Chapter 2

Dilemma at Work

My heart pounded as I clutched the application tag. The woman’s words echoed in my ears, “You can’t leave with that.” Mr. Donovan’s eyes were still on me, his gaze sharp and suspicious. I had to act fast.

With a quick smile, I handed the tag back. “Silly me,” I laughed, trying to sound casual. “Thanks for catching that.” As soon as the tag was off, I darted through the crowd. I could feel Mr. Donovan’s eyes bored into my back, but I didn’t dare look.

Once outside, I raced to my car, tucked away in a corner where it wouldn’t draw attention. I slipped inside, my breaths coming in quick gasps. I was safe, for now. But that was too close. I couldn’t risk being recognized again.

Pulling out my phone, I called Layla. “You won’t believe what just happened,” I said, my voice a mix of fear and excitement.

Layla’s concern was immediate. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

I spilled the story; my words tumbled out. I told Layla about the interview, about the mysterious Trent Knight, and how I had narrowly escaped Mr. Donovan’s scrutiny.

“And then,” I said, my voice dropping to a whisper, “I met the CEO, Trent Knight. He’s... he’s something else, Layla. He’s got this presence, this... elegance. I can’t stop thinking about him.”

There was a pause, and then Layla’s voice came through, filled with disbelief. “Lenore, Trent Knight is my cousin. And he’s not available. He’s engaged.”

Engaged? The news hit me like a wave. I had just started to admire him, and now this. “I had no idea,” I murmured.

“Just be careful,” Layla warned. “Don’t get too involved. It’s complicated.”

The next day, I received a call. I had gotten the job. Excitement flooded through me, but it was tinged with a new sense of caution. I was entering a world filled with secrets and lies, so I needed to be careful.

On my first day, I walked into the office with my head held high. I was ready to face whatever came my way. But nothing could have prepared me for the shock that awaited me.

Everyone stood with their heads half bowed. I walked ahead, and people started to whisper between themselves. It was more like they wanted me to hear it. One of them glanced at the giant watch sitting silently in the large office and spoke, “Look at the time she's just coming; she doesn't know what she is in for.

I looked at the clock. “Am I that late? I was trying to pick out the best dress I had in my closet, and having to do my makeup delayed me. Not to talk to the heavy traffic.

The loud bang on the table brought me back to the present. “Why do you mean it was a mistake? I gave enough time to go through the document; there shouldn't have been any room for an error whatsoever. Have you realized how much danger you've posed to the company? Trent shouted, and the man in front of him just stood shaking.

“I apologize, sir, it wasn't—you're fired," Trent added before the man could talk more and walked out of his office. Everyone dispersed and continued to do their work the moment he stormed out.

My heart raced as I approached Trent's office, the echoes of his recent outburst still ringing in the air. I hesitated at the door, my hand trembling slightly as I raised it to knock. The door swung open before my knuckles could touch the wood, and I found myself face-to-face with an irate Trent.

"What now?" he snapped, his eyes narrowing.

"I-I wanted to ask about my duties," I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You're late on your first day, and now you interrupt me?" Trent's voice was a whip, each word stinging. "Sasha will handle you. Don't waste my time."

I recoiled as if struck, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I watched Trent storm off again before turning to find Sash. The team leader is known for her no-nonsense approach to recruits.

I found her, and she turned out to be the woman that directed me during the application process.

Sasha proved to be a stern mentor, assigning me a complex task on my very first day. Eager to prove myself, I dove into the work with determination. But in my haste and inexperience, I made a critical error while trying to work on Trent's schedule.

The mistake led to another confrontation with Trent. "This is what happens when rich kids think they can just waltz in and do as they please without any real skill," he growled, his words laced with disdain.

My face flushed with anger. "I'm not some pampered heiress! I worked hard to get here," I retorted, my voice rising.

Trent's expression shifted; his face screamed that he was surprised, but he immediately composed himself. "Prove it," he challenged, leaving me with a daunting task to correct my error by the end of the day.

As the hours ticked by, I worked tirelessly, my fingers flying over the keyboard as I rectified my mistake. The office grew quiet, and I realized late that my colleagues left for the day, but I remained.

Finally, with minutes to spare, I completed the task. I sent the corrected file to Trent, my heart pounding in anticipation of his response. The office was deserted now, and there was only silence heavy around me.

Then, my phone buzzed. A message from Trent. "Meet me in my office. Now."

My heart raced as I made my way to Trent's office. The door was ajar, and I pushed it open, stepping inside. The room was dark except for the city lights casting shadows across Trent's face. He stood by the window, his back to me.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Trent turned slowly, and I caught my breath. In his hand, he held a photograph—a picture of my father with a younger Trent, both smiling at the camera.

"How do you have this?" I gasped, confusion and suspicion warring within me.

Trent's gaze was inscrutable. "Your father and I had unfinished business," he said, his voice low. "And now, it seems, so do we."

“Wait, you know my father? I stammered and said.

Realizing I spilled my cover, I decided to take one last chance at hiding it. “I don't know what this is about, sir. I'm Lena Reed, your secretary.

“How much more do you think you can keep up with the pretense uhn?, Trent added curtly before I could talk further, leaving me to swallow my words.

Before I could respond, the loud noise outside disrupted us, and the door to Trent's office opened wide. A lady walked in panting heavily, and it looked like she ran here.

“Trent….