Chapter 2

I walked into the office building with a little stagger in my step. God! Why on earth did I drink a night before work? My head was aching and I could barely keep my eyes open, all I wanted to do was sleep in but I couldn't because of this darned job.

My phone began ringing making me frown from the annoying noise of my ringing tone. I brought out the phone from my bag and brought it to my ear without checking the caller ID.

“Hello” I said

“Sister Lorie!” a familiar cheerful voice greeted me. It was my sister, Elle.

“How are you doing, princess?” I asked in a much better tone, I didn't want them to notice any distress from me.

“I'm fine. We saw the money from Uncle Garrett so mum have bought my drugs, tell him thank you for me please” Her ten years old voice sounded so sweet and cute that it melted my heart. Poor little girl was diagnosed with cancer, it's been tough for us and it was a relief to hear her so happy. I felt grateful to Garrett, my boyfriend of two years, he made the physical and verbal abuse bearable by helping me financially. It was why I never left.

“I will, darling. Where's mom?” I asked.

“She's right here, let me give the phone to her” there was a little break and my mother said over the phone, “Hey, girlie. How are you doing?”

“I'm doing great, mum” No I wasn't.

“Thank Garret on my behalf as well. It was so nice of him to pay for Elle's medications, now at least, there's just the surgery to pay for” she said with a little relief.

“I'll rally around for it and send it as soon as I can” my head ached even more when I thought about the surgery money that was running into millions, I haven't even raise a quarter of it yet. “Later, mom. I'm at work” I said when I sighted Jasmine walked into the elevator.

I hung up and called out to her as I rushed to catch up with the elevator, “Hey, Jasmine!” she raised her head to see me and quickly stopped the door from closing.

“Hello girlfriend, you look like shit today” She commented with grin. Her petite body and cocoa brown hair that was in a pixie cut made her so cute.

“Thank you” I rolled my eyes at her as I walked into the elevator and joined her. I rested my body on the wall for support and closed my eyes, I could hear the lift start moving but even opening my eyes was difficult.

“Why did you drink yesterday night? You rarely drink” Jasmine sighed as she walked closer to lean on the wall beside. I groaned in response because I couldn't talk and I didn't want to talk. I found sharing my problems with others very difficult because I didn't want to be a burden.

“It's because of that abusive jerk right?” Jasmine huffed angrily.

“Pleaseeee, he just paid for Elle's medications” I grind out tiredly.

“You can't keep letting him hurt you Lo, one day it might out get out hand and you might be in grave danger. Money is not everything” She said.

Money was everything I needed at the moment and I was willing to do anything to get it, even if that meant being cheated on and used as a punching bag.

Jasmine sighed again when I didn't reply, she knew I was stubborn and would do anything to provide for my family.

“You had to choose today of all day to have a hangover, have you forgetting that the new CEO will be coming today? You are going to be his secretary and this is how you are going to meet him for the first time”

“I know I know, help me make your delicious hangover tea pleaseee, it will help me feel better” I said with a pout and gave her my best adorable eyes.

She rolled her eyes and smiled before saying, “Fine, no need to be so dramatic about it”

The lift stopped with a ding and the door opened. We walked out and went directly to the office kitchen where Jasmine began making me her signature hangover tea while I laid down on a couch by the corner as I watched her.

“Wanna hear what I heard about the new CEO?” she asked as she brought a steaming hot tea and handed it to me.

I sat upright and collected it then I said, “Sure” I was having a new boss tomorrow and I didn't know anything about him apart from the fact that he is the former CEO's son.

Jasmine sat beside me, thrilled to be able to gossip, “So his name is Asher Hardin and he is super hot. I heard that a year ago, his fiancee developed cold feet and ran away from the altar”

“Really? That's awful” I commented as I stirred and took sips from the cup.

“Yeah. I also heard that after that day he became cold and heartless. He is a real piece of work, you have your work cut out for you already” she finished.

I downed the entire cup of tea, feeling a little better than before then I said, “Great”

The former CEO who I was a secretary to was a very nice man, he didn't give me any cause to worry so I prayed his son was the same.

“You guys, the new CEO has arrived!” A coworker said to us at the door before rushing off in excitement. Me and Jasmine shared a look before getting up and rushing out of the room.

“Hello everyone, I'm Asher Hardin and I am the new CEO of Hardins group and Co, I hope we work well together to bring this company into greater heights” I heard a gruff deep voice that gave me familiar feeling say. Jasmine and I walked into the main office from the side, we were the last people to walk in so all eyes turned to us.

The unique pair of hazel eyes with flecks of gold and green greeted me, I could never forget who those eyes belonged to. My mouth fell open in shock, embarrassment and shock again, I suddenly felt lightheaded and missed my step, thank god for the cubicle that I could hold on to on time.

MY ONE NIGHT-STAND WAS MY BOSS…

I FREAKING SLEPT WITH MY BOSS LAST NIGHT!!!

Memories of the night before in his car came flooding in, how I kept screaming for him to go harder and deeper. I was so embarrassed that my cheek burned red, I suddenly wished the ground would tear open and swallow me up.

“Are you okay, love?”  He asked with a half smile that showed his dimples.

“I… y..yes yes I'm f..fine” I stammered as I tried to compose myself. The other coworkers, Jasmine included, looked at me strangely but I couldn't blame them cause they didn't understand the poor life choices that I made to make me feel so flustered.

If they knew, it would be an absolute scandal, one that would scar me and destroy the company's reputation for life.

“Uhm… that's Lorie Amaris, she will be your secretary from now on. She's not usually like this” Our manager, Lee yang introduced with a nervous laugh.

Asher chuckled and turned back to look at everyone, “Our first meeting will start in ten minutes, come with all briefings and be ready to tell me why this branch has been lagging behind in sales for the past five years” he wasn't smiling when he said it, his face was blank like he didn't just smile a few minutes ago. His voice was stern and intimidating, the smiles on everyone's faces was wiped clean.

Here's the cold hearted by man we were informed about…