He didn’t say a single word to her on the short journey up, and Isobel was starting to think that maybe he knew that she was lying about him telling her to come to the office. But, as the door opened he stood to one side and smiled warmly at her, indicating that she should exit the elevator before him, and she breathed another small sigh of relief.
The elevator had opened up into what Isobel assumed was his office, judging by the huge mahogany desk and extensive plate glass windows that ran the whole length of one wall giving an amazing view of the city spread out beneath it. Thick carpet muffled their footsteps and expensive light fittings and artwork that was probably real and not prints adorned the wall. On the wall to the left was one door, and on the opposite wall was another, and Isobel would bet her life that the lush plants were real rather than fake. The whole room had an air of luxury that left her breathless.
Tyler walked around the desk and sat down in the huge leather executive chair. “Please, take a seat, Isobel.” He indicated the chair on the opposite side of the desk and she sat down nervously, crossing her legs demurely. “I seem to recall you telling me that you have typing experience and office administration skills?” He raised an inquiring eyebrow at her.
She did, but only just, and it had been a long time since she’d worked in an office environment. But how hard could it be? “Um, yes I do Mr. James.”
“Tyler, please. Mr. James sounds like you’re talking to my father.” He smiled in a friendly way and Isobel felt herself relax a little. “So, I thought that I’d give you a trial shot at being my personal assistant. If all goes well, then we’ll see about making the position more permanent. How does that sound?”
“It sounds wonderful Mr. Jame…Tyler. Thank you.” Isobel was glad that she hadn’t quit her bartending job, if it turned out that she sucked at office work she could at least go back there.
“Okay, if you’ll sit here for a minute I’ll write up a list of things that I’d like you to do today. Then I’ll take you through to where you’ll be working.” As he spoke he was taking a pen out of its holder on the desk that Isobel could have sworn was solid gold. Oh yeah, she’d definitely hit the jackpot.
Tyler seemed to be writing for an age before he finally put the pen back down and handed her the paper he’d been writing on. Isobel gulped when she saw how long the list was, and then she gulped again when she saw some of the things written on it, wondering if she’d bitten off more than she could chew. Oh well, she’d never know if she didn’t at least try.
Her new boss, albeit possibly temporary, got to his feet and Isobel followed suit, smoothing her skirt down as she stood and noticing that Tyler’s eyes followed the movement of her hands. “Follow me please, Isobel. Let’s get you settled in.” Oh, she’d love to be settled in; in the crook of his arms as he... She quickly put a leash on where her mind was taking her. Now wasn’t the time or the place, even if she did wish differently.
She was led through one of the doors, which turned out to be the entrance to what could only be called a secretaries office. There was a buzz of chatter as the five or so ladies who were present talked among themselves while they readied themselves for the work day ahead. The talk soon ceased however, as the boss walked in with a very quiet and subdued Isobel in tow.
“Good morning, ladies.” There was a murmur of answering greetings. “This is Isobel. She’s going to be my personal assistant, for today at least.” Isobel noticed the mixed reactions his news received. One lady beamed a smile in her direction, but most of them seemed to be pretty annoyed, and she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe they’d each been hoping that they would be the next personal assistant. Oh well, you snooze, you lose, bitches, she thought.
Tyler seemed oblivious to the mixed undercurrents running through the room, and carried on talking. “Mary, I’d like you to show Isobel where she can find everything she’ll need, please.” He spoke to the woman who had smiled at Isobel, much to her relief.