Danielle high heels kept clicking the titled floor stylishly. She was on latest designers from head to toe and looked expensive and beautiful. People kept staring with watering mouth. They couldn't help but murmur about who she could be or what she was doing in the company dressed like a non worker.
She stopped by the elevator and entered. As usual, the people in there stared longingly at her with their mouths moving up and down, and to and fro.
She inhaled softly when the door chimed and opened before her. She got down quickly and moved to her elder brother's office as directed by her mum.
However, the scene she saw made her halt. Her brows raised as she watched, perplexed. She remembered how her brother normally avoided physical contact with people, and he even once told her he didn't believe in love and would never fall in love. And right now, he was hugging a lady tightly who by the looks of things doesn't fancy being hugged.
"Damn" She chuckled. "So, It was all a lie, Poo" Danielle said.
Poo was the name she gave her brother. He didn't like it but she thought it was cute. When he was little, he was fond of watching Winnie the Pooh. That was how he got the nickname- Poo from his little sister.
When Dylan heard that, he took his eyes up to see a tall lady with heels with her arms crossed. It was surely his sister, Danielle.
"If that's Danielle. Who the hell am I hugging?" He thought with his brows already furrowing.
Without wasting a second, he pushed the stranger away.
"Who are you!" He barked which frightened Chloe.
"I...I...I just" Chloe couldn't find the perfect words. She couldn't help but stammer even though it wasn't her fault.
Chloe wished you would bark back at him. "Well, you were the one that hugged me first! So why yell at me like that as if it's my fault. Do you just hug people anyhow? What a stupid CEO you are"
"I said who the hell are you!" He yelled again. Chloe looked down, her heart was racing fast. She could feel tears piling in her eyes already.
"I wish...I wish I never came here" She thought.
How would she have known her boss would be like this? Scary and wicked. If he behaved this way, how would he come out to her if he finds out she was using a fake identity.
"Can you calm down, Poo. You've never changed" Danielle sighed and went closer to him.
"Still cold" She further said.
Danielle turned to a shaking Chloe whose eyes were still on the floor with her both hands gripping her purse.
"Hey, sorry about him. But who are you by the way?" She asked kindly.
Chloe sniffled and took her face up. When she did, the tears left her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.
"Look what you caused. She's crying now" Danielle turned over to her brother who still looked angry.
Dylan faced Chloe, and couldn't see anything. He couldn't even read her facial expression and emotions. His prosopagnosia was something he dreaded.
"I'm...I'm Ariel Peterson, Mr Dylan's new secretary" She sad.
"What? My Secretary? You know what, I take it back. Leave here and never return" Dylan said coldly.
"What?" Chloe muttered.
"You heard me. Leave"
"Can you just calm down?" Danielle spoke loudly to her brother not minding if he was older or just seeing him for the first time in 8 years.
"Now, You said you're his secretary right?" Danielle asked and she nodded.
"I was given a response via email stating my resumption to work as I have been appointment to now serve the CEO as his secretary" Chloe said and she heard Dylan scoff.
"So, why were you both hugging?" Chloe asked.
"I never hugged him. He did and he called be Danielle..."
"Huh?" Danielle muttered out of confusion.
"She...She doesn't know what's she saying. You said your name is...what again?" He asked.
"Ariel Peterson, sir"
"Ariel, enter my office and wait for me"
"Sir?"
"Just do as I said!"
"Why would I? You said you didn't want me to here and now, you are asking me to go into your office? You're quite weird, Sir"
"Wait, What!"
"Hold on, there's something I don't get. Ariel, what did you say my brother called you again" Danielle chipped.
"You know what!" Dylan suddenly exclaimed. "You have been hired to be my secretary. Now, go in and wait for me. We will talk later" He further said examining her clothes.
He actually wanted to know what she was putting on so that he would be able to recognize her later on. He smirked in satisfaction after studying her which Chloe noticed.
"What's his problem? Why is he boring holes on my body with his eyes? Is he a pervert?" Chloe thought with her eyes widened.
"I said you should go in. Danielle let go" He said and left with her though her face was still looking anxious and curious.
"Whoa, what was that?" Ellen who had been watching opened her mouth in awe.
"I wish I understood too. If you don't mind, can you get me a cup of coffee. I really need it. I'm fûcking nervous and I need that to cool down"
"No problem. I understand" Ellen giggled and left.
Minutes later, Ellen came back with a opened cup of coffee.
"That actually an instant coffee. I brewed that with the office coffee maker"
"Thank you, Ellen" Chloe smiled and stretched her hand to collected from her but unfortunately, the cup jerked and the content ended up pouring over her shirt.
Ellen gasped at the sight. "I'm so sorry" She quickly spoke.
"No, Its not entirely your fault, I guess" Chloe forced a chuckle looking at her ruined white shirt. She almost muttered a cuss word but she had to hold it in.
"You can have my jacket" Ellen said and took off her black jacket which she wore on Chloe.
"Thank you" Chloe smiled, buttoning it immediately. "I'll wash it and return it tomorrow"
"Sure...and about the coffee"
"You don't have to worry about it"
"Okay then. I'm going to go call the cleaning team to tidy here before Mr Dylan arrives. As for you, go in and wait for him like he said" Ellen said and Chloe nodded.
*
Dylan looked at his wrist watch when he entered the company. He couldn't believe he spent 43 minutes of his time talking and eating with Danielle at an expensive restaurant.
"I really wish I could see her face" He thought.
Other employees who saw him pass by, all delivered greetings as they should. He had his eyes on the name tag which was pinned on their breast pocket. This enabled him distinguish people.
He entered his personal elevator which took him to his office floor. He slowly walked through the lobby and stopped by the door.
When he opened it, he met someone sitting on the sofa by the wall. He studied the person for a while and he could swear it wasn't Ariel, his new secretary.
He vividly remembered the shirt she was putting on. Who could she be? And what does she want? He kept thinking.
He strided closer to her and she got up on her feet. Chloe wore a broad smile on her face which looked very fake.
"Are you back, Sir?" She said, making her voice presentable and respectful.
Dylan scanned her from head to toe before looking at her blank face, so as he saw. He gulped hard and shook his both hands into his pockets.
"Who...are you?" He whispered.
Chloe face turned sour and confused immediately.
"Huh?, Sir... It's me, Ariel. Don't...don't you recognize me?" Chloe muttered, her fingers were visibly shaking.
"What?" Dylan asked, wishing his voice never vibrated that way."It's me… Ariel" She said again, this time trying her possible best to remain calm."What's with the jacket?" He asked."I spilled coffee on my shirt" She answered."So, you…" Dylan's voice trailed off as he slowly moved to his desk. He sat on his chair and looked up at her."Were you trying to put me into trouble or what, tell me" He yapped.Chloe eyes blinked a hundred times out of confusion. She sighed silently and shook her head. "Sir, I don't understand what you're talking about""I should have fired you right now and right here, but since I already declared you are my secretary in front of my younger sister, I guess it means you'll be working for me, but please don't be annoying. I hate annoying people" He spoke with spite."Okay. Okay, sir" She replied fast."Start work tomorrow""What?""You heard me. Or, can you possibly work with me while smelling like instant coffee? Why didn't my sense of smell just go instead
Dylan adjusted his glasses and shook his head. "What's her problem?" He wondered.He took one last look at her door before entering into his apartment."Home sweet home" He smiled broadly and took off his tie.Dylan moved to one of the adjoining doors and opened it, which exposed his gigantic and beautiful dressing room. It has various brands of clothing, from suits to designed and casual wears.There were also neck ties, bow ties, shoes, wristwatches and all of such sort. He stood at the center of the room and watched everything before him. It was indeed a marvelous sight.*Chloe slurped the cold noodles from the cup and quickly drank water when she tasted how chilly it was."Goodness" She exclaimed."By the way though…" Chloe whispered to herself after remembering who she saw earlier. "What's my CEO doing here? Why…Why" She asked herself."Could he be living here? He had better not or I'll be busted. I'll be in deep shît, I tell you" She sighed deeply."If he's really living here,
Dylan sighed and walked up to the girls, who were smiling naturally at him. He faced the one who had raised her arm and smirked. "Let's talk, Danielle" He said, strictly without showing a tint of his white set of teeth.Jenny blinked her eyes, confusedly. Dylan was facing her, but he was referring to her as Danielle, who was just close to her."Have you suddenly gone blind, brother?" Jenny laughed.Dylan's eyes blinked a hundred times. It was only Jenny that called him brother in that squeaky tone."Oh Jenny" He cleared his throat dramatically whilst running his eyes at the ladies by her side to know who was his younger sister. Seeing nothing was working, he looked away."Danielle? Let talk. Meet me outside" He said and walked away.Danielle was watching him perplexed. She furrowed her brows and watched him leave. Her thoughts were endless."What could be wrong with him?" She thought. "He keeps acting weird or is he pulling some lame childish prank""Didn't you hear what your brother
Chloe quickly got on her feet and ran off without looking back. She ran down using the cumbersome stairs. When she finally got down, she held her chest."I'm going to die at this rate. What is she doing here?" Chloe wondered, pulling away the mask. "She didn't see me, right?" She thought.*"Why did you get drunk? It doesn't fit you" Danielle said as she covered him with the duvet. She had undressed him and arranged the room as well."You" He moaned after catching a glimpse of her."What now?" She asked, placing a flask on the desk. "Mum was worried and wondered why you didn't say goodbye before leaving. You weren't picking your calls either when she called. So, she asked me to come to your place and check up on you. She also made this dishes herself and persists you eat them tonight or tomorrow morning"Dylan only hummed."Since you feel sleepy, I'm going to keep them in the refrigerator. Make sure to warm it later and most especially, do eat it. Thanks" She said and grabbed the flas
From his desk where Mr. Samson sat, he kept peeking from his spectacles at Dylan and a lady who happened to be his secretary. Dylan was sitting on the sofa while Chloe was close to him, on her feet to be precise. "Hmm… Hmm," Mr. Samson cleared his throat and adjusted his spectacles. "What's your name, young lady?" He asked, looking at Chloe, whose eyes seemed to be growing bigger out of nervousness. "I'm Ariel Peterson, sir" She said softly, and a grin enveloped on his lips. "You were the one who replied to my email this morning?" He asked and she nodded. Dylan nudged her and she turned. "What did you both talk about?" He asked in a whisper. "Nothing much" Samson who kind of heard him replied. Dylan faked a cough and looked away. "I asked why you didn't show up, and she replied saying; My boss is sorry, and he promises to show up to apologize properly" Samson quoted and Dylan scoffed. "Indeed, I said… Isn't that so, Miss Peterson?" Dylan uttered and Chloe smiled nervously. "An
Mrs. McCoy raised both brows as she stared back at her staring and confused looking son."Darn it" Chloe grimaced and took her face away."Son? Are you alright?" He heard his mother's voice and his eyes bulged."Mum?" He called swerving his neck a bit like he would be able to see her face."Of course, It's your mother! Or don't I look like your mother any more because of my full makeup?" She asked and he smirked."Not at all, mum" He shook his head. "What are you doing here, though?""You mean I can't visit you?" She frowned and walked up to him."I'm not saying that""Anyway, I came to see you, my dear son. Did you eat the food that I prepared just for you?" She asked."Uh…It's still in the fridge""Oh Dylan! Why didn't you take it? Why?" She frowned and entered the room first, immediately Dylan unlocked it."I have something to tell you, son" She said and slowly sat down. Mrs. McCoy looked at her son, who took off his jacket and neck tie."What's it, mum?" He questioned and she exha
Dylan had met his mother bleeding. He held her finger which blood oozed out from and looked around thinking he would find something to cover the cut with."How did this happen?" He asked, still looking around."I was actually chopping the veggies when it happened. I wanted to make something for you to eat tonight""You shouldn't have done that. Besides, the one in the flask could have been okay. Why bother yourself. For now, rinse your hand in the sink. I'm going to go get plaster to cover the cut so that it won't get infected" Dylan said and she nodded.He went into his room and changed into a casual wear before leaving the apartment.*CHLOE'S APARTMENT ~"Fûck. Why does my stomach hurt?" Chloe moaned, squeezing and hitting her stomach gently.She quickly covered the food since the pain wouldn't allow her to consume it. She got up and walked to the calendar which was hung on the wall."I hope it's not what I think it is" She prayed, scanning her eyes on the calendar whilst using her
Chloe pushed Dylan away as fast as she could and grabbed the paper bag on the floor."I'm sorry, sir" She bowed very low and Dylan wondered why she was doing that."I was almost close" He thought."Dylan!" He heard someone call his name and Chloe raised her head up. It was actually Jeffery who called him. He was driving on the road when he caught the two acting all lovey-dovey. He also didn't fail to take a picture and when he saw they had disengaged, he stopped his car and came out.Dylan turned his head and from his facial expression, he looked confused. He wondered who the person was."Dylan. What's up?" Jeffery winked and stretched his hand for a shake.Dylan looked at Jeffrey from head to toe. "Who could this be?" He thought."Why are you acting like you don't know me?" Jeffrey smirked.When Chloe saw it was a chance to leave, She started walking away from them slowly."Hold on, girl" She heard Jeffrey's voice."Excuse me?" Chloe whispered and turned to them."Do you know this pe
"What is wrong? Did something happen?" Dylan quickly asked."I think somebody is on my tail" Chloe responded, her voice still sounding shaky."Somebody is following you?" Dylan asked, trying to comprehend what she was saying."Yes!" She replied quickly and nodded."Why?" He asked, standing up, with an arm resting at his waist."How would I know?""Where are you now?" He questioned."In the taxi" She answered."Oh wait. You mean a taxi is behind you… And it seems it is tailing you?""It doesn't seem. The taxi is tailing me""How certain are you?""I have never been this convinced. For every stop and turn, It mimicked us. I'm certain we are being followed by the taxi behind. What do we do, I'm scared" She said.Dylan sighed. "Do you have any guesses who might be tailing you?""Well, I did… Not anymore" She replied and rolled her eyes."You did? Why aren't you suspecting the person anymore… Wait a minute… Were you suspecting me?""What! Not at all. Why… Why would I?" She stuttered and fa
In Ellen's car and beside her, Chloe kept biting her fingernails bitterly with her eyes facing the windshield."Are you okay?" Chloe heard Ellen ask and she turned to her."Yes," Chloe responded with a smile."Huhn… So, you haven't told me where you stay" Ellen whispered."Just drop me at the next convenience store. I want to get something. My place is not too far away from here" Chloe replied."No, I insist I take you home directly"Chloe laughed wryly. "And why do you want to do that? I said I will find my way home after going to the closest convenience store here""Uhm… Alright then" Ellen forced a smile.The drive continued, quietly and smoothly. Ellen, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at Chloe, who wasn't even paying attention. Her mind was restless, and her eyes dug through the glass of the window, hoping she would see a convenience store nearby so that she would leave the uncomfortable car."Uh… Ariel?" Ellen called, timidly, and Chloe turned."So… Uh…" Ellen paused and
Dylan's eyes quickly flew open when he heard loud knocks against the door. He was sitting on the couch and sleeping before he heard the knock. He heaved and took his face to the side to see Chloe resting on his left shoulder, sleeping as well. He attempted to wake her but thought otherwise when his eyes became intoxicated by her face, which happened to be blank, of course. He remembered her eyes and slowly shifted his gaze down to take a profound look when he heard another knock, louder than the former.This time, Chloe was the one to open her eyes and she was shocked to see her head resting on Dylan's shoulder. "Oh no!" She said aloud and jumped on her feet."I'm sorry, Sir. I… I didn't mean to" She apologized and bowed her head a bit. "I let the sleep take over me" She further said, hitting her head.Dylan faked a cough and stood up. "It seems Ellen is here. Let's go check" He told her, and she nodded, following him from behind."Mrs. Ellen, Is that you?" asked Dylan, as he peeped f
In the aspect of all that was happening, Chloe's phone erupted out its loud ringtone, and she got up immediately. "I'll go get that. Just go on with your call" She said and walked to her ringing phone.She opened her bag and took it out. Seeing Eric as the caller ID made her pout. "Hmm... Hmm," She cleared her throat before accepting the call."Hello, Eric?" She said softly."I'm sorry, but I had to call. I've been waiting for ages, and you are not yet back. I was simply worried and had to call. I just hope I am not disturbing you" He said."Not at all. You are definitely no't. I am also glad you called. It shows you are caring and that is nice" Chloe smiled."Really? Well, That's a relief, then. So, where are you? Are you still coming?" He asked."Uh…" Chloe's voice drifted off as she scanned the room. "I don't think so. It's very late""Oh… I… I have been waiting, you know""Yes, I do, and I'm sorry. Possibly, we could meet next time. Something just came up which is inevitable" She
Dylan glowered at Chloe. "You are so unbelievable. Don't you want to leave here? Would you rather remain here?" He asked, his voice sending thrills into Chloe's veins."I… I don't quite understand what you mean" She stuttered.“Oh… Stop acting ignorant. You know what I'm talking about. I asked you to join me. Scream my neighbor's name with me. Who knows, she might hear us that way. Besides, the louder the voice, the better"Chloe swallowed hard and nodded. "Sure. So, What's her name again?""It's Chloe," He responded."Oh… Okay… Let's do this" She said nervously."Right. We will hit the door and yell her name on the count of three. Are you ready?" Dylan asked, folding his fist."Yeah" Chloe forced a smile and also folded her fist."One… Two… Three!""Chloe!!" They both screamed simultaneously.*Eric was still in the car, which was still packed at the side of the road. His mind was restless since Chloe wandered around it, relentlessly."I wonder why she isn't back? Should I just call
FEW MINUTES AGO*Dylan and Danielle walked into the gate and it closed on Chloe's face. He turned to face her and folded his arms on his chest."What's up, Danielle?" Dylan asked."This isn't upstairs" Danielle rolled her eyes. "Let's talk upstairs," She added."That is a waste of time. Besides, my secretary is not here so our privacy won't be invaded. You can speak. Step on it, I haven't got all day" He uttered."Poo" She whispered."Oh… What with this tonation. I think I know where you're heading to. Now, get straight to the point… What do you want from me?" He asked.Danielle sighed deeply. "I need your help""I know you need my help. Can you just go straight to the point before I leave you here""Alright… Alright" Danielle pouted. "So, I need money""Money?" He asked and she nodded."What for?" He questioned and a light frown occupied her face."I expected you to ask me how much and not what for. Are you even my biological brother?" She hissed and looked away."Only a fake brother
Chloe gazed at Dylan confused. "What's he blabbing about?" She thought and shrugged it off immediately."Mr. Dylan! Please, I want you to open your mouth. I'm here to give you your medicine" She said."It's you… Ariel?" He asked and she nodded.His eyes blinked once and when his sight got a hold of her, her face turned blank as usual. He managed to mutter a cuss word out of anger."Are you alright?" She asked, wondering about the sudden scowl which appeared on his face."Water" He whispered, holding his forehead.Chloe sighed and looked around the car. She saw a bottle of water and opened it for him. "Here" She handed it to him.Dylan collected it and looked at her. "The pill" He requested."Yes right" She nodded and brought out one before handing it to him."Here," She whispered.Dylan inhaled deeply before taking it in. After drinking another gulp of water, he gave her the bottled water, which she closed and kept."Thank you" Dylan whispered, shutting his eyes."You're welcome" She
"I'm sorry about that" Dylan muttered, staring at her face which was simply blank in his sight."You should be!" Chloe snapped and left him.Dylan turned his head around in amusement. "What's with that voice? Is she mad at me?" He thought.He attempted to open the door, but when he thought about the hoodie which was worn by his neighbor, he grew more anxious and worried."Could she be the one I managed to recognize? I doubt it" He quickly shook his head. "Maybe, I should go find out" He thought after a while and moved away from the door before heading to the elevator.*Dylan quickly ran down to see Chloe at the other side of the road. She flagged a taxi, which stopped at her side. After speaking to the driver, she entered the cab.Dylan dashed into his taxi and started it immediately. He moved behind the taxi, tailing it carefully. He didn't want it out of his sight.He sighed heavily when the taxi stopped at a street not too far away from theirs. His eyes carefully studied the taxi,
THAT NIGHT*Chloe took her red looking face away from the wet pillow and sniffed loudly. She had been bawling her eyes out since that evening and refused to eat."What am I going to do… you jerk!" She said aloud, crying the more.Her eyes went to her side to see her luggage standing there and staring back at her. After terminating her employment, Dylan handed the luggage to her. Fearfully, she left the company without saying a word to him. She didn't even bother to apologize or take the blame."I must be growing crazy. Why did I just leave like that without saying a thing. I could have gone on my knees" She didn't stop crying.Her stomach rumbled, giving her tears the chance to stop following. Chloe looked down at her flat tummy and made a disgusting look on her face."Don't even think about food!" She snapped.As if her stomach even heard her, it rumbled again, this time louder. Then, Chloe realized she was indeed famished.She stood up and was about to head into the kitchen when her