Ryleigh Blackwood

I can’t believe my father would put me in this position. He sold the company to the Moretti's. He reckoned it was a good investment for the family. What a f*****g joke! The family has the power to run every company in this goddamn town now they have our fathers.

Well, not completely they are partners in crime, though my father has taken a step back so Stefano Moretti can take his position as the CEO of Blackwood Inc.

He is the heir of Aubrey-Tanner- Moretti the wealthiest businessman in the U.K. he married his high school sweetheart almost sixteen years ago, and now they have two sons one being Stefano and the other Christian god I hope Keira never comes across him in her new school.

Dad shifted her there from her old school she’d got into a heap of trouble there. Let's just hope she doesn’t get into any here and run into Christian Moretti.

I've heard lots of bad things about the Moretti’s like they are the most feared family in the U.K. being the Italian Mafia. 

My father had told me that I’d be working with Mr Moretti- Tanner as his P.A. f*****g  great,  thanks for f*****g nothing dad!

You knew I was a woman of the world and wanted to make a name for myself and now I have to go and work for this mafia-made man for the rest of my f*****g life. Now I have to suck up to him and be as polite as I possibly can. I can’t believe it’s my first day and I’m already late, god damn f*****g Costa, people waiting to be served.

Why are they always so f*****g slow? Don’t any of these people have jobs to go to? Seriously. Thirty minutes later I finally got served.

I’m going to be so f*****g late I thought as I ordered the coffee and cakes. God, I hope he doesn’t fire me or my dad will be f*****g pissed. I hurried out of Costa and made my way over to the tall building not much had changed, until I walked inside the decor was darker black walls, with red. f*****g great they’ve made this place look like a brothel.

I sighed and got into the elevator to the top floor preparing myself for an angered boss. I walked up to the double doors after the receptionist went right ahead and he was waiting.

I walked in he was looking out of the window. Wondering what was so interesting outside of this building I wondered curiously over talking as I did so.

‘I’m so sorry sir I thought you might like a coffee, so I went to Costa. The queue was horrendous. I should’ve known no better this time of the morning. Everyone’s in there before they go to work. I usually don’t go in till lunch when it’s a little less hectic.’ I said placing down the take-out coffee. ‘I got you a large latte I picked up sugar if you want to put it in you can, I wasn’t sure if you took it or not.’

‘Thank you, Miss. Blackwood.’ 

He turned around and my breath hitched, oh my god! he was the sexiest man I’d ever seen. I’m in some s**t now. We looked at one another. His Armani suit hugged all of his muscles; he didn’t seem to care that the shirt was way too tight and was showing his defined body, his brown eyes sparkled through his swept fringe.

His hair was short and black and he had the best tan I’d ever seen. I swallowed hard at his next statement. ‘Next time go to the cafeteria here in the building it’s not Costa, but it’s good all the same.’

‘Sure sir.’

He held my hand out. ‘I’m Stefano Tanner.’

‘Ryleigh Blackwood.’ I said putting my hand out.

He shook it. ‘I hope you're ready to work hard Miss. Blackwood.’

‘I am. My father has filled me in on what is expected of me.’

‘Good, but I’d still like to show you how I like  things to be done.’

‘Sure sir.’

‘Please call me Stefano.’ I smiled.

‘Okay.’

‘Come I have lots to show you, Miss. Blackwood.’

‘If we’re on first-name terms please call me Ryleigh.’

‘Whatever you are happy with. I’d like to show you around and tell you what I expect from you as my PA.’

‘Okay, sir.’

He looked at me raising an eyebrow.

‘Sorry, Stefano.’

I smiled. ‘Follow me Ryleigh.’

I followed him and he showed me where I’d be situated; my desk was in the corner of the large office. It stretched the entire back wall to the next with all that she needed on it, letter trays, in and out trays, phone, laptop and printer. The chair was leather, not cheap either.

‘I hope you like your office  Ryleigh.’

‘Are you sure Stefano?’ I questioned. ‘These are expensive.’

‘The company paid for everything in here I exclusively designed it to fit your required needs.’ 

‘Oh okay.’

‘When we are not in meetings you’ll be spending most of your time here.’

I smiled 

‘Have you ever used an office database before or a calendar?’

‘Briefly, when I was doing me in turn at Colan inc.’

‘I see. I’ll show you. Once you are confident enough to enter all the obvious information on your own I’ll leave you to it.’

‘Okay.’

‘In the next week I will train you and from the following week we will both be attending meetings where you will be taking notes to type up next month I am flying to Italy and I’d like you to join me.’

‘I…’ I stuttered, not sure what to say about his proposal. I knew I’d have to do it eventually, but not this soon.

‘It’s not a request Miss. Blackwood after all you are my PA and you’ll be expected to be there with me, you’ll be attending meetings and taking notes. That’s not too much trouble for you is it?’ He asked.

‘No sir.’

‘Good.’ He looked at me. ‘And I expect you to be on time every day Miss. Blackwood, so set your alarm for 5:30 or you’ll never get here for 8.’

‘Yes sir.’

He smiled. ‘Has your father ever shown you around the building?’

‘No sir.’

‘Follow me.’

I followed him taking it all in as I pointed out the different offices and what they were used for. ‘And this Miss. Blackwood is the cafeteria. I want my coffee from here every morning, strong, with two sugars, and a hint of milk. Will you remember that?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Go order me a coffee and whatever you are having.’

‘Sir.’

I walked away. 

I walked back over to where he was sitting, placing them down.

‘I hope I got it, right sir?’ I asked, sitting opposite me. 

I stopped it. ‘Perfect Miss. Blackwood now all you’ve got to do is remember it every day.’

‘I can do that sir.’

He smiled. ‘So tell me, Miss. Blackwood, was it your plan to work here?’

‘No, it was my father’s.’

He nodded.

‘He always wanted me to take over from him one day, guess he never expected to be taken over.’

‘We didn’t exactly take it over, Miss. Blackwood, we merged for all different kinds of reasons. Your father and mine agreed a merger was best for both the companies.’

‘And was it for you?’

He put the coffee down swallowing the hot liquid. ‘Yes, it was. I took over from my father six years ago when I was CEO at Manhattan industries.’

‘So why the sudden change sir?’

‘We all agreed that the shift would be good for me.’

‘So who is the CEO now?’

‘Lucas my younger brother he’s been there for a year now since uni finished before he was a temporary CEO a family friend is showing Lucas the ropes as we speak.  He will then be a Co CEO of the company.’ He looked at me. ‘Is there anything else you’d like to know Miss Blackwood?’

I had plenty of questions for him like was he single, married or a playboy? But, I thought it was best to keep them to myself. ‘No.’ I answered.

He nodded and began questioning me.  ‘Was your father the only reason you came to work for us, Miss Blackwood?’

‘Yes and no.’

He looked at her confused.

‘My father was the main reason, yes, but it wasn’t just because he told me I had to work here once I left uni.’

‘So what was the other reason if you don’t mind me asking.’

‘Not at all. I didn’t take a business degree just to get nothing out of it sir. I wanted to become someone. I wanted to pride myself and one day be like my father. He was well respected in the business world as I am sure you are like your father and I’d like that respect too I’d  like to be recognised as a great entrepreneur I want to show the world I’m not just a pretty face  and I and just as good as anyone in this business especially men like you sir.’

‘I’m sure we can help you with that Miss Blackwood. I’d like to see that side of you. I’m looking forward to it. And I’m looking forward to working with you I’d like to see what you have to offer so I can get you to that potential you so much long for.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘Well let’s head back up I have a lot to show you about our logging-in system and what we use to keep track of appointments, meetings and all other office requirements.’

We pulled ourselves up going back to the office where he showed me all there was to know. I looked confused. It may take a while to understand their system but I’m sure he’ll help me until then.

The day went quicker than I thought it would.

‘I’ll see you bright and early Miss. Blackwood.’

‘Sir.’

‘We’ll go through it all again tomorrow bit by bit. I can guarantee that you’ll be using it without my help by the end of the week. Have a good evening Miss. Blackwood.’

‘You too sir.’

I left him at the sliding doors that led into the office and made my way home, smiling.

‘Well someone’s in a good mood.’ My father said as I walked in. ‘Papa.’ I said hugging and kissing him on the cheek.

‘So good first day?’

‘Yeah, it was good after a bad start.’

‘What did you do?’

‘I was late.’

‘What did I say about lateness Ryleigh?’

‘I know Papa, but I wanted to get coffee and the place was packed. It won’t happen again papa.’

‘I know it won’t pumpkin. I know you only wanted to make a good impression on your first day, but I think the cafeteria coffee would have surpassed.’

‘I know Papa. I’ll do better tomorrow.’

‘I know you will sweetie. I'm so proud of you.’

I smiled

‘Tread carefully when you walk into the dining hall.’

‘Why?’

‘Keira is in one of her foul moods. I don’t think she made any friends at her new school, either that or someone hit a nerve.’

‘Sure Papa.’ I said walking away.

Kira was never too good at making friends. She had a few, but not many tolerated her brutality.

I went into the dining hall and Kiera sat with an angered face. She looked up at me and my smile faded. ‘Looks like you’ve had a good day.’

‘I did, but obviously, you didn’t.’

‘So Papa told you?’

‘He mentioned you were in one of your “leave me the f**k alone moods.”  What’s wrong Keira? Was school really that bad?’

‘If getting hit on by three guys, yes.’

‘Wow, I never knew you had it in you.’ I laughed.

‘Don’t.’ She warned. ‘I have a migraine from hell.’

‘I’m sorry sis.’

‘Dad didn’t even warn me that f*****g Christian f*****g Tanner attend that f*****g school.’

‘Maybe he didn’t know.’

‘Bill s**t and you know it. For a rich kid, I’m surprised he didn’t attend a private school or got home tutoring.’

‘Maybe his parents wanted his life to be as normal as possible.’

‘Yeah right.’

‘So you meet him?’

‘Yeah and his f*****g cousins. All f**k boys in my opinion.’

‘You never seem to surprise me with your words sis.’

‘Mmh. Whatever.’

‘So, to change the subject. Did you make any friends?’

‘Just him.’

‘Well, that’s a start.’

‘It is when everyone’s scared shitless of him.’

‘And you’re not?’

‘Don’t make me laugh is, no one scares me.’

‘Aint that the truth.’

I smile.

‘That’s more like it.’

‘Shut up.’ She said chuckling. Making me laugh.