Chapter 1
Cassie sat in the waiting room of the Stephen Moore Space Research Facility. Despite knowing she was the right girl for the job of personal secretary to the owner and founder of the facility, she couldn’t stop her leg from bouncing.
Oh, she’d heard the rumors: handsome, insanely rich, and impossible to please. When she had originally applied for the position, she never really thought she’d receive a callback.
It was one of those situations where she applied just so she could tell herself that she did it. She tried. Then, when she never heard back, she could again tell herself that at least it wasn’t for lack of ambition. When the research facility did call and invited her in for an interview, she couldn’t believe it.
The reputation the place had earned in just the few short years it’d been open was astounding. The owner, Stephen Moore, had come from out of nowhere. He didn’t need government funding, as he was somehow rich enough to build the place and run it all on his own.
In all of the science journals they called him insane. In just a couple of years he’d run out of money, and the entire establishment would crumble around him. That never happened, though. No, instead, somehow he was able to monetize their research.
To this day no one knows exactly how he’s doing it, but the scientific discoveries made so far were incredible.
To work here at all was a huge honor, but to actually work for the man, the genius, himself?
Unbelievable.
Cassie’s friend tried to warn her away from it, however.
“He hasn’t had a personal assistant last for more than a week,” she said.
So far every major scientist and research assistant in the region had applied. Many were accepted, and so far all were fired. This didn’t stop Cassie, though. Again, if she didn’t try, she would never know if she could have.
Just like with the application, she was going to give it a shot and expect failure. Maybe it was the wrong attitude to have, but it was how she had made it through college and most of her more important life’s accomplishments.
Today was her first day, and she waited to be called back and be shown around. She had on her smartest business suit to look the part.
She was a curvy girl and liked the way the suit hugged her form, showing off all the right parts of her, while still maintaining the air of professionalism. Still, her leg bounced and she couldn’t stop it.
A young man with short hair and round glasses came out from a back room and approached her.
“Cassie?” he asked expectantly.
“That’s me,” she said and stood.
Grinning pleasantly the man reached out and shook her hand.
“I’m Ian, I’ll be taking you back. Mr. Moore is expecting you. If you’ll follow me, we’ll make the introductions. For now, let me just tell you we’re really excited to have you on board.”
“Thank you. I’m excited to be here.”
The smile Ian put on seemed plastic, yet patient. This was something he’d no doubt heard many times before.
“When we go back, I want you to just, keep your eyes open. Pay attention, listen. Mr. Moore is a very particular man. Very. Particular. He’s also not a fan of repeating himself.”
“If you must, ask a question before doing something you know to be wrong, but the idea of course is to listen and get it right the first time.”
Already Cassie’s heart sank. Get everything right the first time? That was impossible. Sooner or later she’d screw up.
“So, is this a three strikes type of situation?”
Ian’s eyes looked to the ceiling.
“Sure,” he said slowly, “and let’s assume you’re already two strikes down.”
“What?” Cassie asked, incredulous. “
Should I even bother going back with you? I’m going to mess up eventually. That’s only human.”
“Well, that’s up to you. If it’s too much pressure, I suggest you save us all the time.”
Cassie bit her lip and looked toward the door. Three strikes, and she was already two down.
Even so, did she quit before trying?
That’s not what she was here for. No, if she was going to get fired, let her get fired. She wasn’t going to quit.
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