Saved by my CEO

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Arriving back in the building, security again holding the door open for Trent and I. Heading to the elevator he reaches over and presses the top floor, obviously heading straight to his office. “have I to come up to your office or shall I go to Mr Young’s?” hoping he doesn’t hear the desperation in my voice, all I want to do is run back to my wee desk and hide away like I have been doing for the last 3 years.  “ You  are my assistant now, not Mr Young’s. Your new contract should be on my desk waiting for you to sign it. Obviously with any alterations being made before doing so.” The elevator dings and the door open as we walk to his office “Leave your handbag at your new desk and we’ll have a look at the contract and then I’ll show you what I’m needing done first, okay?” he’s looking at me waiting for a response and all I can do is nod. This is unreal, I’m now an assistant to the CEO. I must be dreaming. Surely I’m dreaming. I give myself a little nip to check, ouch.... no not a dream.

I leave my handbag at my desk like Trent told me to and followed him into his office. He closes the door behind me and ushers me over to the couch sitting in the far right corner. Sitting on the glass table in front of me is a contract of employment. “So, Avery. This is a standard contract, stating holiday entitlement, contracted hours with possible overtime depending on my needs. Your new salary and employee benefits including health insurance and pension. Have a read over it if there is anything you’re are unsure of, I’ll explain it.” As he hands me the contract, I take it from his hand  not realising my hand are shaking, I’m a nervous wreck sitting this close to him. “Avery?” he questions my shaking hands. “I’m sorry Mr Colton, I get very nervous in new surroundings and situations. I have been like this since I was in foster care. My foster brother tried to show me breathing exercises to help but I’m kind of struggling today, I’m ssorry” I stutter and mumble all at the same time. Trent moves his hands to remove the contract and places it back on the table. Who is going to want me as an assistant. I might as well just leave. As I start to get up from the couch, Trent puts his hand on my lap and takes my hand in his.

“by the sounds of it you have had a tuff Start to your life? Do you feel like talking about it? “ he has a concerned look on his face. What do I say. My life has been shit from the start. Do I start from the beginning or do I leave it. Talking about it to Danny, my foster brother always helped. “Avery?” he says in a soft voice. I cant help but shed a tear thinking about my past. Trent wipes my stray tear of my cheek as I raise my head and take a deep breath. “I.... don’t think I can" I whisper  not sure if he heard. “Avery, I may be the boss but I consider the staff that works closely to me as friends. You can tell me anything  I’ve heard loads of different stories from my employees" he tells me still holding my hands. I take a huge breath and breath out

“ If I tell you will, I don’t want it to affect my job or my work?” I say looking into his eyes trying to gauge his reaction. “what you tell me will be kept in the strictest of confidence, and I’ll help in anyway I can" he says as he keeps stroking cheek.  “Right, ok then.” Here goes, why am I doing this.. I can’t tell him. I hardly know him. Hes your boss and he says he’ll help. My subconscious tells me. “Please do not judge me, I’ve dealt with my past on my own for a long time and talking about it does help but I don’t need pity or you feeling sorry for me" I speak in a quiet voice trying to not let any more tears fall.  “I promise to not judge" he says in a concerned tone.

“Ok, so. When I was 3 my parents were killed in a car crash. I was put into the foster care system, with that I was moved from family to family. When I was 10 I was put with my last family, Daniel was the dad, Liz was the mum and Danny was their son he is 10 years older than me.” Trent is sitting listening to my every word  he has not spoken or even moved since I started telling him my life story. Staring at my hands I continue... “Daniel worked away from home a lot, he worked on the oil rigs. Liz worked in a bank and Danny joined the Army when he was 17. One weekend Daniel came home really drunk and started arguing with Liz, he beat her up real bad. She had a few broken ribs and bruises everywhere. He started on me, when Liz was in hospital, saying really horrible things to me. He broke my arm in 2 places and I fractured a few ribs trying to get away from him. Social services got involved because the hospital had to phone them.” Tears are dripping down my chin as Trent is rubbing his thumb over my knuckles trying to sooth my pain as I recall my past. “Being 17 no one wants a teenager as a foster child so I stayed in a centre for older children until I was 18 then I moved towns and 3 years later here I am.”

Trent brings his hand up to my cheek and wipes my tears away, handing me a glass if water. I sip it and place it on the table in front of us. “What happened to Daniel?” he whisper almost like he doesn’t want to know the answer. “I don’t know. I’ve never been in contact with either him or Liz since I left. I get emails from Danny every few months but he never talks about them.” I tell him finishing my glass of water. “do you not have any other family? From your biological parents?” again in a whisper. “I don’t know, my parents moved here from England, I don’t remember any other family. I only have a few pictures that social services gave me from my file.” I lower my head trying to hide more tears from Trent.   He looks at me with a sad face, “I told you I didn’t want any pity and you are looking at me weird.” I say as I stand and walk out of the office. I need air, I cant cope with this. Why did I tell him anything? I’m so stupid even thinking it wouldn’t change how he looks at me. He is just going to think I’m some stupid little girl with no family or friends. Trents office door opens as he stands with his arms over his chest “I’m sorry Avery, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’m trying to get my head round all the information you told me. I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry"  he says as he walks closer to me. “I don’t know why I told you all that. We have only just met. I haven’t told anyone ever. You are the only one that knows.” I’m trying hard to keep the tears back. I’ve cried enough for today. I just want to go back home and forget I told him. “it’s ok Avery. I want to be your friend Avery. I need to know the people that I’m going to be working close with.”  The elevator dinged,  breaking the tension that was building slightly and out walked a younger version of Trent. “hey bro, you alright?” the younger Trent says looking me up and down, just like Trent did when we went to lunch. “all good Aiden, what you doing here brother?, Aiden wow they could be twins they look so alike  Aiden’s hair is slightly darker than Trents but the same build and nearly the same height. “New assistant?” Aiden turns to me hand stretched towards me, “Aiden Colton, Trents younger and better looking brother", he gives a toothy grin and he takes my  hand.  “Avery Benson, nice to meet you" is all I can manage to say, trying hard to hide my teary face, which I bet looks bright red and puffy. Not that either of them will even notice. They will never notice me. I’m just plain Avery, no family or friends. “Aren’t you a wee cutie. Trent why do you always get the good looking assistants?” what? he has to be kidding right. Good looking he seriously needs to go to get his eyes tested.  As Trent let out a little chuckle, he went back to his office  Aiden following behind him and closing the door.

I was left to sort out the mess of my new desk as Trent took Aiden into his office. What a bloody mess!! Clearly Trent has just been dumping files on top of files on this desk with no one sorting it out for him. So I start moving the files into some sort of order. I check the cabinets behind the desk to see if I can file any of them. I see some of the files can be filed away so I start putting them away. An hour later my desk is looking more like a desk and I can actually see the keyboard that is attached to the  computer. Switching it on I finish tidying the desk while it boots up. I hear muffled voices through the office door, I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop but I’m curious to find out what they are talking about. Just as I put the last file away in the cabinet, Trents office doors opens and both he and Aiden walk out. “Right, ok. I’m going to go see the gorgeous Donna and I’ll see you at dinner.” Aiden says to Trent as he rubs his hands together  “Gorgeous  Donna must be a girlfriend" I say to myself. “Lovely meeting you Avery, I will be seeing you very soon" with another toothy grin he leaves and with a ding of the elevator he disappears from sight. Leaving Trent leaning against his office door frame. “I haven’t seen the top of that desk so tidy in a long time, amazing work Avery" he says as he walks back into his office. “Trent, would you be able to show me what needs doing on the diary system, its different to the one I used in archives” I ask as I walk into his office with out knocking. Just as a realise he is holding his phone to his ear “Sorry, I should have knocked.” I whisper as Trent holds up a finger to shush me. “Donna, can you pop up to my office for 10 minutes, thanks" putting down the phone, I apologise again “No need. I wasn’t expecting you to get through those files so quick.  Donna used to be my assistant but now Aiden has stolen her from me. She’ll be able to sort you out with the diary and other tasks through the day.” Aiden stole her? Weird, I’m sure the expression on my face must be asking a hundred questions as Trent bursts out laughing. “Your face is a picture, Avery. When I say stolen, I mean they are engaged and Aiden is very over protective so Donna is now his assistant.” He keeps giggling as he tells me. “wow, I actually thought there for a minute that he stole her and was keeping her hostage" saying that out loud just sounds stupid. Why did I even say it? He is going to think I’m dumb. “Yello”, a sweet little red head girl, I say girl she is probably ages with me but she is tiny, walks into the office. “You must be Avery, Aiden has told me about you. He was right, you are a cutie" she shakes my hand saying this. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Avery" I do nothing else but blush. “So, diary? Let’s go, I’ll show you everything you need to know" as she grabs my hand we walk out of Trents office to my desk and she sits and goes over everything she thinks I’ll need. We chat in between her showing me the ropes. She is sweet, turns out she is the same age as me, she being older by a few months. We exchanged mobile numbers and she says we’ll grab a coffee when Aiden isn’t demanding her company at any opportunity not that she is complaining, you can tell she loves him, she has a sparkle in here eye when she talks about him. And she blushes every so often. After Donna left, I busied myself with Trents diary for the rest of the week.  Working for the CEO, isn’t going to be as hard as I thought.

A few weeks have past and I’m settling into a good routine. Filing and sorting Trents diary we’ve been to a few business lunches, which I don’t like going to. I always feel like a little school kid, when the people we are meeting stare at me. They can tell I’m not one of them, from the business world, just by looking at my clothes. I haven’t been shopping to get new work clothes yet but I have went to the hairdresser to get my hair done.  It’s just an ordinary Friday Trent and Aiden have been out to a meeting with one of the suppliers. They didn’t need me to go as Donna was attending the meeting to take notes. She emailed her copy so I could give to Trent. I nipped to the break room to grab myself some lunch and on my return Trent has left a huge pile of files on my desk. ‘should keep me busy until finish time’ I thought to myself. Now that my desk is tidy to my standards and the diary and emails have all been dealt with, I glance up to the wall clock and see its 4pm. Not knowing what to do with the rest of my day, assuming I’m finishing around 530pm with it being the weekend. I walk to Trents office door, gently knocking it and waiting for permission to enter. “come In" Trents husky voice again sending shivers through my body “Hey, Trent.  I’m up to date with the diary and emails and all the filing has been done. Is there anything else I can do?” I’m trying not to sound like the job bores me but its not exactly busy today. “Well, I was thinking we could go shopping for some new outfits for you, then maybe dinner?” he says with a slight awkward look, almost like a teenager does  when asking a girl he fancies out on a date. What am I saying, he doesn’t fancy me.  I’m just plain, boring Avery. “I..  em.. I.. don’t think that would be.” I start to say but he cuts me off “My treat. I cant have you buying new clothes when you haven’t had your bonus pay for promotion through yet" what, bonus pay? “Really Mr Colton  that’s a very generous offer but you already have done so much for me already, I simply cannot accept that offer”  shit why did I say that? Giving up the opportunity to spend time with the sexy CEO, I’m clearly not thinking straight. “Avery, please let me. I’m done for the day, I would only be going home and sitting bored watching tele. This way we can chat and get to know each other more” I cant even look at him without thinking about cuddling watching tele with him. And so much more but I’m not normally like that. I’ve never felt this way about a man before, never thought about a man before. This is so wrong he is my boss. He will never be so unprofessional and fall for his assistant but then Aiden did. “ok, a little shopping.” I say as his grin widens.

After locking up his office and me switching off computers, we walk out of the building and he leads me to the black range rover sitting out front. He opens the back door for me to climb. I slide along allowing him to get in. The seats are cream leather with brown trim. The windows tinted as black as the car itself. Expensive doesn’t even explain it. I’ve never been in car like this before. “wow.. this is..” is all I can whisper. “This is used for business, I have a few in my own collection at home.” He says as if I should know that this car is only for business.  “Charles, take us to the Mall" an older gentleman sitting in the driver seats nods his head and starts driving.

Looking out the window as we drive in a comfortable silence, all the building flashing by. The sky still blue with not a cloud to be seen. I bring my phone out my handbag to the check if I have any emails from Danny, he’s the only one who sends me emails worth reading. As I’m scrolling through the junk emails, I see an email from him. Opening the email I start to giggle with the funny story he's telling me about he stray dog that has been following his group around for the past few months. “reading something interesting, Avery?” Trent says with a slight frown on my face. “sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I was just reading an email from Danny" I say as I quickly put my phone back in my handbag. “That’s alright. Your giggle sounds cute" as a blush  comes up my cheeks, cute. Trent said my giggle was cute. Did I hear him right? “I.. mm.. thanks" not knowing what to reply. “Are you nervous, Avery?” why is he doing this to me. “I wasn’t until you said just now" a bit blunt but let’s see what he says to that. “sorry, I didn’t mean to make you nervous.” I look at the window trying to calm myself down. I can feel his eyes on me without even looking at him. Just then Charles announces our arrival at the Mall. I quickly exit the car grabbing my handbag. As I nervously wait for Trent to exit the car, he seems to be taking a while, I begin to wonder though the huge glass doors of the mall. I feel like a kid in a candy store. Not knowing where to start. I know Trent said this was his treat but I’m not going to let him buy me anything over my budget. As I’m looking through the window at a beautiful knee length dress, I feel a hand slightly push against the small of my back. “Do you like that dress Avery?” Trent whispers in my ear as his breath catches the side of my cheek make me shiver slightly at the closeness. “It looks expensive" I reply trying to act cool as he holds my hand pulling me into the store. He walks right up to the lady behind the counter leaving me staring at his broad muscular back. I would love to run my hands down his back, though his hair, along his arms. What the hell Avery, get a grip. He is your boss you cant think like that. I’m blushing beetroot as he starts to walk back over to me. “let’s go over to the changing rooms, I’ve told the lady what we need and she is going to bring you all of it to try on, ok" Trent again leads the way holding my hand. Sending tingles all over. “Trent, I cant afford this store. It’s well over my yearly  budget for clothing, cant we try a different store?” I’m tying to slow him down so that no one can hear me. He stops and I didn’t notice and end up bumping into his chest. His big hard muscular chest. With  his hands now on my waist he pulls me closer and whispers in my ear “I’ve told you it’s my treat, please do not worry about the money" I’m blushing at the  closeness his breath on my neck, I can tell I’m bright red from head to toe as he grins and has a wee chuckle to himself.  Heading over to the changing rooms, I am met with a small, plump lady with white curly hair. “Right my love, Mr Colton has given me his orders on what he's wanting you to wear for the office. So, we have some dresses in various colours but same style, pant suits with blouses and skirts.” She goes on and on about what I’ve go to try on. I feel like a doll, she’s trying to glam up. I look over my shoulder to see Trent getting comfy on one of the sofas outside the changing rooms. He has a slight frown on his face as he stares at his phone. Then he looks up to me and grins like a Cheshire cat. I just shake my head as I turn my attention back to the lady. After a few hours of trying on all the different styles, I walk out the changing rooms with 1 dress, skirt and blouse. Walking over to Trent he is looking shocked. Is he maybe not expecting to buy all this. “ I couldn’t decide on the dress or the skirt with blouse” I say trying to figure out what he’s thinking. “did you not like the other dresses and skirts?”, he asks looking for the white haired lady. “I do, they were all stunning but I cant aff..” I’m stopped from finishing my sentence as Trent holds up his finger to my lips. “My treat, Avery" he removes his finger from my lips and turns around to find the lady. I’m standing with my mouth slightly open stunned at his reaction. Not knowing what to do I search for either Trent or the lady, looking around the store I find them both at the cashier desk. I walk up to them still with dress and skirt and blouse in hand as Trent reaches over and takes them from me handing them over to the lady. “add these too" he says grabbing my hand and pulling me in close “close your mouth you might catch a fly" he giggles into my ear. What on earth is this man playing at. I cant afford all of this. Trent reaches into his pocket and brings out his phone I’m still too shocked to understand what is going on, next thing I know Charles is standing behind me reaching for the 6 bags of clothes sitting on the  counter. Yes 6 bags. What the hell!!

Leaving the store Trent again is leading the way holding my hand. “Avery, you want a coffee?” he asks as we pass a coffee shop inside the mall. “Yes please" I squeak, still trying to get over the amount of clothes Trent just bought for me. I have never had anyone buy me clothes, even in Foster care the clothes I worn were all donated from friends of whatever family I was staying at. As we find a seat inside the cafe I don’t even notice Trent rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. “What’s going on in the pretty little head of yours?” he asks with a cheeky grin on his face. “I have never owned new clothes before" I mumble trying to get my head round this situation. Am I making it a bigger deal than it needs to be?  “What never?” he questions in a slightly high pitched tone “Never" is all I say looking down at the table. He probably thinks I’m a tramp now. “Avery, I’m sorry, I did not mean to upset you. I’m... I don’t know, just trying to help you out. I have never known anyone to have gone through so much and still come through it.” He says  almost like he feels sorry for me or something. “I appreciate it Trent. I’m just not used to anyone being this nice to me, I’ve never had any friends do what you have done today" I try to bring a smile to my face. I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that he’s feeling sorry for me. I need to pay him back for the clothes. “how much do I owe you for the clothes, Trent?” I asked scaring myself for the answer. It must have cost a fortune.  “I told you Avery it’s my treat. You’re not the first assistant I’ve bought clothes for. I have a specific taste when it comes to office wear" wonder if Donna was one of the assistants I wonder to myself. “I don’t mean to be nosy Avery but do you have any other worries, with money or stuff?” I slightly stutters asking me. “my rent is expensive and I have to budget my wage to make sure I have enough. My landlord seems to always put the rent up every month.” I am so embarrassed right now. I cant help but play with the hem of my skirt with nerves. “really?” he questions. “Yeah, he's a bit of an ass" I giggle to myself, I don’t like cursing but my landlord is more than an ass. “An ass you say, well I think I’ll have to see about that" he isn’t laughing. He has a stern look almost disgusted. I check my phone to see the time. “Its getting late I should head home, I don’t like getting home too late" it’s only 7pm but it’s not a great area I live in and my landlord will be hanging about at this time. “we haven’t had dinner yet” disappointment in his voice, Trent leans over to  gently hold my hand. I like holding hands with him. He is so gentle, caring and sweet. I could get used to this. “Sorry Trent, I really must be getting home" I say as I stand grabbing my handbag from the sofa we were sitting on. “Ok if you are sure  I’ll get Charles to get the car ready" reaching for his phone from his pocket he sends a message to Charles as we head out if the rather empty Mall.  Seeing the range rover sitting waiting at the side of the walkway, head straight over climbing in and soon on our way. “Thank you for today, Trent. It’s been an amazing day.” I say breaking the silence in the car. “You’re welcome Avery.” He turns with a stunning smile on his face. He really is gorgeous, I’m lost in his blue eyes again. Why do I keep staring at him? “Looks like we are here, is this where you live Avery?” he asks as he looks all around him. “Yeah, this is me" I’m embarrassed he has now seen the dump I live in. I quickly exit the car not wanting to feel awkward around him. Standing on the dirt walkway, the disgusting smell in the air, that has been like that since I moved in. You get used to it but it’s still disgusting. “let me help you with your bags?” As he takes the bags from the boot of the car. “You really have done enough, I will manage" as I try the reach for the bags  Trent has already got them all in his hands. “Lead the way" he nods his head as he looks around the area again with a look on his face that I cant read.  I head towards the door to the block, trying to be a few steps ahead incase my ass of a landlord is hanging about. Just as Trent is following behind me, I hear a cough from the doorway up ahead. Great, this is not going to go well. “Miss Benson, what time do you call this?” my landlord says as he stands against the wall with his arms over his chest. “Hello, Sir. Was working late for my boss.” Not sure  why I need to explain anything to him but he’s always like this. “Well, working late means overtime, which means you’ll have no problems paying more rent this month"  argh, this guy is an ass. Forgetting that Trent is standing listening I quickly try to walk past my landlord and head up stairs to my apartment. Well, bedsit. Its just a single room with a small bathroom that has no hot water and stinks no matter how much you clean and disinfect it. As we reach my front door, I turn to see the worried look in Trents face. “Is he always like that?” nodding towards the landlord who is still hanging about. “yes" I try to whisper so only Trent hears me. Opening the door to my place, Trent steps in, not before glancing down to the landlord who is staring up at us. We walk in and Trent is still holding on to my bags. “Thanks for helping" I say as I try to take the bags from Trents hold. “was this place furnished when you moved in?” he asks as he spins around taking the room in. “yes, I only have my personal belongings. The place had all this stuff in when I moved in. “good, go pack” he stops in the middle looking down at me. “Pack? What do you mean?” I question his reaction. “You are not staying 1 more minute in this building. It’s not safe and quite frankly you deserve better than this" he gestures with his hands around the room. “I have nowhere else to go, Trent. This is my home” what does he mean pack, oh wait I’ll just move to my penthouse suite in the centre of the city... is he crazy? Again he folds his finger to my lips while he reaches for his phone and calls Charles. He walks away talking to Charles but I’m to shocked at what he said to move or listen in on the  conversation. Trent comes back to where he left me with my holdall in his hand. He hands me it saying “Go, pack, now!” standing again in shock. “And  before you ask where you are going to go. You are coming with me, now go pack" this is unbelievable what is he playing at. Why is he doing this?  As I go to the closet just to the side of the living room come bedroom come dining room, I open the door and start filling my holdall with what clothes I do have, I head to the bathroom to get my toiletries. I don’t have much just the essentials. There is a knock at the door, I walk back though to see Trent handing the shopping bags back to Charles and muffled talk between the two. As Trent turns around he had a wee grin on his face, don’t know why he is grinning. He is making me move out of my home for reasons he has not told me. “Need a hand,” he asks walking towards me taking my holdall from me. “No, I have everything" I stare at the floor. He reaches for my hand and leads me to the door to exit. “Are you sure this is everything?” as he holds up the  very light holdall almost questioning if I have packed at all. “Yes, I only ever had the essentials.” I look up to his eyes, feeling sad, upset not knowing what is going to happen  next. “Let’s go" he leads the way grabbing my hand and heading out to the car. Reaching the car, Charles is waiting for us. He takes the holdall from Trent and places it in the boot beside my new clothes. “you get in the car, I’ll be right back" Trent says reaching down and places his lips on my forehead. He just kissed my forehead what the hell. TRENT JUST KISSED MY FOREHEAD, I’m screaming inside my head. What on earth is happening to me? This has to be a dream, right?

I’m waiting what feels like hours, but can only be 5 minutes for Trent to return to the car. I can see Charles watching me in the rear view mirror. “Do you think Mr Colton has got lost” a deep voice comes front the driver’s seat. He laughs as he looks out the window just as Trent appears. Climbing into the car with a frown on his face, I don’t know what is going on. “Trent?” I’m trying to figure out in my head what to do, say next. “What’s going on?” I’m asking while he reaches over to grab my hand gently, rubbing his thumb over the top of my knuckles. “let’s talk about it when we get home" he whispers, as he slides over to sit right beside me. “I’m confused, Trent. We have just left my home.” I state the obvious. “you’ll be staying with me for a while, ok? You are not to step foot in that building again.” He’s looking angry. I don’t understand what has happened.

On the drive to Trents home, which I have no clue where it is. Hes typing away on his phone bobbing his head as he looks deep in thought. I stare out the window  it’s getting dark outside, I’m getting tired, I need my bed but I don’t have a bed anymore. It’s like I’m 10 all over again.

“Avery, we’re here. Avery, you need to wake up" I feel a hand shake me gently. I slowly open my eyes to see the car has stopped and Trent standing at the side looking at me. “We’re here? Where is here?” I ask sleepily as I step out of the car trying to take in my surroundings. “my house, Avery. I said we were  coming to my house.” He places his hand on the small of my back leading us to the huge mansion in front if us. “This is your house? Its lovely" I say shyly as he shows me into the hallway. “this hall is bigger than my whole apartment.” With my wide eyes I look up to Trent who is grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Come on, I’ll show you the spare room, which you will stay in for as long as you need.” He leads me up the large staircase to the side of the front door. “There is no rush for you to find somewhere else. You are welcome to stay as long as needed" he states with a very authoritative tone. As he leads me down the first floor hallway, I take in the white walls with dark oak floors, its stunning. Basic but stunning, better than that apartment anyway. “here we are. This will be your room Avery. It has an ensuite, large closet and the balcony looks out to the back garden" he sounds like an estate agent, I giggle to myself. Not realising that he has stopped talking and is standing looking at me, “what’s so funny?" he standing smiling, I sit down on the massive bed situated in the middle of the back wall. “nothing really, you just sounded like an estate agent, when you were telling me about the room.” I cant stop giggling now. My ribs are starting to hurt with this laughter. “well, I did design the house and it’s my pride and joy. I’m happy that you find that funny" he looks upset. Hes frowning now, what have I done. “I’m sorry Trent, I wasn’t being mean. It’s a beautiful home. It really is lo..” I’m trying to make him feel better but I’m stopped when he starts chuckling away into corner of the room. You know those chuckles when your whole body shakes and wriggles, well that’s what he is doing. He was pulling my leg. I’ll get him back for that. I’m standing now with my arms over my chest. In a huff because I thought I had upset him. “I’m sorry Avery. I was just trying to have a laugh” I cant stop the smirk appearing on my lips. This could go on all night. “Right, enough. Your house is gorgeous Trent. I’m not sure I’ll need that size of closet though. I don’t exactly have a lot of stuff.” I tell him as I walk over to the closet opening the door and my eyes must be seeing things as the closet is half full of womens clothes. “Whose are these?” I ask pointing to the clothes hanging up. “I bought them for you" Tent says as he comes behind me to put the light on and I see that there is not just clothing there is shoes and bags and jackets, walking over to the drawers inside the closet the have t shirts and underwear, lacy underwear I may add. “You bought all this... for me" I blush as he comes closer. “I thought you would need them. I know things have been hard for you. I got Donna to help pick them out.”  “Thank you. I don’t know what else to say. You are the best” I wrap my arms around his waist in a tight hug. He hugs me back, we stay like that for a few minutes. I’m not sure when to let go, but having him this close is just bliss.

Trents POV

Once we get back to the office, I am over the moon that I have a new assistant. I can finally stop searching for someone and concentrate on my actual job.  I’m showing Avery the contract and she is a complete wreck, I have no idea what is going on with her. I thought she was going to run away at one point after we got back. She opened up to me about her past, and I honestly can not believe she has been through so much and she is still young. She is only a few years younger than me, I just cant imagine going through what she has. With the sounds of things, she still doesn’t have it easy, especially with her landlord. How can she pay more than average for her rent. He is clearly taking advantage of my sweet girl. I will need to sort that out, I know she does not stay close to the office as I have seen her personal file, HR dropped it off with her new contract. I will give it a few weeks, before I take it further. I knew she would hit it off with Donna, the pair of them are so alike. I’ll get Donna to go shopping and pick up some clothes for her, I don’t know why but I just know that Avery doesn’t spend enough money on herself. I will make it my mission to make Avery happy and give her everything that she needs.  I just have this urge to protect her and to make her mine. I know again I am sounding creepy, but she is just so sweet and innocent, and she has not one single person to look after her.

A few weeks have past and Avery has settled in great to her new role as my PA. Donna has been keeping an eye on her making sure she has everything covered at work.  Its been a reasonable quiet week and now we are on Friday and I’m nearly done for the day. I wonder if Avery will join me for dinner? I so want to ask her out, I’m kind of acting like a teenager with his crush, but I just cant help it. She does something to me that no other woman has been able to do.

Just when I was getting ready to pack up for the night my little Avery pops her head in my office saying she is update with all her work. Perfect opportunity to ask her out.

“Well, I was thinking we could go shopping for some new outfits for you, then maybe dinner? Fingers crossed, she says yes. She starts to object I know she is worried about money “My treat” I almost shout at her. I just want to spend some time with her outside of the office. But after a little to and fro with her protesting against it, and me being a persistent man, she agrees to shopping. I almost jump for joy and run from the office, but I need to keep my cool.

After shopping we head for a coffee. She was shocked with how many different outfits I bought for her, but she deserves a lot more and I will make sure she gets it. Just wait until she finds the clothes at my house I bought too.  I cant help but hold her hand, she looks so sad, most women would be happy to be shopping but when she says she has never had new clothes before, a small piece of my heart breaks. Avery Benson is so going to be my woman, she is not going anywhere, she will have everything her heart desires with no arguments.

When she announces that its late and she needs to head home, I check my watch it just after 7pm and we have eaten dinner yet but she is adamant that she needs to go home, saying something about her landlord. Perfect opportunity to meet this asshole. So I call Charles and get him to meet with the car outside the mall and head to Averys place.

When we arrive I can see Charles’ worried look through the rear view mirror. Yes the place is a dump but this is what she calls home. I help her up with her bags, even though I know she is embarrassed by the look of her place, I keep an open mind. I follow her in and see an old man, looking her up and down almost like he is undressing her with his eyes, I don’t think so you old perv, that is my woman. Avery mumbles back at him, she looks scared. Thoughts run through my head, if he has touched or tried anything I will break him. This building is not safe for My girl. Really Trent get a grip, shes not yours yet.

I follow her up stairs to a battered wooden door, she opens it and we walk inside. I look around not liking what I’m seeing. Finding out that she doesn’t own anything inside I made the decision “Go pack" she is in no way in hell living her one more day.  While I call Charles ask him to com up to the apartment to help with the bags. Avery is still standing where I left her, I found a holdall in the hall cupboard, I hand it to her and tell her to go pack her things, she looks so lost and confused. This sweet girl is struggling to pay rent for this dump, the landlord clearly is taking advantage of her, well not anymore, Avery is mine and she will not have to deal with this old perv anymore.

She comes back with holdall in hand, says she has everything, the bag is so light I cant believe it, she clearly is not your typical female with suitcases full of clothes and makeup and accessories. We head back to the car, I leave Avery with Charles and head back into find that old perv. “You the landlord for this building?” I ask him as he stands drinking a bottle of beer. “Yeah, what about it city boy” he sneers. “Well you have an empty apartment now, Ms Benson has moved out and will not be returning.” I spit in his face and turn around. “Pitty, I would love to have hand my hands on her before she left” my blood boiling as he says that, I grab his shirt and push him up against the wall, “You even think about touching her, or think of her in general, I will break every bone in your body” I threaten him and he stands and shakes in fear. “GOT IT” I say as I let go of him and he falls to the ground. I leave him shaking in fear and by the looks of it he peed himself. Disgusting perv.