Dieforme,Mr.Hall

June

After a thorough scrutiny of my obligations as Mr. Hall's PA, I've decided the position is nothing more than being a glorified butler. I'm not even in charge of his schedule, that's already created by Mr. Smith, my job is more of a 'Yes, come in. Time's up. Are you hungry?'

He and Mr. Smith left for the Intelligence briefing after he ordered me to stay put. I finish going through his schedule and sneak a glance at Mr. Phineas who I'm sharing an office with. He is grinning ear to ear as he taps away at his phone, unknowingly preventing me from sneaking into Mr. Hall's office to start the search for the file I'm to retrieve. He notices my attention and looks up.

"How are you holding up, Blondie?" He has called me everything but my name in the past thirty minutes and it seems Blondie is the one that'll stick.

"He works from 8 in the morning till 10 at night?" I muse. Why such a workaholic? That also makes my job harder.

"Yup." Mr. Phineas replies with a smack of his lips. "But don't you worry your pretty head, it's still the easiest job out there. You just do your part and everything moves like a well-oiled machine."

I smile at him, hoping I look reassured as he gets a call that I'm pretty sure is from his girlfriend... or boyfriend and he heads to his restroom. Just then, the elevator dings open and Mr. Hall strolls in. He doesn't spare me a glance and I peek at him through my lashes until he vanishes behind his door.

Objectively, I've never seen a more beautiful man. He stands at around six seven inches with broad chiseled shoulders that stretch his shirt just so, every inch of him radiating power and control. His face is startlingly handsome— perfectly sculpted brows, piercing gray eyes that look like they see straight into your soul, an aristocrat nose bridge, a jawline so defined it looks like it could cut diamonds— all combine into a face that no one would forget even with a single glance. There isn't a single touch of softness on him, expect perhaps his lips.

I'm startled out of my musings by the blaring of the phone and it's the front desk confirming his first meeting of the day.

"Let me get back to you." I reply after confirming the appointment.

I replace the phone and stare at the still-dark walls of his office, wondering what now. I should let him know the client is here. I dial his office and he picks on the first ring.

"Your first client Mrs. London is downstairs." I say and the next moment, I hear the beep clearly indicating the line is disconnected. I stare at the phone in disbelief.

"Huh?" Maybe there was a glitch in the network.

I dial again and he picks on the first ring.

"Did you hear me? You are scheduled to meet with her by 10am." I say and the line drops again.

The telephone groans in my clenched fist. Oh that was definitely intentional, and extremely low of him to sink to that level of pettiness. Ignoring me, really? Let's see how much he can ignore me when I'm in his face.

I slam the receiver down and march to his door, knocking once before entering. He is frowning down at a piece of paper on his desk and he looks up when I enter, stopping me in my tracks with his sardonic gaze.

"Can I help you?" He asks.

"I'm not sure you heard me clearly. You have a client scheduled for 10am waiting downstairs, are you ready to meet with them?" I ask, my irritation creeping into my voice to my utter chagrin. I'll really have to put a better act if I want him to let his guard down but I've never seen a more perfectly infuriating face!

"Are you from a backwater village in Africa?" He asks suddenly, throwing me off.

"Uhhh no."

"Then why are you announcing my schedule in person? Would you like a microphone? Or do you think the telephone on your table is for aesthetics?" He asks in a very level voice and I feel myself deflate.

"No but... you didn't reply me." I argue and he leans back into his seat, an amused tilt to his lips that does nothing to help the glacial energy between us.

"Am I obligated to reply you?" He asks.

"Uhh no." I reply, clearing my throat.

"Who's the boss here, Miss Selwyn?" He asks, eyes twinkling with evil.

"You are." I manage in a grumble and he huffs.

"Then get out. Send them in, and don't make me see you any more than necessary or you're fired." He orders.

I manage not to slam his door, barely.

"You do not look too good." Mr. Phineas remarks, now sitting cross-legged behind his desk. I don't answer him as I take my seat, my teeth grinding with infuriation as I make the call to send the client up.

And so my day goes. I might as well be a fly on the wall, or a bug under his shoes, or a speck of dirt on his desk for all the attention he pays me. All morning, he manages to avoid saying another word to me; not when I call to remind him the appointed time is over, or when I send his next client in, or when I serve the light refreshment Mr. Phineas hands me for each client.

"How did he take it?" Mr. Phineas asks immediately I step back out, startling me. 

"How did who take what?"

"The chocolates, how did Mr. Boyl take them?" He asks with a suffering sigh.

"He... smiled?" I ask and Mr. Phineas pumps his hand in the air.

"Jackpot!"

He sees me looking and chuckles.

"You don't think my only job is choosing which tie perfectly matches Mr. Hall's skin tone and the season, do you? You've gotta pay more attention to detail. That man in there? He's here to set up life insurance for his newly-wed wife who he's head over heels in love with. And guess what they ate at their multi million resort getaway right before he proposed?"

"Recchuiti chocolates?" I guess. The last tray had three of the ridiculously expensive chocolates.

"Bingo!" He says. "It's all about the little details, babygirl. Get it right and the deal is soon as sealed."

He says, an extra pump in his steps as he strolls back to his seat.

I finally understand the different platters of refreshment for every guest now— Mr. Phineas customizes them to each client's peculiar taste.

There is no serving of food for the next client, just a spritz bottle shoved into my hand with an enthusiastic order to spritz once by the window. I hear the sharp intake of air as I hold the door open for the middle-aged woman that makes her way in some moments later, and the smile that lights up her face. Slowly, I'm beginning to fully grasp everyone's role here.

That meeting takes a long while, time in which I'm able to surf through every file on my computer to make sure what I seek is not on it though the chance of that was unlikely from the start. I wait for them to be done, check my phone, wait again, check the time to see that they've used nearly all of the lunch break and I'm finally dozing off when Mr. Hall's door opens and I jump up guiltily, bashing my knee against the corner of my table. He spares me a glance that's far from impressed and escorts the client to the elevators.

"Don't send in anyone for the next thirty minutes." He orders when he comes back.

"Yes sir." I reply then I remember I'm to serve him coffee at every break. I jump up and head to the coffee maker, confirming his preference with Mr. Smith's detailed guide before heading in.

He is on his phone when I go back in, sparing me another glance before going back to it. As this is the only chance I've gotten, I scan his office with my gaze, wondering where he could have kept the file I seek. In those drawers? Somewhere amongst the books on his shelf on the other side of the room? Or is it a soft copy on his computer? I have only three days to locate it before he fires me.

Maybe it's because I was too busy eye-balling everything, the disaster happens in slow-motion. My hand hits the coffee I set in front of him and the hot liquid goes pouring all over his pants.

"What the fuck?!" He explodes, springing to his feet.

"I'm sorry!" I gasp, clasping a hand over my mouth in horror. "Oh my God I'm so sorry!"

What have I done?!!

I snatch the napkin and stumble towards him, staring at the horrible stain on his white shirt and dark pants.

"Don't fucking touch me!" He hisses and I freeze.

"I-I just wanted to..." I raise the napkin miserably but of course there's nothing I can do to salvage this.

"Don't!" He hisses. "I told you to do absolutely nothing. Why the fuck won't you listen?"

I feel myself deflate again, biting my lip as a wave of helplessness threatens to bury me alive. Why am I doing everything wrong? Why is it that I have the most important mission of my life and all I'm doing is botching it up?

"Get out!" He snarls and I jump, snatching the now-ruined tray as I scurry out of his office. Mr. Phineas is not back from his lunch break and I'm grateful for the solitude to compose myself as I clean myself up. 

"Get a grip. June." I whisper, staring at my pale reflection in the restroom mirror. So he hates me, so what? I'm not here to make friends. I just need to lock in with these silly mistakes for long enough to accomplish my mission. I take a deep breath and go back out and my desk rings immediately. 

"Send them up." I reply into the receiver.

Twenty minutes into that meeting, I'm beginning to get anxious. Mr. Phineas has still not returned from his lunch break and I don't have his personal number. He should have provided the refreshment tray for the client by now.

My knee taps anxiously and I can just imagine Mr. Hall's disapproving frown later when he's asking if I don't have the common sense to provide refreshment if Mr. Phineas is not around.

"Oh for fuck's sake!" I snarl and stand. I'll just take coffee. This time, there will be no spilling even a drop. I make my way over slowly and pull open the door but once I step in, I realize that both of the men inside are suddenly deathly-silent, looking at me and I feeeze at the threshold.

"I brought coffee." I say with all bravado I can muster.

"Did you just... interrupt my meeting?" Mr. Hall looks and sounds like he can't believe his eyes.

"She's a new one?" The client, Mr. Ramsay asks.

"Not for long." He replies and stands, his jaw clenched so tight it might as well be made of granite.

I instinctively back away as he crosses the distance to me and he pushes the door open, motioning me out. Outside, he takes a deep breath and turns to me.

"Get out, leave." He orders and my heart jumps into

my throat in a panic.

"What?"

"You are done for the day. See you tomorrow."

"But... it's just afternoon and you still have two more meeting before the end-"

"Would you like me to make it a more permanent leave?" He growls menacingly.

I tamp down my flare of irritation and set the coffee tray down, folding my arms.

"Can I at least know what I did wrong?" I ask and he stares down at me, a very impressive feat since at my six-foot height, I'm usually the one staring down at people.

"The fact that you have no idea is the reason why you will not last beyond three days." He replies and leaves.

I grab my bag, vexed as I storm away. For a first day, it could have really gone better. I have a sinking feeling the three days won't be enough.

~~~

I step into the hospital room with a bouquet of flowers and there is Alice Vaugh, Mr. Hall's former personal assistant on the hospital bed. Her colour looks green, her bones more prominent than the photos I've seen of her. It was a piece of cake for Ryder to access her medical records. Once I found out what drugs she was on, it wasn't difficult to switch out her medications to a mix of her original drugs and something else entirely— a combo not likely to kill her as long as she receives medical attention but definitely enough to keep her in the hospital for a while.

"Who are you?" She asks with a sulk, looking up from her phone.

"Hello I'm June, Mr. Hall's temporary PA." I reply and her eyes narrow on me like a cat's as she eyes me from head to toe.

"You're not the usual temp." She says and I shrug, handing over the bouquet.

"She's also unavailable I suppose."

"I told Corey I would be out of here today, what did he go ahead and get a temp for?" She hisses and I stand there awkwardly, obviously not very welcome. If she found out I put her in the hospital, her behavior now would be charming in comparison.

"Uhmm the doctor said that you would be out for a week?" I ask.

"Bullshit." She says. "I'll get the doctor to clear me for discharge by evening."

"Ohh okay." I say. "I actually came here to ask you for tips on attending Mr. Hall. If you would help me with a few pointers, I can take care of him for the rest of the week while you focus on your recovery."

"Miss Selwyn right?" She asks, leaning forward.

"Yes."

"You won't need the information on attending Mr. Hall because I'm resuming tomorrow. Seeing as you're here rather than at the office, I can tell how awful a job you did. It's fine, Mr. Hall hates new faces anyway."

"Actually, I did perfectly well which is why he asked me to take the rest of the day to rest because it's been so hectic." I lie. I wonder why I did, there's just something about her smug little face getting on my nerves.

She glares and I smile at her sweetly.

"But well, if you think you can resume tomorrow I suppose I'll let him know. I do wish you a quick recovery." I say and leave her behind.

I walk to the elevator and wait after pressing the button. A moment later, a small waif-like woman presses the button on the next elevator.

"She wants to be discharged today." I tell her, my voice lower than a murmur. "Give her a larger dose."

"Could kill her." Nurse Daisy replies.

"Make sure it doesn't."