The New Assistant

Chapter three

As the day came to a close and the last of the employees left the office, Ryan found himself alone with Mia. She was sitting at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. She looked exhausted and dejected, and Ryan knew that he was the cause of her unhappiness.

He cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. "Mia, I was thinking... maybe we could go out for dinner tonight," he said, hoping to cheer her up and make amends for his earlier behavior.

Mia looked up at him, her eyes wary. "I don't know, Mr. Thompson," she said hesitantly. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Ryan sighed, knowing that he had to tread carefully. "Please, call me Ryan," he said, trying to inject some warmth into his voice. "And I promise, it's just dinner. No work talk, I swear."

Mia hesitated for a moment, before finally nodding her head. "Okay, Ryan," she said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I guess dinner couldn't hurt."

Ryan grinned, feeling a spark of excitement at the thought of spending more time with Mia outside of the office. "Great," he said, standing up and grabbing his jacket. "I know just the place. Let's go."

As they drove to the restaurant, Ryan couldn't help but notice the way that Mia was looking out the window at the city skyline. She had a look of awe and wonder on her face, and Ryan found it strangely endearing.

He had always taken the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets of New York City for granted, but seeing them through Mia's eyes made him appreciate their beauty and majesty in a new way.

Mia turned to him, a smile on her face. "It's so beautiful here," she said, her eyes shining. "I can't believe I get to live and work in a place like this."
Ryan nodded, feeling a sudden warmth in his chest.

He didn't say anything, but he couldn't help but think that Mia's presence in his life was making the city feel a little bit brighter and more alive.

As they pulled up to the restaurant, Ryan helped Mia out of the car and they made their way inside. He could feel her excitement and nervousness as they were seated at a cozy table by the window, and he knew that he wanted to make this a special night for her.

As they sat down to dinner, Ryan could see the tension still radiating from Mia. She was picking at her food, her eyes downcast, and Ryan knew that he had to say something to break the ice.

"Mia, I want to apologize again for how I acted earlier," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I was out of line and I shouldn't have yelled at you like that."
Mia looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "It's okay, Ryan," she said, her voice soft. "I know you're a busy and important man, and sometimes you can be... difficult to work for."

Ryan winced at her words, knowing that she was right. He had always been demanding and perfectionistic, and he knew that it could be hard for people to work for him.

"I know I can be tough to work for," he said, his voice tight. "But I want you to know that I value you and your work, Mia. You're an intelligent and capable young woman, and I'm lucky to have you as my assistant."

Mia blushed at his words, and Ryan could see the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. "Thank you, Ryan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate your apology and your kind words."
Despite the sincerity of his apology, Ryan couldn't shake the feeling that there was still a barrier between him and Mia. He knew that he had to work on breaking down that barrier if he wanted to have any hope of a future with her. But for now, he was content to enjoy their dinner and take things one step at a time.

As they finished their dinner, Ryan could see that Mia was starting to relax. She had laughed at his jokes and smiled at his stories, and for the first time, Ryan felt like they were truly connecting.

"Mia, I was wondering... would you like to take a walk with me?" he asked, his voice hopeful. "The city is so beautiful at night, and I'd love to show you some of my favorite spots."
Mia hesitated for a moment, before nodding her head. "Sure, that sounds nice," she said, a faint smile on her lips.

Ryan grinned, his heart feeling lighter. He helped Mia out of her chair and they made their way outside, into the cool night air. As they walked, Ryan pointed out some of the landmarks and attractions that he loved, and Mia listened with interest, asking questions and soaking up the sights and sounds of the city.

"I can't believe how different it is here, compared to Georgia," Mia said, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's so vibrant and alive."

Ryan nodded, feeling a sense of pride in his city. "New York City has a lot to offer, if you know where to look," he said, his voice warm. "I'm glad I get to share it with you."

As they continued their walk, Ryan couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. He was falling for Mia, and he knew that he wanted to explore those feelings further. But for now, he was content to simply enjoy her company and the magic of the city at night.