Chapter Nine

James sat in his office alone after summoning for his personal assistant. He had been in need of it for quite a while now. Not that there were no applicants that wanted to work but they were not qualified enough to his taste. His former P. A,a man of integrity and loyalty to him,suddenly resigned with the excuse that he would be abroad - based from then on.

          He was hurt but he had no choice and all applicants he had been interviewing after him did not have the qualification he wanted.

        Thus,he was happy when his brother,Peter,had told him of a person that was educated,hardworking and intelligent. Peter had suggested and assured him that the person would be no doubt qualified and fit for the position.

      If he were to be honest with himself, he found her tactful even though she talks too much. She was always willing to keep quiet whenever he told or signalled her to.

    For the past few months she had been working for him,he had the other side of her — the quiet side of her. She was always serious when it comes to her work. She did not toy with that and that's what he appreciated the most.

       There was a day she had an argument with a client on his behalf. The client had been too abusive to him and because she couldn't bear to see anybody tongue lashing her boss,she talked back to the man as calmly as anyone could think of but her words were fire.

And though the client never stepped into the company which meant the loss of a client,he still appreciated the fact that she stood up for him. He had always been avoiding argument between him and his clients because he was afraid of losing them but Joyce made him realize he can also keep his clients by arguing and settling matters for them to know their differences and ways to treat some clients.

     Joyce knocked on his door which jerked him awake from his thoughts. James watched as she sashayed down to where he was sitting in her black skirt and pink dress and a pink flat shoe. Fortunately, he was wearing blue that day,so no argument on same clothing.

      "You called me,sir," Joyce said politely,leaning down to look at his face when he didn't gaze up at her. "Any problem? Or is it about the contract of Miss Abe?" She asked with worry.

         "Oh,no! Not that. I'm just worried about.... Well,it's.....," he was interrupted by the sound of the telephone ringing. "Send her in," he said after listening to what the caller had said,which was no doubt the secretary.

       Vivian and a young man of about the the age as James entered and sat on the sofa in the large office. Vivian smiled at James who returned the smile faintly. He didn't seem to be in a good mood but Vivian didn't know that.

    Vivian's gaze drifted to the lady before him who looked familiar to her. "Oh! It's you," she exclaimed after realizing who she was. "The waitress from Yes,thanks. What are you doing here?" She asked. She had not been to James' office for quite sometime now so she had absolutely no idea of what she was doing there.

     Joyce smiled but said nothing.

      James stood and went to sit before Vivian and the man who introduced himself as Vivian's elder brother, Philip. "I hired her," James said briefly,making it obvious that he was not going to say more than that.

     "What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?" Philip asked Joyce,already taking interest in her. Who wouldn't, anyway? She's beautiful to the eyes. He liked her at first sight.

       "Not a problem. I'm Joyce Donald, the personal assistant of the CEO of this great company, in person of Mister James Andrew," Joyce introduced with a broad smile.

James smiled too but it faded way too quickly while Vivian's expression could define nothing less than shock.

     A waitress? Now P. A? Vivian thought but said nothing before smiling.

     

      "I'm Philip Lucas,Vivian's brother," he introduced  again as he smiled and rose to his feet to shake her. "Nice to meet such a beauty," he flirted but that didn't seem to flatter Joyce.

   "My pleasure," she answered.

      James definitely was in no mood for their drama. He just wasn't in the mood. Vivian finally noticed him and asked him what the matter was but he gave her a false assurance that nothing was wrong with him.

       After some minutes,Vivian left with her brother after telling them they would visit another time. Then,Joyce rushed to where her boss sat. She had been studying his reactions throughout the visit and she knew something was wrong with him. And she was right,his temperature was high when she felt it by putting her left palm on his neck and forehead.

         "Oh,my God! It's so high," she said more to herself. "Let me take you to the hospital," she said,forcing him up but he hesitated. "Do you wish to die,huh? Well,if you want to,you are free,but let me do my part so as not to be blamed,okay?" She rushed in fear. "I'll just pity your parents and your brothers if you die," she paused,then continued. "How can you be burning up like this and refuse to go to do hospital? I'm sure your ego will kee you one day. What an arrogant man!" She said the last statement silently and intentionally didn't pronounce the word 'Kill ' very well. She wasn't ready to lose her job.

      James shrugged.

     "James,you better......."

     "Sshh! Miss,you talk too much. Just let me be for now, okay?" He uttered and then added,"Your words make my head aches"

      "What!" She exclaimed furiously. "So,you mean I'm an headache to you? What does that implies? Ouch,I'm getting angry," she said and continued,"I am only concerned about you and your family but I ended up being called an headache? Oh,my God! Do you want me to leave you here and go home? It's closing hour already and I have to prepare dinner for my husband and children,"she uttered and quickly added,"Oh,sorry! I mean my mum and dad."

She kept on talking which made James uncomfortable. The more she talked,the more uncomfortable he seemed. He couldn't think of another way to keep her quiet so he decided to make her dumb for at least a while.

        ".........You're such an....What can I call you?—" Joyce was still saying.

   "Joyce,do you want me to kiss you right now?" He managed to say.