Mr. President’s

Griffin’s ears piqued with curiosity. Mercedes never received a call at night, except for emergencies from her family. Concern flung him because it makes Mercedes moody when she can’t fend for them instantly. “Hello,” Mercedes calmly answered the phone.

“Miss Winters, I wish to inform you that you shall have dinner with me and our stakeholders tomorrow. It’s going to be a formal event so I suggest you prepare for it before coming to the office. Dinner meant evening and Mercedes doesn’t work overtime. With her new contract, she took time to read through it and there was nothing mentioned concerning that.

I’m sorry Mr Legend but I don’t work overtime,” she responded lucidly.

She heard him sigh and her heart thumped in anticipation of what he was going to say. “You do not have a choice remember? This is an official assignment and it’s compulsory. My assistant is supposed to accompany me to every formal event, as stated in clause six of your contract. Or would you rather we go the legal way,” he carried his usual coldness and arrogance, which made Mercedes flinch, especially the way he stressed the word assistant made Mercedes shiver slightly.

She could feel there was more but helplessness swayed her because she missed it again. Being in the company of her superior, she never thought about evening programs. She had her days scheduled. Her apartment was about an hour and a half drive from her office and she didn’t like driving at night because her neighbourhood was quite dangerous.

But how does she make Mr Legend understand? “I get it, Mr Legend. Good night.” She ended the call and sank on the floor, her back against the wall.

Griffin sank to her level, wrapping his arms around her. She felt warm and safe. It was always like that in his arms but it’s been long since he held her like that. “Your boss?” Griffin gently asked. He already knew that she felt let down. She nodded in confirmation, just as the next question followed, “what does he want?”

“He’s having dinner with the stakeholders and wants me to be there.” She was deflated when she relayed it to Griffin. She could stand to her other bosses fairly but somehow, Nathan had an unfair advantage over her and knew how to use it well. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

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“That might take your time till midnight and does he still expect you to report to work the day after?” Griffin was both upset and helpless. He thought that the only way to help Mercedes would be to get a job as quickly as possible. Therefore, he was going to intensify his job search but somehow, he was grateful it wasn’t a call from her mum.

“I guess I don’t have a choice but don’t worry, I’ll be having a replacement soon. Mr Legend doesn’t like female assistants anyway.” Griffin was about to say something when a knock was heard on the door. Mercedes went to get it before Griffin could. The sight she was met with, made her almost quip. “Griff, you have a visitor,” she forced a smile. Her pleasant surprise! couldn’t be perfected anymore and she was now accustomed to it.

“I’m I not allowed to come in?” Penelope’s shrill voice sounded as she tried to make her way to the living room. Mercedes stepped aside and watched her. She was dressed in red leather shorts that stopped right under her butt with red stockings. Half of her breast was out of its cage in the tight red coat she wore. Mercedes knew what was going to happen between her best friend and his girlfriend so she quickly excused them and went to her room.

She couldn’t stop wondering exactly what attracted the pair together. Griffin was very disciplined so what happened? Well, as they say, love is blind. She heard moans which quickly faded and she knew they had left for Griffin’s bedroom. She tossed and turned in her bed and when she realized she couldn’t sleep, she went to check her closet for befitting dinner wear.

Judging by Nathan’s status, she knew none of those clothes were presentable enough. Besides, Griffin was also taking her car for repairs the next day which meant he had to arrange a cab for her. She might just older something online when she gets to the office. She also hoped that her clothing allowance would be enough to cover such expensive outfits.

Finally after sleep snatched her, she woke up to her alarm and got ready. She hadn’t slept well but couldn’t even if she tried.

Today, she was clad in a grey suit with a matching little above the knee skirt. She held her long black hair in a ponytail, intending to let it down in the evening to compliment the dinner dress she intended to order. She also hoped to get to the office before Nathan, which was the right thing to do as an assistant.

To her utmost surprise, Griffin was waiting for her, clad in a suit the purchased for him when she stepped into the living. room. “You have an interview?” Mercedes was merely confirming her suspicion because Nathan would only dress like that for something important as an interview. He was cleanly shaved and his jet black hair trimmed.

“Yes, how do I look?” He grinned at the sight of Mercedes.

“Great and where is Penelope?” Mercedes responded casually. Her best friend looked handsome at all times but whenever he dressed up like this, he looked like a CEO.

“She left late last night. Her dad returned so he sent a driver to get her. He doesn’t approve of our relationship, Griffin’s face fell and his last words were swallowed in disappointment.

“That’s sad but we talk later. You don’t wanna be late for your interview and I don’t wanna fall into Mr Legend’s bad books,” Mercedes retorted with a glint of pity in her voice.

“I can drop you halfway to meet the cab driver while I take the car for repairs before the interview, Griffin offered, a smile lining the corners of his lips. He planned on surprising Mercedes by picking her up after the meeting but didn’t give her any

hint

“That’s a great idea, she readily agreed. Griffin dropped her with the cab driver before taking her car to the mechanic, while he arrived in time for the interview,

Nevertheless, Mercedes ran into Nathan when she alighted from the cab. Nervousness clung her by the mere sight of him. “Miss Winters, what happened to your car? She was amazed that Nathan was genuinely concerned.

“I sent it for repairs,” she said politely.

“I see,” Nathan said with an unreadable expression. When they got to the entrance, Mercedes greeted a few employees, who gawked at her for the fact that she walked beside the President. She was his temporary assistant but also a woman, Nathan’s hated variety. She was going to use the general elevator when a strong hand yanked her into the VIP one.

Nathan released his grip on her in the elevator but he was so close to her, it made her uncomfortable. She was relieved when they got to the office. She went to the kitchen and made him a cup of coffee. Black. No sugar, no cream. “How did you know how Flike my coffee?” He asked after taking a sip.

Mercedes smiled lightly, “I do my research, Mr Legend.”

“That’s remarkable, Nathan nodded in admiration before he realised she hadn’t carried anything for the dinner, except her handbag and was curious. “I wasn’t expecting you so early in the office. Thought you might pass by the clothing store.”

“Well, since you like things digital, I’ll order for one online after I settle,” Mercedes smirked. Even though Nathan chatted casually, he still maintained that cold aura. He knew Mercedes was merely picking on him and he liked it. She didn’t fear- him like the others and even if she did, she didn’t show it.

“And what if it doesn’t fit perfectly? This is a very important meeting. I will have one delivered to you.” His voice was solemn therefore Mercedes accepted the offer. It made it easier for her and besides, she gets to keep her money.

“Thank you.” She said. She was about to enter her office when his voice sounded behind her.

“Did you take the morning after pill after that day?” Mercedes froze instantly.