Episode 1: Uncharted Waters

Episode 1: Uncharted Waters

"Oh, shit!"

Leslie jumped up faster than a cat plunged in water, every sense urging her to claw her way out of bed.

It had been a challenge with the layers of sheet but she finally made it into a clumsy stance. Her eyes found the digital clock on the night stand and they expanded in fear.

As expected, she had overslept.

And of all days, it was on the first day of work at her new job.

Grey's Anatomy really was proving to be her worst enemy.

A late night marathon after reviewing the details of her new company was all it took for her to be physically drained.

Now, it had costed her the price of being late.

She could literally kick her own ass for being gullible enough to reason with herself that she wouldn't be too invested this time.

Who had she been kidding?

With Derek and Meredith there was always some level of emotional investment.

Now here she was, brushing her hair in the most aggressive manner, the next hand cleaning her teeth in a hurry. There was no time to take a quick shower and the woman almost screamed because of how much that was testing her mysophobia.

There was a scowl marring her face the entire time as she pulled up the knee-length skirt and buttoned her blouse. The exasperation was clear in her round brown orbs as her gaze caught the bathroom mirror once more before she rolled her eyes.

Self pity isn't cute, Les.

The only hairstyle for her to have looked semi-presentable was a ponytail and with that, she slipped on her heels and grabbed her car keys.

The traffic in New York was disastrous as always, and it took everything in her not to curse every asshole who had taken the liberty to cut her off.

Not being able to grab a cup of coffee had her on edge and it was evident with how she slammed her car door with more force than necessary after finally making it downtown.

The twenty-something story building was just as intimidating as when she had first seen it during her interview. It was the headquarters of Charles & Collins, one of the biggest publishing companies in the country. In strong bold letters the owners' names were written and she made her way to the entrance in a haste. It was a miracle she didn't bump into anyone on her way to the elevator. Just as her finger was about to press the button to close it, a man came running, looking just as disheveled as she probably was.

"Hold on! Don't close it as yet!" He yelled desperately and it made her keep it open for him.

Sliding into the enclosed space within the next second, he spared her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"No problem." She replied, adjusting the bag over her shoulders with her laptop and notebook among others.

The pressure of eyes scanning her was felt before he spoke again, "First day?"

The brunette turned to look back at him, this time taking in every detail carefully.

He had the whole playboy cliché thing going for him — panty-dropping smirk, seductive eyes and a lean body which peeped out from his shirt which had up to three buttons undone.

"Yes, it is," she confirmed. "How about you?"

"Nah, I'm not a newbie. And I hope to not be one for a long time. I've worked here for almost three years now. The name's James— James Hall, it's a pleasure to meet you." His outstretched hand was accepted quickly.

"Leslie Quinn."

And the woman could no longer help her curiosity as she asked him what she had been dying to know all this time.

"So I take it you know the author Christopher Wells since you've been here for that long?"

Clearly underwhelmed, he gazed down at her. "So you're editor number four."

Her eyes widened. "He's worked with four editors this year?"

"This month," he corrected. "They couldn't keep up with his insane demands so they all quit before the first week ended." His eyes were shining with the pity, obviously thinking that would be the same fate which awaited her.

"So how does he manage to get his books published in that manner?"

"Does it himself," he tsked. "He's practically just as good as any qualified editor out there. Bloody genius, he is."

"You're British?" She attempted to confirm from the accent she heard.

He winked.

"Yes, are you interested?"

She cringed. "No thanks."

"I was only jesting. No need to make such a long face." He chuckled softly.

Then the elevator door pinged for his floor. With a friendly smile, he waved goodbye. "See you around, Leslie! Hope you make it past the first week!"

A miserable grunt was the only thing that could have left her lips.

Was Christopher Wells as difficult as he had said?

It would be a pain in the ass if he was right.

Seeing as he worked here for a long time, the chances were as high as the roof.

Leslie finally made it to the designated floor where the company's co-owner had said she was to meet him. It was the highest one on the building and it was not a surprise when the female assistant outside the door demanded her business there.

"I'm the new editor for Mr. Wells. I had been told that we would be having a meeting here this morning."

"You're late, Miss Quinn." The blonde practically snapped, and it took her by surprise.

She reigned in on her anger and tried not to make a scene.

"I'm aware." Was all the woman got out through clenched teeth.

Not sparing a second glance, the assistant gestured to the room.

"You can go inside. They have been expecting you for a while now."

Rolling her eyes at the emphasis of the word, Leslie promptly made her way through the glass door.

Two men were sitting in the far corner of the room. The one who was standing turned to face the new addition to their company with a polite smile stretching across his face. It made him look half his age, easily making an impression of a twenty year old instead of someone in his forties. She was momentarily paralyzed by the youth in his expression before he addressed her. "Miss Quinn, you've finally made our acquaintance."

"I'm sorry. The traffic this morning was a headache." Her mouth said in a rush and Mr. Collin nodded understandingly.

Between that there was the sound of a light scoff, and the woman wondered if she had heard it correctly but then she saw a pair of intense blue eyes glaring at her.

"Don't apologize if you don't mean it. Punctuality is a principle. You arriving late is inadvertently saying that your own time is more valuable than the person who has waited for you."

Leslie swallowed as she felt like the ground had opened up and done the same thing to her.

"I-"

"An explanation isn't necessary, just take a seat so we don't have to waste any more time. You're already exceeding your limit as we speak."

Her mouth had almost reached the floor at what he just said to her.

Who is this bastard? She thought in distaste, one step away from rearranging his perfect face.

He looked too young to have been the other co-owner and attractive—yes, undeniably attractive. His height was one which could be envied by many men as he sat in a straight posture, legs crossed professionally. He wore a blue dress shirt which clung to him like a second skin, black trousers and shiny shoes. His wavy dark hair was contrastingly soft-looking. What stood out the most though were his bright blue eyes that regarded her severely and there was a fire growing inside them.

With her own eyes building a flame, she quickly closed them, remembering that professionalism was important.

He was right.

She was wrong for being late, but did he have to phrase it so harshly? Did he have no empathy for her? It wasn't like she wanted to be tardy - who in their right mind would on their first day at work?

Mr. Collin smoothly blocked her view of the heartless man, before he gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Christopher has a way with words which may come off as...forthright. Please don't take what he says to heart."

Christopher? She wondered. As in the Christopher Wells?

Ah, he did say she would be meeting him as well today.

But wow...he really was an asshole.

So much for being the gentleman she theorized him to have been.

The male characters of his novels were so compassionate towards their lovers amidst satisfying their carnal needs. So much that she couldn't help but think that he must have been projecting his own personality onto them.

Turns out he was just another talented bastard.

One that's an accomplished screenwriter and novelist, her subconscious butted in.

I did say 'talented', didn't I? She shot back irritated, missing the pair of eyes on her.

"She even has the leisure of daydreaming." That same patronizing voice came through the space again and her eyes snapped up sharply.

Mr. Collin had already taken a seat around the table and was gesturing with his eyes for her to do the same. Leslie ignored the petty remark of the author and sat on the far end - away from him.

His eyes picked up the act, narrowing in the most destructive way.

She was at the verge of telling him to kindly fuck off but kept it to herself, knowing that would have most likely gotten her fired on the first day.

"Miss Quinn, this is Christopher Wells. I'm sure you've already gotten the rundown of your duties as his new editor. It's proven to be quite the task for others before you due to how...meticulous he can be with his works. But I'm sure a woman of your caliber won't find that to be too much of an issue."

You forgot the part where he's a dick and has had four editors before me because of it.

Instead of saying so, Leslie nodded compliantly.

"It's fine. My motto is the more work the merrier. My personality can't stand me being stagnant and not doing anything."

He nodded. "That's good. I'm sure Christopher will really appreciate it, won't you?"

The man didn't speak, not even a hum of confirmation, just sat there with his eyes giving her the same cold look.

Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene.

She chanted the same thing over and over inside her head.

Mr. Collin spared a weak smile.

Leslie returned one of her own which reflected how unfazed she was by such an attitude.

"He has a new project coming up, right? Another mature novel I'm assuming?" She asked him instead of the actual writer.

If he wasn't such a poor excuse of a human being then maybe she would have.

"Yes, it's another erotica. It's about an innocent office worker and her bo-"

"No need to tell her, John." He interrupted stiffly.

"Excuse me, but I'm going to be your editor for the next few months. And beyond that if I find the job satisfactory. If I'm not allowed to hear this, who is?"

"You don't need to know the details of my novel prior to it being written. All you have to do is be literarily flawless while editing the manuscripts and that will be enough. No need to pry any further."

"Wait." Leslie's face contorted at what he was telling her. "Don't I get to have an input about what could be changed? You know, how to make the characters or overall plot better? What about plagiarism checks and facts citations?"

Christopher scoffed as if what she had just said was the most ridiculous thing in the world.

The woman turned to Mr. Collin in disbelief.

He only let out a sigh.

What the hell? Was she only going to be doing the job of a mere proofreader?

I did not grovel through university and get a master's degree in Journalism for this, she thought begrudgingly.

"I'm sure you two can find some kind of common ground-"

"Nobody is giving any opinions on my works. I'm sure you already know the extent to which I completely loathe someone determining the manner in which I express myself."

"You're right." Mr. Collin drew at the tie around his neck as if he was suddenly being suffocated. "I know that much."

The pompous ass then had the nerve to raise a perfectly arched eyebrow as if to ask then why bother saying otherwise?

Mr. Collin suddenly sat up and the woman couldn't help the panic she felt at his next words. "I have another meeting in the next ten minutes. I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut ours short."

"You're not cutting ours short, somebody was just awfully late."

Leslie's eyes almost rolled in the back of her head out of annoyance.

She guessed he was the type of person to not let anyone live down anything of the past.

"I'll leave you two to become more acquainted with each other then." Her boss said and just like that he was gone in a flash.

A tense atmosphere filled the room and before she got the chance to alleviate it, the man was on his feet.

"Are you leaving?" She sputtered.

He adjusted the cufflinks on his shirt before his heavy eyes settled upon her, "Do we have anything else to discuss?"

"I don't know," she shrugged before racking her brain for something relevant. "Don't you have any dos and don'ts to go by? Everyone I've worked with has their own personal preferences in the manner of our cooperation."

"I'm glad you asked." He said before taking a step towards her, making her eyes widen in surprise.

"Rule number 1; don't question the contents of my works."

She opened her mouth to ask why but his sharp glare made her lips fold.

His gaze flickered down to it for a second before his frown deepened.

"Rule number 2; don't invade my personal space."

She mirrored his expression when she realized he was just giving her orders, not even bothering to explain the nature behind them. It was almost as if she was supposed to figure it out on her own.

His eyes suddenly dropped down to where her chest area was located and she felt her anger building. "What do you think that you're-"

"Rule number 3; don't come to work next time inappropriately dressed."

What?

Her eyes journeyed down to where his gaze was at and she felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment when she saw the buttons had been incorrectly done. As a result, there was a noticeable gap between each space which gave a peephole to her cleavage.

"That is all." He ended abruptly, not giving any reaction towards her being flustered by him pointing out her wardrobe malfunction.

She finally released that scream of frustration she held in once the door to the room closed behind him.

It was at that moment she realized that he had only listed his don'ts and it was positively fitting for how negative he was.

***

We love a good pain in the ass.

[connect with the author:

insta: @writtenbyzan_]