Chapter 4 Late Already

"Could you please organize these files? For the latest revisions, put them directly on Mr. Corbyn's desk."

Unable to refuse, at least a pile of folders, about forty centimeters high, shifted into Vanny's hands. She quickly used her strength to prevent the folders from falling.

"Ma'am-"

"After you're done sorting this, check Mr. Corbyn's schedule for next week. There's a newly received email, and it contains changes to the company's annual activities. Check the events Mr. Corbyn needs to attend and see if there are any conflicts with his schedule."

"Ma'am-"

"And after that, don't forget to check all accommodations related to Mr. Corbyn's business trip for the next two weeks. Make sure everything, from flights to hotels, is all set."

"Ma'am-"

"Oh, right. Since you're going as well, don't forget to take care of your own needs. If there's anything you need or anything like that, you can take care of it yourself. Okay?"

Vanny blinked her eyes and repeated the word in the same tone, in a questioning way.

"Okay?"

Astoria nodded. "Okay."

W-Wait a minute.

Vanny realized. She quickly put the pile of folders on her desk and walked over to Astoria, who was engrossed in her work again. Her hand reached out and gently tugged at the first secretary's shirt sleeve.

"M-Ma'am."

Shyly, Vanny called Astoria. The stern expression on the middle-aged woman's face made Vanny hesitate.

Should I tell her now or later? But...

Astoria turned around with ten fingers still moving on the computer keyboard. It impressed Vanny.

Being a secretary is no small thing, huh? Beautiful, smart, and multitalented.

"Why?"

Astoria's voice drove all forms of admiration out of Vanny's mind. She blinked briefly. Then she remembered her original reason for coming this morning. It was to quit her job.

Vanny took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She stared at Astoria without blinking, causing the woman to furrow her brow. She seemed confused.

"Ma'am," Vanny whispered. "I don't want to refuse all the tasks you've just assigned me, but I do want to say something."

Astoria met Vanny's gaze. "What?"

"It seems I can't continue here as second secretary."

Astoria remained silent. She did not say anything while the wrinkles on her forehead deepened. She did not seem to understand what Vanny was saying.

"What do you mean?"

Vanny strengthened herself. "I want to quit this job, Ma'am."

Having said that, Vanny fell silent. She deliberately did not speak any more and waited for Astoria's reaction.

"R-Resign?"

Just as Vanny suspected, Astoria seemed incredulous.

"Yes, Ma'am," Vanny nodded. "I want to resign. I don't want to be Mr. Corbyn's second secretary."

Astoria blinked repeatedly. Her hands left the keyboard now. She turned her body slightly to face Vanny.

"If you don't want to be the second secretary...", Astoria whispered. "... does that mean you want to be the first secretary?"

Vanny gaped.

"Um... well, it's just that..." Astoria seemed confused. "... it seems..."

"That's not what I meant, Ma'am," Vanny interrupted as she held Astoria's hand. "I don't want to be the first secretary either. No. But I really don't want to be Mr. Corbyn's secretary, first or second..." Vanny emphasized her point. "... I just don't want to."

Silently, Astoria could only stare at Vanny in silence. It seemed she needed some time to fully understand Vanny's words. But after a few seconds, the confusion was still visible on her face.

"D-Don't want to?"

Vanny nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. I don't want to."

"T-That means?"

"I want to quit this job. I don't want to work here."

"How is that possible?"

"That-a"

Vanny could not answer Astoria's innocent question. Trying to come up with a reasonable explanation felt futile. Vanny's mind seemed unable to function at that moment.

As if I could tell Mrs. Belle that I don't want to be the second secretary because Haris is my ex-boyfriend. It would be so embarrassing.

Vanny swore she would not say that to Astoria. Her already fragile self-esteem would be shattered in an instant.

"That?"

Astoria repeated the word Vanny had said earlier. In a different tone, of course. In a questioning tone that made Vanny bite her lower lip. Astoria was obviously waiting for her explanation.

"Ring!"

The sound of the phone on Astoria's desk startled both women from different eras. In unison, they looked at the telecommunications device. Astoria immediately shifted her chair, thanks to the wheels on its legs, she didn't have to struggle to reach the phone.

"Sir."

Vanny held her breath when she heard Astoria's greeting. She could guess that Haris was on the line.

"All right, Sir. It will be delivered to your office as soon as possible."

Astoria nodded once before putting the phone back down. She turned to Vanny.

"Vanny, hurry up and sort out those files from earlier. Mr. Corbyn needs the revisions."

Vanny stammered, "B-But, Ma'am-"

"Mr. Corbyn needs those revisions for tomorrow's meeting. So please hurry. I have other work to do as well."

Ignoring what Vanny was about to say, Astoria returned to her seat. This time she went back to her computer, which had a darkened screen. She resumed her work immediately.

Vanny sighed. She looked at Astoria, who had returned her focus to the computer, and then shifted her gaze to the pile of folders on her desk. She had no other choice. After all, she had to do what was her responsibility at that moment.

"But, Ma'am."

But the fact was that Vanny could not really concentrate on her work. She called Astoria again.

"I really can't work here," Vanny said again when Astoria looked at her. "I really want to quit."

Astoria's eyes rolled dramatically. "You've been talking about quitting all this time, are you serious?"

"I am serious, Ma'am."

"If you're serious," Astoria continued, "what's the reason you want to resign?"

"Um... the reason..."

Vanny could not answer this question. Of course not. And Astoria, who once again did not get an answer to her question, patted Vanny on the shoulder.

"Trust me. Being a secretary isn't as scary as you think."

"Not as scary as I think?"

Astoria nodded. Her eyes glanced briefly at the agenda book she had given to Vanny earlier. The agenda book, which contained many details about what she had to do as Haris' second secretary, lay on Vanny's desk.

"I know the job of a secretary is quite demanding," Astoria continued, taking a deep breath. Her expression showed empathy. "But if you take it slow, you'll enjoy it."

Vanny swallowed her frustration. In her heart she grumbled.

Take it slow? Enjoy it all? Ha ha ha. How can I enjoy it if I have to see my ex every day?

Astoria's hand moved. From Vanny's shoulder it went down to Vanny's fingers and squeezed them gently, as if to give her colleague moral support.

"Working with Mr. Corbyn is nice, Van. I can guarantee that. When you accompany him on business trips, it feels like you're on vacation. Mr. Corbyn really knows how to enjoy life."

Vanny swallowed her frustration. She held back a grin when she could not answer Astoria's words directly.

I know, Ma'am, I know. I know how pleasant it is with Haris. That's why I don't want to continue working here, especially as his second secretary. I don't want to.

"So..."

Astoria's grip on Vanny's fingers tightened. Along with her smile that appeared afterwards.

"... you finish your work and hurry to deliver the revisions to Mr. Corbyn."

With that, Astoria returned to her computer, leaving Vanny dejected. She bit her lower lip, closed her eyes, and clenched her fists in front of her face. Unable to express her frustration, Vanny had no choice.

Okay, fine. In that case, I'll just tell Haris directly that I want to resign.

In the end, Vanny knew this was the only way she could go. She would use the newly revised files to express her desire to resign.

Vanny took a deep breath, gathered her courage and knocked on Haris's office door. Then she heard a voice from inside.

"Come in."

No need to ask how many prayers Vanny said silently in her heart as she pushed the door open. It took every ounce of strength in her body and mind not to faint right there.

Oh God, please strengthen me.

Closing the door behind her, Vanny entered. Her eyes went across the room to Haris, who was sitting behind his desk.

The clock had already struck eleven. Haris' appearance was not as fresh as it had been when Vanny had first seen him in the morning. But Haris still looked charming in Vanny's eyes.

Huh?

Vanny blinked when Haris smiled at her. She looked down at the folder in her hand.

"This, Mr. Corbyn."

Nervously and stuttering, Vanny handed the folder to Haris. He took it without much interest and placed it on the side of his desk.

With both hands on the desk, Haris looked at Vanny. His expression was relaxed, as casual as when he asked.

"How was your first day of work? Smooth, wasn't it?"

Vanny did not know how to express her gratitude, but Haris' question gave her the opportunity to express her intention.

"Smooth."

This one word made Haris smile again. But the smile did not last long, because Vanny's next words made it disappear in an instant.

"But this is not the job I want."

Haris furrowed his brow. He was silent for a moment, his unblinking eyes fixed on Vanny.

"What do you mean?"

Vanny took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Really! Her heart was racing at that moment. She was shaking from head to toe.

"What I mean," Vanny said, "is that I never thought about working as a secretary. That's why..." Her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "... I want to quit this job."

Silence for a moment. In the eerie silence between them, Vanny felt her heart beat even faster. She was tense and her body was already sweating.

"You want to quit this job? Resign as my second secretary?"

As if Vanny's words were not clear enough, Haris asked her again. And the quick nod he received made Haris sigh rhythmically.

"Well, well, well," Haris said, shaking his head. "How long has it been since we met?"

By bringing up a completely unrelated topic, Haris managed to turn the situation around. If before he had been the one who looked confused, now it was the other way around. It was Vanny who looked puzzled.

"Nine years? Um... or ten years?" Haris asked with an unsure expression. He tilted his head to one side and brushed his finger across his chin. He truly had the look of someone deep in thought.

"Eleven years," Vanny corrected. "Approximately."

Haris' focus returned to Vanny with a twinkle in his eye.

"Ah, right. About eleven years. The last time we met was at our high school graduation, right? You gave me a red balloon and asked me to break up with you."

Oh God.

Vanny closed her eyes. She did not want to, but she was being pulled back into the past. How could she have given Haris a balloon and then asked him to break up with her?

"Okay, putting aside the red balloon..."

Haris continued his words, unintentionally making Vanny open her eyes. She looked at him and found no trace of emotion on his face. In a way, that made Vanny breathe a sigh of relief.

"I'm wondering now. What have you been doing the last eleven years since we last met?"

Was this a new tactic to embarrass her ex? Asking about her job to raise his own status?

That was the suspicion that crossed Vanny's mind when she heard the question. A suspicion that of course made her shrink immediately. How could she answer this question? With the embarrassing truth of moving from one job to another in a short period of time?

"Sorry. I didn't mean to insult you or anything, Vanny," Haris said when he didn't get an answer. "I just wanted to make sure you were working and had some income."

Vanny's face really fell this time. She was convinced of her suspicion.

See, I knew it! This must be the latest version of the tactic to embarrass the ex.

Vanny reminded herself not to get emotionally provoked. She had to be patient, considering her position and the clear difference between her and Haris: subordinate and boss.

"Hopefully, for the income..." Vanny replied calmly, even smiling. "... I have enough."

Haris blinked once. "A lot?"

"W-Well?"

Vanny's smile disappeared.

Why isn't it polite to ask someone if they have a lot of money or not?

Vanny's face could not hide the curses echoing in her head. Instead, it reflected what was going on in her mind. And Haris said quickly, "I'm sorry, Van. Again, I didn't mean to insult you or anything. I was just curious."

Hardly, but Vanny was clearly sulking. "Why do you care, Sir?"

In a situation like that, Vanny praised herself for still being able to keep her composure. At least she still kept her manners when addressing her ex, who was now her boss. Instead of cursing Haris for bringing up the subject of work and money, Vanny continued to address him as Sir.

"To make sure you really want to resign as my second secretary."

The connection?

Vanny became more and more confused as she noticed that the wrinkle in her forehead was deepening. In response, Haris also wrinkled his forehead. His eyes narrowed with a questioning look.

"Uh... before you said you wanted to resign from this job," Haris spoke quietly. "Did you check your employment contract, Van?"

Blinking, Vanny tried to remember. But she was not sure. And when he saw the doubt in her face, a smile immediately spread across Haris's face.

"I... uh..."

Even Vanny doubted if she had ever read her contract, which made Haris sigh. He clapped his hands lightly, feigning disappointment, and then leaned back in his chair.

"Oh, Van! What's the matter with you? I thought you read your contract yesterday."

There was something different in Haris's tone at that moment, something that made Vanny feel queasy. My goodness! It was not even lunch time yet and Vanny was already feeling nauseous.

"W-what's up with the employment contract?"

As stupid as it sounded, Vanny asked spontaneously. It was a fatal mistake, considering how Haris burst into laughter instead of answering.

"S-Sir-"

"Vanny, I think it's better if you read your employment contract thoroughly first," Haris interrupted in the middle of his laughter. "Once you've read it, come back here and we can discuss the possibility of you resigning from this job."

Hearing this did not reassure Vanny; it only increased her anxiety. She hated it because she did not know why.

"Now you can go and continue your work."

Vanny stayed where she was, not moving as she watched Haris still laughing and shaking his head. She could barely hear his laughter.

"Hahaha. Vanny, Vanny."

This only increased Vanny's suspicion. Along with a growing sense of worry that filled her head. But there was nothing she could do but leave Haris's office with one big question.

What's with the employment contract?

Vanny felt almost insane in her state of ignorance, which made her restless all day. It took a lot of patience to get through the remaining hours with a clear head. Instead of going straight to her apartment to check what was written in the employment contract. And when she finally read it, Vanny felt her throat tighten.

"A-a fine of one billion dolars?"

Vanny thought that maybe her eyes suddenly had a problem with myopia, so she pushed the contract away from her. But, damn it! The number remained the same.

"I-is this really a billion dolars?"

Even when Vanny rubbed her eyes repeatedly, the number remained the same. Unchanged.

"My God. Is that really a billion dolars?"

The contract slipped from Vanny's hand and fell to the floor, while Vanny immediately grabbed her hair. She was in shock.

"Aaah!!!"

She actually screamed, unable to contain her frustration, as Haris' image suddenly flashed in her mind, along with his words from this afternoon.

"Vanny, I think it's better if you read your employment contract thoroughly first. Once you've read it, come back here and we can discuss the possibility of you resigning from this job."

Damn it!

Vanny swallowed hard. Now she understood why Haris had laughed. No matter how rich she was, it was impossible for her to pay such a fine.

A billion dolars? Oh, my goodness! Is this for real?

You can imagine how shaken Vanny was at that moment. Everything seemed to be spinning around in her head. From the fact that she had become her ex-boyfriend's second secretary to the shadow of a billion dolar fine. It was just her bad luck. But when she had decided to quit the job with the fantastic salary to avoid Haris, she discovered another fact: there was a penalty she would have to pay if she quit the job. A substantial penalty.

Vanny looked at the contract again, read it once more, only to find that the reality hadn't changed. It made her feel even more depressed.

"Oh dear. What kind of job has a a billion-dolars penalty? What job?" asked Vanny roaring. Her eyes bulged and her face turned red. "And what kind of idiot would sign a contract with a billion-dolars penalty?"

Seriously, Vanny was sure she was going to lose it any minute!

"What idiot?!"

*