Secretary to the CEO

I jumped off the bed with puffy eyes. I felt my body quiver after a palm caressed my lower back.

"Shit!" I exclaimed, looking out to the window, a bright light shunned meticulously on the hotel room, casting patterns on the silver blue bedspread, and donating a chunk on the strange figure lying on the bed.

"What have I done?"

I whimpered, watching my cell phone vibrate again for the umpteenth time.

The phone had rung the other times that I was asleep, but even then I was wide awake I still couldn't get myself to pick it.

"What exactly have I done?"

I whispered again as my eyes drifted away to the bed.

A perfectly built figure laid on it, fast asleep.

Noticing bloodstains on the bed, some trickling down my thighs, with a pair of masks on the floor, I cried inwardly

as it dawned on me that I had had a one night stand with a strange man on the eve of my wedding.

With hands shaking and tears falling on my hands, I struggled to pick up the phone, I had fifty seven missed calls already, and now the last call has ended making it fifty eight.

"Ryan will kill me!"

I cried, feeling hopeless. Just then, I shut my eyes as the thoughts of last night struck me.

"Come to my bed tonight!"

"Is that for me?"

"Oh no!" realizing I was on bed with this man last night.

It was a mask club, and my friend Victoria had convinced me to go clubbing that night.

The last clubbing as a single lady she had called it.

"What was I thinking?" I howled silently, trying not to wake the man on the bed, as I wouldn't want to add to the shame I was feeling.

I struggled to pick up my clothes, planning to disappear before he woke up.

Plastering my gaze on the wall clock, I realized it was past 9am.

My wedding service was set to start by 8:30am, but there I was, jumping off another man's bed!

I looked at the man's face and quickly got a glimpse of what he looks like, and my mind told me to wake him.

I moved, making my way to wake him up, but my phone had buzzed again.

I picked the phone immediately and slide the green button, not minding who was calling.

I was too nervous to think.

"Where are you, Scarlett? Everyone is waiting for you!" Sally's voice scolded from the other end.

Sally was my aunt, my mother's elder sister to be precise.

I have been living with her since I was four, after I lost my parents to a car accident, and ever since then, she has been my guardian.

"I'll be right there!"

I replied as I quickly recognized her voice.

Quickly, I slid into the black dress that I wore that night to the club, some part of it were already ripped off, but I didn't mind.

I dashed off the room, leaving most of my belongings behind.

The door to the St Peter's cathedral opened silently and I walked in in a hurry.

Everyone turned to look at me as they noticed how shabby I was looking.

My blonde hair was badly fixed, with my face looking flushed as a result of the hangover, while I struggled to get hold of my large wedding dress.

It was obvious that I hadn't taken time to prepare for my own wedding. I had only managed to wash my face when I got to my hotel to dress up.

The strange look on everyone's face was alarming, stained with a little bit of worry.

But what I found more terrifying was the look on Ryan's face.

I knew grooms get excited at the first sight of their bride, but that wasn't the case with Ryan, he looked like he had seen an enemy.

My heart sank, but I continued walking hoping the look was as a result of my lateness, but Ryan scoffed as soon as I got to the altar.

"I'm sorry for the lateness, Ryan, I hope-"

"I hope you had a good time?"

Ryan cuts in, shutting me up at the instant.

I nodded emphatically, my lungs begging to explode as I read Ryan's countenance.

It was as if he was reading through me, his eyes attempting to pierce my soul.

I gulped hard, sliding down the bodice of my dress, and struggling to keep calm, but Ryan's next few words, yanked off all the confidence I had gathered.

"You had a good time with him too?"

I shut her eyes immediately as I felt the heat of his gaze scrutinize my body.

How did he find out?

"You can go ahead and spend your whole life with him, Scarlett!"

Ryan roared, causing me to vibrate violently.

He turned to face the distressed crowd, "there shall be no wedding with her!"

He declared, jilting me on the altar as he made his way to the exit.

I felt my world crumble before me.

My eyes were flooded and already overflowing and my lungs begged for oxygen.

Ryan's men guarded him closely as he left the cathedral.

Ryan was a renowned businessman, who had picked interest in me after I served his drink that night at the timeless bar where I used to work in San Jose.

He was a proud person and considered himself a god in my life, something I was dumb enough to overlook all these while.

I had agreed to marry him, after he made me fall head over heels in love with him.

I stood transfixed, watching the congregation leave, my pain was unmatched and I cursed myself for ever listening to Victoria.

"But how did he find out?"

I asked inwardly, while trying to control the downpour from my eyes.

Aside from the fact that what I did was unforgivable, I still would have loved to plead, but I was too frozen to do so.

I felt numb lost in pain.

"Hope you had a good time?"

Victoria's voice landed on my ear.

I popped my eyes open to be sure she was the one speaking, I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Well, to answer the question you have in mind, I snitched on you!"

She mocked, causing my head to spin.

"Watch me take your place."

She continued. She smiled evilly displaying a dark smirk before turning to leave.

I watched my world crumble before me.

Having been jilted at the altar, and losing a best friend to betrayal.

Shortly, the whole church was empty, with only aunt Sally still sitting at the corner.

"What have you done?"

She asked in a sad voice as she reached out to hold my hands.

I could see she was burning with pain and disappointment, but yet Sally was that aunty, that would always be there for me even in the most difficult times.

I pressed the elevator and ushered myself into it.

It was taking me to the topest floor of a thirteen story building in Salinas.

I had just finished the day's workout and was on my way to my boyfriend's apartment.

Three years have passed since I got jilted at the altar, three years of pain and loneliness, and for this once, I decided to give love another chance.

I took a glance at the cake box I was carrying and grinned lightly, it was our six months anniversary and I had decided to deliver the cake myself.

Having ordered a couple of other things online which would be delivered later, I felt the cake should be taken specially by me.

Amusement flashed my face again, the thoughts of Collins always got me in the mood.

He was all I had after all, well, my son Oliver and aunt Sally too.

I had found out that I was pregnant for the stranger I had a one night stand with just after two months of the incident.

My life had come crumbling at my feet, and ever since then, my life took a different trajectory.

I'm going to be everything to Collins I would always say, this time I whispered it to myself again while taking glances of the beautiful notes attached to the box.

I finally got to the floor after what felt like forever, and in excitement, I quickly pressed the doorbell.

A slender looking lady had opened the door quietly, the dark glits in her eyes was plastered on me, and throwing her legs over the entrance, she asked "who are you?"

My jaw dropped in an instant, a hard rush wandered over my chest.

The lady was naked, with just a little lining wrapped around her chest.

"Who are you?"

I queried harshly, pushing the door wider and in an instant was inside the room

Collins jumped off the bed to meet me.

He had terror in his eyes and the prickling awareness that he had messed up overwhelmed him.

"It's not what you think, Lett...listen I'll explain-"

"Explain what?"

I howled, letting go of the box I was holding to fall carelessly to the floor.

I felt tightness in my chest, as I couldn't believe I was getting burnt by love again.

"She's just-"

His eyes followed the lady who quickly picked up her dress and began to slide into it.

"She's just a call girl, Lett, I promise she means nothing to me."

"Call girl on our anniversary?"

I gulped, sniffling what was tricking from my nose as I watched the girl dress up to leave.

The girl was mute, and swift.

Collins had rolled his eyes in surprise as soon as I mentioned the anniversary.

From his look, I could tell he didn't remember even after reminding him two weeks back and that flamed my nerves up the more.

It was going to be our very first celebration and there he was ruining it before it even started.

"I'm-- I didn't-"

"You didn't remember? Is that enough reason to disrespect me this way?"

I countered, my gaze scrutinizing the room for the last time.

I knew that would be the last time I stepped into it as I was going to dump him right away, and now I cursed myself for being a fool who thought love was for me.

"It's not what you think, Lett, can we please talk about this?"

He moved forward to touch me.

But I lifted my hand, signaling he never dared.

His feet stopped abruptly, and he watched me search my purse for something.

Finally, I had it in my hands, throwing it to his face.

It was his spare key he had given me for easy access to his room.

"It's over Collins."

I managed to say, trying hard not to give way to the tears threatening to fall.

My mind was already flashing through so many things, all I felt was pain and anger, while Collins watched me leave.

He didn't try further to stop me, I mean do the usual begging and persuading.

I guess he never loved me that much, or even at all.

When I got to my apartment, I slid the key again for the third time, but it wouldn't push through. Looking down the hole, I realized it had been broken.

A wave of fear enveloped me immediately, causing my head to spin.

What could have happened to my door? I pondered, but before I could look into it to check again, the door stormed open.

"Jack!"

I called, terrifyingly taking a few steps backwards.

Jack wasn't someone I would be scared of, but him breaking into my apartment was definitely out of character.

I gulped, scratching through the corner of my dress and in an instant pulled out a little pen knife.

It was a knife I had earlier gotten for the cutting of the anniversary cake.

Jack scoffed, and displayed what was in between a smile and a smirk.

"You now go about with a knife, Scarlett?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Come on, don't pretend like you don't know. I hate when you do that."

He retracted, moving towards the large center table of the small apartment.

Pouring some content into the shot glass, "I see Oliver isn't here anymore. Where did you keep him?"

He was displaying a smile, but I was wise enough to detect how fake it was.

Now I couldn't help but wonder why Jack would break into my apartment.

"You now break into homes?" I asked, making sure I still maintained a reasonable distance from him.

"Well, since you refused to take your calls or reply to your messages, the boss sent me to come meet you instead."

He grinned as he pulled out a file from his coat, and placing it on the table, he walked towards me waving off the little knife I was pointing at.

"It's a juicy offer. I mean, this is more than you've ever earned in all your stay with the GK3."

He declared, parting off the curl from the strands of hair I initially left to fall casually.

His eyes taking details of every piece of my body. Not trying to brag, but,

I, Scarlett Johnson, was that girl every man would want to have.

From my amber brown eye color to my blonde hair, to every detail of my perfectly curved body.

Jack was obsessed and I knew it, but getting entangled with a work colleague was the last thing I would want to engage in, adding to the fact that I just broke up my six months old relationship.

"I told the boss that I resigned!"

I declared vehemently, pulling myself away from Jack's gaze.

"And-" I picked the paper, not minding what was written on it, and tossing it to him,

"Would have made you pay for this door you broke, but for old time sake, I'll overlook it." I cautioned, while pointing to the door.

But Jack had not come for the normal bargains, the Gk3 group which he worked for had actually come with threats this time.

"You remember the jail term for impersonation right?"

He asked, tossing another paper to me, causing me to hold my breath for a moment.

"Will you guys ever stop?"

I queried, my hands plastering on my head as I paced the room in rage.

"This isn't the first time I mentioned that I quit."

"Well, the boss already promised this will be the last time you work for us."

Jack sounded.

I knew that was a lie, and as long as GK3 was concerned, they would continue to threaten me.

"And who the fuck threatens me with an impersonation lawsuit when he's the one I'm working for?"

I howled, donating a chuck of my anger to the center table.

Jack was mute.

He knew the terms were being bridged, but he didn't have any other choice that to do his work.

Gk3 men were threatening to expose me for being an Impostor when they were actually the ones I worked for.

I picked the paper immediately, and glanced through it, "Secretary for Rapheal Jobs?"

I read, rolling my eyes in surprise.

I haven't impersonated as a secretary before and the work showed I would have to work in close contact with Raphael.

And the Jobs?

The Jobs are prominent in the state,

"The Jobs?" I asked blankly. Jack nodded lightly, "yes the Jobs, Raphael is the son of Albert Jobs."

I rolled my eyes again, the Jobs are very powerful people in the country, how on earth are they expecting me to do that without getting caught?

"You're Scarlett Johnson, the new secretary?"

"Yes I am."

Scarlett nodded emphatically, her nervousness was unmatched, but she wasn't going to show it.

"My name is Amelia Thorne. The receptionist. The boss will like to see you now."

Amelia sounded, displaying a warm gesture and taking the lead for Scarlett to follow.

Scarlett followed closely, and shortly they were at Rapheal's office.

"He'll be here shortly. "

Amelia said, before leaving.

Scarlett couldn't help but stare at the interiors of CODS ventures. It was an architectural company and has the most beautiful aesthetics she has ever seen.

She had gotten lost in the perfectly carved interiors when Raphael walked in, and for the first time in three years, she felt she had died and gone to hell.

"Scarlett Johnson, welcome to CODs.

I'm Raphael, the CEO of CODs Ventures."

He sounded, stretching his hands for a shake, but Scarlett had gone completely motionless.

She could recognize the face. Or "isn't it him? she muttered inwardly, while staring blankly into thin air.

"It's him" she stated as he came closer to throw a wave over her eyes.

He was the same man she had a one night stand with on the eve of her supposed wedding that never took place.

"Scarlett?"

"Yes, sir..."

She cuts, remembering that it was her first day at work, and didn't want to create suspicion.

But how could he not remember her?

She adjusted her butt harshly, her skin perfectly wrapped in the black office gown she had worn to work.

"Are you okay?"

Raphael asked.

He had now taken a keen interest in his new employee not because he could remember her, but because she was already depicting some strange behaviors.

"I-I'm okay sir."

She stammered, her gaze scrutinizing every fiber of his body.

Raphael was a perfectly built masculine figure with poking biceps.

His baritone voice was like nothing she had ever heard, and his face?, overtly charming.

She watched him swing his office chair, drawing closer to a shelf. He pulled out a couple of files and placed them on the large table before them.

On the table were also some of his office cards, a telephone, a laptop and a bunch of keys.

"Alright. You'll work on these today." He said calmly.

His blue charming eyes cast on her as he swung his chair back to pick more files from the shelf.

"Then, you'll fix my schedules for tomorrow."

He pulled another file making Scarlett pissed.

He was being meticulous with giving her too much work right after pretending he couldn't recognize her and she hated it.

"That's all for now, Miss Johnson. "

Scarlett nodded emphatically, clasping her hands around the files.

She paused again for a while, staring deep into his face to be sure she wasn't seeing double.

"Mrs Johnson?" Raphael called out again for the third time, before she answered.

"Is everything okay with you?"

"Y-yes sir- I mean I was just- I'm sorry sir."

She stammered, making her way to her office, and lost in complete confusion.

For a moment she felt confused but she swore it was him.

Her chest tightened the more she thought about it, "how dare he?"

She howled, visibly angry that he didn't just ruin her life three years ago, he was now going to pretend like he didn't remember her.

"How dare he!"

She howled, shattering the files on the table.

Her eyes drifted to his company card by her shelf which attempted to distract her.

She shut her eyes immediately in rage. He looked hot and she wouldn't deny it, but that wasn't the reason she was there, infact, she felt she now had every reason to deal with him by submitting whatever information the GK3 needed.

From what she knows about the GK3, they were political activists who secretly investigate whoever is or has interest in politics.

Scarlett knows just this about them, and for the past two years she worked for them, it had been about the money, but just this once she was going to work for revenge.

She pushed out a seat and sank into it, a lot going through her head.

"Was she hallucinating?, she knew she wasn't.

All she felt was rage and revenge.

At 8pm that same day, a Taxi packed the lot of a mansion.

Scarlett alighted quickly and made her way to the topest floor.

Her perfectly built body was encased in a black leather pants and a jean jacket.

Shortly she was at the GK3 office, to see the boss.

The GK3 comprised three men, but Scarlett worked in close contact with Damian, the one they called the smaller boss of the three.

The other two had equal ranks and she barely saw them.

She tightened her face as she stepped into the apartment, wanting to avoid Damian's troubles.

He was in his work area punching some keys into his keyboard.

A glass of dark liquid and a pack of cigarettes aligned by the side of his mug, and the sweet voice of Alicia keys no one played in the background.

Clearing his throat, he spoke first, "what is today's report?"

"Albert Jobs is retired, and his son Rapheal is now the CEO of CODs Ventures. "

"That's known news."

Damian cuts harsly, expecting Scarlett to come up with something new.

"It was over the top newspaper headlines when he retired two years ago, for guts sake!"

Scarlett gulped, giving the day's report was something she hated the most, even more than the job itself.

Damian's dark eyes would always be on her, making what she would call ridiculous comments.

"The company makes a total revenue of fifty-seven million Canadian dollars in a year.

They currently have a hundred and sixty seven staff and Albert Jobs is aspiring to take his political career to the next level."

Damian arched his brows, lifting his body from the chair to meet Scarlett at the mention of next level. She could tell that was the main part he wanted to hear.

She hated it whenever he did that.

Damian was what she would call short and not good looking, and she considered it terror to always see him.

"He has an ambition to be appointed a the minister and currently running for the chairman of-"

She paused, raising and eyebrows to Damian, "There is no known trace of money laundering or-"

"It's still your first day at work, Scarlett!"

Damian interrupted.

"I know you hate your job, but you must do it." He raised an eyebrow to her and took a few steps backwards, "And you must do it diligently."

Scarlett nodded, "I think I love this particular job." She whispered to herself camly, flipping the paper to read the remaining things she had in there when Damian's voice sounded again, hitting her like a loud volt.

"You must become more than a secretary to him."

Damian declared, taking back his steps to go back to what he was doing.

"What do you mean?"

Scarlett asked, feeling a part of her chest tightened.

The last thing she would want to do is render any form of help to Raphael, the man she believed was the cause of all her pain.

"Seduce him, Scarlett. Make him fall for you!"