The woman sitting across from Ethan was around twenty-five, with an effortless, striking kind of beauty. Tall, with flawless porcelain skin and a bright, intelligent face, she possessed the kind of allure that could captivate even the most discerning man. Shaking off his wandering thoughts, Ethan refocused on the task at hand: evaluating whether her qualifications fit the role of his executive assistant. According to her resume, Chloe had grown up in a quiet coastal town in Maine before moving to Boston for university. Since graduating, she had bounced around a few corporate jobs, never staying at one place for more than a year. Now, she was looking for a stable, high-paying position.
“I need a personal assistant who can handle everything,” Ethan said, deliberately emphasizing the last word to gauge her reaction. “Can you manage that?”
“I believe I can handle absolutely everything,” Chloe replied instantly, echoing his emphasis without missing a beat. “As long as the compensation matches the expectations.”
She looked directly into his eyes, her gaze carrying a subtle hint of defiance. Though slightly caught off guard, Ethan found himself intrigued, wanting to see exactly where this conversation would lead.
Ten minutes later, he had a clearer picture of her situation. She was renting a cramped apartment, living paycheck to paycheck, and finding life in the city to be a grind. Her primary goal was to secure a high-paying job to firmly establish herself in Boston, eventually hoping to build a life that would erase the "small-town girl" label she felt others used to look down on her.
“Your daily responsibilities will include arriving sharply each morning, managing my calendar, and coordinating meetings,” Ethan explained. “Occasionally, you will travel with me on business trips to assist with drafting contracts and reviewing potential investments.”
“I’m confident I can handle all of that perfectly,” Chloe said. “Is there anything else?”
“There is one more very important matter,” Ethan said, holding her gaze for a long moment. “I need you to attend to me whenever I have the need. Would you be agreeable to that?”
“I... I see,” Chloe stammered slightly. “And what would the salary be?”
“The starting salary will be $15,000 a month. If your performance exceeds expectations, I will increase it.”
Chloe’s heart hammered against her ribs. Opportunity was knocking, louder than ever before. She had never been offered that kind of money in her professional life. For a salary like that, she was willing to do whatever it took to keep her boss satisfied—including fulfilling his personal demands. Besides, she couldn’t help but notice he was incredibly handsome and fit; crossing that line with him certainly wouldn't be a hardship, she thought to herself.
“So, have you made up your mind?” Ethan asked. “If you agree, read over the employment contract and sign it. You start tomorrow.”
With trembling fingers, Chloe read the document thoroughly before signing her name. After carefully placing her copy into her briefcase, she looked up to thank her new boss, only to find he had already risen from his chair and was standing right in front of her. Flustered, she stood up as Ethan stepped closer, backing her up until her thighs pressed against the edge of the desk. She flushed under his intensely dark, desirous gaze.
“The contract is signed,” Ethan murmured, his voice low. “Now, I want to test your practical skills.”