Chapter Text
Brandon
New York is beautiful.
I'm still getting used to the loudness of the city but the food, sunsets and beaches are extremely pretty. I enjoy the scenery everyday when I go for my mandatory 5:30 AM run and when I'm out for exploring or sketching.
For introductions, My name is Brandon King.
I'm 26, son of Astrid and Levi King. I'm the middle child, I have a twin brother who always boasts about being 15 minutes older then me and an adorable baby sister. I graduated with Arts as my major and then me and my brother took a business management degree as well. I really wasn't that interested in business but my grandfather wanted everyone to be a part of his legacy. My cousin Eli was already working with him and Landon and Creighton were supposed to join the family business as well. My family had already told me that there was no pressure and if I wanted to pursue Arts full time I could. But it felt wrong to be at the meetings when I had zero knowledge about what was happening. My father, uncle and my cousin stepped in and explained everything but it wasn't enough so I started applying for colleges and thankfully I got accepted, Lan was right by me and we recently graduated.
Then came the internships part. I wanted to intern at some other city and not under my family's office. My family refused at first telling me it was dangerous and I did not need to be an intern anywhere. I loved my family, I really did but I wanted to do something on my own. I was really thankful for the love and support but I needed to prove to myself that I could do it. My surname mattered a lot in the outside world but I wanted someone to acknowledge me for my efforts.
The disagreement went on but finally they gave in and I started applying for jobs. Just entry level or paid internships. I got accepted in Vcorp, I stared at the email before announcing it over dinner, reluctantly they agreed. I packed a small bag and went to New York, stayed at a small hotel while house hunting and finally found a two bedroom apartment under my budget. I still had a week until I had to join work so I decorated my place, figured out public transport, bought some appliances and tried my best settling down. I've never lived away from my family. Even when I was in college I lived with my siblings and cousins, this was the first time I was on my own and it was kinda.... thrilling but also scary. In the very first week I missed my family. My brother called me every few hours and my parents texted me constantly.
It's okay it's just six months
I had only one goal. Complete this successfully and go back home.
There will be absolutely no distractions.
On my first day of work I was there at 8:30 AM sharp. I was an assistant secretary under someone named Mr. James Harper. I showed my appointment letter and the front desk and a security guard escorted me to 27th floor. The topmost executive floor. It looked fancy. Polished white floors, gray walls and intricate carvings on the ceiling.
The guard showed me a desk and told me Mr. Harper will be there in a while. I wondered around the office for a few minutes until Mr. Harper came. He explained the basics. From what I gathered there are three executive directors. Jeremy Volkov, age 28 handles cybersecurity and strategy department. Vaughn Morozov, age 23, handles oversees business and finances and Nikolai Sokolov, age 23, handles negotiations and business relations. And their parents handle the chairman positions.
At exactly 8:59 AM Jeremy Volkov entered the office with an aura of someone you do not want to be mess with. One minute later, I entered his office with a cup of coffee.
"Good morning Mr. Volkov. I'm Brandon King, the new assistant secretary"
He looked at me like he was inspecting me.
"Hello, Mr King. It's good to see you. Did James give you a brief?"
"Yes, he did. Thank you"
He took a sip of his coffee and stopped for a second.
"Sorry this is happening on the first day of your job but you and James have to take over some of Claire's responsibilities as well"
"Claire?"
"She is Nikolai's assistant. She was supposed to go on a maternity leave a month later but her baby came early. So you two have to handle some of her work as well. We are searching for a substitute but it'll take some time"
I nod my head and make a mental note to look at her job chart later.
"Don't worry. Your pay will be adjusted accordingly"
"Thank you Mr Volkov."
"You may leave and thank you for the coffee, it's really nice"
I smile at him and quietly exit the door. That compliment feels like a small victory.
10 minutes later Nikolai Sokolov strolled in. Unlike Jeremy he didn't wear a suit, rather a dress shirt with few buttons unopened. He looked bigger than anyone I've seen before. I used to think Eli was bigger, then I saw Jeremy a while ago and even though he doesn't look that bigger than Jeremy, the casual outfit and tattoos give him a rugged look.
I make another cup of coffee with lots of cream and sugar as instructed and knock on the door. I hear a groan in response.
"Umm.. is that a come in?"
I don't hear any response so I open the door and place the coffee on his desk.
Nikolai has his head thrown back against his chair. I stand there awkwardly.
He finally looks up.
"Brandon King, right?"
"Yes Mr. Sokolov"
"Your resume was interesting"
He starts.
"Um.. thank you?"
He laughs. Not the fake laugh, businessman have perfected over the years but something loud, unrestrained and genuine that makes me pause.
For someone who looked so ruthless he was beautiful. I shake my head to snap out of my thoughts.
"Since you are here now, I don't really have a lot of rules. Just do your work and don't try to talk to me in the mornings, I'm not a morning person"
"Understood. Anything else?"
"This is not the regular machine coffee"
He states.
"No, I made it. Do you want me to switch back to the original?"
He stares at me for a second.
"No, this is fine. Good job"
The praise rolls off his tongue like a caress and unlike Jeremy's compliment this one sends a tingle down my spine. I know he notices, a smirk spreads across his face.
Sensual and mischievous.
I spin around fast.
Way to go on the very first day of your job, Brandon.
Day 1 of 180