Chapter 3 This is my Company

Chapter 3

​After treating my scrapes, soaking in the tub, and ordering Chinese food delivery, I sat on my large hotel sofa alone. The sky outside had turned very dark, and rain began to fall.

​I tied my slightly loose bathrobe and stared blankly at the TV across from me. For the last hour, my head had been busy trying to guess who my savior was. Well, since I couldn't guess his name, at least I could guess his profession.

​With his firm, intimidating voice and face, he was likely a young banker. He didn't look much older than me-maybe in his 30s? But there was something in those blue eyes that made him look like he wasn't just in his 30s.

​I bit the corner of my lip, furrowing my brow, until a knock interrupted my thoughts. I walked to the hotel room door and opened it. A bellboy stood there holding my delivery and a black box. I gave him the money for the delivery along with a tip, then took the Chinese food I had ordered.

​"Miss Heather? This is for you as well," he said, handing over the black box he was carrying.

​"For me?" I stared at the box hesitantly. It looked like an expensive Godiva chocolate box, only larger and without a label. "I didn't order this."

​"A man delivered it twenty minutes ago, Miss." He then handed me a paper tucked behind the box. A small envelope with a wax seal.

​I thanked the bellboy and closed the door. My curiosity immediately shifted to the black box. I sat back on the sofa and opened the envelope.

​I hope this one fits you. See you tomorrow, Queen Eleanor.

​My heart skipped a beat as I read the note. He knew where I was staying. My eyes shifted to the black box, and I opened it with trembling hands.

​Inside was a pair of black heels-the exact same ones I had lost today. My mouth hung open as I touched the smooth leather of the shoes. I checked the size: it was exactly my size.

​How did he know my size? And how did he know which hotel I was staying at?

​I set the note on the table and stared at the shoes. I should have been afraid, but instead, I felt a strange warmth in my chest.

​The next morning, I woke up feeling much fresher. I wore the new heels-which fit perfectly-along with a black pencil skirt and a white blouse. I felt like a different person.

​I arrived at the Shaw & Partner building ten minutes early. This time, I didn't stop at the reception desk and went straight to the 15th floor.

​"Good morning, Miss Heather. You look beautiful today," Mrs. Lynch greeted me with a small smile-the first smile I had seen from her.

​"Thank you, Mrs. Lynch," I replied, trying to hide my surprise.

​"Mr. Shaw wants to meet you in his office on the 20th floor. He wants a direct report regarding the audit progress," she continued, her eyes scanning my appearance.

​My heart started racing. "Mr. Shaw? Which one?"

​"Mr. Nicholas Shaw. He is the CEO of this company."

​I nodded, trying to stay calm. Nicholas Shaw. The man Christine said was gay. Well, at least I didn't have to worry about him being "yummy."

​I took the elevator to the 20th floor. The atmosphere here was much quieter and more professional than on the 15th floor. The walls were made of glass, providing an incredible view of Manhattan.

​A female secretary greeted me and asked me to wait for a moment. I sat in a comfortable leather chair, my eyes scanning the room. Everything here looked very expensive and modern.

​"Mr. Shaw is ready to see you now, Miss Heather."

​I stood up and smoothed my skirt before walking toward the large door at the end of the hallway. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

​The room was very large, with a desk facing the window. A man was standing with his back to me, looking out at the view.

​"Good morning, Mr. Shaw. I am Eleanor Heather, the independent auditor for-"

​"I know who you are, Eleanor."

​That voice.

​The man turned around, and my heart almost stopped. It was him. My savior from yesterday.

​He wore a dark blue suit that fit his body perfectly. His blue eyes stared at me with that same intensity, a small smile playing on his lips.

​"You..." I stammered, my brain unable to process what was happening.

​"I believe I haven't officially introduced myself." He walked toward me, stopping just a few inches away. "Nicholas Shaw."

​He reached out his hand, and I reflexively took it. His hand felt warm and strong against mine.

​"You're Nicholas Shaw?" I asked, still in disbelief.

​"In the flesh." He smiled wider, his eyes scanning my face. "And I see the shoes fit you perfectly."

​I looked down at my feet, then back at him. "How did you know my size? And how did you know I was staying at that hotel?"

​He laughed softly-a deep, pleasant sound. "I have my ways, Eleanor. Now, shall we talk about the audit?"

​He gestured toward the chairs in front of his desk. I sat down, trying to regain my professionalism. But it was hard to focus when he was sitting right across from me, his gaze never leaving my face.

​"I've started detailing the cash inflows from Bank Rotterdam, as Mrs. Lynch requested," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

​"Good. I want you to be very thorough. I suspect there's something more than just a simple markup going on," he replied, his expression turning serious.

​We talked about the audit for the next hour. He was very sharp and knowledgeable, asking pointed questions that showed he knew exactly what was going on in his company.

​"I think that's enough for today," he said eventually, leaning back in his chair. "I have a lunch meeting, but I'd like to continue this over dinner tonight."

​"Dinner?" I asked, surprised.

​"Yes. I'll pick you up at your hotel at seven."

​"I-I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Shaw. I'm here to work, and-"

​"It's just dinner, Eleanor. And I'm the one who hired you, so I think I'm allowed to take you to dinner," he interrupted, his voice commanding yet gentle.

​I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. Seven o'clock."

​"I'll see you then, Queen Eleanor."

​I spent the rest of the day in a daze. I couldn't believe I was going to dinner with Nicholas Shaw-the billionaire, the "gay" CEO, and the man who had saved my life.

​I finished my work early and headed back to the hotel. I spent an hour choosing what to wear, finally settling on a simple navy blue dress that Lana had given me. It was elegant but not too flashy.

​At exactly seven o'clock, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find Nicholas standing there, looking even more handsome than he had this morning.

​"You look stunning, Eleanor," he said, his eyes filled with admiration.

​"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself," I replied, feeling a bit more confident.

​He laughed and led me to the elevator. A black SUV was waiting for us in front of the hotel. He opened the door for me, and we drove off into the Manhattan night.

​The restaurant he took me to was small and intimate, hidden away in a quiet corner of the city. There were no signs outside, and the interior was lit only by candles.

​"I hope you like Italian food," he said as we sat down.

​"I love it," I replied.

​We ordered a bottle of wine and started talking. Not about work, but about our lives, our interests, our dreams. He was easy to talk to, and I found myself opening up to him in a way I never had with anyone else.

​"So, why did you become an auditor?" he asked, leaning forward.

​"I like numbers. They're reliable. They don't lie or cheat," I replied, thinking of Oliver.

​His expression softened. "I'm sorry about what happened with your ex-boyfriend."

​I looked at him in surprise. "How do you know about that?"

​"I told you, I have my ways. And I think he was a fool for letting you go."

​I felt my face heating up. "Thank you."

​We finished our dinner and were just about to leave when I remembered something. "I still owe you for the shoes, Mr. Shaw. Let me know how much they were, and I'll-"

​"Forget the shoes, Eleanor. Consider them a gift from a grateful client."

​"I can't accept them. They're far too expensive, and I'm an auditor-it could be seen as a bribe."

​He laughed. "I assure you, I'm not trying to bribe you. I just wanted to replace what was lost."

​"Still, I'd feel better if I paid you back." I wouldn't be able to buy shoes that expensive, I added in my heart.

​When he didn't reply, I opened the menu in my hand and started browsing the items. No prices were listed, which meant only one thing: everything was expensive.

​I bit my lip, guessing which item was the cheapest. "Have you ordered?" I asked, glancing at him. He was quieter this time, making me even more nervous.

​He just nodded. "Are you ready to order?" he asked, raising his hand to call the waiter. Two seconds later, a waiter appeared beside our table. "Ready, Sir?"

​"Eleanor." His voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up at him again. "What are you thinking about?"

​Without realizing it, I was still biting my lip. "Oh, nothing. Just work. So, are you ready to tell me your name?"

​"I don't know where you work yet."

​I don't even know your name yet!

​I mentioned the name of the accounting firm where I worked. "But I'm currently auditing a client's company. Shaw & Partner," I added.

​A look of surprise crossed his face, and then he furrowed his eyebrows. "You work for me?"

​Huh? My feeling of nervousness slowly turned into a slight unease. "I'm sorry, what..."

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