Grey reveled in the day's productivity, a stark contrast to the challenges he had faced under May's presence. Anticipating another successful day, Grey awoke at his usual time and prepared for work.
As Grey arrived at his office, breaking news headlines alerted him to a tragedy involving his company. Superintendent Walter was publicly accusing him on the morning news, threatening to inflict severe damage to his company's reputation.
Grey stepped out of his office, greeting Jane. "Excuse me for a moment, Jane," he said. "Have you seen my secretary anywhere? She should be here by now."
"She hasn't arrived yet" said Jane,
"I wonder what she could be thinking of",
"But I could help if she's not around",
"no Jane you have more things to take care of" Grey said.
"Sorry I'm late" carmen said as she hurriedly came out of the elevator, they all looked at her as she came forward.
"Grey, I mean Mr Grey, I could explain" she said nervously.
"Do you even know what time it is, you should have been here moments ago",
"Yeah, that's what I was about to explain" carmen said softly.
Grey looked at her and took a deep breath and looked down, "and how are you going to make me believe that",
"Mr Grey, there's been a traffic congestion this morning for the traffic lights were under reconstruction, so I had to wait all this long but it won't happen again I promise",
"Carmen don't talk to him like that or it's done with you" Jane whispered to her as Grey moved around.
"Okay I'll try to behave myself" Carmen chuckled; it was hard for her to express herself in front of the billionaire.
"Did you say something?" Grey asked, turning back.
"Not at all, Mr. Grey. I think I'll get to work," Jane replied, slipping away towards her chamber. As Carmen entered, Jane exchanged a knowing glance with Grey.
Grey's anger intensified when he received a letter from the mayor regarding the superintendent Walter case. Returning to his office, he called Carmen from her chamber to his office.
"Reporting for duty sir" she said as she arrived, "currently speaking this is going to be a hard day carman, we're over the news, do you know what this mean carman", "yes Mr Grey", "don't just stand there, get me superintendent Walter on the call" Grey said angrily, "right away sir," said carmen.
Carmen moved to the files room as Grey stayed in his office. she had to look for the contact yet she didn't know where they could be.
"Hello Jane" she called on Jane, "hello how may I help you",
"it's me Carmen", she whispered
"What how did you get my contacts Carmen, and what is it that you seek",
"Jane there's no time to explain, just come to my chamber and I'll tell you", Carmen said hurriedly as she hung up.
"And what was is it carmen, it better be something serious",
"of course, Jane, I think I'm having trouble with finding contacts, a cop named superintendent Walter" jane started laughing as carmen said. "Seriously, gosh I can't believe it's that damn cop again, he seriously gives Grey a bit of a headache, I think that's why he became so stressed up and forced you to look for contacts that you had no idea of where they could be" Jane said as she looked for the contacts.
"here's the call book I think you'll find the contacts, it's got contacts arranged alphabetically" jane said as she went back outside, Carmen had a hard time trying to figure out a lie to tell Grey, there could be no excuse for Jane's entrance into her chamber. she nervously walked out of the chamber and approached Grey's table, he looked very angry and was yelling on the phone, making a perfect opportunity for Jane to leave unspotted
Grey was so carried away in the phone call conflicts to look at Carmen as she walked towards his table, Carmen waited as Grey called but couldn't abort the call as her embarrassment grew bigger.
"ahh" Grey yelled, Grey was about to throw his phone to her, he did it because of his uncontrollable anger as he talked on the phone.
"Oh, I'm sorry Carmen, I didn't notice it was you" he said, his anger seemed to cool down as he saw Carmen.
"Mr Grey here's the contacts" she said nervously and starred at Grey speechlessly,
"Then call him then what are you waiting for",
"Oh, right away sir" carmen said hurriedly as she dialed the contacts. Carmen was starting to catch a fear of grey due to his anger so she went back outside as Grey started yelling at the cop.
All that could be heard were yelling sounds from Grey's office, Grey seemed to have a hard time talking to superintendent Walter, they couldn't agree not even on one fact.
Carmen came back to Grey's office when he was done talking, she placed the call book besides Grey's office telephone,
"Is everything alright Mr Grey", she said softly as she looked back at Grey, he stayed quiet for a while and stood up, he went to his favorite spot in the office where he could watch the city from the top of the building.
Grey sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on the document below. "Walter isn't willing to negotiate, Carmen," he said.
"Mr Grey I think I don't get it", she said as Grey turned back.
"Carmen there was an incident at the lake last month, a few old plastics were found dumped at the lake and had my company's trademark on them, and he's really giving me a hard time accusing me all over the news, the company is now accused of damaging aquatic life" he said.
"Gosh this is the worst nightmare I've ever encountered; it's going to mess with my company's name and I'm totally going to be fined for this" Grey said worriedly. carmen looked to Grey and all she could see was sorrow.
"Mr Grey, I think I had to say this earlier but this is the right time" carmen said as Grey looked back outside.
"Sometimes we meet hard times, and they leave sadness",
"Get to the point then" Grey interrupted,
"Okay Mr Grey what I meant is that, you know the truth about the case, your company is such a big one in the area, so I believe you've got many competitors, and I know that you're not in charge for the plastic deposit, you wouldn't have been so worried now as you are, Mr Grey doing the right thing is what will save your company now" carmen said and left.
Grey pondered Carmen's words for a while, impressed by her confidence. He spent the entire day contemplating how to resolve the chaos and restore his company's positive public image. As evening approached and Carmen had completed her tasks, leaving the office organized, Grey called her to his office.
"You called me Mr Grey" she said as she walked in,
"Carmen, about what you told me earlier, I think I got the right idea, and I think I'm ready to call for a meeting with Walter, it's time to make things right" Grey said, Carmen smiled as grey spoke,
"And before you go, I can't skip saying thanks, and I hope I have to apologize for my harsh behavior earlier", carmen nodded her head.
Grey engaged in a conversation with Walter, agreeing to a meeting that evening. Their meeting was subsequently broadcast on the evening news. Grey skillfully explained the situation using facts and evidence, successfully convincing Walter, inspired by his new secretary's guidance.
The following day, the impact of Grey's press conference became evident. He successfully defended himself against the false accusations and emerged from the ordeal vindicated. As Grey entered the Grey Plaza that morning, he was greeted by a standing ovation from his employees. He stepped out of the elevator with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
"Good morning Mr Grey, Carmen said as she entered the office with some coffee and a box of apples,
"Congratulations Mr Grey, your speech last night was extraordinary and the sales are now rising up according to jane's report", she said and turned back,
"Carmen", Grey called her from behind.
She turned back and Grey stood speechless looking at her for a while,
"Carmen, thanks for your advice yesterday, if it wouldn't have been you, I couldn't have been able to figure out what to say yesterday" grey said softly.
"Mr Grey, all it takes is some confidence and a positive mind",
"Yeah, for real. I admitted my mistakes and promised to rectify the situation, even though I wasn't responsible for the damages. Now that Walter's off my back, the company can finally reach its full potential."
"Yeah, I think that means I have to get back to work Sir" she said anticipating Grey's move to end the discussion and go on with work
"Carmen" Grey called her again,
"Yes Mr Grey", Grey stayed quiet for a while.
"Umm, I was wondering, would you like to come over for dinner tonight", carmen stayed quiet for a while and over thought it.
"What do you say Carmen", said Grey
"of course, Mr Grey I can't deny" she said hurriedly, as if she was lost in her thoughts,
"Okay, so I'll pick you up right" Grey said, he was suspicious, for carmen seemed to accept without thinking.
"So, where do you actually stay carmen", said Grey, "I think that's too much Grey I mean Mr Grey, I'll wait at here at the plaza no need to come to pick me at the apartment" Carmen insisted.
"Okay if you say so, see you in the evening Carmen" grey said,
"Yeah, of course Mr Grey, I've got to get going", carmen said with a smile and went back.
Carmen went to Jane's chamber as she went out of grey's office.
"Jane, I think I need some help with some other stuff" she said as she approached,
"Okay so what is it Carmen".
Jane, about my chamber, there's so much to do every day. I mean, these documents are overwhelming. Do I have to keep sorting them constantly?" Carmen asked, her frustration evident. Jane responded with a chuckle.
"Seriously Carmen, I'm afraid yes, you'll have to keep on doing it" she said
"Oh, I guess it's harder than I thought" they all laughed as carmen spoke.
"Hey carmen, I heard you talking to Grey a while ago right",
Oh, Jane, you won't believe what just happened," Carmen exclaimed excitedly.
"What is it? Tell me," Jane urged.
Carmen entered Jane's chamber, and they all settled down to discuss the news.
"So, Jane, he's taking me to dinner tonight," Carmen announced. Jane's expression shifted dramatically as she processed the information.
"Oh, that's amazing, Carmen. It must feel great to be on a date with a man like Grey," Jane replied sarcastically.
"What, Jane it's not a date, it's just some ordinary business stuff, we literally just met I don't think it could be a date" carmen said,
"Oh yes, sorry I got it wrong right",
"Jane is everything alright", said carmen
"Yeah, why do you ask" jane said trying to hide her emotions.
"Well, no reason, by the way Jane thanks for helping me I guess I've got to go" Carmen said as she went out.Jane remained in the office, her spirits low. Despite her dedication and exceptional work performance, she had never enjoyed a date night with Grey. Although she harbored feelings for him, she knew that Grey reciprocated none of her affections. No matter what she did, he would never see her as anything more than an employee.