The Billionaire’s Intern by Veintiocho

Richard's POV

I glanced at my watch the moment my car pulled to a stop. HANSLA stood magnificently in front, with sharp cerulean colors that reminded me of the ocean Dad used to take me to when I was young. I had specifically chosen that color, while building my company; an enterprise that has gotten me featured in Forbes Magazine, as the youngest tech billionaire to ever do it.

In all, I had my Dad to thank for this feat. Growing up, we visited the beach a lot, my Dad would hold my hand in a strong grip and we would run to the shores, tapping our feet in the wet sand. Afterwards, we would play a game of tag and then sit on a blanket not too far from the shores, so we could watch the ocean.

Dad would chatter like a magpie about his childhood, the good old days when he was a chess champion, but my favorite story of his was how he had met Mum. She passed away when I was six.

Dad described her as sassy with a sense of humor, eyes that would put one in their place, and lips that would have them jumping into her arms. He called her the moonlight in his darkness, and his face would always gleam with each mention of her name, Hannah.

Each time he spoke of Mum, I wondered what it would feel like to have someone be my home and peace.

I had smelt her perfume before I saw her, a flowery scent mixed with fresh morning dew. She flashed a smile toward my direction, but I threw my face away hastily walking to the elevator. "Emotions were a sign of weakness, and weakness would never get you where you should be," that was Dad's favorite quote. He had said it was written in a Bible Gran had given him, but I knew Dad all too well and Gran would rather crochet the whole day than quote bible verses, she had been catholic but not a devoted one.

Charlotte had me wondering from the very first day, that her muscles ached from all the smiling she did. She was an intern and had been among the company's latest recruiters. I had heard a worker call her name during break period, and it had stuck like a leech in my memory. Like a Cheshire cat, Charlotte would flash her teeth here and there each time I saw her.

"Was it a thing she did or was it a me thing?"

She was always smiling and to top it off, her dimples were beautiful. Not that I would ever tell her though. As I passed, I took a whiff of my scent, and wasn't going to let anyone pick up on me getting intimidated by the scent of flowers. And just as I had done that action, my cologne hit me, a reminder that I hadn't forgotten to wear it.

"Good morning sir," Her voice had a lilt to it. Damn! Charlotte, must you always be so happy? I walked towards the elevator and pressed the button. Pretending to have not heard her, I checked my watch. I needed a little distraction, cause I didn't want her invading my thoughts. Swiping my key card on the door, I was immediately met with cold air mixed with a flowery scent the moment I stepped into my office.

The pile of documents awaiting my approval graced the desk, while the shelves filled with programming courses, gleamed with pride. Everything stood out and so did the light dent on the swivel chair. I made a mental note to tell the maintenance to handle it.

Dropping my bag, I took a drink of water from the fridge, before a knock came on the door and in a second it was already open.