Mr. President’s

Chapter 15 © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Mercedes arrived at the office in full spirit. A payment of $31,500 arrived in her account and she was slightly flustered. Suddenly, she recalled the stakeholders meeting, excitement sprawled on her. She was grateful to Nathan and wanted to thank him but first, she transferred the money to her mother’s account. She needn’t ask because they always needed it.

She went to Nathan’s office but he wan’t there. She set up and opened her email. There was one from Mr Bitman which was marked with high priority so she tackled it first. A few hours passed but Nathan hadn’t arrived and hadn’t called so she dialled his number. For the tenth time, he didn’t answer his phone.

She got back to work and was taken aback when Vincent instructed her to report to Director Blake’s office. She thought she would be excited but she wasn’t. After all Nathan had done for her, she felt that the devil she knew was better than the angel she didn’t know. Truly, Dr Blake was nothing like Nathan. He kept undressing her with his eyes the moment she stepped foot in his office.

Mercedes was setting up and hung her blazer behind the door when Dr Blake walked in. I hope you will serve me like you served Nathan,” he grinned lustfully while taking a seat in front of her. Mercedes wasn’t amused and she was uncomfortable with him coming over to her office. Nathan didn’t usually go to her office. It was the other way round. The set–up was almost like Nathan’s but Dr Blake didn’t have a kitchen and bedroom like the president’s office. The size of his office was also smaller, even though luxurious as compared to that of the President. There was a clear indication of who the boss was. Mercedes solemnly responded. “I will do the needful.”

Dr Blake didn’t seem to be pleased with her response. He wanted her to understand the meaning of his request, “And you will also be my escort to all events,” he added, for which Mercedes gave a rather lucid response, “I’m sorry but I don’t work

overtime.

Dr Blake frowned at her blatant refusal. “You don’t decide. How can you follow Nathan to events and tell me that you o don’t work overtime?” He asked her, his shameless gaze on the little opening around her cleavage.

“We both work for the President, don’t we? Can you per any chance refuse his bidding? She asked curtly. Mercedes wasn’t intimidated by his position. She never felt lesser than anyone above her. She always had the belief that everyone should be respected for what they do, be it a big position or not.

“I am the one asking the questions, Mercedes Winters. Do you know that I can tarnish your reputation with insubordination?” He sneered. Mercedes stared like she was listening to the radio. His presence didn’t affect her. “We haven’t discussed anything in my line of work. Do you call that insubordination?” She furrowed her brow and asked.

Dr Blake was taken aback and asked, “how are you able to work with Nathan with this attitude?”

“Can I go now?” Mercedes asked instead but Dr Blake didn’t seem ready to let her go.

“Not until I tell- the door pushed open before he completed his sentence.

“Mercedes, pack your bags and come with me now, Vincent commanded. Dr Blake was displeased and asked, where is she going?

“Back to the President’s office. Hurry up Mercedes, we have barely three minutes to get there, Vincent sounded impatient. “But-” Dr Blake was about to say.

“I’m ready,” Mercedes cut him off with her bag in hand. Excitement laminated her mien. Vincent grabbed her arm and yanked her into the elevator but Mercedes stole a quick tongue rolling at Dr Blake mockingly. The latter was mad but he wasn’t done. He was Dr Blake and he would get what he wanted.

Vincent didn’t knock on Nathan’s door and pushed it open with Mercedes trailing behind him. “Mr President, she’s here.”

B.

Nathan wasn’t looking at hing. Seeing Mercedes, a calm wave surfounded him. When he hadn’t seen her earlier, he thought something bad had happened to her. Now, he was happy she was fine.

“Good day, Mr Legend,” Mercedes politely greeted. Then she noticed the coffee spilt on his desk.

“Vincent, get Mark to Dr Blake and confirm Mercedes appointment as my Personal Assistant. Her term is indefinite,” he casually said. Vincent squinted, confusion clouding his mind. Did he say indefinitely? How possible? He dared not question the President’s authority and led Markto Dr Blake.

As soon as Mercedes heard the door shut, she went back to Nathan’s office. “It’s midday. Should I serve your coffee or order for lunch?”

“Both but first, get the janitor. Mercedes knew it was because of the spilt coffee. She took steps, halted and turned around. She picked a wet tissue from her handbag and wiped his desk clean. Nathan’s expression was unreadable.

Thank you for last night. I got my payment,” she said after that. Nathan nodded, the corner of his lips curled as Mercedes brought his coffee. A few minutes later, lunch was ready. This time around, Mercedes ordered his favourite foods. As always, he didn’t compliment her. It was her job. They ate in silence and resumed work soon after.

Before Mercedes went to her office, she recalled that next week would be Nathan’s birthday. As cold as he was, she didn’t know what he would like and casually asked, “How do you celebrate your birthdays Mr Legend?”

“I don’t celebrate birthdays. Parties are for children,” he curtly said. Mercedes instantly recalled Mr Bitman’s proposal for a party instead of dinner and promptly knew it wouldn’t be approved. She let out a small smile. Birthdays could still be celebrated without parties. Her mood was good today because her boss was slightly warm and she was comfortable working for him than anyone else. She was also grateful that Nathan never mentioned that fateful day anymore.

Her joy was short–lived when the door to her office pushed open Standing there

sour. “What do we have here? Thought you could escape?” He shook his head, was Dr Blake. Her mood rapidly turned

your blazer to you?” It was just an excuse for him to see Mercedes.

“How much will you pay for having me bring

Mercedes however was only seeing her blazer in his hand and wondered how it got there. She had forgotten she hung it behind the door earlier on in his office. Vincent’s urgent instruction had made her so hot, she took off her blazer when she reached Dr Blake’s office. She was wearing a shirt and trousers without her blazer at the moment.

How could she remember to remove it when Vincent yanked her so impatiently? “You shouldn’t have returned it. I have legs. I would have come for it as soon as I realized I couldn’t find it.” She pressed her lips after saying the words so innocently, wouldn’t know they were from her lips.

оде

“I know that you have legs but I still brought it anyway so how much are you going to pay me?” This time, he had a strange excitement in his tone that made her uneasy.

“Dr Blake, if you have so much time to play, then I’m sorry but I’m very busy. Take the blazer back. I will come for it when I have time,” she responded sharply. Dr Blake wasn’t ignorant. Mercedes has just humiliated him.

“You disrespectful arrogant bitch. Will it hurt to just say thank you?” All the excitement had dried out of his tone, as he dropped the blazer on her desk.

“I was merely answering your question. You asked me how much I would pay and I don’t think you deserve a dime for bringing it because it suits you as an errand man since you are free to joke around, she elaborated casually, but her demeanour was defiant. Dr Blake was furious.

A cold-hand heated Mercedes‘ cheeks before she realized what had happened. She held her burning cheeks, her eyes tearful as she stood from her seat and stared into Dr Blake’s glare, “why did you slap me?”

To show you that I’m a man and you need to have your sharp tongue cut. He smirked, seeing her upset. But Mercedes

could not be tamed by him. She quickly retorted,

“Well, you are such a pussy because real men don’t hit women. You are a shame and disgrace would even say you were a ten seconds man and will barely satisfy any woman in bed.”

to your kind. If I knew better, I

Mercedes last words were like a sharp razor, slashing through his pride. He lifted his hand to hit her again when a stronger one grabbed it. Dr Blame turned around to meet the icy glare of Nathan. “What’s going on here?” He seethed.