NEW SECRETARY

REIGN

After the elevator accident, I left Cora in the hospital, called my assistant, and said to him, "Someone just tried to kill me in the elevator of SUN INDUSTRIES. I stopped the media from reporting about it because I don't want unnecessary attention but I need you to look into it and get me all the information I need about the culprit."

After speaking to my assistant, I decided to go back home and get some rest. The doctor had given me an injection for the pain in my arm and its adverse effects soon kicked in.

I threw myself on my bed the second I entered my bedroom and fell into a deep sleep. I had a dream, at first it was beautiful; Cora and I were kissing inside the elevator but suddenly it changed. She was suspended in the air while I held onto her.

But her arm became moist and I lost my grip. I watched in horror and helplessness as she slipped off my hold and fell, plunging into the flames with her cries for help piercing my ears.

I opened my eyes and quickly got up. I was sweating profusely and despite knowing it was just a dream, I felt deeply worried for her.

I hit the showers and during this time, the things she said to me about her predicament kept ringing in my head. I came out and checked my phone but she hadn't called.

I answered calls from strange numbers which was something I didn't usually do, but had to because I didn't have Cora's number.

Even when I went to work the next day, I couldn't stop looking at my phone. I could barely focus on anything else as thoughts of her filled my mind. Her face, her voice, her smell, and even her eyes; I could not get them off my head.

The next day, I got a visitor, one that I did not expect. Even after the accident in the elevator of her office, which she must have learned about, she didn't call me.

This was why I was surprised when she came unexpectedly to my office to see me.

I smiled when she walked in, got up, and hugged her.

"Are you okay?" She asked, worry etched in her voice. "I'm so sorry about everything. My dad suffered a cardiac arrest. Turns out he's had a hole in his heart for so long but no one knew. He learned about it recently and I only found out when he was about to be operated on.

He called me because he was worried that he wouldn't make it, so, I had to take a flight to Berlin to be with him. I feel so terrible about what happened to you, Reign."

"It's okay, dear. Let's go out for lunch," I told her. We used my personal lift because I didn't want attention from my employees.

While we were eating, I asked, "So how's your dad's health now? Is he better?"

She nodded, "Yes, Reign. He is so much better."

"That's good to hear." I took hold of her hands and said, "Monalisa, you mean a lot to me and that will never change. However, after some evaluation, I've decided that it's best to call off our relationship."

She stared at me in surprise, "What?"

I continued, "It's not supposed to be hard, Lisa. And if only one person puts in the effort, it becomes exhausting. It shouldn't be that way. There's no passion in our relationship and I've tried to fight the truth for a while now but I don't think I can do it anymore. I have fallen out of love with you, Lisa. I hope that you can move on, be happy, and find someone you'd be crazy about."

She chuckled, "When did you start making jokes, Reign? We both know how much you love me. You can't even live without me and you're trying to play this game?

Are you upset because I went to my father when you needed me?"

I shook my head, "I'm not that petty, Lisa. What I have...."

"Then I get it. You want to change the dynamics of our relationship and you want me to do the chasing, isn't it? Challenge accepted then."

I stared at her in surprise as she got up and said, "Okay, Reign. Let's see how long you can keep this up. Take care."

She walked away with an arrogant smile on her face and I sighed. I had stopped loving her for a long time but didn't want to give up on our relationship because we had come a long way and it was a source of joy to both families.

However, after what I learned recently and after meeting Cora, I decided to do the right thing. Lisa deserved to be with someone who loved her and I deserved to be happy.

I felt relieved that I didn't have to force things between us anymore. I was still worried that I hadn't heard from Cora.

I left my office before the official closing time and went to the hospital in hopes that I would see Cora but the doctor informed me that she had been discharged and taken away by her husband.

I became sad. Because of my status, the doctor was willing to give me her husband's address but I couldn't take it. I didn't know how she was faring with him but I knew it would be wrong to show up in her husband's house. Even though their marriage wasn't real, it would still been wrong.

I lost the desire to work and went back home. I decided to be hopeful that she would call. I was going to give her a week at most but if she still did not reach out, then I wouldn't hold back anymore.

When she finally called, I could barely contain my excitement. We agreed on a time to meet. However, when it arrived, there was no sign of her.

I had given instructions to my staff at the reception, telling them that she was a very important guest. Under my instruction, they called and informed me that she was headed for my office.

However, despite waiting for a few minutes, I did not see her. My heart raced uncontrollably and I became impatient. Fearing that she may have gotten cold feet, I quickly opened my door and to my surprise, she was just about to knock.

We stared at each other in surprise and the way she looked at me; it made me wonder if she felt the same way I did. I had a strong urge to kiss her but I struggled to control my desires, reminding myself time and again that she was married and we had only just met.

"I feel weak in the knees," she told me after I took off her shoes, and I wondered if it was due to the discomfort she had suffered from her stilettos or my presence. I hoped it was the latter.

Gently placing my arm around her back, I said, "Come sit down, you must be exhausted."

After sitting, she nodded, "Yeah, I'm a bit exhausted because I took the stairs."

It finally made sense.

"You look very beautiful, by the way," I expressed and she blushed.

I picked up her stilettos and placed them beside her before taking my seat, across from where she sat.

I quickly texted my assistant before turning my attention back to her.

"Are you scared of getting into the elevator because of the accident?" I asked.

She nodded, "Yes. Merely standing in front of an elevator gives me flashbacks and makes me anxious."

"You are showing signs of PTSD," I revealed. "You should see a counselor or a therapist."

She smiled and muttered under her breath, "As if I have such luxury." Looking up at me, she added, "The thing is, I really need a job."

She quickly changed the topic and I chose to give it a rest for the time being, "So, what position are you applying for? What are you good at? Don't worry about writing any letter and just tell me."

She thought for a while, as if she was trying to make up her mind, and finally said, "I worked as a secretary for two years in my former place of employment."

"That settles it then," I replied. "You will become my new secretary."

She seemed surprised and asked, "Just like that? No interview or anything else?"

I chuckled, "I can tell you're an honest person, Cora. So I believe you are capable and have all the needed experience. Moreover, in this whole building, you are the only one who has been through a near-death situation with me. That makes me feel a sense of camaraderie with you."

She smiled, making my heart flutter. She took out a book and pen from her bag and asked, "What is my job description, Sir?"

"We are back to sir?" I asked.

She nodded, "It will be disrespectful and improper for your secretary to call you by your name, Sir."

I smiled, "You are really good at this, Cora. But listen, when we are alone, please drop the honorifics. I have three secretaries who are required to always be formal with me, but your job is different.

You are to be around me, especially during meetings and seminars. You will be responsible for my meals; lunch specifically."

"What about breakfast?" She asked.

I shook my head, "I don't eat breakfast."

"What in the world would make you give up on the most important meal of the day?" She asked, seemingly perplexed.

"I only eat breakfast when it's home-cooked. I no longer live with my parents and I don't have the time to make my breakfast every......"

"I'll do it." She blurted out even before I was done talking.

I stared at her in surprise as she affirmed, "Reign, I will make breakfast for you every morning. How about that?"

I eyed her suspiciously, "How good is your cooking? I am quite picky."

"Really good actually," she replied confidently. "No one has ever complained about my cooking. I worked as a chef in a restaurant throughout my college days."

I smiled, "In that case, I'd be honored to enjoy breakfast cooked by you."

She wrote it down in her book and I requested her email. I forwarded some documents to her and said, "I've sent you your official employment letter along with a list of the benefits you will enjoy while working here. You are to begin tomorrow morning."

"Thank you so much, Reign. I am extremely grateful," she expressed. "I should go home and get everything for tomorrow ready," she added.

"Hold on a second," I told her.

I sent a message to my assistant and he came into my office with a bag. I got up and took the bag from him before sending him away.

Afterward, I walked toward Cora and turned her chair so she could face me.

Her eyes held the same surprise they did before when I once again squatted in front of her and took out the red, moderate-heeled sandals I had asked my assistant to buy for her.

She kept staring at me as I took the flip-flops off her feet and gently began to help her put on the new shoes."

"How did you know my size," she asked when the shoes fit perfectly.

I looked up at her face and smiled. She smiled back, her cheeks looking flushed. As I unknowingly rested my hands on her knees, I got lost in the moment and kept staring at her, just as she kept her gaze on me.

A sharp intake of breath, followed by my name being called out by a familiar voice brought me back to Earth and I turned.

Standing by the door was Monalisa with a food flask in her hand and a look of shock on her face.