Alexander PoV
"Sir, Damien would like to see you," Emily said as she opened the door slightly.
"Hey, Alexie!" Damien said, grinning as he stood behind Emily, startling her.
I was surprised to see Damien and even more surprised to see Shelly standing just behind him, offering a tentative smile.
"Damien, how many times have I told you not to sneak up on Emily like that?" I said, trying to sound stern but unable to suppress a smile. Damien had a way of bringing a lightness into the room, and despite myself, I was always glad to see him.
Emily rolled her eyes affectionately before stepping aside to let them in. "You two have your chat. I'll be outside if you need anything."
Once the door closed behind her, Damien took a seat in the chair opposite my desk, while Shelly hesitated for a moment before joining him.
Damien nudged her. "Go on, tell him."
I blinked. "Tell me what?"
Shelly took a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of determination and nervousness. "Well, Alexander, I've been thinking about getting back into work. Damien mentioned that your company might have some opportunities that fit my skills."
"Skills? What kind of skills did a girl your age and of your upbringing learn that can help her here?"
She sighed. "Well, not much. I have some experience with serving and cleaning. So if you need a cleaner or someone to bring you your morning coffee, I'm your girl."
I leaned back on my seat. Didn't expect her to ask for that kind of job. Not that I expected her to come to me for a job at all, but my other cousins usually asked for high tier jobs in the company. Guess that went to show how vastly different her upbringing was from the rest of ours.
"Well, Shelly," I began, choosing my words carefully, "I appreciate your honesty and willingness to contribute in any capacity. It's not often that someone is ready to roll up their sleeves and start from the ground up."
She gulped and bit her pink lips. It was clear she was expecting a letdown, bracing herself for a refusal.
"We do have some entry-level positions that could be a good starting point. It might not be glamorous, but it's a foot in the door and a chance to prove yourself."
Shelly's eyes flickered with a mix of relief and cautious optimism. "Really? I'd be grateful for any opportunity."
"I'll have you be my personal assistant. Emily usually has to juggle multiple tasks, and having someone dedicated to helping with specific errands and organizational duties will be a great help. It might start with basic tasks, but it will give you a chance to learn the ins and outs of the company."
Shelly's expression shifted to one of genuine gratitude, her relief palpable. "Thank you, Alexander. I won't let you down."
Damien gave a supportive nod, clearly pleased that things were working out for her. "See, Shelly? I told you it would be okay."
She let out a sigh. "Should I ask Zara for tips?"
Damien hummed. "I don't think Alexander will keep you as busy as I keep her."
I raised an eyebrow. "Come to think about it, why isn't she with you?"
"She's tutoring my brother," Shelly said, looking straight at me.
"Tutoring your brother? Is Toren struggling with school?"
Shelly nodded, her expression a mix of worry and determination. "Sorta. You see, Toren never really got the chance to go to school. His upbringing was a bit... unconventional. Our parents died before he was slated to start school, and I didn't have the money to pay for it. Plus, he... well, he's not like other kids."
I raised a hand. "You mean to say that he's autistic, right?"
Her blue eyes glanced down at the desk. "Yes. Unfortunately, I don't know much about it. I had to drop out of school too, so... I really can't do anything other than manual labor and such."
"Is that why you didn't ask for something better?"
"Yeah. Like a girl from the slums who didn't even finish high school could be anything important... Even though we're family, I rather not take on more than I can chew."
For a girl of her age and status, she sure had a better sense of what she could do than Cassian did. If only that guy were as grounded and self-aware as her.
"So, when does Shells start?" Damien asked, grinning.
"Shells?" Shelly said, looking over at him incredulously.
Damien shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "Yeah, Shells. It suits you, don't you think? Has a nice ring to it."
Shelly rolled her eyes, but I could see the faint smile tugging at her lips. They were clearly close.
"We'll have you start tomorrow. Emily will show you the ropes."
Shelly nodded, her expression shifting from tentative to determined once more. "Tomorrow sounds great. Thank you, Alexander."
Damien gave her an encouraging pat on the back. "You're going to do great, Shelly. Just wait and see."
"Wait, uh, if I need to, can I bring Toren to work with me?"
I hummed, imagining the little guy roaring as he played at a corner of an office with his dinosaurs. Or would he wander off in search of mac and cheese like back at the mansion this morning?
"Let's see how things go," I replied, considering the logistics. "If there's ever a day where you need to bring Toren, we can make arrangements. We might be able to set up a small space for him where he can feel comfortable and safe."
Shelly's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Alexander. I really appreciate that."
Damien nodded, looking relieved. "Thanks, Alexie. It means a lot. Toren's a great kid, and sometimes he just needs a bit of extra support."
While I had not interacted with the child as much, from what I did, I could tell Damien was right. He was a good kid. Which made him a vulnerable target for those seeking to hurt Shelly.