RAW LOVE

Taylor Sterling

"Auntie I'll have to call you back after work. I am very busy right now and I can't stay on the phone and discuss how Mr fluffy ears pooped in your new sleepers." I rolled my eyes, pressing my cell phone to my right ear with my shoulder.

I was busy at work and my hands were full. I couldn't even hold the phone in my hands and talk with my aunt who didn't want to hang up and me being me didn't want to be rude and cut the call on her. She calls me everyday to check up on me and my new job at Mack Empire as Mr Mack's personal assistant.

Today she called to tell me that Mr fluffy ears, her cat popped in her brand new sleepers. I love my aunt, she is my second mother, took me after my parents died and she has been the only mother figure in my life. I love her but I also don't want to lose my job and go back to stay with her and her ugly cat in her old but warm house in that lifeless neighborhood.

"Isn't it lunchtime though Maria?" She asked using the nickname my dad gave me, her voice thick with concern. She was pushing fifty five and was beginning to sound like an old grandma, but in honesty she was far from being a wrinkly old granny.

"I told you auntie, it doesn't matter. I have to get these papers ready for tonight's charity ball. Now I have to go okay? I love you."

She cheerfully told me she loved me back but not without reminding me to eat. It's been a two weeks since I started working for Mr Mack and to say it was a walk in the park would be a lie. His last personal assistant quit due to the high demand of her hours at work so Mr Mack wanted a new, fresh lady who wasn't lazy or who didn't have much of a life outside. I was happy to hear that because I had no friends or anything, well I have one or two friends that I normally hang out with once in a blue moon and those friends were people I worked with at the diner.

"Ms Sterling are you done with the papers yet?" I nearly jumped out of my skin by the sudden company behind me. Mr Mack walked like a cat I swear. You will never hear him approach or leave. The only thing that would make you aware of his presence is his cologne. Every time he walks past by my desk which is situated right outside his office, his scent would linger for a while in the air.

Mr Mack was a very masculine man, always in perfect expensive tailor made suits and shoes. His brown hair reached just above his eyebrows and he would run his hands through it pushing it out of his eyes. I liked his hair, I liked his eyes,his brown eyes... They were hazel brown, and every time he looked at me I resisted the urge to look right into them.

He had full plump pink-ish lips, his jaw was squared to perfection, tall- an easy 6 ft 2. The man was gorgeous and to top it all, he was Spanish. What amazed me is the fact that he can switch in between accents. One minute he is on a full Spanish accent, the next he is on American accent. It was incredible.

Yes the man sounded like a god right? But get this, he was a ruthless business man. When he says do something you better do it now, immediately Or there will be serious consequences. He hated tardy, untidy and sloppy people. He was always on time but at the same, most of the time never around the office, which leaves tons and tons of work for me. I always ate while working, but if I say I didn't enjoy my work I would be lying. I enjoyed the adrenaline rush, the challenges that came with the job. I loved working under pressure, trying to impress the big bully that pays my salary.

Most ladies here at work always pop up this side unnecessarily to check if he is in or if he would like to go for lunch, or if he can advice them on a certain projects they are handling. But as I said the man was ruthless, he was mean and very rude Jesus!

I remember this one time I was working in his office with him and the lady from finance came waltzing in his office. Her short pencil skirt hugging her curvy body, her six inch stilettos complementing her toned legs, her blouse not entirely buttoned up, leaving a bit of a cleavage on the show. Her make up was perfectly done and her manicured nails were freshly painted with a red nail polish, she looked gorgeous, she was stunning and she knew it.

She walked in and greeted me like she was rubbing off mud on the welcome door mat. She then walked around Mr Mack's huge mahogany desk and rested her hand on his shoulder, purposely leaning on him and showing off her cleavage.

"Mr Mack, I was trying to find money to sign off to the marketing team but I just cannot seem to find where I can cut since we've already signed off this month's budget. They are pressurizing me and it's getting too much." She purred. She actually purred. Who purrs while talking with their boss?

I was stunned and I couldn't concentrate on my work no more. I just kept sneaking glances at Mr Mack and at the lady while trying to make sense of what I was reading in my hands.

"Miss Kent, you are our financial executive, very good at your job, so I suggest you find somewhere else to find the money. I'm sure that brain of yours isn't dead right?" Mr Mack quirked an eyebrow and removed miss Kent's hand from his shoulder. His face held a bored expression. I expected him to be flattered that such a gorgeous lady was fawning over him and presenting herself on a gold platter.

"But Mr Lob-..." She was cut off before finishing what she was about to say next.

"I think we are done here. Next time you want my advice I suggest you call Taylor and set a meeting and hopefully about relevant things. I can't baby sit you and show you how to do your job. Now excuse us we have work to do. Button up your blouse miss Kent and close the door behind you." Not once did Mr Mack take his eyes off his laptop. He still held the same bored expression only now his jaw was clenched.

Miss Kent was so embarrassed that she quickly buttoned up three more buttons up of her blouse and ran out of the office. Her face was flushed and I looked at the door as she closed it and I shook my head.

"That was...rude." I said out loud. I don't even know what prompted me to do so but I did.

"Your opinion was never asked miss Sterling." My jaw hit the floor. How RUDE!! I wanted to say something but I felt my cheeks heating up and I knew that I probably look like a tomato. I kept my mouth shut and my face down as I kept myself busy with the report.

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From that time I knew that Mr Mack had no mercy, none whatsoever and I also knew that he wasn't really attracted or affected by beautiful women with expensive perfumes and Jimmy Choo shoes and Gucci handbags. Yes he was rich, he was the the CEO of the Mack Empire, a company his grandfather started and passed it onto his father and now to Mack. I knew this from the magazines I used to read in college. Everyone knew who Martin Mack was or is, and how good looking he is, but the relationship status of this twenty seven year old remained a top secret.

In every interview they would question him about it and his answer is always the same. 'I can answer almost everything you ask me, just not that. Too personal.'

He never let out much about his childhood either. All he talked about is the company, how many branches they have, how many charity balls they host, how much they make and how much they give back to the community, never about his personal life. You can't even find his birth date on Google. That's how much of a private person this man is.

I looked at him as he stood in front of my own mahogany desk that faced his office. I could see the inside of his office due to the glass window separating my space from his office.

We were the only ones up on this floor, to get to him you must get access from me first or him sometimes, if he is here. If he isn't here, I work from his office and that was the best part about it.

His office has the best city view ever. I would just sit on his couch and take in the view.

"I am almost done Mr Mack. Just thirty more minutes." I smiled politely at him. I always smiled at him even though I knew I would never get a smile back from him. I don't think I've ever seen him smile, even on his billboard pictures there is none where he is smiling.

"Thirty more minutes? But I gave you that two hours ago!" He clenched his fists on his sides. This man clearly thinks that I work on steroids or maybe that I am wonder woman.

"No I don't think you work on steroids or that you are a wonder woman miss Sterling."

Shit! I said that out loud??

My eyes popped out of their sockets and I tried to form words in my head but nothing came out of my mouth. Instead I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly, lacking a better reply.

"Thirty minutes is what I'm giving you. I need to prepare for the party tonight and so should you." He pivoted on his heel and strode towards his office.

Once the door closed, I let out the air I have been holding since he sneaked up on me. This man was just a danger to society. He walked like he was walking on glass, swiftly and quietly. He was never in a good mood, and he was always angry.

Odd enough, I find all of that entirely attractive. His body and looks was just cherry on top. But I knew better than to have such thoughts about my boss. He doesn't strike me as the type of man that would go for a simple girl who once worked at a diner, who has black hair that isn't styled nor curled or anything, who didn't wear much of make up except for an eyeliner once in a blue moon and lipstick, who didn't wear six inch heels to work everyday instead opted for the 4 inch heels that were slightly comfortable. Who didn't have a life outside of the workplace so the thought of him one day actually noticing me, was just out of the window. But that doesn't mean I would stop appreciating his good looks, no!

Just as I finished with Mr Mack's reports and taking them to his office, his personal stylist arrived with my dress for tonight's party.

I've always read about these kind of parties and the whose who of town attending there in their million dollar dresses and suits. Mr Mack took it upon himself to buy me a dress. Well actually have my dress made from scratch. I was awed when he called me in his office just after he took his suit measurements and ordered me to take a stand where he stood before so they can take my measurements as well. I told him he should take the money from my pay and he laughed at me. Told me that my salary which I believe is very, very GOOD, he told me it wouldn't even cover a quarter of the dress.

You should have seen my jaw hit the floor. I am not used to such luxuries, so I thanked him and let the woman take my measurements.

"Taylor right? Nice to see you again!" The woman, who was around thirty beamed at me, kissing both of my cheeks.

She was Spanish just like Mr Mack. I could tell with her thick accent and her tanned skin and her curvy body. She was a tall woman, well taller than me, but most definitely shorter to Mack. She was dressed in cream white designer shorts and a black tank top underneath finishing off with a matching cream white blazer that had one big brown button in the middle and brown six inch laced boots complemented her whole outfit.

Her walk was perfect, as if she were trained to walk with poise and her head held up high. Her personality was phenomenal, if I wasn't straight I would definitely be crushing on her.

"Hi Tara!" I smiled at her, picking up the rest of the papers from my desk. "Let's go in, he is probably waiting."

She let me open the door to Mack's office. I was instructed not to knock anymore as it is irritating and I'm the only one on this floor.

"Mr Mack!" Tara walked in as I shut the door behind me. The day I met her she was full of life, even today she is still full of cherries.

"Tara." Mr Mack stood up from his position at the couch, and hugged Tara, giving her a small smile. That is very rare for Mack, very rare I tell you.

"Do you have my money?" She joked. Mr Mack has already paid her before she even began with the dresses.

"Yes, cash upfront!" He smirked and let her sit down.

She refused to sit down saying she had a lot of work to do, a lot to prepare for the charity ball. She handed both of us our customs tonight, I was yet to see mine.

"And Taylor, don't be surprised with your ride tonight, you are getting ready at my place with me, per Mack's request. See you later yes?" She bid us farewell and walked out.

"What was that?" I turned to Mr Mack. He cannot just decide on my behalf about WHERE I am supposed to get ready.

"I know you are not deaf and I also know I don't fancy repeating myself. But if I must, you will be styled by Tara tonight. You will be at my charity ball and I want you to fit in." He rubbed his temple, looking slightly pissed off.

I didn't want to upset him more than I already did. So I placed the papers on his desk.

Just as I reached the door he spoke up.

"Clear my diary for the next coming week. I won't be here." With that being said I walked out of his office.

"Oh my! Taylor! You are....you are gorgeous!" Tara beamed.

She had just finished curling my long black her into beautiful thick curls.

My dress was black with crystal around the bodice. It had a high thigh slit that revealed my toned perfect thigh, Tara's words. Even if I didn't like the dress, it was too late to change now. I had on black four inch sandals that had little fake diamonds on it and black tear drop earrings.

My make up was polished to a T. I actually looked like one of those women in magazines. Call me Cinderella, as tonight I look beautiful!

"Thank you. You look gorgeous as well." I smiled at her.

She wore a gold long number that had soft chains hanging from the neckline till her thighs. She had on red and gold sandals, I realized they were Tom Ford's. Fortunate people. Tara is a stylist, cannot expect little from her.

"Our ride is here baby." She clapped her hands together and lead us out of her beautiful apartment.

My jaw dropped, when we approached our ride. It was a long ass black limousine. The driver opened for us and Tara dived right in.

I was still in awe, my mind not fully functioning.

"Today Taylor!" Tara popped her head out taking me out of my trance.

"Oh" was all that came out of my mouth as I slid inside the limo and the driver closed the door after me.

The inside was gorgeous. We were served champagne and I was awe-struck baby.

We arrived at the ball and everything was just as the papers and magazines say. Breathtaking. If Mr Mack hadn't found me a dress, I would really be sticking out like a sore thumb right now.

Tara didn't leave me alone, she took me everywhere with her. She introduced me to some people but leaving out the fact that I was Mr Mack's assistant. I don't know why.

Speaking of Mr Mack, he told me I had to find him for some work thing. When I did find him, his was in a corner, flirting up some woman who was clapped in a very short designer evening dress.

"Mr Mack?" I announced my presence and that took him out of the zone. The lazy, fake smile he had was gone. I don't know how that girl didn't notice the fake smile the man was giving her. Don't people like real feelings anymore?

"Ahh Ms Sterling...." he acknowledged me and excused himself from his new flame.

"Here is my card to upstairs, I want you to make sure nobody is there, and tell the security up there to let only people with this kind of card in okay? Make sure there is no one up there now." He handed me a silver, weird looking card with his initials and surname on it.

I did as I was told. I checked every room upstairs and bathrooms and making sure to let security know about not letting anyone one in.

I received a text message from my aunt and I responded her and used the bathroom before I left.

An hour into the party, I was having a nice time. Some people were nice to me, carried conversations with me and I didn't feel lonely.

"Hey, my phone just died, borrow me yours? I have to make an urgent phone call." Tara approached me.

I smiled at her and reached for my phone from my clutch, but it wasn't there.

"It's not here." I whispered to myself. Tara heard me and reckoned I may have left it at her house. She went to ask one of her friends for a phone since I couldn't help.

I had my phone. In the bathroom upstairs. Now I remembered where my baby was at.

"Sorry I can't let you in miss." The security guard refused to let me through.

"What? Unbelievable! I want my phone." I raised my voice a little at him.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you in. Unless you have the access card." He told me. What access card?

Oh! I reached into my purse and pulled out the card Mr Mack gave me. I forgot to return it to him. The guard let me in and I gave him a tight smile.

I rushed upstairs and grabbed my phone. Just as I was heading out I passed by a room that the door was slightly ajar. I should have just passed by, but they said something that made me stop and listen.

"Mack just wants to be a drug dealer, distribute drugs and kill whoever disobeyed him. He doesn't want anything to do with girls we transport. And also Brian, you have to remember that we killed Ruiz's mother, word gets out we are finished, we are out of business. We have to keep it between us." A man with a rich tone, sounded like he was Italian spoke up to a guy who was rather quite, I guess his name was Brian. Mack was a drug dealer?

My clutch fell to the ground making a sound.

"Who is there?" A different voice spoke up. Brian. He had an America accent. Sounded scary. I quickly picked up my clutch and ran towards the stairs.

"Hey!" He yelled and I made a mistake of looking back. He was scary. He had on piercings on his nose and eyebrows, his skin was pale, but his body was well built. He wore a suit but definitely looked scary.

I didn't wait for him to find me. I had to get out of here.

I ran down the stairs and got lost in the crowd. Thank God he didn't follow me.

My mood for the party was lost.

Mack is a drug dealer? Worse, he kills people who disobeyed him? What the hell is going on?

To say I wasn't scared was blatant lie!