Chapter 5: My First Mistake

Celia Bennett's POV:

I lost my balance and nearly fell over, right across Pierre's lap, or at least that's what I thought. I was so unsteady on my feet that I did what I had to do, and that was my first mistake. I grabbed hold of the arm rest and the back of the chair he was sitting in and hung my head down slightly.

What I didn't realize was that I was right beside him at that point. I was even closer to the scent that was attracting me to him, and it was drawing me ever so closer to him, even still. I was only doing this to support myself on his chair, in order to make sure that I was steady and not going to fall. What I didn't expect was to become more attracted to him and this scent of his.

To add more feeling and sensations that were pulsing through me, Pierre reached over and grabbed my wrist firmly. He was gentle when he did it, making sure I was not going to fall any further forward.

"Celia!" My father shouted at me with shock as he stood up to his feet. "What just happened?"

"No worries Donovan, there's no harm done," Pierre said as he stood up to his feet and then grabbed both of my hands, causing me to look at him in shock. "However, do you think I could borrow Celia during my time here in the states? You know, to run and get things like an assistant would do?"

"What?" I blurted out, not at all expecting to hear what he said.

To my surprise, my father remained silent for a moment as he stood there, even reaching up to rub the end of his chin as he usually did when he was thinking about anything important. Finally, when he stopped he looked right at the man beside Pierre and asked, "What about him?"

"What about him?" Pierre asked in return in a plain tone. My father didn't know what to take from that response and almost looked confused when Pierre added, "You do know Stuart's just the driver, right? He knows nothing about being a secretary. He doesn't even call his mom on her birthday and has to be told by my secretary."

I looked at all of them, not sure where this conversation was going. The man beside Pierre, squinting his eyes a little at Pierre and then turned to look at my father to see what his response was going to be. This whole time, Pierre was still holding firmly, yet not putting too much pressure on my wrists. I even tried to roll my wrists slightly to which he still held me, but didn't let go.

What was his fascination with me? Why did he continue to hold onto me? And why did he want me to be his assistant? My father has more people who were better qualified for the job.

"Well, I guess I could have Stacy take over for me while Celia helps you out," my father said, taking the words right out of my mouth. "She even knows the best place to get your morning coffee."

"Wh-what are you talking about?!" I asked in shock as I tried to pull my hands free from Pierre's grip. He still wouldn't let go but was very subtle about it.

"Who else would be better to do the job that I trust you to complete," My father said, at the same time I lowered my head. "Now, now, Celia," he said, taking a pause to walk over closer to me. "You are the best assistant anyone could ever ask for. That's why I know you are going to do whatever is needed for Pierre. If you recall, we went to college together. I have known this guy for quite a long time. What do you say?"

I was silent as Pierre finally released my hands. I grabbed my wrists as I slowly walked over to my father, standing in front of him. I sighed heavily when I said, "I guess I can do that for you, Father."

"Very well," my father stated before he pulled me into his arms, wrapping them around me. After a brief hug, he held tight to my shoulders, pushing me back to an arms distance when he spoke next. "I will see you when I see you next, my dear. For now, I have other things that I must attend to, like telling Stacy that she has a lot more work to do in your stead."

My father let go of me when he walked over to shake Pierre's hand, before he continued, saying, "In light of this new task if you will. Would you mind if we picked up our meeting until tomorrow? You are going to be here for the next month, so that'll give us plenty more opportunities to get together and discuss what we needed to do for today. Also, that would give you and Celia a better chance to get acquainted."

"That is a very good idea," Pierre said, showing that he agreed with my father. "I do not mind waiting until tomorrow, or the next day, since we have to reschedule our meeting from today."

"Very good then," my father said once more before heading toward the door. When he reached the door, he turned, grabbing the side of the frame and called out to me. "Oh and Celia, be sure to do your best. You know I'll hear about it if you don't. I hold you to a very high standard, so I know you won't let me down. And be sure to lock up before you leave. Call me if you need anything."

With that, my father disappeared out of his office, leaving me standing right there in front of Pierre and his driver, Stuart. What was he really expecting, me to just accept the fact that he was going to give me away like I was some kind of servant or even a slave? Hell, he had already discussed with those other men that he was going to give me away. What would you call that? An arranged marriage! I thought they only did that overseas. Apparently not.

Pierre walked up to me and spoke, causing me to jerk out of my thoughts when he said, "Don't worry, my dear. I'll make sure to provide any and everything that you will need while you work for me. So there will not be a need for you to call your father for anything."

"And he does mean everything,"Stuart spoke up right then. Wait, I thought he was just the driver.

"You do know that I work for my father and have my own place where I stay," I said before looking down when I added. "Well, I stay at my friend's place. She needed a job and I needed a place to stay, so it worked out.

I looked back up at Pierre and his expression didn't change. However, he said, "I will ensure that all is taken care of." He stopped talking for a moment when he spoke French to Stuart and said something that I didn't quite understand. "Envoyez un message à Rainne. Elle doit la faire mesurer à son arrivée." (Send a message to Rainne. She is to have her measured when she arrives.)

"What do you mean?" I asked him and they both looked at me. "Who is to get measured and for what?"

His expression finally changed when he looked at me with surprise, then he furrowed his brows when he said, "You know French, do you?"

"Yes, I took a Foreign Languages class while I was in college," I said when I squinted my eyes.