Royal Burden

"Mum, Dad, I have good news," Alice running into her parent's room without permission. "What is it dear? Alice's mother, Chelsea, asked. Ana just called, she said there is a job opening at her place of work, she submitted my application and I was selected to come for an interview," Alice said. "I thought Ana worked in Texas, has she gotten a job in Georgia?" Chelsea asked. "No she still works in Texas," Alice said. "So what you are saying is that the job opening is in Texas and you will have to move there?" Alice's dad, Darlington, asked.

"Yes dad," Alice said. "No way dear, there is no way I'm allowing you move out, your current job is okay," Darlington said. "Dad you know my current job is really stressful, my senior are a pain in the neck and the pay is not good but if I get this job, I'm sure it will be good, I will be able to help out more with the expenses at home and I will get more exposure, I browsed up the company and it's among the top ten in Texas," Alice said trying to convince her father.

"My dear you are still to young to leave far away from us and you can look for a better job here, I can even help you," Darlington said. "Dad, stop being like this, this job is a good opportunity and you know that, I am turning 25 in my the next four months, I'm no longer a kid, I think i have the right to move out if I want to," Alice said. "My dear, your dad is right, staying alone is not easy," Chelsea said.

"I am not a kid, I can handle myself, you both have kept me locked up in this house for too long, you didn't even let me stay in hostel when i was in college, I had to go to school from home, I'm old enough to know what's best for me," Alice said and stormed out of her parent's bedroom, slamming the door as she went.

When Alice got to her room she called her best friend, Ana. "Sup girl, tell me when are you coming?" Ana asked. "My parents didn't give me their permission," Alice said. "Oh, what will you do now, this job is a good opportunity for you," Ana said. "I know, I'm still moving whether they give me their permission or not," Alice said.

"Are you sure girl, you would be putting a rift between you and your family," Ana said. "I know but I'm done letting them take all the decisions in my life, I will take the job it's good for me," Alice said. "Hmm, okay just let me know when you are coming so I will pick you up at the airport," Ana said. "Okay bye," Alice said and hanged up.

Alice stayed in her room refusing to come out even for dinner, she was angry at her parents, this wasn't the only time they stopped her from doing something because it was far from home and she was tired, she already made up her mind this time, she will go to Texas whether they like it or not.

Alice was woken up early the next day by her parents who wanted to speak with her. "Mum, Dad, we can talk later, I still want to sleep," Alice said covering herself with the duvet. "My dear, let's talk we have something to tell you," Chelsea said. Alice grudgingly sat up, itching her eyes. "What is it, it's so early," Alice said.

"Alice my dear, your dad and I talked we agreed to let you go to Texas, you can take the job offer," Chelsea said. "Really," Alice said widening her eyes in shock. "Yes dear, we are sorry for keeping you locked in this house, we are just scared you won't be able to handle the outside world on your own," Darlington said.

"As you said, you will be twenty-five soon, you are already a young woman and as your parents we shouldn't force all our decisions on you, as your parents we will guide you and lead you on the right path, so my dear you are free to chase after your dreams," Chelsea said. "Mum, Dad, Alice said and hugged her parents.

"I'm sorry for being rude to the both of you yesterday," Alice said. "It's okay my dear," Darlington said patting her head. "So when is the interview?" Chelsea asked. "On Tuesday," Alice said. "Tuesday, you have only three days to left, " Darlington said. "Yes dad," Alice said. "That's so sudden, go freshen up I will help you pack your stuff," Chelsea saidand left the room with Darlington.

"Are you sure we are making the right decision, letting her go out of your protection?" Darlington asked. "I don't know but we can't let our daughter suffer for our past, if the vision come to past the so be it, we can't forever run away from our destiny," Chelsea said. Darlington sighed defeated seeing there is nothing else he can say.

Alice called Ana immediately her parents left the room. "Good morning, how are you doing?" Ana asked. "I have good news," Alice said. "What is it?" Ana asked. "My parents gave their permission to move to Texas, I'm flying to Texas tomorrow," Alice said excitedly. "They did!" Ana exclaimed. "Yes I was also surprised," Alice said.

"That's nice, I'm so happy, we will get to live together for a while and do crazy stuff like we used to do back in college," Ana said. "I miss those too, when I come you will give me a first class tour of the city," Alice said. "I will, I promise but I got to go, I was working on something before you called," Ana said.

"Okay bye," Alice said. "Before entering the plane tomorrow tell me when you will land at Texas so I can come pick you at the airport, Bye," Ana said and hanged up.

Alice spent yesterday packed her things her parents made sure she packed a lot of things. After making sure everything was packed, she took her luggage downstairs to meet her parents. "Dad, mum I'm all set," Alice said making her father sigh. "Dad there you go again being all emotional, aren't you happy for me?" Alice asked.

"No I'm not happy, I can't believe that our little girl is so big now, she's moving out to live on her own," Darlington said. "Dad you don't hve to worry, I will be living with Ana for a while before i get my own house and I can take care of myself," Alice said. "We trust you can but to us my dear, you are still our little baby that we have to protect," Chelsea said.

"Okay let's stop being emotional, come on you might miss your flight," Chelsea said. Alice was driven to the airport by her parents, they said there emotional goodbyes before leaving. To be honest to herself she will also miss her parents, this is the first time she living far from home but she won't be able to fulfil all her dreams if she stuck to her parents bossom.

So no matter how sad she was she will still go to Texas to start a new life. Alice's flight was delayed by an hour so she went to a cafe nearby to get a cup of coffee and some cupcakes on her way out she bumped into a young man and spilled the entire hot cup on coffee on him.

Despite spilling coffee on the young man, Alice didn't notice or rather her brain didn't register that incident, she was completely mesmerized by the man standing in front of her. With her eyes wide and mouth agape, she exclaimed, "Oh...my god".

She has never seen a man so beautiful with well-crafted facial features, skin as pale and smooth like a woman's, long eyelashes, straight nose, thin lips which were as red as strawberries and his eyes, there was something about them that compelled her to get lost in them.

"How can you be so clumsy?" The young man asked bringing Alice out of her world. "Oh I'm sorry Sir, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to," Alice said using her handkerchief to wipe off the stain. "Tch, that won't work, I will just get change in the washroom," the man said. "I will come with you Sir, so I can help," Alice blurted out making the young man look at her skeptically.

"Oh no, that's not what I meant, I just wanted to help," Alice said and left hurriedly out of embarrassment, how can she suggest to follow him to the washroom, to do what exactly, to help him take a bath. Alice went back to the airport trying to forget that embarrassing moment.

When the hour time was up, she processed her documents and went to board the plane. "You again!" Alice exclaimed when the guy from earlier came to sit beside her. "Is there a problem?" He asked. "No nothing," Alice said and turned away. "Sir I'm sorry for earlier," Alice said. "It's already in the past so forget about it," the man said, brought out his laptop to work, a clear indication that he will not entertain any other talk.

Alice didn't bother him anymore, she turned her attention to the movie that was playing. Throughout the journey, the young man beside Alice kept his eyes glued to his laptop, Alice wanted to talk to him but he just had this unapproachable aura around that will make people hesitate to approach him.

After about two and a half hours the plane landed at Texas. After clearing her luggages, Alice looked around for the guy earlier but couldn't find him, she didn't let that disturb her, after all everyone is meant to meet a mysteriously beautiful person once in a life time.

"Alice," someone screamed her name as soon as she got to the exit. "Oh my God, Ana," Alice said and hugged her. "I almost didn't recognize you, you've changed a lot, you look good girl," Ana said pulling out of the hug. "Of course, I got to look good, if not how will I get a handsome boyfriend," Ana said jokingly. "I take that back, you haven't changed, not even a bit, same old Ana," Alice said.

"I'm glad you moved here, missed you a lot," Ana said hugging her. "I missed you a lot too," Alice said. "Come on, let's go to my house," Ana said flagging down a taxi.

"How is it, it's looks expensive right?" Ana asked after showing Alice around her apartment. "What do I say it's nice but, do you really earn much to get this kind of place?" Alice asked. "The salary is good but I had to eat only twice a day to save enough of money for this house, I cut down a lot of expenses, it was also paid in installation and the agent in charge of this building was my boyfriend so I got a huge discount," Ana said.

"Oh I get it now, that's nice but do you have something to eat I'm kinda of hungry," Alice said. "Same old you, you still like food a lot, I cooked some spaghetti before going to the airport" Ana said leading her to the kitchen. After eating, Ana took Alice on a tour, she showed her all her favorite place. They ended the tour in a bar and return home last in the night dead drunk.

Next day

Alice followed to work since it was the day of the interview, she was nervous the company was a big and well know in Texas, seeing the amount of people going for the interview only made her nervous.

"I will have to leave you here," Ana said. "I'm so nervous, I think im the youngest here, everyone here look so experienced and competent," Alice said. "I trust you girl, you can do this just remember the tips I gave you yesterday, don't talk too much and be confident," Ana said. "Okay," Alice said. "I will get going, good luck," Ana said and left.

Not too long later, Alice was called in for the interview. She took in a deep long breathe and walked into the office with as much confidence as she can muster.

"Oh..my..God!" Alice exclaimed, the file she was holding fell to the floor.

It was the guy she met at the airport yesterday, the same guy she spilled coffee on he was sitting at the extreme end of the office.

"Miss please take your sit," the interviewer said.

The man was initially reading through her resume but had to look up when the lady at the door didn't move an inch. He looked at her closely, she was very beautiful with a cute face and round eyes, her skin was very fair and her dumbstruck look added to her cuteness.

He usually hates people who can't control their emotions but he was surprised that he found this lady cute.

What's wrong with me, he thought.

"Miss can you please take your seat so we can start," the interviewer said.

"O..Okay Sir," Alice said and hurriedly took her seat with a nervous expression, if before now she was now she was nervous now she was so close to wetting her pants.

"So Miss Alice, can you please tell me about yourself?" The interviewer asked.

"My name is Alice, 24, this is my first application as a secretary

........

An hour later, Alice came out of the office, she called Ana to meet her at the parking lot.

"Hey Alice, how was the interview, you sounded down?" Ana asked.

"I don't think i will get this job maybe I should apply at another company," Alice said.

"Why, what happened in there?" Ana asked with a worried expression.

"The other person in the room, who is he?" Alice asked.

"My boss, owner of the company," Ana said.

"Damnation!" Alice exclaimed.

"Now you are making me scared, what happened?" Ana asked. "Yesterday my flight was delayed so I went to get a cup of coffee, on my way out I bumped into this handsome god and spilled the coffee on him, worst of all I offered to follow him to the washroom," Alice said.

"That handsome god is your boss, I'm sure he won't employ me after yesterday," Alice added.

"Hahaha, you really did that," Ana said.

"I told you something serious and you are making fun of me," Alice said.

"I'm sorry, I really am but I don't think you have anything to worry about," Ana said.

"My boss is a professional, I don't think he will judge you on what happened yesterday," Ana said.

"I don't think so, I should get going, you too go back to work, tomorrow i will go job hunting again," Alice said.

"Okay take care," Ana said and went back inside while Alice went back home.

A Week Later

Alice didn't get a reply from Golden Group of Companies, the company Ana' works, so she submitted her resume to some other companies. She got home from an interview an hour ago and was making an order for dinner when a call from an unknown number came interrupted her.

"Tch, I hope it's not one of this scammers or marketers," Alice said picking the call.

"Good day am I unto Miss Alice?" The caller asked.

"Yes this is her, how may I help you?" Alice asked.

"Felicia from HR department of Golden Group of Companies, I want to glady inform you that your application was reviewed and you have been chosen to be the cost accountant of our company," the caller said.

"You say what now?" Alice asked surprised.

"Miss Alice, you have been offered a job at Golden Group of Companies as the executive secretary of the CEO," the caller said.

"Really?" Alice asked still very much surprised.

"Yes you are expected to start tomorrow, good luck," the lady said and hanged up.

"WoW," Alice said still disbelieving the fact that they actually gave her the job.

Ana entered the apartment and saw Alice sitting on the couch in a trance.

"Alice," Ana called out.

"Ana," Alice scream and hugged her then she squealed around the house.

"Can you please calm down, what's making you this happy?" Ana asked.

"I just got a call from Golden Group of Companies, you are looking at the new executive secretary of your boss," Alice said.

"Really that's a wonderful news, I'm so happy for you," Ana said.

"I'm also happy for myself, you know what," Alice said.

"What?" Ana asked.

"You will go inside your room, change your outfit and we will go out, my treat, we need to party," Alice said.

"I feel you girl, just wait here I will be out in a jiffy," Ana said running to her room.

Ana quickly changed her clothes and they left, they went to a five star restaurant and had a nice dinner, they would have gone to the club but they both had work tomorrow so they couldn't get drunk.

Next day

Alice was up very early in the morning, she even barely got enough sleep last night because of excitement. After taking a bath and putting on one of her best clothes she left for work along with Ana.

.......

"Good morning Sir, I'm Alice reporting for duty," Alice said but got of a hmph from the boss.

He made a call to the intercom asking someone to come in the office. Not long after, a man probably around his late twenties walked in.

"Good morning Sir, you called for me?" The man ask.

"She will be the one taking over your position so I will be leaving you in charge of training her before you leave," the boss said.

"It's my pleasure sir, follow me," the man said and left with Alice.

"So you will be my replacement, I've never doubted Sir Anthony's judgement but I'm beginning to doubt this one, the man said sizing up Alice.

"Anyways I'm Jacob, Executive Secretary of Sir Anthony," the man said.

Isn't supposed to be former, Alice thought.

"So what do you know about being a secretary?" Jacob asked.

"Nothing because this is my first job as a secretary," Alice said.

"So what was your position in your former working place?" Jacob asked.

"I was a waitress back in my home town but I'm a fast learner, I'm just within weeks I will become good at this new job," Alice said.

"Tch, as I thought you were just so so, I hope that at least you won't cause trouble or be a burden to Sir Anthony, anyways let's begin," He said.

The whole day was spent with Jacob explaining the demands of her job and how things were ran in the company, when it was time to get off work she went to look for Ana and they left together.