Frantz ceased typing when he heard the door, anticipation glittering in his eyes.
Kamil stepped out of the office, her hand resting on the doorknob. She caught the secretary's look and shook her head. The expression on his face fell. It almost made her feel guilty. At that moment, she vowed to do everything in her power to help him if he needed it.
It gradually came to her why Leon kept this man by his side.
"It's no good. Your boss is a meticulous man. It would take time for him to get used to me being around here." Kamil headed for her own desk and flopped onto the chair. She turned to her computer. "The good news is I still have my job."
"Maybe I can talk to him…" Frantz couldn't help but be bothered. This was unusual even for Leon Orsino. He did prefer not to be around women but he had learned to endure. This almost seemed immature of him.
"No!" Kamil protested too loudly, half-rising from her chair. She cleared her throat and used a softer tone. "You mustn't. Unless he asked you to. I have a feeling he'll be doing that soon."
Any talk to kiss her up to Leon would only result in negative consequences.
The telephone on Frantz's desk rang. He picked up the call while his eyes snapped towards the CEO's office. His hand trembled, needing to grip tighter. "Mr. Hathaway, how can I help you?"
"Would you mind coming in for a moment?" Leon spoke through the receiver.
"I'll be there right away."
The secretary put the handset down and pointed at the telephone. His face may be tuned in on the device but his question was directed towards Kamil. "How did you do that?"
She shrugged, smirking lightly. "A woman's instinct."
Frantz rose to his feet and headed for the CEO's office door.
Kamil set out to work. She looked over Frantz's overview of his job. Since she will be assisting him, understanding how his job worked was first priority. She appreciated the intricate details. He even stated which employee to turn to when it came to specific tasks.
While she read, faint voices flowed into her ears.
"What will it take for you to opt for a different assistant?" Leon asked. He propped his elbows on the desk and interlocked his fingers, pressing them against his chin.
Frantz had the urge to clean his ears. This wasn't just an inquiry of opinion. It was a downright rejection to her presence here! It didn't make sense. Leon took one look at her and decided that she was unfit for the company. Did something happen that he wasn't aware about?
'It has to be a misunderstanding. Camille has been nothing but kind…' The secretary reasoned out. He couldn't comprehend how either of them could have formed a bad encounter.
"Mr. Orsino, sorry for speaking so, but that is out of the line." He breathed out, pushing away his thoughts. This was business. Personal life shouldn't interfere. "Ms. Baines only started today. She passed the tests but she hasn't been given the time to prove herself. If you had seen her with the team, you'd know how much they welcomed her."
Leon averted his eyes and muttered a scoff. "Of course, she persuaded them to her side."
"Um, I didn't get to hear that…" Frantz frowned.
"It's nothing." The CEO dismissed with a wave of his hand. He tilted his head and supported it with a finger to his temple. "What about you? Do you really want her as your assistant?"
Frantz cleared his throat. "I'm aware of Ms. Baines's physical features. I can understand why her beauty can mislead the mind she possesses. She's a confident woman, not afraid to speak her mind. I actually find the both of you similar."
Leon arched an eyebrow at that.
"You both have this aura that assures people that they can rely on you," Frantz tried to explain. His hands moved in crazy gestures, feeling like it helped get his point across. "You both have natural leadership. Your approaches may be different but I have utmost belief in your capabilities."
He heaved a sigh once he finished. Until the words left his mouth, he hadn't known this was how he felt around his new assistant. The CEO was already impressive. But to meet another one like him? Like with the same potential?
It would be a waste to throw her out.
"Would you still say that if I—" Leon dropped the idea as soon as it came.
"If you what, sir?"
"Never mind." He exhaled through his nose sharply. Would it be wrong to bring up her previous job? If he thought about it, it should be out in the open so the employees could take precaution.
They could be being deceived right now.
Frown lines creased between the secretary's eyebrows. "Mr. Orsino, I have been with you since you first entered your family's business. Despite how harshly you were treated, you never complained. When I had asked—practically begged you to scream or to grunt—but you said that the only people who could stay in this company are those who had proven themselves regardless of where they came from."
Leon straightened his spine—like he just took a hit in the gut.
He ran his fingers through his hair and gripped a handful.
"That you accepted the harsh criticisms because the position you aim for was the highest. In order to be at the top, you have to prove that they couldn't break you. To deserve it, you need to understand your own employees and their importance,"
Frantz stepped closer, lowering his voice into a stern speech. "Her position is not comparable to yours I know. But I had never taken you for someone who doesn't give an employee a chance."
It was confirmed. His secretary wanted her to stay. He came prepared to defend her. Nothing Leon could have said would change his mind. What had she used on Frantz? Was it the same one she used on him?
That thought sickened his stomach.
"Fine. One week." Leon caved. He brushed his now unruly hair and lifted one finger "She has one week to prove that she deserves this position. After that, we'll see if she can stay."
Frantz bowed his head. It was better than nothing. "Thank you for your consideration."
Outside, Kamil squared her shoulders.
Now that her position was safe for another week, she'd out her back into it. She interlaced her fingers and stretched them by pushing their palms forward. "It's been a while since I've done business work. This should be interesting."
The door opened and Frantz tiptoed to her side of the room. He lowered himself into a squat, saying, "Kamil."
"Yes, Mr. Lichman?" She answered, showing a pleasant smile.
"The good news is you can stay. The bad news is the CEO will evaluate you after a week." The secretary felt bad that he couldn't do more—but he didn't let it show on his face. Instead, his grin matched hers. "Don't be nervous. I know you can do it. Me and the team will help you every step of the way."
Kamil raised her hands and clenched them into fists, pumping up her energy. "Then, let's do our best."
They devised a plan that allowed her to be active around the CEO. Anything he needed to be brought into the office, unless of high importance, Frantz assigned to her. She also spent the rest of the day becoming familiar with the files and their placements.
Break times were spent with the team. Frantz shared her encounter with Leon. They shared their sympathies and encouragement. Kamil assured them that she wouldn't give up—not until she gained his approval.
"I'm sure if you all could do it so can I." She giggled.
"That's the spirit!" Frantz cheered.
Back in the CEO's office, Kamil collected the tableware used for a meeting. She picked them up and placed them on a tray. Her current state made her seem like a waitress. But someone had to do it. She actually chuckled at the image of Frantz wiping the table.
It must have been taxing to clean up in a rush so that he could get back to work.
"Is this really the best you can do?" Leon taunted sometime in the afternoon. When she didn't respond, he spared her a glance. Obsidian eyes stared back at him.
Then, Kamil batted her eyelashes, one hand on the doorknob. She mustered a coy smile. "If you please excuse me, there is work to be done."
The CEO froze in his seat. An ominous feeling shivered down his spine. Frantz's words replayed in his head like a broken record. If they were alike then, he had something to fear. It had him second-guessing this whole ordeal again. There had to be something he could do.
But, at the same time—deep inside his soul, he looked forward to the rest of the week.
He just couldn't hear it.