The Billionaire Wants Me

Ethan Thornton sat behind his massive mahogany desk, the city's skyline stretching out before him through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office. He was a man used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it. But today, his patience was wearing thin.

The deal that was supposed to cement his company's position as an industry leader had fallen apart because of a mistake his secretary had made. The thought of it made his jaw tighten, and the grip on his pen became almost painful.

"Where are the revised contracts? I asked for them an hour ago!" Ethan's voice was cold, with a sharp edge to it that made his assistant, waiting nervously in the doorway, take a step back.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Thornton. I... I don't know what happened. I'm sure I printed them," came the shaky reply.

Ethan's gaze hardened. He'd been patient enough over the past few months, tolerating mistakes and small errors that usually wouldn't have bothered him. But this? This was unforgivable. A multi-million-dollar deal-ruined. All because of one mistake.

"Get out." The words were delivered with the weight of an avalanche.

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth, probably to beg for another chance. But Ethan wasn't listening. He already turned his attention to the email on his screen, dismissing her as though she was of no consequence.

"Mr. Thornton, please," she tried again, but her voice trailed off as he stood from his desk.

Without sparing her another glance, Ethan walked past her toward the glass doors leading out to the balcony. He could feel the heat rise in his chest. The only thing he hated more than incompetence was being made to wait. And now, he had to clean up someone else's mess.

The door clicked shut behind her as she left, but Ethan didn't bother turning around. Instead, he reached for the bottle of scotch in his cabinet, pouring himself a generous glass, hoping the burn of alcohol would ease the building frustration.

After a long sip, he picked up his phone and dialed his HR department. The woman on the other end sounded surprised to hear from him.

"Mr. Thornton, to what do we owe this honor?"

"I need a new secretary. Find me someone competent. Someone who doesn't waste my time," Ethan's voice was ice-cold.

"Understood. We'll begin the search immediately."

The line clicked off, and he was left with nothing but the hum of the city below and the faintest taste of regret. He wasn't a man who cared much for apologies. People in his world had no room for mistakes, no room for weakness. And this secretary? She had failed him.

---

The office, on the other hand, buzzed with whispers. Ethan's secretary had been dismissed in front of everyone, his anger evident even from across the room. His reputation as a ruthless businessman was no secret. But this? It wasn't the first time someone had lost their job under his watch, but it sure felt more dramatic than usual.