Chapter - 6 : Little Secret

"Are you crazy?" I blurted.

After last night, I was ready to help John with anything to make up for what I had done, but this was insane.

"I know it sounds crazy, but you're the only one who can help Mike."

"Why me?" I raised a brow.

"Because Katherine still thinks that you're his girlfriend," he explained.

"I know...but you should have seen the look she gave me the other day." I dramatically rubbed my arms as if I had goosebumps before adding, "She's scary..."

He laughed at my reaction. "Well, you learn quickly. She will do anything to get back with Mike. She even convinced Mr. Nelson to make her the brand ambassador of our new project."

"What?" It was beyond my imagination. 

"Yep. Mr. Nelson told me that Katherine volunteered to do this project without expecting any payment."

She really is something.

"Why is she so desperate? Does she still love Mike?" The bluntness of my questions surprised me. I wasn't the person who would take interest in others' lives, so when did Mike become an exception?

"Love? Please!" John scoffed. "Think about it. Mike is getting really popular in the business world. She'll get even more famous with him around. That's why he used you as a way to get rid of her at the party."

He used me. So this was the reason he couldn't explain anything and had asked me to forget about it. I should have been angry at him for using me. So why did I feel sad?

A snort escaped me before I could suppress it. "So he used me to make her jealous?"

John shook his head. "He used you to protect himself from her. He didn't want her to think that he hasn't moved on from her."

"But he hasn't moved on, right?" If he had, he would've had a girlfriend by now.

"To move on, he needs to allow someone else into his life. He's scared to trust people because he thinks they will end up hurting him again. He built these invisible walls around him...just like you did."

I glared at him, warning him to not bring up the topic.

John raised his hands in defense. "Okay. I'm not going to talk about your past. But you guys need to move on."

I stood abruptly to leave because I wasn't ready to hear this shit again. Moving on was easier said than done. 

He touched my shoulder and I turned around to look at him. "Sorry... I'm sorry. Now, please sit." When I didn't give in, he pleaded once again, "Please..."

I slumped back on the chair and sighed. 

"I want you to help him because that idiot is scared to give someone a chance to help him heal. But he did give it to you...and I don't want to lose this hope."

I understood John's concern, but... 

"Mike told me to forget about everything. I think it's better if I stay out of his issues. I'm sorry. I need to go." I could see the disappointment on John's face. Before he could convince me further, I left.

Shutting my office door, I sat in my chair. I hated crushing his hopes, but I couldn't help him. Mike didn't like anyone to interfere with his personal life.

It's best for me to stay out of this.

Later, I took my laptop to Mike's office to show him the presentation. While he was checking it, his phone started ringing. I couldn't help but check the caller ID as the phone was laid on the desk next to my laptop. It was an unknown number. 

Mike answered the call casually. But what he did next made me flinch. He threw his phone across the room. When he looked at me, I could see his beautiful eyes were now raging with anger. A shiver ran down my spine.

He observed my fear and let out a deep breath. "I'm leaving. Just cancel the meeting."

I nodded. He stormed out of his office and I waited for him to slam the door but he didn't. He gave me a glance before he left. Was he trying to control his anger? Because of me? Stop overthinking, Jessie.

 My gaze returned to the new iPhone lying in the corner of the room. I could easily guess who the call was from—Katherine. Only she could make him this angry. 

This was the second time he had canceled a meeting and had left early this week. Usually, he was the last one to leave the office after finishing his work. I could only assume how hard it was to concentrate when she was constantly bothering him.

I sighed and went to pick up the phone. He had bought it last month when they'd launched it. Poor thing got to experience Mike's temper.

I couldn't even explain how much I wished to have one but here people were throwing them when they got mad. After grabbing it from the floor, I checked its condition. There were a few scratches on the screen, but, besides that, the phone was completely fine. I pocketed it with the intent of giving it to Mike later.

***

As I was passing by Rose's room, I heard her voice booming. I stopped in my tracks. It was midnight, so why was she yelling?

"What if she gets hurt in the end because of this fake relationship?"

"It won't happen, baby, and why are you seeing the negative side? Try to look on the bright side. What if she moves on, too?" John's voice was soft.

"I know, but—"

"I sound selfish, but I'm desperate to help Mike move on. And don't you want to help Jessie?"

"Yes," Rose said softly. 

"Good. Then talk to her. Try to convince her because she won't listen to me. I can't let Mike lose himself again because of that bitch. He's going crazy."

I went back to my room because I didn't want to eavesdrop anymore. But John was right, Mike was going crazy.

The next two days were even worse. Mike couldn't concentrate on his work and John picked a fight with him after a meeting because Mike had completely zoned out in the conference room. 

I had to admit that I didn't like to see Mike like this. He had been my inspiration. It was him who had given me a proper job in his company when I had been struggling working at multiple part-time jobs. It was him who had helped me to finish my secretarial course while I started working for him. I hadn't even finished my graduation because I had been broke when I left home. But Mike paid the fees for my secretarial course and he told me he would cut some amount from my salary every month when I didn't accept his money. He was hard on me but I knew he supported me a lot, too.

I knew it was my turn to help him, but he hadn't asked me for it. Well, he asked once at the party but then he told me to forget about it. I shook my head to clear all the thoughts of Mike before going to sleep.

When the rays of sunlight passed through the windows into my room, realization dawned on me that I hadn't slept a wink. He was messing with my mind. I groaned in frustration as I kicked the blanket covering my lower body off my bed.

The day started badly, but I didn't know it would turn out worse until I was leaving Mike's office after discussing a meeting with him. I was hurriedly rushing out when I bumped into Katherine.

"What are you doing here?" Mike's voice made me turn back to look at him.

"Me?" She laughed heartlessly. I shifted my attention to her. She walked past me and towards Mike with a smirk playing on her face.

Even though a part of me was telling me to leave, the other part was curious to know why she came this early in the morning. John ran into the office and stood next to Mike, who was now standing in front of his desk.

"I know your little secret," she said as she approached Mike.

Mike's face turned pale. Little secret? I drew my eyebrows together.

"I know she's not your girlfriend." She pointed her finger at me.

Mike, John, and I stared at her with wide eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Mike's voice was low.

She let out another evil laugh. "I'm talking about your so-called relationship. I know you're single as hell. Daniel told me that she is just your secretary. And I dug up some information about your office and I found out that I'm correct."

I hated the way she was talking to Mike. He was awfully silent and I felt bad for him.

"I already told you...she...she's my girlfriend," Mike stuttered. I was shocked to see him stuttering. He was always clear and confident whenever he spoke.

"You're lying. You always stutter when you're lying."

He stood there, at a loss for words and unable to defend himself and I didn't like it. 

"So?" she pressed when Mike remained silent. "If she is really your girlfriend then why did you hide it from everyone? Why doesn't anyone know about your relationship?"

I didn't know what came over me, but, before I could contemplate what I was doing, I blurted, "It's because of me."