Chapter 5 Secrets

April's legs wobbled as she stood frozen in the doorway. Her breath hitched, and her heart hammered in her chest. There, sitting in the CEO's chair with an air of authority, was Richard Dowell-her husband. The man she had been trying so hard to avoid now stared at her with that familiar mix of arrogance and disdain.

"What-what are you doing here?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Richard leaned back in the chair, his dark eyes cold and calculating. "I should be asking you the same question, April Dowell," he said, his tone sharp as a blade.

April blinked, her breath catching in her throat. "This is your company?"

His lips curled into a smirk. "What gave it away? The name on the building or the fact that I'm sitting here?" His sarcasm only fueled her confusion and anger.

"This doesn't make any sense," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "You... Everyone said you were broke!"

Richard's expression darkened, and he rose from his chair, his imposing figure towering over her. "What everyone believes is exactly what I want them to believe. And if you're smart, April, you'll keep it that way."

Her brows furrowed as she tried to process his words. "Why would you hide something like this?"

His gaze turned icy, and his voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "That's none of your business. What is your business is keeping your mouth shut. Not a word about my ownership of this company leaves your lips. Do you understand?"

April flinched at the intensity in his tone. "I wasn't planning to-"

"I'm not asking," he cut her off, stepping closer. "If anyone finds out because of you, I'll make sure you regret it. Do I make myself clear?"

Her heart raced as she stared up at him. The man before her wasn't just her cold, distant husband-he was someone far more dangerous. "Crystal clear," she whispered, barely able to keep her voice steady.

For a moment, Richard said nothing, his gaze locked on hers as if trying to gauge her sincerity. Then he stepped back, his smirk returning.

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have actual work to do."

April didn't wait for him to say more. She turned and fled the office, her mind reeling.

When she reached the waiting area, April found Gina pacing nervously. The moment Gina saw her, she rushed over. "What happened? Did you get the job?"

April hesitated, her encounter with Richard still fresh in her mind. "I... I'll tell you later," she muttered, unable to find the right words.

Before Gina could press further, the sultry secretary called her name. "Miss Gina Taylor, you're next."

Gina flashed April a quick smile. "Wish me luck!" she whispered before hurrying into the office.

April watched her friend disappear out of sight and sighed loudly in frustration.

*

April paced the living room of Richard's mansion, her mind swirling with frustration and questions.

She hadn't seen him since their encounter at RCD Tech earlier that day. Every hour felt like an eternity, and she couldn't shake the memory of his cold warning: "Not a word about me."

Her hands tightened into fists as she replayed his tone, his imposing presence.

She wasn't sure what angered her more-the fact that he owned one of the city's most prestigious companies without her knowing and thinking he was truly broke or the way he had treated her like a trespasser in his domain.

The sound of the front door opening broke her thoughts. Her heart leaped, and she quickly straightened, smoothing her dress.

Richard stepped inside, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression unreadable as usual.

"You're late," April blurted out before she could stop herself.

He arched an eyebrow, setting his briefcase down. "I don't owe you an explanation, April. Not everyone is jobless as you. What do you want?"

His dismissive tone stung, but she refused to let it get to her. "We need to talk," she said.

Richard sighed, loosening his tie as he walked past her toward the bar.

"If this is about earlier, I thought I made myself clear? Don't talk about me or my company. End of discussion."

"No, it's not just that," she said, following him. "I want to work."

He paused mid-pour, then turned to face her, his eyes narrowing. "Work? At my company?"

"Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the growing lump in her throat. "I can't sit around here all day doing nothing, Richard. I need a job. I need to do something meaningful."

He chuckled, the sound low and humorless. "You're serious?"

"I am," she insisted, her chin lifting defiantly. "You said I shouldn't tell anyone about your ownership, and I won't. I'll just be another employee. I promise, no one will know."

Richard leaned against the bar, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "You're not qualified to work at RCD Tech, April."

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger. "You don't even know what I'm capable of! I actually got an email from them and that's why I was there earlier today. If I wasn't good, why did they consider me? I can learn. I'll work hard. Just give me a chance."

"That email was definitely a mistake, April and it was rectified!" He said through gritted teeth.

"Please, Richard," she said softly, not wanting to argue anymore, and took a step closer to him. "I need this. I don't want to feel useless anymore."

For a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes-pity, perhaps, or understanding. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Fine," he said at last, his tone clipped. "But there will be rules."

Her heart leaped with relief. "Thank you! I promise I'll follow-"

"Don't thank me yet," he interrupted, his gaze darkening. "You'll start at the bottom. No special treatment. You'll report to someone else, not me, and if you slip up-if you so much as breathe a word about me to anyone-you're done. Understood?"

April quickly nodded. "Understood."

"Good," he said, straightening. "You'll hear from HR tomorrow."

He grabbed his briefcase and headed for the stairs, leaving April standing in the middle of the room, watching him leave.

"Yes!" She squealed happily, pouching the air once he was out of sight.