Under His Mask Novel – Lucille Everything changed since I became Vincent Osborne’s personal assistant. I’ve been at Osborne Pharmaceuticals for eight months, and I thought the job would provide better benefits, more money, and a new title I’d be proud of. Instead, I’m already considering quitting.
The past two weeks as Osborne’s personal assistant have shown me the man is always grumpy. And he always lookes like he is a second away from wringing someone’s neck. “Dozens if not hundreds of other printers are in the building! Bring me the contract in five minutes.” After I tried for the fourth time to explain patiently that the printer didn’t work, he barked and hung up. I shoot forward like a bullet to the other floor for another printer.
However, once I’ve returned to the office, my heart sinks. God. The problematic printer, which has been malfunctioning all day, is printing as my boss stands there. His brows are currently narrowed at me when his papers exit the printer nicely and neatly. When I reach him, I give the papers to him. “Here’s the contract, sir.” His dark brown eyes flick to me, and I feel the punch of his intense gaze in my gut.
I swear, whenever this man looks at me, I feel like I’m nothing but a dust. When I first met him, I was struck speechless by his handsome, but as I watched one assistant after another leave the building in tears, that attraction quickly faded. His dark gaze remains locked on me as the printer spits out the last page. “Miss Herrington,” he deadpans. “If printing documents is too complicated for you to complete, then I’m afraid we’re going to have a problem.” I took a deep breath as I watched him return to his office.
The moment the door closes behind him, I glare angrily at the printer. “You only work for him? Right?” “What’s wrong, Miss Herrington?” I hear voices coming from behind me. But it’s just our repairman, David, standing there with his tool kit. While David works on whatever the problem might be for the printer, I get back to my messages and phone calls. It seems as though this job is impossible for me to do without messing up. I’ve had two weeks, and no matter how hard I try to focus and do everything in the way my boss wants, I still fail in his eyes.
It feels degrading like he was mentally thinking about new ways to insult and belittle me. I must remain a steadfast and dedicated worker. David grunts as he stands up after an hour. “New printers are tricky, but everything should be fine now.” “Thanks, David.” “No problem. Good luck here.” As the kind repairman exits my office, Mr. Osborne calls on my phone, telling me to call another man in the department, Mr. Anderson. There isn’t any sort of kindness in his words, and he hangs up as soon as he’s finished speaking. But the call goes though to the voicemail. After leaving a message, I dial Mr. Osborne’s extension.