Fran my fingers through Lena's hair as she sat cross - legged on the bed , telling me everything she did while I was gone . " I had pancakes , " she said , holding up three fingers like she was counting . " Then I painted a pony but it turned out looking like a cloud , and then I tried to scare Mr. Davis with my scary monster voice . " I smiled , nodding along , but my mind kept drifting . The bathroom his voice . His hand between my legs like it was routine , like helping me finish was just something normal people did . My chest tightened . I looked down at my lap , zoned out completely " Mommy iblinked and looked at Lena . She was pouting , clearly annoyed . " You're not listening ." " Lam , " said quickly . " The pony looked like a cloud , right ? " She nodded slowly , still not convinced . " I missed you , " added , wrapping my arms around her . She melted instantly . Her little arms wrapped around my neck and she leaned into me like she hadn't just caught me mentally somew else . The next morning came too fast . The staff showed up before I even got out of bed . They were already laying out clothes on the chaise lounge in the comer , two women moving through my room like a quiet storm . A cream blouse , a fitted black pencil skirt , heels I'd never seen before , but they fit perfectly My hair was blown out smooth . My makeup light but flawless , nude lipstick , clean lines , sharp everything . I barely recognized myself I stepped into the hallway and Rick was already waiting downstairs . He didn't say anything , he just opened the door and walked ahead . The car ride was quiet for the first few minutes . I glanced at him once and then again . He was checking emails on his phone , unbothered and calm like always I stared again , longer this time , and he finally looked up . " Do you have something to say ? " he asked . " Yes . Of course I do ," I snapped . " What do you mean I'm going to start working as your secretary ? I don't know anything about this . " " You'll be guided . " " That's not my problem , " I said . " Your family wants to monitor me , I get it , but what about my work ? What about my restaurant ? I'm not some pawn you can just move around . " 1/4 10:09 Wed , 27 Aug 7 Aug 17 W Chapter 26 Rick closed his phone and looked over at me . " Your instaurant is fine . It'll be under watch . When you need to go there , I'll go with you . " Hlaughed under my breath , " vol need a chaperone now ? " " You need protection ," he said simply . " Don't confuse the two . " I didn't answer . My hands were already fidgeting with the hem of my skirt . The car pulled into the company lot and I stared through the window , stunned . The building was a skyscraper Glass panels curved around the entire structure . Flags flapped in the wind near the front entrance . People in suits walked in and out like it was a city of its own . The moment we stepped through the glass doors of the building , Rick was pulled away by a man in a headset and a suit . Something about a board update , urgent figures , and a last minute briefing He barely looked at me as he handed me his phone . " Take the elevator to the top floor . My c y office is through the double doors straight ahead . " And then he was gone just like that . I stood there alone in the middle of the sleek marble lobby , clutching his phone like a fool . People in heels and tailored blazers moved around me in practiced lines . I glanced at the elevator , then back at the security desk . No one offered to help . No one even acknowledged That's when I heard it . " Did you hear the boss's new wife is going to be his secretary ? " The voice was casual but sharp , female and she was pretty close . " Of course , " another one said , laughing , " it's the only way she could get in here , nepotism at its peak . " " Oh , poor thine , she probably doesn't even know how to turn on a printer . "" Their laughter bubbled up behind me . I kept walking toward the elevator , pretending not to hear , pretending not to care . My face was burning Then my heel caught on a loose tile and twisted sideways . My shoe slipped right off my foot . I stumbled and had to grab the nearest glass panel to keep myself from falling flat . A salt gasp left my lips . The women behind me didn't even try to hide their amusement . " Oh my God ," one of them muttered , " who is that ? Is she drunk ? " " She's literally falling apart already , " another whispered . I bent down quickly , trying to grab my heel , landed awkwardly just under the edge of a planter . My dress bugged uncomfortably as i reached . My hand barely brushed the heel whoh I heard someone whisper behind me . " Look . The boss is coming . " Everything froze for a second , and the air instantly changed . I turned my head just slightly .. Rick was walking toward us from across the lobby , dark gray suit sharp against his broad frame , his hand adjusting his cuff like he hadn't just made the entire room fall silent . His expression was cool and effortless , people stepped aside for him without hesitation . 2/4 Chapter 26 And then , to everyone's shock , including mine , he walked straight to me . He didn't speak . He crouched right in front of me , the movement was smooth and deliberate , like this was the most normal thing in the world . His hand lifted my heel , the other gently touching my ankle to slide it back on . He didn't look rushed , he didn't look embarrassed His eyes flicked up once , locking with mine and my breath caught . He stood . I felt the heat shoot straight through me . Then he extended his hand , palm up , waiting for me to take it " Come on , Fiona , " he said , voice low and steady , " I'll show you to our office . " I slipped my hand into his . My heart was going crazy in my chest . I couldn't even look at the women behind me . I couldn't think . I was too busy trying to breathe , too busy wondering how the hell he made even that feel like a scene from a movie . The office was huge . Floor - to - ceiling windows . A wall lined with bookshelves . Dark wood , black leather chairs , a In the center like a command station . I looked around , unsure where I was supposed to be a massive glass desk that sat Then I sawit . A small cubicle tucked against the side of his office , minimal and clean . A desk , a monitor , a sleek chair . Just enough to type and not much more . I walked over and sat slowly The space didn't even have a door . Just three glass panels and a partial wall separating it from Rick's desk . I looked around , then noticed something else . Another cubicle , not far from mine , also inside his office . Before I could ask , I heard footsteps . Heels , confident and sharp . I turned . Benita walked in . She looked beautiful , same flawless hair , designer bag on her arm , subtle perfume trailing behind her . Rick looked up and stood " Fiona , " he said , turning toward me , " this is Benite and she's going to be my personal assistant- My stomach dropped . She smiled like it was the most casual thing in the world . " Looks like we'll be working close together , " she said . 10:09 Wed , 27 Aug Chapter 27 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!