Hey guys, here is another chapter just for you! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think about Mercedes's first day, lol. I hope you all are having a great weekend! Enjoy!
Mercedes stood before the mirror, adjusting the cream silk blouse she wore. The blouse and fitted royal blue tailored skirt hugged her hourglass figure perfectly; it fell just below her knees, adding a touch of authority, and her five-inch open-toed heels elongated her legs. She added matching pearls and jewelry to complete the look. Her hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders, and her natural makeup gave her cocoa complexion a radiant glow.
As she stared at herself, taking a deep breath, there was a soft knock on the door. She turned to see Sam standing in the doorway. He looked effortlessly handsome in his crisp shirt and dark slacks, but his eyes showed a softness as he smiled at her.
"You look beautiful," Sam said quietly, his voice warm.
Mercedes returned his smile, then glanced back at her reflection. "Thanks," she said softly, her nerves beginning to bubble up.
Sam stepped closer, watching her carefully. "How are you feeling?"
She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Nervous," she admitted, biting her lip. "I don't know how people are going to react to the fact that Biff is no longer working there, and I'm taking over for my father."
Sam chuckled as he walked up behind her. "If Biff treated even half of them like he treated you, they're probably popping champagne at his departure."
Mercedes shook her head, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Still, I just… I want to prove I can do this."
Sam's arms moved around her waist almost absentmindedly, his hands resting lightly on her stomach as he stood behind her, gazing at her through the mirror. "You will do fine. I'll be right there with you the whole time."
Mercedes glanced up at him through the mirror, their eyes locking for a moment, and she felt a surge of warmth in her chest. The intimacy of the moment made her heart race. Clearing her throat, she broke the connection, stepping away from his embrace.
She grabbed her black satchel from the bed and nodded towards the door. "Let's go."
Sam followed, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer before he smiled. "My driver's ready. He'll take us to work, let me just grab my tie and suit jacket."
Sam slid into business mode as they stepped out of the apartment and into the sleek black SUV. "We need to go over a few shared accounts," he said, pulling out his tablet. "And we need to review all Jones Media airwaves ad spots."
Mercedes listened as he rattled off details, but her phone buzzing soon caught her attention. Glancing down, she smiled. Her sister, Sam's sisters, and her best friends had started a group chat, wishing her luck and letting her know they planned to grab her after dinner for a celebratory night out.
Sam noticed her smile and raised an eyebrow. "Something good?"
She grinned, showing him her phone. "Looks like I've got plans tonight. Your sisters and my friends want to take me out to celebrate."
Sam smirked. "Sounds like fun. I'll make sure the car's ready to drop you off."
Mercedes tilted her head thoughtfully. "How do you feel about bringing your sisters on board with me for a charity project? I've been thinking about something we could do together. Stacey and Stefanie would be perfect."
Sam's smile widened. "I think that's a great idea. It's the best way to get them involved, and Dad won't have a fit about it. Plus, you're good with them."
As they pulled up in front of the building, Mercedes let out a long breath. The looming moment had arrived. Sam leaned over and touched her hand lightly. "You've got this. I believe in you."
Together, they entered the building, and Mercedes was immediately met with the formality of her new role. She was issued her security badge and given the access codes to her office. Everything was suddenly very real.
When they reached the top floor, Sam's assistant, Kitty, was waiting for them. The woman's eyes flicked over Mercedes briefly before offering a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Evans." She purred.
Sam cut in, his tone brisk, bruising Kitty off. "After the meeting, you'll have a few interviews lined up for potential assistants, Mercedes. You will need someone to help keep your schedule."
Kitty's smile tightened as she replied, "That's because I am exclusively yours. Mr. Evans."
Mercedes felt a flicker of jealousy at the way Kitty looked at Sam. There was something in her eyes that Mercedes didn't like.
Sam led Mercedes to her new office, and she couldn't help but gasp at how perfectly it had been set up. A beautifully restored mahogany desk stood in the center, with a sleek new computer screen hidden by a retractable cover. The deep purple lounge, next to a mini fridge and mini bar added a touch of elegance, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the city.
Sam smiled, watching her reaction. "Glad you like it. There's even a bathroom behind that bookcase."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "A secret bathroom?"
He nodded, then motioned to a door on the far side of the room. "And that door connects to my office. It'll always be open for you."
Before Mercedes could respond, Kitty piped up from the doorway. "Unless 'we' lock it."
Sam shot her a look, and she quickly excused herself.
Mercedes turned to him, arms crossed. "How many times did you sleep with her?"
Sam sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Twice. But it was over six months ago, and I promise nothing's going to happen now."
Mercedes nodded, still processing, but Sam pulled her close before she could say more, his gaze soft. "You're the only one I'm interested in now. I promise."
Her heart fluttered at his words, but she wasn't ready to let him see it.
"Let's just focus on the work," she said, stepping back. But the heat between them lingered as they both prepared for the day ahead.
Sam walked into the conference room, and to his surprise, he spotted her already sitting at the large table, her tablet open in front of her, along with her phone and several neatly organized notes.
Her focus was intense as she reviewed something on the screen, her fingers tapping methodically against the device.
He smiled to himself, quietly approaching her. Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "I've been looking for you," he murmured.
Mercedes glanced up, momentarily startled, before offering him a smile. "Just getting ready," she said, leaning back in her chair as he slid into the seat next to her.
Sam gave her an appreciative look. "How's work been going? You seem pretty settled in."
Mercedes let out a soft laugh. "It's been… okay. It sucks that I had to pull my own files, but it's nothing I can't handle. Luckily, I found an assistant, and they start tomorrow, so it should get easier."
Sam raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin on his face. "You know, you can always use Kitty if you need help. She's right outside."
Mercedes' laugh came a little harder this time, a mix of amusement and annoyance in her tone. "Yeah, about that…" She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "I actually tried to ask Kitty for a file earlier today. You know what she said to me?"
Sam frowned, clearly confused. "What?"
"She made it very clear that she only serves you," Mercedes said, lifting her hands to emphasize the words, her tone laced with sarcasm. "In any and every way."
Sam blinked, taken aback by the implication. "Wait, what?"
Mercedes sighed, shaking her head as she leaned back, the hint of frustration creeping into her expression. "Yeah, she said it just like that. 'I only serve Mr. Evans in all of his needs' with this little smirk. So, I guess that file wasn't happening."
Sam ran a hand over his face, feeling a mix of irritation and disbelief. "I'll talk to her," he said after a moment, his tone serious. "That's not acceptable. You're my fiancée now, not just a colleague. She has to respect you."
Mercedes waved him off, not wanting to focus on the issue for too long. "It's fine, Sam. I've got it handled. But yeah, I figured you should know how she's acting around here."
Sam nodded, still looking a bit unsettled. He reached over and squeezed her hand. "I'll make sure it gets sorted."
Mercedes offered him a smile, appreciating the gesture. She had no doubt Sam would take care of it, but part of her knew she could handle things herself. Still, the reassurance from him felt good, especially with so much on her plate.
"This whole CEO thing looks good on you," Sam said as he leaned closer to Mercedes, his hand grazing her thigh under the table as the door swung open. Kitty walked in, her eyes narrowing the moment they landed on Sam and Mercedes being close.
Without hesitation, she moved to his side, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Anything I can do for you, Mr. Evans?" she purred, ignoring Mercedes entirely.
Mercedes raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, waiting to see how far Kitty would push. She didn't have to wait long.
"I could use some water," Mercedes finally said, her tone polite yet firm.
Kitty let out a short laugh, casting Mercedes a dismissive glance. "You've got legs," she replied with a smirk, "Get it yourself."
Sam's eyes darkened instantly, his tone sharp as he scolded, "Kitty, that's enough. Stop right now."
Kitty blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone. She straightened but didn't back down completely, her lips curving into a suggestive smile as she stepped even closer to him. "I'm just doing my job, Sam. Pleasing you. And I think I've been doing a pretty good job so far." Her voice was a dangerous mix of flirtation and arrogance.
Sam stood, his jaw tight. "This is not how you please me, Kitty. Mercedes is my fiancée, and you need to show her respect. If you know what's best for you, you'll stop acting like whatever this is now."
Kitty's smile faltered slightly, but she didn't back down. Instead, she started to unbutton her blouse. "I could prove my worth right here, right now," she purred, her eyes flicking briefly toward Mercedes, "in front of your fake fiancée."
Before she could get any further, the sound of Mercedes' palm slamming against the table cut through the tension like a blade. "That's enough," Mercedes growled, her voice low and laced with warning. Her eyes bore into Kitty with a fierceness that made Sam growl in appreciation.
"I don't give a damn who you've spread it wide for in the past, but if you don't fix your blouse and sit your ass down, I won't just fire you. I'll slap a sexual harassment suit on you so fast your head will spin—and I'll slap the taste out of your mouth while I'm at it."
Kitty's bravado melted away. Her hands shook slightly as she buttoned up her blouse. She looked at Sam, her expression pleading, but he simply shook his head.
"You heard my wife," Sam said calmly, but his words carried weight. "I tolerated you for long enough. Yes, we slept together, and I told you it was a mistake. Now you're trying to come between me and Mercedes, but I promise you won't win."
Kitty pouted, her defiance cracking as the door behind them opened once again, signaling the arrival of the rest of the staff. Mercedes rolled her eyes in frustration, and Sam sighed heavily.
"What now?" he asked, noting her annoyance.
"You should've fired her," Mercedes muttered under her breath, not bothering to hide her irritation.
Sam frowned. "I can't just fire her. Her father's on the board. We have an agreement."
Mercedes shook her head, her expression filled with disbelief. "Whatever," she sighed, her patience wearing thin.
Sam stood and cleared his throat as the staff settled into the conference room. He knew he needed to introduce himself to the team from Jones Media as well as assure his team everything would be fine. "For those who don't know, I am Sam Evans, CEO of Evans Corp. I want to thank you all for being here. I'm excited about this merger, and I believe we can accomplish something big together. I know that this is a transition, but I believe that as long as we work together, it can be smooth. I know we had some issues with pay this morning, and with the upcoming Holiday Schedule, I want to clarify that it will all be cleared by tomorrow night. We will make sure that everyone feels right at home."
He looked over at Mercedes, extending his hand toward her. She stood and joined him, her posture confident despite the tension bubbling underneath. "This is Mercedes," Sam continued. "She'll be leading the team alongside me."
Before Mercedes could say more, a man from the Jones Media side of the room stood, his expression hostile. "Who the hell do you think you are, firing Biff?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the room. Several men nodded in agreement, while the women remained silent, glancing nervously around the room.
Sam opened his mouth to respond, but Mercedes held up her hand, signaling for him to let her handle it. She turned to the man, her eyes sharp and unwavering. "I'm the woman who fired Biff McIntosh because he was a liability," she said, her voice steady. "He was a pig, and he was a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen. No one who harasses my staff deserves a place in this company. I'm glad he's gone."
A murmur rippled through the room. The men who had nodded moments before now looked uncertain, while some of the women exchanged glances, relief flickering in their eyes. Sam watched Mercedes with a mixture of pride and admiration, knowing she had just taken control of the room with her words alone.
Before Mercedes could say another word, the door opened again, and Julian Jones stepped in this time. He remained at the back of the room, his gaze calm but observant. His presence alone caused a subtle shift in the room's energy, though most people didn't seem to notice him—except for Mercedes.
The man from before spoke up again, his voice dripping with disdain. "You have no right, Mercedes. You're a nobody. Just because you're marrying Sam Evans doesn't mean you suddenly have power here."
Mercedes turned slowly to face him, her expression calm but unyielding. She stood tall, every inch of her radiating authority. "What's your name?" she asked, her voice steady but commanding.
"Byron Campbell," he replied with a sneer.
Mercedes smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Well, Byron Campbell, it's clear you don't know who I am. So, let me enlighten you." She paused for effect, her gaze locked onto his. "I am Mercedes Jones, daughter of Julian Jones, granddaughter of James Jones, and I am the new CEO of this company. I make the decisions here."
She let her words settle over the room, their weight heavy and undeniable. The murmurs that had once filled the room grew silent.
"If you're curious about my credentials, they're right there on the wall of my office for anyone who wants to check them out. I've earned my spot here—every bit of it. Marrying Sam has nothing to do with who I am or what I'm capable of."
Byron's sneer faltered slightly but still held onto his pride, folding his arms across his chest. "This company doesn't need someone like you running it," he muttered, but his voice was less confident now.
Mercedes ignored the comment, her gaze shifting to the rest of the room, particularly to the women who had stayed silent before. She could see the hesitancy in their eyes, the nervous glances exchanged between them.
"I'm proud of the legacy my grandfather and father created here," she continued, her tone softening but still firm. "I'm honored to be the first woman to run this company and to have the opportunity to lead us into a new era, taking this merger to greater heights."
As she spoke, she addressed the women directly, her eyes meeting theirs with a knowing look. "But let me make something else clear. This is a new day. No longer should any of you be afraid to speak up against anyone who disrespects you or crosses a line—whether it's verbal, physical, or otherwise. You deserve better, and you have a voice now. I will make sure that everyone has a voice."
As the women exchanged glances, some nodding subtly as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders, Mercedes turned to Kitty.
"And I want to make this crystal clear, this goes for women harassing men as well. So lets say Kitty, was being inappropriate with my husband, she would have to answer to me. And trust me, you don't want that."
Sam moved closer to Mercedes, linking his hand in hers. "And me. Mercedes and I are united on this point. We won't tolerate a hostile work environment, nor will we accept any harassment. "
Mercedes could feel the shift happening in the room as she leaned slightly into Sam, showing her appreciation.
Finally, she turned back to Byron, her expression firm but measured. "Now, you have two choices, Byron. You can either get in line, respect the new leadership, and work with us to build something bigger and better—or you can leave. And if you choose to leave, I'll ensure your severance package is sent by the end of the day."
Byron stared at her, his mouth opening slightly, but no words came out. The room fell silent as everyone waited for his response, tension thick in the air.
Still standing in the back, Julian nodded slightly, a faint smile of approval crossing his lips as he watched his daughter take full control of the situation.