CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Madi's POV:??
"Tell me Madi, why do you have to apply for another job? You already have your fine dining restaurants. Three big freaking restaurants in the City. And you're not lacking in money, in fact you almost give half of it to your charities. God! Aren't you feeling exhausted?"
That's Noelle. My best friend is a manager of one of my three restaurants that operate in the City.
"Because I told you it's also my dream since college. That's why I also took a business degree to fulfill my bucket list of dreams." I tried to reason with her, but still,l, she couldn't understand my point.
It's been a month since I started working as a PA at Wilsons Electronics Corporation under the management of Mr. Gabriel Wilson, our CEO. And let me tell you, the pressure of working in the biggest company in the City of Chicago is sometimes slipping out of control.
Running there and everywhere, faxing papers, e-mailing documents, checking and updating my boss's schedule and rules, and making his coffee three times a day are just a small part of my everyday routine.
Of course, my duties and responsibilities as the owner of my own business 'every day' are not yet included.
"Besides, it's part of my job, to feel tired. Come on."
I waved my hand in the air and continued checking some papers for my signature. We are currently at the back office of my first restaurant which is a 20-minute drive from the WEC building.
It's Sunday today and it's my day off, so I can use my whole day checking my three outlets.
"Yeah, but you're not getting any younger. You're already 26 years old, single, with no boyfriend since birth, and a freaking v.i.r.g.i.n in all departments, for God's sake."
Thank God, this is a soundproof office so I don't have to cover her mouth even if she screams out of her lungs.
Since she found out that I got the job at Wilson's, she started to keep on rambling and rambling on to me.
"Hey! Stop mentioning my age and my status." I just chuckled at her bringing the glass of orange juice to my mouth.
"Okay fine. So, tell me, how's your boss's attitude towards his employees? Is he someone like you, considerate and warm?"
I almost choke on my juice after hearing her words. My boss... considerate? I don't think so, I'm not sure. Warm? Haha.. the total opposite.
He's like a walking iceman every day. No, the right word--- zombie, cold and lifeless. There's something wrong with his personality that I couldn't figure out. He's a man of few words...Nah! I mean one word.
"Honestly, he's the total opposite of the boss you're imagining."
"What do you mean, the total opposite?"
"Well, He's cold, a bit rude, and arrogant sometimes. He doesn't know the word thank you, and he likes to shout every time--- anytime, especially when he finds something wrong or an error in your report task. Tsk. He will not give you any choice, it's either you get your ears ready or get yourself ready for your work to say bye-bye."
"Ohh, that's harsh?" she said in disbelief.
"Yup." I said popping the 'p' in the end. "But, thanks to my skills and abilities, I have never been shouted at by him since day one," I stated proudly with my chest out and an arched eyebrow.
"Pss!" she rolled her eyes. "Wow! A loner and aggressive boss plus a narcissistic PA, work in one. Yeah, I am doubting how you two can manage to interact with each other."
"Me? Narcissistic?" I acted horrified while pointing at myself. "Of course not! I'm just stating some facts about myself."
"Exactly, what you're doing."
I didn't counter her back. I just laugh and take a sip again of my juice
"Hmm.. by the way, how can you describe him physically?" She has this malicious look in her eyes.
I sighed rolling my eyes. How can I describe him?
"How would I describe him? Hmm.. well let's just say he's a living Hercules of the country. Happy?"
"Oh shit! Describe exactly that living Hercules from head to toe!" All her round eyes were on me.
"What? Seriously?"
"Yes! Because if that's true, you have a f.u.c.k.i.n.g hot of a boss! Yum!" she squealed while clapping her hands. I shook my head and rolled my eyes again.
"Okay.. he's hot. Handsome if you will look at his face, having brown eyes, perfectly sculptured nose, chiseled jawline... what else... hmm.. broad shoulders, toned and muscled chest, I guess?"
"You guess?"
"Yes."
"You just guess? Are you kidding me?" she furrowed her eyebrows.
"Well, I haven't seen him shirtless or in any attire other than his business suit. What do you expect?"
"My God, Madelyn! You just made my imagination wild. Hmmp! How about the size of his foot or at least his shoes? For sure, you can see those every day!"
"Why do you need to know the size of his foot and shoes? Why? Are you planning to buy him a new one?" I tried to throw a joke but I was the only one who laughed at my joke. She glared at me.
"You wouldn't understand because you're a v.i.r.g.i.n!"
"What the-----"
"Just tell me the size of his foot!"
"I don't exactly know the size of his freaking foot, just his shoes!"
"So, what is it?" Her eyes were as round as saucers.
What's happening with her?
"Uhm.. 10.. 11? Maybe 12?" I answered bringing the half glass of juice to my mouth.
"Oh, Jesus! He has a huge and long member!"
She exclaimed loudly, which caused my eyes to widen, and I spat the juice all over her blouse as I coughed. I even coughed so hard when I saw her awful face. I wanted to laugh at her state if it was not for this coughing.
"Yucks! You're disgusting!" she complains while wiping her blouse with a tissue.
"I'm sorry." I'm trying not to laugh. "But it's your fault. You can't control your mouth saying those----"
"What? Saying those gross, nasty, dirty, filthy words like the huge and hard member, p.e.n.i.s, and coc----"
"Noelle! I swear, I'm not going to discuss my boss's body again with you! You have a dirty mouth!"
It's now her who's laughing at me. I arranged my signed documents inside the folder and pushed it toward her.
"My God!" I said getting up and stretching my arms.
"Where are you going?" she's still laughing.
"I'll just go out for a random check." I huffed and walked towards the door.
"Okay."
It's my weekly routine when I visit each of my outlets. Randomly check on its area and the employees.
I went first to the kitchen, where my staff was busy cooking and preparing orders. Since it's Sunday, our customers have doubled the number on weekdays.
"Good morning, Ms. Madi"
I was greeted first by the group of waiters taking their customers' orders.
"Good morning, guys. How's your day?"
I treat them as all my friends and not just ordinary employees. As they say, if you want to earn respect from others, treat them the way you want them to treat you back.
"Well... tiring as always. But we're happy because our beautiful boss visited us today. Right guys?" Tony winked at me, he's our head waiter.
"Yeah." they all answered in unison.
"Wow, thank you. Such a small thing--- beautiful? Nah... I already know that." I said, grinning proudly while patting my shoulder in the act of wiping dirt.
And they chuckled, and some were shaking their heads.
"Yeah. See? That's what we're talking about. You always make us laugh."
"Why? Am I not beautiful?" I joke with a horrified face.
"Of course you are. You're beautiful inside and out, Ms. Madi. You just really like to carry your chair not just sometimes but always."
And they laugh again and I also laugh together with them.
We're always like this. I always make a way to have at least a small conversation with them. Even if sometimes I carried my chair, it's worth it if that's the way they would open themselves to me, not just as their boss but as their considered friend.
The next area I went to visit was the dining hall. And yeah, it's a tiring day. They were all busy serving and assisting customers.
People rarely see me inside and out of my restaurants. I always keep myself in a low profile. I check the reports and happenings in my business usually through my phone and computer. I show my face once or twice a week or whenever some papers need my signature or my appearance personally.
There were just a few people who knew that I took another course, my mom, and my friends, after I opened my first restaurant.
I took a Hotel and Restaurant Management course in college. After I graduated and started my business, I enrolled in an online school for Office and Business Management and got my degree.
My first job as an 'employee' was as a Department Manager, but I resigned after one year. I applied again as an HR assistant in a not-so-big company in the City. And after a year, I also saw the ads on social media that WEC needs a PA for the CEO.
I tried my luck and got the job. I didn't put my first course or my business when I submitted my resume. In short, my boss and the company I am currently working for don't know about it.
After random checking in the restaurant, I said goodbye to Noelle and drove to another outlet. I spent my whole day visiting my stores and checking some important papers. I only headed home when it was already 6 in the afternoon. I lived in a small apartment and had a roommate, who was a bank manager. She also knows my business because we've been living together for 2 years and that is the reason why I decided to live in a small flat.
Tbc
Hope's copy