Forgotten Obsession

WALKING INTO the vast office with glass-fronted walls, and gothic columns stretching fifteen feet to a ceiling with an enchanting chandelier hanging on its center, Natalia handed her ID to the receptionist.

"I have a 9 am interview with Mr. Sebastian Dominic."

The well made-up woman in her mid-twenties gave her a head to toe look that made her cringe. She expected that at some point, the way she dressed up that day will be an issue for some, but she won't let anyone make her feel bad about something that was unexpected and not part of the plan.

"Name?"

"It's in my ID. The one you are holding. But yeah, since you asked, it's there...right there...Natalia Abrera." She pointed at her name for emphasis. Sarcasm is her talent and she showed the receptionist how gifted she really is.

The woman named Tami, as indicated on her nameplate looked at the computer screen and typed something on the keyboard. She handed her a temporary visitor's ID that spelled Satania.

"Will you reprint this one, it should be Natalia and not Satania."

Tami rolled her eyes as she reprinted the nametag that she obviously deliberately sabotaged.

"Thanks Dani!"

Talia smiled triumphantly when she heard Tami's groan and proceeded to the floor indicated on her temporary pass. She knows the procedure of interviews with high profile companies and CEOs because of her previous job, executive assistant to Gerry Hayes, CEO of Hayes Corp., for six months. That was before Mrs. Hayes fired her after accusing her of flirting with her husband when in truth, Natalia asked for her help when Gerry tried to molest her at the office.

Deep in thought, she missed the elevator that was supposed to take her to the top floor. She will be late for her appointment if she will not take the next available lift. Looking at her platinum watch, she heard a sound and she immediately entered the lift. Two men dressed in black were already inside.

"Miss, this elevator is for..."

"It's fine. Miss, floor?" Natalia shivered at the sound of the voice. She felt her pale face turned red in as the man with the sonorous and sexy voice looked at her soaked white blouse that emphasized the red and black brassiere, measly covered with her thin red cardigan. She almost lost the ability to speak when he looked back at her face and at her lips as she bit them. His calculating and watchful gaze gave his blue eyes more depth and color.

"70th floor...please." She stuttered when she noticed that they are also going to the same floor.

The gorgeous man nodded, leaned closer and pressed the button to the 65th floor since the 70th floor is already lighted. She held her breath as she inhaled his masculine scent. She almost moaned when she felt his soft breath on the back of her neck as he spoke to the other man in the lift.

"David, get the HR files to my office."

"Yes, Sir."

She felt his gaze on her as they rode the lift in silence. She felt hot despite the coldness of her damp shirt. Of all the days for her to spill water on herself while driving, the universe chose it to be on the day of her final interview with her new boss. She left her apartment early, anticipating New York's awful traffic but she did not anticipate that the bagel she was eating inside her car would jump out of her hands. In her haste to pick up the bread, she spilled at the front of her blouse, the mineral water she was holding in her other hand. She doesn't have time to return home and change so she just used the red cardigan stashed at the back of her car to try and cover the mess. But the cardigan is used for clubbing. The end result of her wardrobe is a black fitted pencil skirt with matching black stilettos and a low cut red bra and sheer red cardigan that emphasize her perfect mounds underneath a damp see through white blouse.

The lift stopped at the 65th floor and the man named David got off. Few more seconds and we reached our destination.

"After you." Natalia could not suppress her tremble at the feel of his breath on her ear as he whispered for her to move.

"Th...thanks." She tried to walk confidently to the floor's reception area. She was leering with the feeling when a plump woman in her mid-thirties ran towards the man behind her and tried to take his bag.

"I'll get this for you Sir Basti."

"No need, Clara. I'll do it myself. Send her into my office after 15 minutes. Give her something warm to change into. She's...wet."

"Yes Sir."

Natalia was rooted on the spot. She felt her heels voluntarily buried themselves in shame at the white plush carpeted floor. How did she not realize that the gorgeous piece of man will be her future boss?

"Good...morning. I'm Natalia Abrera..." The woman named Clara took her hand and smiled at her.

"I know honey. We've been expecting you. You have a photo in your application, so I know how you look like before you came here. By the way, I'm Clara. Actually, I chose you among the roster of candidates myself. I want someone that I could trust with Sir Basti. You see, I have been his executive assistant for 4 years since he started in this company...oh, geez, enough blabbering. Have a seat. He will see you in a while. Let me just get something for you to change into."

"Oh...no need. I think it's getting drier."

"Nonsense! We have a new line of dresses in the other room. It was sent to Sir Basti for his approval. And besides, he told me to let you change. Wait here."

Natalia walked slowly towards the dark blue sofa. She slowly sat down and looked at the phone in her hand. On the way to the interview, she searched for information of her new boss on the internet but the signal connection got interrupted. She gasped in surprise when she read the description of her search. But she was not able to shift her gaze from his photo. The

Sebastian Dominic, a 26 year old bachelor and multi-millionaire, CEO and founder of the Dominic Linea Italia Corporation. A multinational company with global distribution of its fine Italian line of shoes, bags, accessories and clothes.

She looked for other articles that would give her a background on his family and past, but there was none. She saw several photos of him on a date with some models and celebrities but according to the articles and captions, he never had any serious relationship with anyone.

"Natalia. Here, try this on. You may change inside the toilet, at the end of the aisle after the pantry."

"Thank you Clara." Natalia took the paper bag containing the black short sleeve off the shoulder midi pencil dress and walked to the end of the aisle. She passed by Sebastian's office. At one of the cubicles inside the toilet, she removed her shirt and skirt. Feeling the wetness of her brassiere, she removed them and placed all of her clothes inside the bag after donning the silk black dress. At 5'10, she looks like a fashion model. The dress is a perfect fit. It felt like it was measured exactly for her. It accentuated her slim waist, a perfect figure with just the right proportion of her bountiful breasts and hips, and her long flawless legs.

When she returned at the plush reception, Clara was talking to Dave, the man from the elevator.

"This is Natalia. Natalia, Dave here is Sir Basti's head of security."

Dave just nodded his head without even a glance at her. He handed Clara the folders and went to one of the rooms at that floor.

"That's his office. All the security cameras of the building may be accessible there."

"Thank you for the dress. I'll just return this after washing."

"No. You can keep that. By the way, Sir Basti wants his coffee black, without sugar, without cream. Just black. You know how to use the Keurig coffee maker?"

"Yes, I saw it when I passed by the pantry, it's the same one we use at my previous work."

Clara beamed at her.

"Perfect! The boss has a temper for ignorance and stupidity, but I'm sure you're not both... Yes Sir, I'll send her in." Clara pushed a button on the headset she's wearing.

"He's waiting for you. Good luck!"

Natalia felt like she was about to be fed into a pack of wolves. She could hear her heart as it loudly and rapidly beats inside her chest. Mustering courage and confidence to face her hopefully future boss, she wondered which is more nerve-wracking, an interview with the CEO, or to be in the same room with a hot and stunning man like Sebastian.

NATALIA BREATHED in the scent of his cologne when she entered his office. He was facing the glass window overlooking Manhattan. Being at one of the tallest buildings in the city has its perks. Looking at the clear white and blue skies slightly relaxed her but when he turned his swivel chair to face her, she was lost once more in the depths of his gaze.

"Have a seat Ms. Abrera, or can I call you Talia?"

Natalia hated to hear the nickname Talia but when he suggested it, she couldn't have thought of any other name.

"Yes." She whispered softly as she lowered herself in the seat in front of his mahogany table.

He stood up, holding a folder labeled with her name. It must be her records including all information from her past.

"Talia..."

The way he said her name was like music in her ears, the soft a sound at the end felt like he was moaning her name.

"Sir?"

"I just have three questions. If I liked your answer, you're free to start today. But if not...I don't want to see you in this building again."

She almost dropped the phone she was holding with the impact of his words. Talia felt scared. Not because of the questions, but for the fact that she will not see him again if she answered the questions incorrectly.

"Understood, Sir."

"Why were you terminated from your previous job?"

She knew that it was a trick question. She signed an non-disclosure agreement with her previous employer and she cannot divulge the reason of her termination even if it is personal.

"I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information to you, Sir. It is not proper for me to speak about my previous employers. But do note that I have performed to the best of my abilities to ensure that I will deliver what was expected of me in my assigned role."

He looked at her inquisitively. It was like he's measuring her with his stare.

"Fair enough, considering that you were harassed by your previous boss. Tell me, Talia. What if the same thing happened here...would you allow it?"

Was it just her or the temperature of the room turned warmer and she blushed at the thought. She won't back down. She's determined to win the job and so she answered honestly, hoping that it would save her from failure.

"I know that relationship in the office is not allowed in this company. I am also aware that boss-employee affair is taboo and done secretly, but I don't think it would be the case here. You seem like a respectable man who likewise respects other people's rights and free will."

"Really? Interesting...but I am not convinced. What if I ask you to do something beyond what was expected of you...aside from your assigned role."

He's pushing it. If he is trying to test if she's interested in having an affair with him, she will not give him a clue. She'll be as vague as possible.

"As I've said, free will. If it's beyond my assigned role, it is my choice and my decision which means I will also be accountable for my action."

She looked straight in his eyes. She wanted him to see the sincerity of her words.

"Lastly, tell me about your family, where you grew up and how was your life after school."

"I grew up at St. Benedict's Orphanage. I was adopted three times but I was always returned to the nuns. The fourth time I was adopted was in middle school and my new family relocated in Mexico. They supported my studies until they died in a car accident the same year I graduated in college. If I'll be accepted, this will be my second job in the eight months that I have finished my degree in Business."

"Why are you applying as Executive Assistant?"

It was question number four which was not part of his plan but she answered it.

"I am a very organized person and I want to use that talent and put it to good use."

He walked back to his seat and sat down. He handed the folder to Talia.

"Here. Give this to Clara. She'll know what to do. Your office is at the other room. You may use that adjoining door right there. Another door leads to the reception area." Sebastian stood up and walked to the door he pointed at. She followed silently, still surprised that she got the job.

"See you later at lunch time, Talia." He opened the adjoining door and gently pushed her inside. He turned around and walked back to his office. Absentmindedly, she moved farther to the room and saw the door that her boss was telling her about. It opened up, revealing Clara, smiling at her.

"Great! You're in! Congratulations! Let me take that from you."

Clara took the folder and Natalia just stared at the oak wood table of her new office.

"Sir Basti only trusts his EAs to pass through this room. Now, this will be your office."

"But what about the reception area outside? Who will be working there?"

"The boss doesn't receive visitors here. His meetings and conferences are done at the 69th floor boardroom. You two will be the only people here. Even Dave is usually out. He just scans the recordings of the previous day and transfers them on his archive then he will wait for Sir Basti when he will leave the office. Sebastian is a very private man. Do not accept any visitors unless he gives you the go signal. No one can go up to this floor without your screening and his approval."

Clara replaced the folder on the stack of documents on top of the EA's table.

"Since the boss does not allow anyone to go up to this floor, you will be the one to bring all his files that he's routing out to the 65th floor. I will tour you around the office and introduce you to the staff and officers that you need to communicate with."

Natalia just looked at her, still distracted by the thought that only a door separates her from Sebastian and that only the two of them will be sharing the floor for the whole day.

"Natalia?"

"Sorry, I spaced out. I hope you don't mind me asking, why are you leaving as his EA?" She looked excited as she shared her the good news.

"I am getting old, so I decided to retire and that generous boy there gave me and my husband a month long all expense paid vacation to Hawaii. Isn't he the best?!"

"Wow."

"He was sad at first that I would be leaving him but I knew it was about time he tries to be with girls his age...I mean with younger versions of me."

Natalia couldn't help but smile at Clara's bubbly personality. It's infectious how she gushed over Sebastian's kindness and generosity.

"I see. Good luck then."

"Don't worry, I still have three days more to show you the ropes of your job. Golden rule with Sir Basti, never divulge his location to anyone regardless of who the person on the other line is."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Here, I made a list of the Dos and Don'ts with regards to Sir Basti. Keep this in your pocket at all times, or if you could memorize them, it's much better."

Natalia scanned the list and her heart skipped a beat knowing that she has in her hands the ticket in making sure that she will have the best employee-employer relationship with the delicious man that is her boss. Not only will Natalia ensure to be the best EA, but also to add another two letters to her name...GF.

NATALIA WENT home in her small apartment feeling hopeful. Not only was it because of her new job but because of her new goal in life. To make Sebastian fall for her. She slept early that night but woke up feeling thirsty at 4 am. She was wearing a skimpy white nightie and was drinking water when she heard a knock on her door. She spilled the water, making her voluptuous chest more visible under the thin lacy fabric.

In her haste and sleepy state, she opened the door without checking who the visitor was. She almost dropped the glass she was holding when she saw the strikingly handsome man she was fantasizing about, standing in front of her. A look of hunger evident in his eyes as he scanned her features. Talia could see his eyes darkened as he focused on her damp nightie. She felt more thirsty with the way he was looking at her.

"Get dressed. We'll be leaving in 30 minutes." His eyes still pinned at her visible nips that stood in attention beneath her thin dress.

"Where are we going?" Her voice sounded breathy and hoarse and she think she heard him groan.

"Just...dress up." He heard the door from the apartment beside her own and he gently pushed Talia inside and closed the door. Their bodies were pressed together. He was looking at her like he was about to devour her. She smelled his minty breath and she heard herself moan when he whispered in her ear.

"Next time, check the peep hole first before opening your door. Not everyone could have self control over your...lack of decent clothing..." His tongue slightly dipped in her ear before he let her go. She felt dizzy and disoriented as he walked inside her living room and settled on the couch. He took a square pillow from the couch and gently covered his lap. If what happened had an effect on him like it had on her, then something else remained standing when he sat down.

"Talia...move...I don't have all day. Bring your passport with you." When he licked his lips, she almost ran to him for a taste. With heavy feet, she walked slowly to her room. Making sure to put an extra sway in her hips. She could feel him staring at her.

She took a quick cold shower before dressing up in a dress suit that matched her boss' outfit. He was wearing a grey suit and blue undershirt. She wore her light blue figure hugging dress that could pass as both a party dress and an office attire. Wearing her four inches stilletos that would make him only a few inches taller than her, she went to the living room where he's waiting. She rarely put makeup but today she wanted to feel pretty so she dabbed a lipstick and made her eyes look more expressive with a mascara.

"You're...five minutes late. Come." The way he said come had a different meaning for Talia. She felt her cheeks blush with the idea she's having. Adding to her fantasy was seeing him scanning her from head to toe before finally walking towards the door to open it for her.

"We're going to Paris...for a business meeting."

"Noted Sir Sebastian." She felt herself shiver when he took her elbow to guide her inside his limousine. They were facing each other on the seat and she could feel his eyes blatantly staring at her exposed legs.

They used a private jet to fly to Paris. It was an excruciatingly difficult plane ride. She hated flying and she had a panic attack.

"You didn't tell me you're scared of flying?" She just looked at him while trying to control her breathing.

"I know something that could make you feel relaxed. Will you allow me?" Talia just nodded her head. She would accept anything that this man would offer her as long as she'll feel calm.

Sebastian took her hands and massaged them. With his light and sensual touch, he drew imaginary circles on her palm and up to her arms. Each caress earned a moan from her lips. It was both relaxing and arousing. She closed her eyes to feel more of the sensation his fingers are doing to her arm and hands.

"Relax..." After take off and they could remove the seatbelt, she heard him move and he knelt down in front of her. She felt his hands travelled from her ankles up to her knees, with the same circular motion he did on her arms. Her heart raced as his hands moved higher to her thighs.

"Are you feeling better?" She felt more hot and sweaty when his hands left her legs and shifted to her shoulder blades. His hands caressed and massaged her exposed neck, collarbone, sometimes dipping slightly to the exposed part of her chest.

"Talia...how do you feel now?" She almost answered horny but she refrained herself. She just whispered that she's fine. With his last caress at the back of her ears, sending her nerve endings another wave of shiver, he left her and went to the bathroom at the end of the hall.

When he returned thirty minutes later, he took his laptop and did not glance at her again. He's back in his working mode.

"We'll be landing in around 6 to 7 hours at the least. Get your laptop and start reviewing the files that I sent you."

"Yes, Sir." She started working alongside him. The sound of the keyboard as his soft fingers typed a series of instruction that he sent through instant messenger made her heart beat faster. Natalia doesn't know why he's acting strange but she's enjoying every second of it.

Sebastian: Are you done with the two files I sent you?

Natalia: Yes sir. I sent it over two seconds ago.

Sebastian: You work fast.

Natalia: I just want to prove how efficient I can be.

Sebastian: I'll test that sometime soon...in one way or another.

Natalia: I'll be looking forward to that, Sir. I am actually more than eager for that test of yours.

She looked at his reaction and saw his lips twitch in a smile he didn't want to show.

"Sir, would you like your lunch to be served?" He looked at Natalia questioningly and she just nodded her head. He addressed the flight attendant with a curt nod.

"You could have at least answered yes you know." Natalia was surprised by her own voice. She just could not stop her blabbering mouth sometimes.

"Excuse me?" He looked somewhat irritated but amused. She exhaled deeply before she responded.

"She was looking at you like a lost puppy waiting for your response but you only gave her a quick nod." He smirked and shook his head.

"Coming from someone who nodded her head in response when I asked her."

"Well, you silently asked me...with your eyes I mean, so it was just polite and proper that I respond the same way...silently." This time, he chuckled and she smiled at that. It was music to her ears, how his laughter could sound so sexy was beyond her.

"You're really something aren't you?" He looked taken aback by his own words and abruptly stood up to go to the toilet. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

When he got back, the food was already served and they ate in silence. Spending the rest of the flight with Sebastian was refreshing for Natalia. Not only was she able to talk to him but he also taught her the important things that she need to know and do as his EA. Her first impression of him being cold and calculating is true without a doubt, but that day, he also showed her the other side of him. He was gentle and accommodating. Something that she did not expect for someone of his caliber. She knew that she's attracted to him, but now that she's starting to get to know him better, she feared that soon she would inevitably fall for him.