Chapter 5 Wishing Well

Ethan sat on his chair, looking up at the clock, then at his phone. It was the Monday his new secretary was supposed to start and he felt a little fidgety.

That was what he couldn't understand, he was the boss, he was the one that should be filled with the air of authority not the other way around

"How can she be late on her first day "he breathed out

Somehow he knew this feeling, he'd always had it whenever a new secretary was starting. The feeling of hope... Maybe she could...maybe, the nervousness that followed with waiting for something always taunted him.

He stood up and paced up and down

This wouldn't do he thought to himself,he was a nervous wreck

He took his phone and walked out of the office.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Ava stared at her reflection in the mirror, she breathed in and out. She brought out her red lipstick but paused when the lipstick was halfway to her lips

"What am I doing "she said bringing her hand down. She had brought the red lipstick to make an impression, at least that was what female leads in the movies did when they were about to face their rival.

But she wasn't a female lead in a movie, she wasn't even sure if she was a female lead in life or an extra in somebody else's story

"Ava... You've always been quiet and shy with a low self-confidence... But throw that into the trash today,

You're actually really beautiful I mean look at you, you have been born again today"she said moving her weight awkwardly from one feet to the other

"You have brown eyes that smile, a perfect shape nose and full lips "

She knew she was pretty, everybody knew but that was what brought her most of the bad luck she had in life, wasn't it supposed to be the other way round??

"You're going into the lion's den, even if you feel shy don't show it or you'll be trampled on, you must keep your head high and think critically, use your quiet spirit as your weapon... "She paused as her emotions rose

"... And most of all, do this for Dad "

She said and breathed out, she walked out of the toilet feeling much more at ease than when she had come in

She'd thought she was dreaming when she had been offered the position of secretary, she went from thinking that it was just a dream that was both fueled by her fever and the thirst for revenge until she had gotten a call that she was to start immediately the following week.

She'd had no reaction at first, she had just wanted to confirm if it was actually real. Was God finally on her side?, Or was it Fate?

She knew for sure that she was going to bring Ethan Walker down,no matter what it took.

She walked down the hallway into the COO's office, she had gotten directions earlier. She knocked twice before entering.

He had his face buried in paperwork, a thick rimed glasses hanging on his nose

"Hello I'm Ava Anderson the new secretary that's starting today"

He looked up at her with a smile, she paused when their eyes met, he smile disappeared

Even if she normally had bad memory all her life, she could not forget this man's face, he was her secret crush... Well not really

"Uh..you..you are the real estate agent "he said his brows furrowed

"Not" she said.He paused a slow smile formed on his lips

"Ethan's gonna hate me for this" he muttered but he was smiling.Ava took this into consideration

Did he hate Ethan too?..or

"Please,don't mind the coincidence...do you believe in fate?coz I do" He said offering her a seat.

She sat cautiously, Fate? of course

"So according to your resume you're an investigative journalist? "

"Yes" but not currently she wanted to add

"Well ,there's not much to a secretary job here especially with Ethan, you just have to make calls, arrange schedule, attend to some of his personal needs"

Personal needs

"I will say you're more like his personal assistant "he said and she nodded

"You are 26?"

"Yes Sir"

He nodded, his attention on the work on his desk

"Okay that's about what you need, I'll be sending his schedule to you on mail so if you ever need anything or... "He paused

"If Ethan makes things hard for you,you can call me to vent" he smiled

"If I make things hard for him you mean" she said under her breath

" What?"

"Oh... nothing"

"Let's go then"

As they walked through the corridors realization dawned on her, if this man here was at the real estate office does that mean that Ethan was the one...

Ehyy...no...no way, things like that only happened in movies

But if he was the one...it meant he was the one buying her father's house and for what?...she held herself from thinking further as they approached the door

He knocked on it and entered, she followed behind

And just as she thought!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ethan looked up from Bryant to the lady standing behind him, those brown eyes and darker shade of wavy long hair...the embarrassment that followed

"Isn't this a lovely reunion" Ethan said, he didn't even want to pretend like he wasn't aware of the situation

There was no way he could forget her face, he'd never been so embarrassed like that in a long time

Bryant stepped forward

"This is Ava Anderson" He looked at her again.She stared straight at him, everything about her was gentle but not the gaze she gave him. This isn't the one, he concluded, disappointed and surprisingly angry.

"I can't do this" He said standing

"Get me someone else"

"Ethan" Bryant called puzzled

Ava scoffed

He wasn't even likeable, getting to drag him down would leave no trace of guilt in her heart

"You can't just do that" A hint of frustration in Bryant's voice

"Why can't I?"

"What is so wrong with her"

"She isn't the one..." He paused glancing at her, she stared back daggers in her eyes

The one? Are you some three year old with Disney fantasy she wanted to say but only did in her mind

"...see...see the way she's staring at me, woah everything about her just seems off,don't tell me I'm the only one feeling it"

Ava rolled her eyes, she'd heard enough

"Mr Ethan" she called

"I'm standing right here"

"So what...I'm aware of that" he scoffed

Childish fool!! She wanted to shout

"If...if you're going to fire me before I start that's a breach of contract...I have to stay at least three years for you to do that"

"I paid and received that fine four times this year and we haven't even signed a contract yet"

Ava was taken aback

I thought you killed people that breached your contracts, she wanted to say but only did in her mind. One thing she knew from experience was that she could get a man of authority by kissing up to his useless ego, at this point annoying him wouldn't help her

"I'd do anything to work here" so I can bring you down she added in her mind

She meant it, yes she'd said and done a lot of things that she didn't want at her former work place even when there was nothing in it for her, but now she had a lot of things to accomplish

"Anything?" Ethan asked

She nodded

"Even turning into a wishing well?"

"As long as you throw in good money"

Ethan held her gaze...she could see his inner struggle but then his features relaxed and his lips curved in amusement

"That's my specialty"

Tell me about it! She wanted to say

"Okay then...I'll put that in our contract remember you promised to do anything,I don't take it lightly with those who go against their words" his voice dropped at the last sentence,it was quiet and too calm it was threatening

Ava swallowed hard, of course she knew from experience.