Chapter 16 – New Job

Knock, knock, knock.

Eric groaned and rolled out of his bed.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Five minutes, please," Eric mumbled.

The door to his room opened, and they stomped into his bedroom. Eric's blanket vanished, and he shivered, reaching around for his blanket.

"Time to get up," Timo said.

"Ugh... Why?" It's not like I have anywhere to go...

"Get up before I drag you out by the ear."

Eric glanced at the clock. It was 6:00 in the morning. He covered his ears and rolled over. "Go away... It's too early."

Timo grabbed his ankle and dragged him off the bed.

Thud.

"Ow..." Eric's head hit the floor hard. "Geez..." He turned onto his back, holding his head and ribs. "That's how you treat injured people?"

Timo shrugged. "You've mostly healed, anyway."

"Ugh. What do you want so early in the morning?"

"It's time for you to get ready for your first day of work."

Eric's eyes shot open. "Work? What are you talking about?"

"You're starting your job as Charlotte's assistant today."

"What?"

"Do you have the memory of a fish? Did you forget what we talked about yesterday?"

"No, but I didn't think I'd be starting right away."

"We have to get you into tiptop shape as her assistant before the Belloff's try to pull something. Now, I left some clothes out for you, so get changed, and eat the breakfast I left out for you. We leave in fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes?" Eric scrambled to his feet.

"Yes, because we need to familiarize you with the building and your duties before Charlotte needs you." Timo left.

Eric craned his neck to look up at Charlotte's office building. "This is hers?" How many floors is this?

Timo stood beside him, smirking. "This is her head office, but she has a few buildings."

Damn...

"Never sunk in how powerful she is until now, did it?"

"It should've been obvious based on her house alone, but I guess not... I don't know if I can do this..." Eric turned around. An arm wrapped around his neck and pulled him back before he could even take a step away.

"What do you think you're going?" Timo growled in his ear and he shivered. "You're not allowed to run away now. It's too late."

"Ack!" Eric clawed at Timo's arm, struggling to breathe as he dragged him into the building. Holy crap is he's strong.

Timo walked straight past the guards, who nodded at him, and into the elevator. Timo dropped him and hit the button for the top floor.

"Frig..." Eric coughed and took a deep breath. "Was that necessary?"

"You were trying to run away after agreeing to help. Don't forget, you wanted a job. She had every intention of letting you live your life as a kept man, never needing to work."

"But..."

"You're a good man, Eric; I know you are, but please summon that courage I know you have, and stick this out."

Eric slumped against the back of the elevator.

"Remember, I need you to do this to keep her safe. Dean may show up at any time with how his father talked. I can't believe he wants to try again after what he did..."

"I think I'm going to start hyperventilating..." Eric heaved and clutched his chest.

"Suck it up!"

Eric flinched back. Easier said than done.

"You care about Charlotte, right?"

"Of course," Eric nodded.

"Then concentrate on her, and you'll get through this."

Ding.

"Let's go," Timo grabbed Eric's arm and hauled him to his feet.

They walked out onto the top floor, Timo pinching the back of Eric's neck as they approached the secretary. "This is Eric Gidian; he's Charlotte's new personal assistant," Timo introduced him.

Her eyes lit up. "I've heard a lot about you," she got up from her desk and shook his hand eagerly.

Heard a lot about me? What's there to tell?

"I'm Nina," she picked up a tablet off the table, along with a stack of papers, and handed it to Eric. "The papers are for her meeting today. Her schedule is on the tablet along with a database of business partners and high-profile clients she deals with personally. It would be best if you memorized both." She pulled out a phone from her desk and added it to his pile. "This is your business phone. Keep it on you at all times. It also has all the current phone numbers you'll need to manage her schedule."

"Thanks..." This is too much already.

"Thanks, Nina. I'm going to show him her office, and then around the building," Timo said.

"Right-e-o then. Have a good day, you two."

"You too."

Timo led Eric to Charlotte's office behind a giant desk stacked high with papers where Charlotte was working.

"Ahem," Timo cleared his throat.

She looked up. "Oh, hi! Good morning, Timo... and Eric?" Her eyes widened.

"G'morning, Char," Eric smiled, and his shoulders relaxed.

"Yes, I've got him starting work today. He won't be assisting you yet, though. I'm getting him familiarized with the building, the names, and whatnot," Timo explained.

"Oh, okay. Well, welcome to Burne Technologies, Eric."

"Thanks." She looks like such a high-powered boss sitting behind her giant desk with stacks of paper. Eric couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

Timo went towards the filing cabinets and explained what was in each one.

"I thought you were all digitized?" Being a technology company and all.

"We do have everything digital, but there are certain files you have to keep on hand," Timo explained.

"Oh." Why does it feel like a bad thing if you need to go in there?

"Charlotte has a bedroom back here in case she is overworking herself and needs to sleep. Although she never seems to make it over there; she falls asleep at her desk instead." Timo frowned at Charlotte, who glanced up at him and continued working.

"It will be your job to drag her away from her desk and make sure she gets a nap in."

"That's not his job!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"Yes, it is. You focus on your work; I'll focus on getting him set up."

"But—"

"No buts; I know how busy you are right now," he pointed at her, and then at the papers in front of her.

She rolled her eyes and refocused on her work. She didn't have time to argue with him, especially knowing she wouldn't win.

Timo led Eric out of her office. "Seriously... you two are way closer to a family than boss and employee," Eric said.

"I think I've told you enough about our past to know that we are like family. She is the bratty younger sister I never had."

"Bratty?"

"She seems to only be that way with me. Next, I'll show you to her private meeting room."