Imperfect Desires

45 Xiu, Oh Dear Xiu

Xiu had heard that Spark International Group's CEO was an eccentric man. But on the day of the selection, she actually believed it wholeheartedly. Because the selection process was exactly like the one she had to go through when she first applied as an intern.

Each candidate was given a sheet of paper with a couple of questions that they had to answer. After that, they were moved to the interview room. The interview was conducted by Li Qi'er herself as she was the current Chief Executive Assistant of the CEO.

In the evening, Xiu got the message that she had to report to work at sharp 8 in the morning. And now her working location was; Top Floor, Secretarial Department.

Xiu had never been to the top floor of the company before. But she wasn't nervous about it as she rode the elevator with other people. Xiu was the last one to exit the elevator as she stepped on the marble floor.

Calling the floor interior lavish might be an understatement. It looked like the whole floor came out of some interior decor magazine. Xiu was really impressed by it.

"You're early," Xiu's attention shifted to the person standing before her with a smile. It was Li Qi'er in her usual pantsuit; formal and yet classy.

Xiu looked at the time and see it was 7:45 am. She didn't think it was early since she left home at 6:30 am just to be on time. "No one's here yet?" Xiu asked feeling the absence of other selected candidates.

"Not every person is punctual like you," Li Qi'er commented as she beckoned her to follow behind her. Xiu did so obediently as Li Qi'er brought her to the cabin right beside CEO's office. "This is my old cabin. But now, it's yours." Li Qi'er announced with a smile.

"Don't I have to go through some training period?" Xiu asked uncertainly since Executive Assistants' position came with heavy responsibility.

"Don't worry, I'm here for a month to help you settle in. As for this position, this was yours the moment I first saw you in the Planning Department." Li Qi'er was quite satisfied with Xiu since the latter had what she was looking for; Determination, talent, skills, a cunning mind, and a strong, unwavering personality.

Xiu didn't know what to say about this revelation and trust in her. But Li Qi'er has very much to say. "Okay, let me brief you about somethings." Xiu nodded and mentally prepared herself to remember every word clearly. "Our CEO, Mr. Qiu, has a rule. You can only wear pantsuits at your job unless you're asked to do otherwise which is rare."

Xiu was surprised by this fact but it was convenient with her since she normally felt comfortable in pantsuits. "You can't wear perfumes around him. He has an allergy." Xiu raised her brows but noted it down in her mind. "He is not fond of coffee but when he is in a bad mood, he loves eating cakes. You can say he has a sweet-tooth even at this age." Xiu chuckled softly along with her.

"Ah, most importantly... You can only let two people in his office without his permission. One is his mother; Zhao Wei and second is his best friend, Mr. Salvay. Aside from those two, every single person has to have an appointment. Even the chairman of Qiu Group who is his father." Xiu nodded her head saving the names in her mind clearly. "All in all, he is demanding but when it comes to working only. He's not really an unreasonable person unless you cross his boundary line."

"I'll keep that in mind," Xiu replied politely. Li Qi'er gave her the new employee pass and other things that she'd need to settle in her new position.

The elevator again stopped with a ding sound at the top floor and a tall, lean figure in a clean-cut suit with a vest strode briskly on the sleek marble floor. In his hand was a tablet while he was busy on a call. The tapping sound of his designer shoes caught Xiu and Li Qi'er attention.

"Good morning, Mr. Qiu!" The jolly and petite receptionist said as she saw her handsome boss.

Dylan's attention was focused on his tablet's screen as he replied to the person on the phone but still gave a nod to the receptionist to acknowledge her greeting. He walked further and crossed the waiting area only to stop to see that the floor was too silent. He looked at the empty cubicles of his secretaries and frowned.

"Ms. Li, in my office," with these words left over his shoulder, he opened the door of his office and walked inside.

"These new recruits are in big trouble." Li Qi'er shook her head in pity since it was a rule at the top floor that every person had to come before the CEO and the eccentric CEO always came at 8 at the dot in the morning. "Bai Xiu, come with me. You have to meet the CEO." Li Qi'er dragged Bai Xiu who was until now just looking around the wide cabin that now belonged to her.

Knocking three times on the door, Li Qi'er opened the door and walked inside with Bai Xiu behind her. "Good morning, Mr. Qiu!" Li Qi'er greeted while Dylan sat in his leather chair but was looking behind at the glass wall.

"Ms. Li, what kind of people did you hire? Why is the whole floor empty?" Dylan's voice was sharp but he still seemed to be talking in a respectful manner.

"If you stop firing people, maybe the floor wouldn't seem this empty." Li Qi'er answered plainly while Xiu looked at her with admiration. This woman had the guts. She actually talked back to the CEO of the company. Xiu was really looking up to her now.

"It's my fault, now?" Dylan retorted as he rotated his chair to face her.

Xiu's eyes widened as she saw his face clearly. There was disbelief visible on her face as she slowly lost the color of her face.

"Is it not your fault?" Li Qi'er questioned righteously and challengingly.

"Their incompetence is not my fault." Dylan was also stubborn about his decision. How could he accept that he was at fault?

Li Qi'er rolled her eyes at him and decided not to continue on this topic. "Anyways, this is your new E.A." With that Li Qi'er patted Xiu's back which seemed to have startled Xiu as her spirit almost left her body. "She is the one I told you about. Bai Xiu." Li Qi'er was busy in the introduction and didn't realize the stunned faces of the other two around her. "And Bai Xiu, you must have seen our CEO somewhere. He's the high profile, Dylan Qiu."

Dylan's face hardened as he noticed Bai Xiu. But soon his eyes narrowed slowly with a mirthless smile on his lips.

Xiu gulped her saliva with difficulty as she thought, 'Xiu, oh dear Xiu, this Uncle is gonna kill you!' That little Xiu in her heart made a crying face.