Page 16 of Christian Clause

I decide that I really want to stay in the town I grew up and be around Debra, Ray, and Aria. Maybe, I could get my own place close to Clause Enterprises.

The thought gladdens my heart.

The woman comes back a few minutes later with the same smile on her face.

“Congratulations, Miss Grady. We would like to offer you the job as a personal assistant to Mr. Clause.”

My heart flips with joy at the good news. A bright smile turns the corners of my lips.

"You can start tomorrow. Wait a short while for your employment letter.”

I nod, too overcome by emotion to say anything. I can’t believe that I finally have a job after weeks of searching for one. It’s actually not my dream job, but at least I can earn something. My eyes enlarge when I receive the appointment letter and see the salary structure. It’s more than generous.

“If you do your job very well, I can assure you of a pay increase,” the woman says when she catches my reaction to the mouth-watering salary.

I hold back laughter as I feel like standing up and dancing.

“You’ll work with Mr. Clause and his secretary on the fourth floor.”

“Thank you very much,” I say as I push myself to my feet, smoothing down my clothes.

“Welcome to Clause Enterprises.”

Chapter Eight

Hope

I’m a bag of nerves the following day as Ray pulls up in the parking lot of Clause Enterprises.

“Relax, Hope. Mr. Clause might be a hard boss to work with, but he’s a great guy.”

I haven’t really brought myself to think about the man I’ll be working for. All I know, which I heard from Ray, is that he’s a man who demands what he gives. He’s a workaholic and a sucker for perfection, and expects the same from everyone who works for him.

Since I have no problem with those stipulations, I surmise that we’ll work well together. Ray and I part ways on the second floor as I ride the elevator to the fourth floor which opens to an opulent reception area. No one is about, so I walk nervously to the first office I see.

A dark-haired middle-aged woman turns from a photocopier to look at me with a smile on her face.

“You must be Miss Grady.”

Resisting the urge to tug on my earlobe, I smile in return. “Yes.”

“I’m Mrs. Ashwell, but you can call me Clara. I’m Mr. Clause’s secretary.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say as we shake hands.

“Same here. I’ll show you to your office and then to Mr. Clause’s office, Miss Grady.”

“All right. Please call me Hope.”

She leads me to an office adjoining another. I expect the office to be small, considering that I’m just a personal assistant, but I love the place. It is spacious and has the necessities of a comfortable working environment.

“This way, please.”

Clara takes me down the hallway to an office with sturdy wooden double doors. She knocks briskly on it.

“Mr. Clause. Your new personal assistant is here. Miss Hope Grady.”

Before I can tell her thank you, she exits the office. The large room with an artistic décor is breathtaking. A huge mahogany desk with swivel chairs on both sides occupies one part of the room close to the floor-to-ceiling windows which show a beautiful view of the town. A minibar, sofas, armchairs, and a coffee table are stationed on one side; all in elaborate arrangements.

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