He studied me with a serious expression, brows slightly furrowed, looking tense.
“Listen, sir, even if I were unemployed like you seem to think, this saleswoman was already helping me when you walked in and rudely interrupted us with your entitled attitude. It’s called manners.”
“I’m not being rude, I’m being practical. You have time to browse, so browse. If she helps me, I’ll be gone and you two can continue your conversation.” He maintained eye contact, insisting on being served first.
The arrogance was breathtaking. Just like Isaac, thinking his needs mattered more than everyone else’s.
“Wow! You’re a complete asshole!” I turned to the saleswoman. “I’ll take this. Can you wrap it up for me?”
She took the charm from my hands and headed to the register. I followed, leaving Mr. Rude behind.
“Wait, you’re not going to help me?” he asked the saleswoman, clearly annoyed.
She stepped back nervously, saying she’d help him right after.
“You’re going to make me wait?”
“Keep texting and stop throwing a tantrum. She’ll finish with me and I’ll be out of your perfect hair,” I said smugly, glancing back at him.
At the register, I spotted blessing cards on the counter. One about patience and humility caught my eye. Perfect.
I picked it up, paid for my purchase, wrote a quick note on the envelope, and asked the saleswoman to give it to the gentleman.
Walking away, I felt deeply satisfied. When he saw what I’d left for his precious mother, he was going to lose his shit completely.
It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I’d forgotten to take the… other item I’d impulse-bought to cheer myself up. Let’s just say it was battery-operated, and definitely not appropriate for anyone’s mother.
I’d accidentally given Mr. Rude a very personal surprise along with his mother’s “gift.”
Well, serves him right. Maybe next time he’ll remember his manners.
Joseph’s POV
I’d been swamped ever since my last executive assistant, Miss Camila, quit last week. I really needed to get my shit together. Screwing my assistant on my desk after hours was definitely not a good idea.
The next day she came on to me, and I had to shut it down, telling her we should keep things strictly professional. She flew into a rage, trashed some stuff in my office, then quit.
Blood Moon Pack’s Alpha Gerald called me. He was my father’s friend and later became mine. When I took over the Nightbane Pack, his advice guided me through pack management and the business world, keeping me from falling into trouble. I was only eighteen then, just starting college.
“I’m doing great, son. I’ll be in Harbor Bay soon. We should play golf together.” He laughed. He was always polite and humorous. Unlike my father, he was an exemplary husband.
“I heard Draven hired that woman you recommended. According to Clara, she’s very capable and highly qualified,” I said.
I remembered Alpha Gerald asking me about finding her a position last time we met. I still had an assistant then, so I contacted Clara at Thorne Enterprises.
“I’m sure Draven won’t regret it. Caroline is very determined and professional,” Alpha Gerald confirmed.
“Please tell me she’s ugly,” I joked.
“Actually quite the opposite, son. She’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen!” Alpha Gerald laughed heartily. “But she’s not right for you. She’s a very serious person.”
“Alpha Gerald, why didn’t you tell me she was beautiful when you asked me to help her find a job?” I asked, laughing.
“Because I know you, Joseph. And Caroline needs a job that lasts longer than six months. Even if I’m sure she wouldn’t fall for your tricks, she’d put you in your place and then quit.”
“So she and Draven are perfect for each other. We’re basically setting up two workaholics who think about nothing but work.” I chuckled. “But now you need to help me find an assistant. Mine just quit.”
“Are you serious? For the reason I think?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think I need to hire someone…”
“Joseph, I called to ask you for a favor, but I think we can help each other. My daughter is Caroline’s best friend. They’re like sisters. My daughter decided to move in with her friend, so she needs a job there.”
“Is your daughter ugly?” I didn’t know much about Alpha Gerald’s daughter. Last time I saw her was about ten years ago when she was still a little girl with braces. But Gerald burst out laughing.
“She looks exactly like her mother!” I was screwed, because Gerald’s wife was gorgeous.
“Friend, I don’t want to lose your friendship,” I said, laughing.
“Fat chance! My daughter would never go for a guy like you. Eleanor is too special.” Gerald was confident about his daughter. “She has a boyfriend, a good guy, and she’s head over heels for him. You don’t stand a chance. She says her boyfriend is a prince. But she’ll keep you in line, I guarantee it.”
I paused to think. Running one of the biggest tech companies in the industry was already overwhelming me. Since I took over, my company Puma Global had grown significantly. My Beta Jared was a very responsible man who helped me manage the pack very well. But I really needed an assistant to help with work and keep me in line.
“Can she stay in this job for more than six months?” I asked, still doubtful.
“I will never interfere with your working relationship!” Gerald assured me.
“Have her email me. You have her address. I’ll interview her.”
A few days later, it was time to interview Eleanor Larson, so I called her. When she picked up and appeared on screen, I was stunned. She was gorgeous. I flashed my brightest smile and got immediately shut down.
“Joseph, wipe that smile off your face! Let me warn you first. If you’re thinking of seducing me, dream on. Don’t even think about it. If you try, I’ll pull your fingernails out with pliers. Got it?” Eleanor’s words made my smile disappear instantly. I just stared at the woman on screen.
“Crystal clear…” I said quietly.
“Great! For God’s sake, pull yourself together, you look terrible! Fix your tie and mess up your hair a bit.” Eleanor was already giving orders, and I unconsciously started adjusting my tie and running my hands through my hair, trying to straighten it. “Also, clean up your desk while you’re at it. I can see it’s a mess.”
“You know I’m interviewing you, and if I hire you, I’m your boss, right?” I felt the need to remind her of this detail.
“Joseph, wake up! The reason you want to hire me is because I’m exceptional, and you need someone like me to manage you. That’s why I’m in charge of this relationship. You’re my little pet. Well-trained, well-behaved, and you get rewards when you perform well!” Eleanor spoke with confidence I’d rarely seen in my lifetime.
“Are you always like this? So narcissistic?” I asked, laughing.
“Joseph, I know my worth! I know my place in this world! No one can shake that. Not my boss, not my father, not my boyfriend!” Eleanor was incredibly confident.
“Your father was right about you being peculiar,” I commented. “You start tomorrow.”
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