Page 3 of Christian Clause

“Mrs. Ashwell.”

“Yes, Mr. Clause,” she replies shortly.

“Call HR and tell them I need another assistant ASAP!" I instruct her in a snappy tone.

"Sure thing, Mr. Clause, I will get right on it. Will there be anything else?" Mrs. Ashwell replies.

"Yes. Tell them to send someone reliable this time around and not just any blonde bimbo that’s more interested in dating the boss than doing her job.”

Silence falls at the other end of the line.

“If they don’t send someone dependable, tell them I’ll have them all fired and hire a competent team.”

“All right, Mr. Clause.”

I don’t know who keeps on sending me sex sirens instead of personal assistants. But if I have one more seductive woman passing through my door, I’m ready to go down to HR to get to the bottom of the matter. Probably someone there isn’t taking his or her job seriously and wants to look for another one.

I try to be fair to my workers, but as a hard worker myself, I expect the same from them. I will not give less of myself.

Sighing, I push my chair back and rise. I stride across my carpeted floor to my floor-to-ceiling window to stare at the busy Colorado business street.

As usual, cars move past my office building. People walk up and down the streets, patronizing the shops below.

It brings back memories of the first time I walked down the streets in search of a building to begin my electronic business. Every building had been too expensive for me to rent. So, I went back to working for a factory to save enough money.

A smile spreads across my face when I remember the day I made my first million. Of course, millions have since turned into billions.

“I’ve come a long way,” I mutter and turn away from the window.

My nose catches the pungent scent of the woman who has just left my office. A grimace crosses my face. I almost gagged earlier when she stepped into the office. I wanted to ask her if she had her bath in a tub filled with perfume.

I shake my head as I return to my seat. The last assistant sent to me was equally incompetent. My fingers run through my hair as I settle in my chair. It isn’t the first time I’ve had women sucking up to me, but I’m particularly disgusted because this is a work environment. I don’t enjoy mixing business with pleasure. Everyone who knows me is aware of that. The bimbos refuse to understand that I don’t joke with my work. I didn’t come this far to have a fling with my personal assistant.

I never thought I would say this, but I miss my former personal assistant. She was a very efficient worker. Unfortunately, she had to move with her husband to London.

Pushing aside my feeling of discontent, I flip open the file on my desk.

Chapter Two

Hope

“I’m sorry, Miss Grady. We don’t have a position for you at the moment,” the HR manager says to me with a small smile on her face.

My heart crumbles in my chest at the disappointing words of the woman.

“Thank you,” I reply and force my stiff body from the chair. I straighten my blouse and pick up my purse.

With my shoulders slumped, I make my way out of the office. I navigate my way out of the building, thinking of what I’m going to do next. If I don’t find a job soon, I’ll be in big trouble with my piling up bills.

Out in the sunshine, I let out a frustrated breath. I’m confused as to where next to go as I watch cars move up and down the busy street. I turn around and look at the building I just vacated. It would have been nice working in the IT firm, but they don’t need my services.

Shifting my gaze, I spot a café a few blocks away. Keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to get free Wi-Fi there, I force my feet into motion. As I cross the distance, a shiver of fear runs through me. What if I don’t find a job before the end of the month? Alice has already told me that if I don’t come up with my share of the rent by month’s end, she’ll look for another roommate.

“I thought we were friends,” I told her with tears in my eyes.

“We are, but I have to be realistic,” she returned with a savage bite. “I can’t afford to pay your bills and mine.”

“So, you’ll put me out?” I asked with shock.

---