Chapter 1 – Running From The Billionaire by Kimi L Davis

I straightened my pencil skirt, and walked towards Mr. Caldwell’s office. He had called me in his office 10 minutes ago, although I didn’t know why. But it was my job as a secretary of the boss, I had to do what he said.

I knocked slightly on Mr. Caldwell’s office door and entered. Mr. Caldwell was sitting in his usual place, behind the desk. However, there was a man sitting on one of the visiting chairs. He was dressed in a business suit. His hair was styled to perfection. From where I was standing, I couldn’t make out his features, but only the sharp cut of his jaw line.

Mr. Caldwell turned to look at me and smiled. I smiled back. This was why I liked Mr. Caldwell, he was always smiling, which made me smile for some weird reason. Maybe it was because he had a very genuine and beautiful smile-for a 58 year old man, or maybe it was because his smile always put me at ease, I didn’t know why.

“Mr. Caldwell you wanted to see me,” I said softly.

“Yes Hailey, please come in,” Mr. Caldwell beckoned.

I entered and walked over to him. Once I reached his desk, I stopped and waited for Mr. Caldwell to tell me what he needed me to do.

Mr. Caldwell looked at the person sitting in the visitor chair strangely. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was almost as if there was tension between the two gentlemen.

“Hailey, I called you here to introduce you to your new boss.” he said.

To say I was confused would be an understatement. New boss?? What? How?

“I’m sorry sir, did you say…New boss?” I asked.

“Exactly Hailey, new boss. Meet Mr. Benson, the new owner of this company, which would be known as Benson Enterprises,” Mr. Caldwell said while gesturing towards Mr. Benson.

Mr. Benson glanced at me, and I mentally gasped. He was gorgeous! And not even the regular kind. Oh no, he was the kind of gorgeous that only existed in fantasies. The one you wanted to spend atleast one night with. The one who took you breath away with just a simple smile. Every girl’s wet dream!

He had a sharp sculpted face which was blessed with the most mesmerizing gray eyes I’ve had ever seen. He had an aristocratic nose with high cheekbones, and lips so perfect you could spend hours kissing them. And even though I couldn’t see it, I bet he had a nice built body, complete with a six pack and strong biceps.

He was perfect. And he was also the type of man I did my best to stay away from. Guys like him were a girl’s dream; yet they were also the reason why those girls ended up in tears. And that was why I needed to stay away from him. I didn’t want to get my heart broken by anyone, least of all him.

“Good morning Ms. Pritchett, nice to meet you,” Mr. Benson said while extending his hand for me to shake. I looked at him for a few seconds. He looked familiar somehow, but I couldn’t remember where I’d seen him.

I looked at his outstretched hand. I didn’t want to shake his hand, but I had no choice as I was the assistant and not the boss. So with everything inside me screaming not to do it, I grabbed his hand with mine in a firm hold.

“Nice to meet you, too Mr. Benson.” I replied, and was surprised at how strong my voice came out to be.

“Ms. Pritchett here had been my assistant for the past five years, and I can safely say that she is best assistant in this entire business industry.” Mr. Caldwell said proudly.

I blushed at the compliment. “Well I wouldn’t say the best, exactly…” I trailed off, not knowing what else to say. Not to mention that Mr. Benson’s gaze on me was making me squirm.

“Oh Hailey, always being modest.” Mr. Caldwell said with a smile.

“You said Mr. Benson is the new boss, are you leaving the company, sir?” I questioned, eager to change the subject.

“Well you see, Mr. Benson here has bought Caldwell Industries, and now he is the owner and the new boss of the company.” Mr. Caldwell told me with a hint of sadness.

I gaped at him. He bought the company. What about Mr. Caldwell? And more importantly, what about me? I couldn’t find another job. I mean I could, bu it would be very difficult.

“But, what about you, sir?” I asked, voicing my thoughts.

“I’m going to be leaving. Mr. Benson here would take my place. I believe it’s about time I step down anyways, I need to spend time with my loved ones,” Mr. Caldwell explained.

“But don’t you worry Hailey, your job is safe. Instead of being my assistant, you’ll be Mr. Benson’s assistant.”

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Mr. Benson’s assistant? Oh no, I couldn’t be his assistant. The guy made me feel all squirmy and wrong. No no, I couldn’t work for him; I wouldn’t work for him.

However, I couldn’t let Mr. Caldwell know, so instead of voicing my disbelief and anger at the sudden change of bosses, I smiled and nodded.

“That’s wonderful. I’m sure you and Mr. Benson will get along just fine,” Mr. Caldwell said.

“Yeah, but I’m going to miss you Mr. Caldwell,” I said and went over to where he was now standing, and wrapped my arms around him. No matter how long I worked for him, the man was like a father to me.

Mr. Caldwell wrapped his arms around me and we stayed like that for a couple of mintues. The sound of throat clearing had us breaking apart. We both looked up and saw Mr. Benson standing there with an unreadable expression on his beautiful face.

“If you guys are done, Henry I think we should finish our conversation.” Mr. Benson said curtly.

“Yes yes, ofcourse, Hailey, why don’t you go and continue with your work, while Mr. Benson and I finish our conversation.” Mr. Caldwell said and gave me gentle push towards the door.

I nodded and walked out of Mr. Caldwell’s office, but not before looking behind me and finding Mr. Benson staring at me with that same unreadable expression.

Oh my, I wasn’t looking forward to working for Mr. Benson, at all.

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