"Ms Irene, you'll work as my secretary from tomorrow."
"Huh?" I Stood unblinking, trying to process what he just told me.
"CEO Marc, Are you sure about that? I thought you didn't need any secretary." Noah objected on my behalf.
"That was true. But seeing my recent schedule, it will get a lot busier. So I decided to get a secretary. And Ms Irene is well-suited for that." He switched his gaze from Noah to me.
"You agree with me, right? Ms Irene? The payment will be three times more than your current income."
"A-absolutely not, sir! I'd like to decline that position. I'm a new recruit here. I'm not capable of it yet. So I hope you choose someone qualified for that position." I raised my head to glance at him and saw his head tilted up as he grabbed his chin as if he predicted my answer.
"Then...If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Have a good day, sir!" I walked off before he could say anything.
There was no certainty that he won't make me work to death. A hint of fear also rushed into me, thinking I might catch feelings for him if I stayed close to him, which was completely unnecessary since I was just a mere employee in his eyes. After all, it was I who forced him to go away by saying cruel words.
__________
There was no news from the CEO for two days, as I spent them in peace doing my work and taking my breaks. Just like the usual lunch break started and I stretched out my hands. I glimpsed at Sophia who brought lunch boxes to share with everyone.
"Hey, don't eat outside today. Let's have lunch together here." She opened the box and I could feel the growls of their stomach as their lips got wet. The Firecracker Chicken With Rice,
One-pan Sausage With Broccoli Rabe And White Beans,
Blt Pasta Salad, sweet potato and tomato kale. The tangy and savoury looks of the food made all of us energetic.
"The food looks fucking good but Sophi, can we work after eating this?" Maya hopelessly stared at Sophia.
"Don't worry much about it. Let's eat first." Sophia said as she divided them into parts for us.
We got interrupted when my phone started buzzing. I picked it up to see my sister calling. The smile I had on my face slowly faded away to a bitter expression since I knew her calling me was never for any good news. It's a call neither can I take nor avoid.
"Excuse me! I have to take this." I excused myself and walked out of the room to pick up the call.
"Irene? How are you doing nowadays? Is your job going we-" Hearing my sisters static voice over the phone I cut her off saying,
"Stop beating around the bush and get to the point."
"...Sigh. I know I have no face to say this but dad's company went bankrupt. He had to invest ten billion dollars in it. So dad's financial situation isn't very well. I-I helped as much as I could...If you would send a little help from your side...I gue-"
"How much does he need?"
"Probably a million or so...I'm not asking you to give it all. I will add from mine too. Please only help him until he gets back his company's stature."
My hands clenched into fists while staring at the ground, "I understand. I'll let you know when I have the money."
I tapped on the red ball and tilted my chin upwards to let out a sigh.
"I can barely save up from my current salary. Not to mention it's my first job." While rubbing my forehead, I thought of his words, "The payment will be three times more than your current income."
Remembering this, I mumbled to myself- "I'm not a moneyholic. I only need it for a purpose." The irritation rushed over me at the thought of reaching back to him at the end as I walked towards my office room after getting texts from my colleagues.
__________
Having no way to contact him, I stood still in the parking lot instead of barging in like last time. My hair strands kept sliding down on my cheek as I brushed them back behind my ear while looking around.
"Waiting for someone, Ms Irene?"
I peeked behind me to see Ethan walking towards me while jamming one of his hands into the pocket of that long black coat.
"Ah! Hello sir! I was-" Before I could finish, he opened the car door and pointed inside, "Let's talk inside the car."
I glanced at the driver, who seemed to pay no heed to our conversation and nodded my head to sit inside.
His shoulder leaned towards me as he made himself inside to sit beside me.
"Drive." He said as he took off his coat and placed it on the seat to turn to me.
"So what did you want to say?"
I stared at his sculptured face for a brief moment and blinked twice to say, "Ah! Yes. About me being your secretary...Is the offer still valid?"
I caught sight of his lips curling into a smirk under the moving street lights that reflected on his face. His sharp brown eyes looked so glassy as he stared at me.
"Of course, Ms Irene. Have you changed your mind?"
"Yes. I gave it some thought and I'm willing to accept your offer."
"Very well. I'll see you there at 8 AM from today onwards. Sam will tell you more if you ask him." He crossed his legs and tapped on his I-pad, exposing his sharp jawline along with his black side bangs that rested on his brows.
I blinked away to look outside the window as my heart sprinted inside my chest because of the tense atmosphere inside the car while I mumbled, "Ah! When will I reach home?"