Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 76: HERE FOR THE SEXY CEO

LAURA

It was lunch break, and I was scrolling through my phone at my desk, contemplating on giving Tristan a call back or just ignoring him.

My heart had been locked in determination for the past two days, and I’d ignored every call and text from him.

I wasn’t sure why he was calling. I was curious, of course. But I was not yet ready to talk to him yet. Not when my body kept betraying me. Not when his voice kept doing insane things to me.

Pulling up the contact list, my finger hovered over his number for a few good minutes, until a knock sounded on the door.

I glanced up to see Layla Kleinman, my new personal assistant, standing on the other side of the glass door with a smile.

I sat up quickly and waved her in. "Come in, please."

Nervous energy flowed through my veins, and I cleared my throat to try to get rid of it. We were supposed to go over my general schedule and what my life was like on a daily basis, so she could fit it into her schedule and decide how to assist me, especially before the Milan shoot with Pierce Holdings, which might just come up anytime.

Layla Kleinman got this job because she was qualified. But her employment was also heavily influenced by her presence on the day my mother came to my company and displayed her madness in the interview room.

It was simple math. Layla got a higher chance than other interviewees because she’d had a glimpse into my pathetic relationship with my mother.

Now...that could be bad for PR. So offering the job had been a way of keeping her lips sealed, even though she more than qualified for it.

"Good morning, Ms. Hayes." She walked up to my desk and crossed her arms in front of her, like a meek schoolgirl. She was already dressed for the part. A corporate jumpsuit over a crisp white shirt, a schoolbag on her back, her hair done up in a neat ponytail.

"I’m sorry I came a little later than scheduled," she apologized. "I left you an email to explain the emergency—"

"I got it, Layla." I flashed her a sweet smile and gestured towards one of the couches. "Please, have a seat. I’ll join you in a moment."

She turned and walked to the seat like a robot. Fuck. I think I’m going to enjoy working with this interesting personality.

I reached into the top drawer and pulled out a mint candy. Then I popped it, grabbed a file from the desk, picked up my phone, and went to join her on the couch opposite from hers.

"So, thank you for choosing to work with me, Layla."

She smiled nervously. "Thank you for having me, Ms. Hayes. I’ll do my very best."

"Great. Before we get into it, I would like to start by explaining something quite...crucial."

"Okay?" She sat forward eagerly, her brows pinching together in concentration.

"About that day, at the interview." I pressed my lips together, thinking of the better way to get my point across without sounding like I was explaining myself to my employee.

Tch.

Layla never took her eyes off my face. The soft brown pools burned with admiration that made me blush a little.

I cleared my throat and tried again. "I want you to know that whatever you saw or heard at the interview that day, was simply a misunderstanding. It happened that one time, and it’s never happening again. You have nothing to worry about." Or tell a hungry journalist who might approach you the second they find out you’re the famous Ms. Hayes’ personal assistant.

Layla nodded meekly, lacing her fingers together. "Noted, ma’am. I’ll do my best to stay out of situations like that should they arise aga—"

"It’s also your job to make sure things like that don’t happen again."

Her jaw dropped. "What?" I guess I got her with this one.

I heaved a sigh and shoved my fingers through my hair. "Listen, Layla...that woman was my mother. And I want you to know that she’s not welcome in my office. Not even in my company. So if she ever comes when I’m not around, you’ll be sure to dismiss her without letting her set foot anywhere near here." I paused, letting the words sink in and drawing a deep breath. "Is that understood?"

"Yes, Ms. Hayes."

"Thank you. Now, let’s get into why we’re here." I glanced at my wristwatch to check the time because I had an appointment in the next hour.

"I would like to ask about our channels of communication, ma’am."

"Emails are fine, text messages as well. You’re my personal assistant. You will be having more access to me more than any other person, most of the time. Calls are fine too."

She nodded, reaching into her bag and pulling out a notepad.

I rattled off my priorities to her, and made clear the terms of our working relationship, which was subject to an adjustment if she performs well as my assistant.

She was meticulous and attentive, jotting down almost everything I said. Working with her already was beginning to feed me a sense of calm.

I gave the rules that were important to me, that would ensure a good working relationship.

"Most importantly, Layla, no one gets into my office without my permission."

She took note of that.

Just as we were rounding up, Mara bounced over to my office. "Hey, got a minute?"

"Yeah." I didn’t like that she just interrupted my time with Layla without a care in the world, but maybe I just paid too much attention to everything.

"Thank you, Layla. We’ll have a space setup for you just outside my office." I rose to my feet as she did, and extended my palm to her. "Welcome to Phoenix. We hope to grow together."

She beamed from ear to ear as she shook my hand. "Thank you, Ms. Hayes."

Then she was gone.

Mara stared after her with pinched brows. "Well, isn’t she the sweetest girl?"

"Yeah," I said with a smile, sinking back into my seat. "She is."

"Was that why you picked her?"

"Pardon?"

"I mean, I don’t seem to understand why you picked her out of everyone else."

I stared at Mara, confused. What was wrong with Layla?

And most importantly...was Mara questioning my judgment?

"I don’t have to explain that to you, do I?"

She laughed, waving her hand dismissively. "Ignore me. So, what’s up?" She folded her arms across her chest and perched on my desk. "How’s it going with Pierce?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, via the partnership. Any contact since?"

I thought back to all the ignored calls of Tristan and what I might have missed. Could it be he’d been trying to tell me something important?

Mara snapped her fingers in my face. "Earth to fucking Laura?"

I was just about to respond when a commotion just outside my door drew my attention. I peered around Mara’s body to see what it was, and my breath disappeared down my throat.

Tristan was here, just right outside my office door. But that was the least of my worry.

Because Layla had just thrown herself against my door, splaying her arms wide, and screaming, "you can’t see the boss without prior appointment, sir!"

"What is he doing here?" Mara hissed.

Something bubbled inside my chest. Maybe it was hysteria. Maybe it was panic. Whatever it was shoved me to my feet and I hurried across the space.

Tristan’s eyes rolled up and met mine. Heat exploded across my face and rode down my back.

I rapped on the door and signaled to Layla to move. Then I opened the door. "Thank you, Layla. I’ll take it from here."

She walked away glaring at Tristan, whose jaw was set in a grim line.

He stepped forward, and I forced myself to stand without melting. "I’ve been calling you. Not getting my calls?"

I heard Mara match up close behind me. "Mr. Pierce, you can’t—"

Tristan cut her a glare. "I’m here for the sexy lady, not you. So let her speak."