Chapter 1

Chapter one

Helena’s POV

“Miss Helena Brooks, after going through your credentials, I am glad to announce that you are hired as the secretary to the CEO of Groupon Company, you'll resume on Monday morning.” The older woman said to me, causing my heart to flutter. I was so happy.

“Thank you very much, Ma’am.” a smile formed at the corner of my lips as I exchanged a warm hand shake with her, this was the happiest I had been in a long time.

“You deserve this job, welcome to Groupon Company.” she said.

“Alright ma’am, do I get to meet the CEO today?” I sounded so formal.

“He is absent today, you will get to meet him on your resumption.”.

“Okay. Thank you once again.”

I had never been this happy in a long time, I had looked for a job for the longest time and all the time I searched, I always got rejected but today I did not. I could tell from the way my cheeks were slowly beginning to hurt that I was happy, I had flushes of blush all over.

This was joyous news and I needed to tell Lisa about this, she was tense about my interview this morning.

I took my phone from my pocket and gave her a ring.

Before I could utter a word, she was bombarding me with a series of questions “Hey Lena, how was the interview, how did it go?” Lisa rushed her words.

“I got the job Lisa” I screamed as I walked on the busy street, I had a lot of people gawking at me like I had gone crazy but I didn't care, with my best friend Lisa I was crazy and I just got a job, so I was happy

“Oh my God Lena, this is great news baby girl!” Lisa exclaimed, she sounded even more happier than I was.

“Lisa, it feels like I’m dreaming and I'll eventually wake up.” I cringed at the thought that I was dreaming because I knew that I needed the job.

“You aren’t dreaming Lena, I just hope this lasts for a long time. You'll be able to move out soon, you'll no longer have to live with those women you call mother and sister” I could sense that she rolled her eyes.

“Lisa, don't start again, they are the only ones I’ve got, but I will be happy to leave them so I can get on with my life.”

“You and that woman aren’t even related, she treats you like trash, I don't know why you see the need to call them family. Don't tell them anything about it.”

“I was thinking the same thing but they'll definitely find out and they'll ask me about it.”

“Then you shut them up with the fact that you've got a job, besides they'll never know you're not at home, they never care to check on you. They'll never notice you're not at home. Your house is too big.”

“I'll keep it a secret.”

“And before they would find out, you are already out of that fucking hell you call a house.” She blurted out, stopping me halfway.

“Lisa, for real you are really a crazy person.” I laughed out loud.

“Enough of this petty talk, baby girl, you know what we need to do?” She aired.

“I think we need to celebrate, I’m not going home until I celebrate. Today is the happiest day of my life.”

“You know the vibes Lena, this really calls for a celebration. There is a new classic restaurant I have heard about, I think we should go there.” Lisa said and I bit my lips.

“I don't have the money to foot the bills, Lisa”

“It's my treat.” she echoed.

“But Lisa..” I coed.

“You never want me to pay your bills or help you Lena, why am I your best friend?”

“It's my bill and I should handle it.”

“That's enough of that, I'll pay the bill. What do

You think of the restaurant, should we give it a try?”

“Yes I think we should try out that place, so where are you now?” I asked

“I’m at home doing absolutely nothing.”

“Okay, I’ll take a cab and come over to your place now.” I said and we both disconnected.

My name is Helena Brooks and I am my father's daughter, it is just too bad that my father had fallen in love with the wrong woman after the death of my mother, he died sadly leaving me in the hands of my evil stepmother, now I live like a deserted broke person when in fact my father used to be the CEO of a very huge company.

I needed this job if I really needed to have my life back on track.

I remember all of the bad things my step mother had done to me and they all enraged me to be the independent woman that I am. She hurts me whenever she feels like it and I can not do anything about it.

She got me married; to a man I have never seen or heard about, I woke up one morning and I was forced to sign a document which stated that I would be married to a man I could barely remember his name. Now I can't live the way I want because I am married. Married to an unknown man.

I arrived at Lisa’s house and was let in by her housekeeper. Lisa ran down the stairs wearing sweatpants and a tank top. She was not ready for our date.

“Hey! New hottest secretary to the CEO of Groupon’s company.” Lisa pulled me into a hug and she rendered kisses on my face.

“Don’t start.” I laughed.

“Lena, I am so happy for you, finally you will have the chance to live the kind of life you want.”

“Yes I will.”

“Congratulations Lena.” She kissed me on my cheek one more time and I smiled.

“Okay! Get dressed so we can have fun!” I exclaimed.

“Alright alright!” Lisa shouted and walked into her room to change while I sat in the sitting room.

She was done and she came out putting on a simple flared gown, my best friend looks so beautiful, her hair was coil

“Alright we are good to go now.” She said and grabbed her hand bag.

We got into the restaurant and sat on an empty chair round with a table in the middle. Lisa sat close to me so we made videos together and ordered our food

“I will just use the restroom, Lisa.” I mumbled and she nodded

” sure.”

“I’ll be right back….” Immediately I stood from the chair, a waiter bumped into me with a tray of food causing me to fall and the food to fall on the man who was just walking in.

I looked around and noticed so many eyes on the three of us.

I looked at the man who was decently dressed in a suit, he looked at the waiter then at me, Lisa rushed to help me get on my feet and I slowly began cleaning the spilled food from my body.

“What is wrong with you...” He had spilled food all over his body, his clean suit was stained with food; the man stared angrily at me, his veins slowly popping on his forehead, he clenched his fist. He was handsome despite the food on him, strong jaw line, handsome face and a good body.

“I apologise sir.” The waiter pleaded.

“You can leave, this is not your fault, it's hers.” He pointed his finger to me, his facial expression could kill if it had the chance.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, it seems you weren’t seeing that’s why you're in this mess.” I attacked him immediately, trying to defend myself

“An apology will do you no harm.”.

“Why should I apologise, you bumped into the waiter and he bumped into me”

“You are at fault and an apology will not harm you. You do not know who I am.”

“Blame it on your eyes and not me, Mr. I don’t care who you are, just don’t go around blaming people for what you caused.” I walked out immediately, remembering I wanted to pee.

“Some people just go around causing problems, what the heck.” I murmured and walked into the restroom

What was the reason for blaming me if he was at fault?

My day had already been ruined by him but I had to go back.

Lisa and I rounded up our celebration after the incident and I was taken home by Lisa.

“He embarrassed me and had the guts to blame me.”

“Lena, forget about him” she tapped me slowly.

“Why would he do such a thing, it wasn’t my fault and he blamed me, who does he think he is?” Lisa’s driver dropped me in front of my house.

“It’s a joyous day, you have a great tomorrow ahead of you, be happy.” She hugged me and I hugged her too, we kissed each other before I got down from her car.

“Good night Lisa, thank you.”

“Good night Lena.”

~~~~~~

Mondays are always hectic but this day I yearned to get out of this place I called a house. I had my bath early, I made sure the maids prepared food for my stepmother and my step sister, I had my chores done and was ready.

Walking out of my room, I bumped into Imelda, who didn’t stop staring at me.

“Why are you dressed so formal?” Imelda gave a frown and scanned me from my feet to my head.

“I have an interview.” I tried to be polite.

“Whatever that’s none of my concern, you can leave” she blurted and walked out.

We lived in the mansion my father had bought long ago before he died. It was mine and it was the only thing my step mother couldn’t get her hands on because it was bought under my name. This house belongs to me but I have turned into a slave in my own house.

I got out of the house and boarded a cab to my work place, I wasn’t allowed to use any of my fathers old cars. She hates me so much but I am used to it.

I got to work and the lady that had interviewed me, had me brought up to the CEO’s office.

I took her words in my head; I needed to be composed

Placing a knock on the door his voice echoed almost immediately “Come in!.” I could hear the voice so deep yet light.

I opened the door slightly and saw a man who was facing a bookshelf. I could see just his back as he concentrated on the book he was holding and didn’t turn back.

“You can drop it and leave.” He uttered but never turned to look at who it was.

Was he expecting someone else?

“Good morning Mr Ethan, I am your new secretary.” I explained I could hear my voice crack at the end of my sentence. Immediately he turned quickly and looked at me; my jaw dropped.

“What!” He was the exact man I bumped into on Friday night.

“What are you doing here, you narcissist.” He recognized me in an instant and gave me a dirty glare.

“Get out of my office.” He turned his face away from me and walked to his desk.

I could feel the world spinning, my legs were so tiny that they couldn’t carry me anymore.

TBC