked out of the room and into the entryway, she stopped to look at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was flushed, and her hair was a bit frizzy at the part, but other than that, she still saw the same girl who had no idea what today would have in store for her...or what this city would have in store for her. But she surely didn't think she would meet the most intense man in the world.
• Her alarm clock blared at 4:45 am, eliciting a groan from her. She kicked off the covers and sat on the edge of her bed, contemplating whether this job was actually worth it. Then, she reminded herself that she definitely needed and wanted this job. So, she stood, stretched, and walked blurry-eyed to the bathroom to start her daily routine.
• ......
• Annalisa was just about to apply some lipstick when her phone started ringing. For a moment, she thought it was her grandma, and she felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of telling her about her new apartment and job. But then, she remembered why she was in Dallas, and her heart ached. Her grandma was in a better place, she knew that, but she missed her terribly and wished she had her best friend back.
• After all, it wasn't like she could exactly call her ex-boyfriend, who was still in love with her, and tell him all about her attractive boss. Her mind was brought back to the present by her still ringing phone. It was 6:26 in the morning. Who could be up this early, let alone calling people?
• She looked at the caller ID and saw a number she didn't recognize, but she answered anyway. "Hello?"
• "Annalisa, good morning. On your way into work, grab me a coffee: medium, dark roast with three sugars and one creamer. I'll see you in 30," he stated in a no-nonsense tone before hanging up.
• She considered saving his number under 'Dominating Dylan' and chuckled, but decided against it just in case he ever saw it. Instead, she went with 'Dylan Silverstone'. Plain and boring, everything she had a feeling he was not.
• It was smart of her to have woken up earlier than needed, she guessed. She was basically ready to go, but that extra stop would have her cutting it close.