Page 5 of Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

I laugh at the image of Daniel in those boxers. After paying, I rush back to Andrews Enterprises, determined to make a better impression.

I’ll be fine. I have to be.

2

Daniel

No doubt about it, she's hands down the worst-dressed Assistant I've ever had in all my years as a CEO. If she can't even dress the part, how is she supposed to get anything done around here?

The quiet hum of the air conditioning interrupts my thoughts, echoing through the silence of my office. I tap the fountain pen in my hand against my desk, staring blankly at my screen. My jam-packed schedule for the day mockingly glares back at me.

When am I supposed to eat? Use the bathroom?

“Ugh.” I sigh and sink deeper into the seat.

The Nexus meeting is scheduled for 11:00 AM, and of course, I didn’t get any reminders or prep materials. Why? Because I still don’t have a capable Assistant. Dianne Parker, my previous Assistant, left me in a whirlwind of chaos, without so much as a formal resignation. She just stopped showing up. So many projects were left unfinished, documents not saved, emails unanswered.

The Nexus Global Convention is an annual conference that attracts the world's biggest tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs from every corner of the globe. Unlike other conventions, Nexus chooses only one company to handle all media-related activities throughout the event. Our original bid has already been accepted, positioning us on the brink of a monumental breakthrough for the company. Now, the final hurdle is to secure their acceptance of our contract terms and to impress them with a flawless execution plan. This could be the game changer I've been striving for, propelling us to new heights in the industry.

I glance at the picture frame on my desk – a framed photograph of Michelle, grinning toothlessly in a green sundress, clutching a bucket and shovel at the beach. Sitting next to her is a woman who looks exactly like her, but much older.

Her beautiful mother.

I pick it up and gently touch the image of Maddie’s smiling face.

“Oh, how things have changed,” I mutter under my breath.

Closing my eyes, I think back to that day.

***

The sun was beginning to dip low over the horizon as our little family strolled along the sandy shore. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the air, and the salty breeze tousled Michelle's golden locks as she skipped ahead, collecting seashells in her tiny hands.

"Look, Daddy! I found a really big one!" Michelle exclaimed, holding up a particularly large shell for inspection.

Maddie smiled at our daughter's excitement; her hand intertwined with mine as we walked along the water's edge. “That's a beauty, Michelle! Let's keep it for our collection at home.”

As we continued our leisurely stroll, Michelle suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening with wonder as she spotted something in the distance. "Daddy, Mommy, look! It's a sandcastle!"

Maddie and I exchanged amused glances before following Michelle to the sandcastle. As we approached, we saw a young boy meticulously adding the finishing touches to his creation, his face beaming with pride.

"That's amazing, buddy!" I exclaimed, kneeling down beside him. "You've done a great job!"

The boy looked up at me, a shy smile spreading across his face. "Thanks, Sir! I've been working on it all day!"

Maddie joined us, her eyes twinkling with admiration. "You're quite the little architect, aren't you?" she remarked, ruffling the boy's sandy hair affectionately. “What’s your name?”

“Brandon. Want to help me build a castle? My parents are over there, but they’re too busy.”

With Michelle eagerly lending a hand, we spent the next hour helping the boy add turrets and moats to his sandcastle, laughing and joking as we worked together. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beach, we stepped back to admire our handiwork.

"It's perfect!" Michelle declared proudly, gazing at the towering sandcastle with wide-eyed wonder.

Maddie wrapped her arms around me, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek as we watched the waves lapping at the shore. "This is what it's all about, baby," she whispered, her voice filled with love. "Moments like these, with the people we love most in the world."

I nodded, squeezing her hand tightly. "You're right," I replied, smiling down at our daughter.

“Daddy, will you take a picture of Mommy and me by the castle?”

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