CHAPTER 3: New Secretary

THE GRAHAM GROUP PLC.

DAMON'S POV

One of the best black shiny limousines I own, stopped in front of my company's headquarters. The chauffeur came out and opened the back seat door for me. 

My foot, on a pair of black shiny shoes, first stepped out of the car before the whole me came out.

I was impeccably dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, with my black hair neatly combed to the back. 

Immediately my guards and my Personal Assistant, Mr. Leo, set their eyes on me, they all bowed their heads.

“Morning Sir” They chorused.

I nodded to their greetings and entered into the company, with them following suit.

The lobby was bustling with activities. Some employees scurry by with papers, while the lazy ones busied themselves with gossip. They all stopped their activities and bowed when they noticed my presence.

“Good morning, sir”

“Good morning, boss”

With my eyes focused ahead, I ignored their greetings as though they didn't exist. My expression remained stern and unbothered, all business. 

“He’s so gorgeous, I can’t believe he’s real! He looks like a demi-god.”

“That jawline, those eyes… and the way he walks. I’d faint if he even looked my way.”

“He never does though, does he? He’s too cold for that.” 

I halted on hearing the whispers of my female employees. They fidgeted as I glanced at them fiercely.

I pointed at them with my index finger “You, you and you. Fired!” 

I turned deaf ears to their pleas and cries behind me till I got to the elevator as Mr. Leo ran to catch up with me. 

I exuded an air of authority and control. No one dared talk behind my back and go scot free. Mr. Leo punched in the button for the 15th floor. My office.

We stepped off the elevator, heading straight to my office but stopped at the secretary’s desk outside my door.

“A new secretary?” I muttered as I saw a young lady, probably in her late twenties.

“Good morning sir” She quickly rose to welcome me, head bowed.

I glanced at Mr. Leo and frowned slightly at him. He immediately understood and began explaining.

He stepped forward and cleared his throat “Ah, Mr. Graham, this is Miss Sophia Clark, your new secretary. I.. I hired someone after you… let Miss Kevin go last week.” He stammered.

“I see. You’re fond of replacing my secretaries for me, aren’t you, Leo? Are you teaching me my job by implying that I can't fire my secretaries like I want?” I glared at him.

“No… not at all, sir. Well, you do have a… tendency to fire them rather quickly, sir. For reasons, uh, best known to you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Moreover, it won't be nice if the desk is left empty for too long. You need a secretary to work with, sir” 

‘He talks a lot, right?’

“Miss Clark, is it?” I turned to the new secretary, extending my hand for a handshake.

“Yes sir.” She nervously took my hand. 

“Welcome to the company. I expect efficiency, punctuality, and discretion. You’ll find I have little tolerance for mistakes and I won't hesitate to terminate your employment contract if you fail to deliver well” I said in a commanding tone.

“Understood sir. I won't disappoint”

With her hand entwined with mine, I felt a spark. For a man as cold and calculated as I am, it’s a strange sensation, one I couldn't explain. My eyes briefly flicker with confusion, though my expression remained stoic.

‘What was that? Have I met her before? No… impossible. But still…’ I thought to myself, and quickly disentangled from the handshake.

She looked confused at my behavior and I left her desk immediately. Mr. Leo too, went into his office that was beside mine.

As I walked into my office, I glanced back one last time at Miss Clark, who was already sitting down, focused on her computer. Something about her unsettled me. 

I frowned and shook off the strange feeling, slamming the door behind me.

I leaned against my desk, arms crossed, staring out the windows. I couldn't shake off the feeling that our brief interaction was significant. But why?

“Get it together, Damon. She’s just another secretary.” I muttered to myself. But deep down, I knew something was different.

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

I sat at the head of the table, my eyes fixed on the projector screen, cold as usual. The boardroom buzzed with tension as my employees fumbled through their presentation.

Each slide seemed more unimpressive than the last. I didn’t bother to hide my displeasure, my gaze shifting between the screen and the nervous faces across the room.

“Is this it?” I asked, my voice carried an air of finality. “You think ‘this’ is going to drive our growth for the next quarter?”

The lead presenter, Mr. Brown, who had clearly stayed up all night to prepare, stammered. “W..well, Mr. Graham, we believe this strategy…”

“I don't need ‘beliefs’, I cut him off. “I need results. This is a waste of time.”

His face fell, and the others around the table exchanged uneasy glances. I didn’t care. I was known for this. In fact, I thrived on it. 

Disappointment was my tool. I didn’t rise to the top by being lenient. I prided myself on cutting through the nonsense, making decisions without emotion.

As I leaned back in my chair, the door to the boardroom creaked open, and my new secretary, Miss Clark, walked in. 

I barely glanced at her as she moved around the table, setting down bottled water and neatly packaged snacks. 

Suddenly, there was a loud thud. A gasp. 

My head snapped toward the sound, and I saw her on the floor, her face contorted in pain as she clutched her ankle. She must’ve tripped. 

Without thinking, I was out of my chair, rushing to her side. 

“Miss Clark, are you hurt?” My voice was urgent, almost soft. I knelt beside her, My hand gently touching her shoulder.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide and confused. “I…I'm fine, sir. I can manage.” She tried to stand, wincing as her weight shifted onto her injured ankle.

My hand instinctively tightened on her arm. “Don’t. You might have sprained it. Take it slow.”

The boardroom was silent, everyone frozen in place, watching this scene unfold as if it were some kind of strange dream. I felt their eyes on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. 

‘Why was I doing this? Why did I feel the need to help her?’

I had never felt the urge to show this kind of concern for anyone in my company. I was known for being cold, detached, a man who valued profits over people. Yet, here I was, kneeling beside my secretary like she was the most important person in the room.

Miss Clark quickly pulled herself away, her face flushed. “Really, I'm fine, sir” she insisted, her voice wavering. “I can take care of myself.”

She awkwardly limped toward the door, her injured leg dragging behind her. I couldn’t shake the strange feeling that had gripped me the moment she fell.

‘Why did I rush to her like that?’

My heart pounded in my chest, my hands still tingling from the brief contact. I glanced around the room and noticed the stunned expressions of my employees, their jaws practically on the floor. I never showed concern for anyone, let alone a new hire. What was wrong with me?

Clearing my throat, I tried to regain my composure. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of their stares.

“This meeting is over.” I muttered.

Without waiting for a response, I left the room, leaving the confused silence behind me.

As I walked to my office, my mind raced. I couldn’t explain it. Something had changed in me the moment I saw Miss Clark fall. It was unsettling.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that, for the first time in a long time, I had actually cared about someone. 

And that terrified me.