Office Escapades With Mr. Armstrong 01

It's a bright Monday morning, I dressed in a simple fitted skirt and shirt that hugged my body so well, leaving nothing to your imagination. Stepping out of my car in the parking lot, I breathed in the fresh floral scent, and hoped that this interview went well.

I walked confidently to the building, navigating my way to the elevator. Once inside the elevator, I relaxed my body and let myself think, think about what is about to happen, and hope for the best, the moment the elevator got to the next floor, it stopped.

Its low chime filled the space, and it opened, then a man stepped in. I didn't look up immediately, but as soon as the elevator started moving, the cologne of the man filled my nostrils, then I looked up, and my eyes caught the most beautiful man I had ever seen, he was gawking shamelessly at me.

He looked so cute and rich. " Good morning sir" I greeted. He responded and asked " You don't look familiar, I assume you just started working here".

" I'm here for an interview".

" An interview? Well, I wish you luck. What's your name by the way?" He asked.

" I'm Clarabelle, thank you".

" Nice name for a beautiful lady", he moved closer, and our shoulders were slightly rubbing against each other. "I'm Armstrong, I hope to see you around". The elevator dinged, signaling his stop.

He stepped out and waved happily like a little kid would.

I waved back with a big smile. Then I released the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Armstrong", I repeated. "Sounds like a nice name for a really handsome man" I mumbled to myself.

Then the elevator dinged again and I stepped out, straightened my back and walked straight to the secretary's table.

"Hello Ma'am, I'm here for an interview".

She looked at me from top to bottom before grudgingly replying, "And, what's your name?"

"I'm Clarabelle", I answered with a fake smile.

"Today started well, what's with the attitude", I thought.

She stood up to check a book, and that was when I saw her protruding belly.

"Oh, probably the pregnancy hormones, pregnant women and attitude".

She sat back down and heaved a sigh of relief, then replied " Take this way, the venue is office 001, that's the boss's office".

I mummered a " Thank you" , and headed straight to office 001. My heart was beating hard as though it would break out of my chest.

" The boss's office, oh Lord help me", I prayed silently.

I knocked on the door and waited for a response.

A low "Come in" echoed through the walls.

I took a deep breath and opened the door, then turned around to close the door properly.

Spinning back, air was knocked out of my lungs. The same man I met in the elevator was sitting behind a huge desk, he looked totally different from the man I met earlier.

"Oh, welcome, have your seat", he said with a broad smile.

"Thank you Mr. Armstrong".

"You don't have to be shy, just call me Armstrong", he said casually.

"Okay sir".

"Now, let's get to business, and see what you've got".

The room felt smaller as he stood from his chair, and strolled to my side, sitting in the space right beside my arm on the table.

I felt a strong pull towards him, and his cologne wasn't making things better.

"His lips look supple" I imagined how they'll taste and feel against my lips.

He leaned closer, his cologne wrapping around me like a spell. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the movement of his hand. My breath hitched as his fingers hovered near my face, not quite touching.

Instead, he caught a loose strand of hair and slowly tucked it behind my ear.

I froze, heat crawling up my neck. His hand lingered in the air for a heartbeat too long, his knuckles brushing close but never touching. My chest rose and fell faster, betraying me.

“Much better,” he murmured, his lips curving into a smile that was warm.

Before I could form a reply, a sharp knock on the door shattered the moment.

The sharp knock on the door startled and made me flinch.

Mr. Armstrong straightened immediately, and climbed down from the table with a soft thud, the easy smile returning to his lips, though his eyes still lingered on me for one long, unreadable second.

“Come in,” he said with a calm and controlled voice.

A young man peeked in and handed him a brown envelope. Mr. Armstrong took it with a brief nod, dismissing him just as quickly. When the door clicked shut, silence returned, heavy and suffocating.

He turned back to me. “Now, where were we?”

My throat went dry. “The… interview?”

He chuckled, a sound that felt low and intimate. “Right. The interview.”

I crossed my legs, trying to appear composed, but my knees were trembling. He sat back on his behind the desk, flipping through my résumé, his gaze darting up at me every now and then. I could feel those glances like tiny sparks against my skin.

“You studied business administration?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“And you’ve worked as a personal assistant before?”

“Yes, at Jackson Group.”

He leaned back in his chair, studying me. “Why did you leave?”

I hesitated. “I, wanted a fresh start.”

“Fresh start.” He repeated the words, nodding slowly, like he was tasting them. “And what exactly are you hoping to start here, Clarabelle?”

The way he said my name, slow and deliberate—sent a strange chill down my spine. “Just a career,” I managed to say.

“Of course.” His smile was faint, but his eyes burned with something else entirely.

He stood up, and rounded the desk, then walked behind me. I could feel his presence like static in the air. Then came the faint scent of his cologne, rich, dark, addictive. He stopped beside my chair, close enough that the warmth of his body seeped into mine.

“I like ambition,” he said quietly, almost beside my ear. “It’s rare to see someone walk in here with confidence instead of fear.”

My breath caught. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Confidence looks good on you.”

He moved back to his chair before I could react. The air suddenly felt too cold.

I forced myself to look up, to meet his gaze. “So, did I pass the interview?”

He smiled, his lips curling with mischief. “Let’s just say I’m intrigued by everything in your résumé. But I’ll need to see more of you before making that decision.”

My stomach flipped. “More of me?”

“Your work ethic,” he clarified, a little too late, with eyes gleaming. “You’ll start on a trial basis. One week. Impress me, and the job is yours.”

I nodded, trying not to read into his words. “Thank you, sir.”

“Armstrong,” he corrected again, that smile still in place.

“Right,” I said softly. “Armstrong.”

He looked pleased. “You’ll report to me directly. I prefer keeping an eye on promising talents.”

I swallowed. “Okay.”

He stood again and extended his hand. I rose to shake it, feeling the strength of his grip, and the warmth of his palm. His thumb brushed lightly over my knuckles before he released my hand. The touch was brief, yet enough to leave my heart racing.

“Welcome aboard, Clarabelle,” he said.

“Thank you… Armstrong.”

As I turned to leave, I felt his gaze on me. It followed me across the room, down the hall, into the elevator. My reflection in the mirrored wall showed that my cheeks were flushed, my lips slightly parted, and eyes glowed with something I didn’t dare name.

And as the elevator doors closed, one thought rang in my mind, it was clear, dangerous, and impossible to ignore.

I was in trouble.