Darius Holt named new CEO of Holt Enterprises, board objects to quick transition of power.
Rumors fly! Is Darius Holt the most eligible bachelor in the state, or is he hiding an international relationship?
It was Darius' second week behind the desk in the office that used to be his father's. He liked the job a lot more than he had anticipated, which was a huge plus. He had a secretary who stopped reporters from barging in and filtered the phone calls he received. His employees, most of whom were older than he was, all called him sir. Most importantly, though, he could have Noah come over whenever he wanted.
His friend sat sprawled on the couch across the office. "Very nice," he said, probably for the hundredth time.
Darius chuckled. "Yes," he agreed, finally looking up from a finance report to look at his friend. "I could get used to this."
Noah grinned in reply. "You've chilled out since that time you spent in the club. I'm loving this version of you."
Darius stretched his arms over his head and groaned as his back popped. "I'd love it too, if not for all the work I thought was left to employees."
"What? You're mad that you actually have to work at your job?"
Darius rolled his eyes. "No. It's just that I have a lot to do and I'm only one person. I'll be lucky if I'm not here until midnight most days."
There was a tap on the door, and Daniel Holt came in. "Sorry to bother you," he said with the kind smile Darius had missed dearly while in Europe. "I just wanted you to meet your new assistant before your head checked out of work."
"Dad," Darius began, "I don't need an assistant. They just get in the way and try to flirt all the time."
Daniel Holt shook his head with a smile. "You've watched too many Asian dramas, son. I promise that I hired the most professional candidate. He comes with a mountain of experience, and I'm certain he'll make your life a lot easier. If you hate him after a month's probation, you can fire him, but at least give it a try, okay?"
Darius sighed. "Alright."
Daniel Holt leaned out the door and said something to someone standing outside and then stood aside as a young man in a white suit entered the office.
The assistant was not tall, but he was slender, and the suit hugged his body in a way that provided an illusion of height. He walked right up to Darius' desk without hesitating for a moment and held out his hand. "I'm Owen Mitchell. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Holt."
Something about his aura, the way a faintly sweet scent escaped the suppression sticker he no doubt had over his pheromone gland as per professional code of conduct, made Darius realize that his new assistant was an omega.
Before he could overthink it, he stood up and took the offered hand in a firm handshake. "Pleased to meet you as well, Mr. Mitchell. My father tells me that you are the most qualified person for this job, so I'm eager to begin working with you."
Owen smiled, but there was a slight edge to the curve of his lips, like the smile was one that had been practiced and polished. Wherever he had worked before this, he had learned there to be a shark. Maybe it had been a touchy boss. "As am I, Mr. Holt. It is an honor to work for Holt Enterprises. I hope I will be of some use to you."
Darius nodded as he sat down. "You can make yourself of use by getting me a coffee."
"Darius!" Daniel Holt scolded. "That's inappropriate!"
Owen turned toward the former CEO with a ready smile. "It's no trouble, Mr. Holt. I came prepared to work today for however long I'm needed." He turned back to Darius. "Do you prefer it black, sir, or would you like cream and sugar?"
"Just sugar," Darius replied, ignoring his father's scandalized expression. Once the assistant left the office, Darius glanced up at his father. "I'm testing him, Dad. No need to get angry about it."
Daniel Holt scowled. "Just because he's an omega doesn't mean you get to treat him as inferior."
"That's not what I'm doing!" Darius protested. "He's my assistant! He's here to make my life easier, so why can't I tell him to go get me a cup of coffee?"
Daniel Holt sighed aggressively. "Very well. Just don't take advantage of his status."
Darius picked up the financial report again. "It's not his fault that he was born an omega. I'm not evil. I don't judge people based on if they're alpha, beta, or omega. That's not how you raised me."
Daniel Holt gave a small, satisfied nod. "Alright, then. I'll leave you to your work." He stepped out of the office and shut the door behind himself.
After a moment, Noah whistled under his breath. "Dude, your dad got you a drop-dead gorgeous omega assistant. Are you sure he doesn't know?"
Darius did not lift his eyes from the numbers marching down the page in front of him. "He doesn't know, Noah. And I just promised not to take advantage of my assistant."
"It's not taking advantage if he consents."
Darius glared at his friend. "Noah!"
"What? I'm just saying!"
There came three taps on the door, and Owen re-entered, a steaming mug held carefully in between his hands. He set it down a perfect distance from Darius' hand and stepped back a respectful distance. "Anything else, sir?" At this distance, his scent was stronger, but still repressed.
"No, that's it for now, unless you know something about financial reports and you'd like to look this over for me and give me the simplest breakdown possible." Darius looked up and met the omega's brown eyes. He could tell that the eyes belonged to someone who desperately wanted to be soft, but they were kept narrow and guarded.
Owen had been through some shit.
Darius did not know what had happened, but his curiosity had been awakened. Maybe he would keep Owen around just to see how long it would take for the omega to trust him.