The CEO's Secret Trilogy 1: Secret's Beyond Hazel Quin was a struggling journalist who wants to prove herself and rise in the world of newscasting, but her chief editor always dump her on small projects. With this, she resigned as a journalist and prepared herself to be an applicant as CEO Caleb Craige's secretary. Caleb Craige was a perfect figure of a role model for young aspiring businessmen. Kind, spontaneous, and is very helpful especially to women and children. But the question as though what was the reason behind this personality of his was never answered because he was too private. And so, Hazel promised herself that she will find out what it is, and write an article about it that will surely be the key to her success. But as she slowly unravel Caleb's secret, she figured out that she was already falling in love with him, and when she finally completed the article, she finds it hard to publish and let the public see it, she doesn't have the heart to. What was Caleb's secret that makes it hard for her to use it for her success?
View More"Sir, please. Give the chance this time. Please..."
My chief editor's expression did not change and remained stoic. I've been trying to plead him to give me this project for almost an hour now, but I got nothing.
"Hazel, I said someone was already assigned for this. Just go and focus on your designated work."
I shut my eyes tight and blew out a loud breath. I know exactly what that means, Stephanie, the chairman's daughter was already on this project. Again.
But it's unfair, really unfair. She has been covering this project and trying to make it successful for two years now and yet she got nothing. I tried to volunteer to do this and told them that maybe if the company will send a new journalist to cover this interview, it would be successful.
"Sir, Stephanie has been trying to win this one for two years but still, nothing. Why not try to send a new one and see what will happen?" I suggested.
Chief editor Padilla rubbed his temple, "You know that I don't have that kind of power, especially to Stephanie. You know who she is, don't you?"
I scoffed, "Ah, yea. I forgot. She's the daughter of the chairman, so she is privileged to do whatever she wants, to get whatever projects she wants although she doesn't have remarkable performance in this industry because she only knows how to flirt and flaunt her beauty without brain manner—"
"Hazel, watch your words!"
"--- she only knows how to speak flirtily but doesn't know how to speak professionally like a real journalist, and does not even know how to format a column. She couldn't write even one paragraph with right punctuations—"
"Hazel Quin!"
I stopped as soon as I heard him raised his voice as he called me by my full name. His eyes were wide and looked frightened when I looked at him which made me raised my brows.
"What?"
"I said watch your words, you are talking about the chairman's daughter."
"So, what? What I am saying is true." I justified.
"But still—"
"Oh gosh, chief. Stephanie and I went to the same school, the same batch, and we were classmates so I know what I am saying. Her grades were low and won't pass even a single standard for a journalist. She just graduated because of her father's connections."
He closed his eyes and sighed in resign.
"I know that, but, you should still be careful with your words or else, if someone hears you, you'll be—"
I cut him off, "I'll be what? Be fired?"
When he didn't answer, I laughed sarcastically. This is not surprising. Knowing how unprofessional they could be, I wouldn't be surprised if I get fired just because I was telling the truth.
"They don't have to fire me, sir. This company's unprofessional treatment to their employees is too much and I've had enough. I resign, sir."
He looked surprised by what I said. I looked at him in the eye one last time before standing up and storming out of his office, slamming the door behind me.
"Seriously, Hazel, you resigned?" Geraldine, my best friend, and workmate asked, her eyes were wide in surprise.
I nodded, "Yea, I did."
"And? What are you going to do now? Don't tell me you are going to apply to another company? After what you did and said, surely, they won't give an excellent performance as feedback for you, and instead, write something nasty about you."
I rolled my eyes as I put my things on the box. Our co-employees were watching me as I casually cleaned my table like I'm not losing a job.
"You think I don't know that? Of course, I do. That's just how unprofessional they are."
Geraldine sighed, "So, what are you going to do?"
"Find a new job," I answered casually.
"What job? Surely, after what happened, you won't apply as a journalist again. Well, not for a while, yes?"
I locked the box's lead and put my sling bag on and looked at her. I just smiled and walked, I could still feel her look behind me.
Opening the glass door of our department, I saw Stephanie standing in front of the elevator. But I'm sure she's not waiting for the elevator to come up, but for me. I put on my bitch mode and walked with my chin up.
Reaching her spot, I stretched my hand and called for the elevator. It was a bit hard because I was holding the box where my things were but I was able to press the button.
"So, you resigned, uh?" I heard her but didn't say anything. "You resigned because CE Padilla did not let you do the interview? Aww, sorry for that."
The elevator opened and I stepped in, she followed, still talking.
"You know, that's what you get for being too ambitious. Don't you think I don't know the reason why you want to cover the interview with him? Of course, I do. You are one hell of an ambitious woman, trying to take the chance to flirt with him so you would marry him, be rich, and get up from that filthy life of yours."
I looked at the red numbers where it indicates the floor where we were and it stopped on the eighth floor. Several executives came in, each one bowing at Stephanie and looking at me from head to toe.
When the elevator closed again, I took a deep breath and put on a mocking smile, and said mockingly,
"Stephanie, we all know that you've been trying to cover this interview for years but still not able to get even a single piece of information about Mr. Craige's personal life, even just a peek. Why is that?"
I wasn't looking at her but I felt her looked at me surprised. Even the executives turned their heads in our direction. I smirked and resumed,
"We both know what kind of a person you are. And we both know what you were doing. You're not up for the successful interview because you are just using this chance to flirt and have an affair with him, am I right?"
I looked at her and smirked, even more, when I saw her eyes widening,
"Unfortunately, you are not qualified for Mr. Craige's taste. So, sorry, shall I say?"
The elevator pings, indicating that we reached the ground floor. Before stepping out, I looked at her once more and winked annoyingly. She was left with her mouth hanging in shock with my audacity as I walked through the corridor, my hips swinging as if I'm walking on a fashion show.
The cab that I booked earlier was already waiting for me when I got out of the building. I checked its plate number first and when I confirmed that it was the cab that I booked, I rode in.
Once inside, I told the driver my apartment's address and looked CBNews' building one last time. I scoffed bitterly and turned my phone on and went on my browser's history where I saved the job article I was reading last night.
I've planned this one since last week; that if ever CE Padilla won't give me the chance I've been asking for again, I'll be resigning and apply for this job.
APPLICANTS FLOODED AFTER CRAIGE INC. ANNOUNCED THAT THE CEO IS LOOKING FOR A SECRETARY."
It was the headline of one of our company's columns.
Last two days, Craige Incorporation announced through media outlets that their CEO was looking for a new secretary since his former one retired. It only took several hours before another news came saying that applicants for the position deluged after the announcement.
Craige Inc. was one of the known companies in Sydney for its immediate success after a year of its opening and was able to acquire more than five successful companies after three years. And its carefree and kind-hearted CEO as they called him was also a reason for its well-known name.
Their CEO, Caleb Craige was known for being kind-hearted, his good deeds, and his humble personality despite his social status. He was helpful, especially for children and women.
And of course, when you are known, the public's eye will be on you. They will see and monitor your actions, and look for anything that they can use to attack you.
His separating his private life from work became some kind of disadvantage. The public wants to know his reason for being helpful to children and women, doubting if his actions were sincere or just a façade. There was even an article that became viral which said that his gratifying deeds were only to hide his illegal actions such as sex trafficking. That the women he was helping were sold out to rich men in other towns or abroad.
But even after some negative speculations, he didn't give even a single idea of his personal life and his past, making the public think and persist for an answer. That became a reason for new companies to send their best journalist or reporters to cover up an interview with him and try if they can get something.
They have been doing those one on one interviews with him whenever he's attending to charities event, but no one was able to get even a single information. Researchers also failed to get anything, his records were protected, it was as if he did not exist before.
I was willing to try and get a chance to talk with him because I believe in my abilities, but the company where I am working tolerates favoratism and using of connections. Hence, the unfair treatment to their employees.
And now that I've had enough, I resigned and decided to take this chance and apply for the secretary position, with a thought in mind that this might be the key for my success, to show them that I can.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
"Wait for me, Mr. Caleb Craige, because I'm going to unravel your secrets. Your secrets that are key for my success."
Growing up, I always dreamed of having my own family and making sure that it would be a happy one, unlike what I had when I was a kid when my mother always spit hurtful words toward me as if I was the worst person she'd ever met and the worst person who came in her life. I was blamed for a sin I didn't commit, I was blamed for a mistake I didn't do. I always wish on the stars before that if I could only bring back time, I would reverse what happened. I wouldn't let my rapist father rape my mom so that both of us wouldn't be hurt like this. She wouldn't suffer and the same goes for me. But I was thankful that the start didn't grant my wish because if they didn't, I wouldn't happily watch my family having the time of their lives. "Mom, hurry! Daddy misses you again! And my tummy is grumbling, I want sandwicheeesss!" I couldn't help but to chuckle upon hearing that. When I reached the carpet where they were, I pinched his chubby cheeks, earning a giggle from him. "Here you go, my
Hazel Quin's "I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The venue was filled with applause as soon as the priest announced that Caleb and I were now married. I didn't know that getting married would be this overwhelming. The support from the people around was adding to the happiness I was feeling and I knew Caleb felt the same, especially now that the first important woman in her life attended the ceremony. Yes, Callista was here. A month before the wedding date, I visited Callista without telling Caleb. Of course, I was with Len and Athena on that day just in case something unexpected would happen. She wasn't expecting for my visit, she was shocked to see me unexpectedly. "What are you doing here?" It was her greeting when she finally recovered from her shock. And not wasting any time, I told her about my intent. She wasn't expecting it when I gave her the wedding invitation for priority guests. That day, I also tried my best to convince her to discuss about our setup o
Caleb Craige's "Is everything ready?" The staff is in charge of the dinner date I set up nodded with a smile. "Yes, sir. The dinner table, the lights, and the song that will play later." I nodded, "Okay. That's good." I handed him a generous tip which made him glad and I knew it made him more determined to do his work efficiently. After all, people just wanted their work and efforts to be paid fairly and appreciated, then they will do more. Fishing my phone out from the breast pocket of my suit, I dialed Athena's number to inform her that she could go and ask Hazel for a dinner now. I was glad when she told me she was already in my penthouse and convincing Hazel to go with her and the latter told her he'll ask first if I would let her. The thought of Hazel considering my decision first before deciding was boosting my pride and the chances of success for what I was planning to do tonight. It didn't take long before my phone vibrated and a text from Hazel came. Of course,
It didn't take a week before I was discharged from the hospital. But prior to that, I was advised to take a bed rest because of my delicate pregnancy. Due to the stress I've experienced during the trials, there could be a possibility that the next time I bleed, we would lose the baby. Of course, none of us wanted that to happen so we followed the doctor's advice. Caleb became more caring than before and took an out-of-office work. Instead of going to the office every day, he did all his work at home, either in our room or in his library. His meetings as well were held virtually unless his presence was mandatorily needed. He never let me get out of his sight, he was eager to take care of me. Even the foods I was eating and my bath, he took care of them all. And who am I to complain if that was the case? My heart was overflowing with joy and I felt the love I never felt before. He was too caring and too good to be true. Now, I realized Athena's words before; Caleb would do anythin
Caleb Craige's I didn't care anymore if my action of pushing Stephanie too much would backfire on me. The only thing on my mind then was to protect Hazel. "How dare you touch her!" I glowered. She shuddered upon seeing my angry state. My face was red in anger and it was no doubt that I could attack her anytime as if she was a little prey and I was the predator, but the guards held me. I was trying to control myself but couldn't, her image pulling Hazel's hair was still playing on my mind. The guards were having a hard time suppressing my moves to pounce on her when I heard Hazel's cry. "Ah!" All the blood drained on my face upon seeing blood dripping down her thighs when I turned to look at her. She was wearing a dress and with its light color, it wasn't hard to see the crimson color of the blood as she put her hands on her stomach. I was frozen on my spot and was unable to move for a while, until Athena, who came with us, shook me back to reality. "Come on, Hazel is ble
And the busy days making everything better started. The first, second, and third court trials for the cases filed against Stephanie have been done and everyone could now see what would be the outcome of the trials. We have the upper hand. Stephanie was infuriated upon seeing me again with Caleb. Her fury that her plans failed was evident, it helped the court consider the decision earlier than thought. Her temper was a disadvantage for them, she was caught one time when she tried to hurt me. Good thing the guards and Caleb were fast enough to handle her. "You bitch! Do you think I would let you go just like that?" "You took everything away from me. You don't deserve to be happy, you are a dream wrecker!" During our second trial, Stephanie's lawyer used the mentally-ill card to defend her. It showed that Stephanie might be experiencing mental illnesses, she was thinking that the world was against her and it was because of me. She was obsessed with the thought that everything tha
Attorney Lopez was in his mid-fifties but still looked young and masculine. It was no doubt that he had made several women cry in his youth. Len and I invited him into the living room after introducing myself to him. He already knew me because according to him, Caleb always mentioned my name whenever they were talking regarding the cases filed against Stephanie. "He was always saying that we have to win this so that everything would be fine again and he could focus on working on your relationship." A small smile made its way to my lips upon hearing that. He may look mad at me before but he was still thinking of fixing our relationship despite breaking his heart and his trust. Indeed, he was a good man. It was something I failed to realize before. Caleb wouldn't let me down. Instead, he would lift me up but not to the point that I would depend on him. That's just how he was, he was caring and loving in his own way. "Well, I actually don't know what to say about that. I didn't
Hazel Quin's Caleb's tired body collapsed on the bed the moment we came home. It didn't take him long to fall asleep, he didn't even bother to change. Sighing, I moved and started undressing him and changing his clothes with a pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt so that he would be comfortable as he sleep. He was slightly moaning as I changed his clothes but was unconsciously moving along with my commands, making my task easier. It wasn't surprising that he would be this tired. I knew what he has been doing since he arrived in New York. He was working almost all of the time while taking care of me and slowly putting everything back in to place. It may not look like I knew it because I was always asleep due to pregnancy hormones, but whenever I was awake, I could see the dark circles and his eyes. And whenever I would wake up suddenly in the middle of the night, I would see him working and focused on his laptop. His workload was too much now that Mirna wasn't helping him any
Caleb Craige's "Just take these vitamins that I prescribed, avoid stress, staying up late, and don't tire yourself. Okay?" Hazel nodded as the ob gyne put her hands on the pocket of her gown after reminding us what we should do. This was Hazel's last day in the hospital and tomorrow, we'll be back in New York after she takes enough rest back in the hotel. Athena won't be coming back with us, she was now with her lover who just came here this morning to fetch her. Looks like they would spend some more time here before coming back to reality. I looked at Hazel who was still talking and asking Dra. Wrington, who until now still thought that Hazel and I were already married. None of us corrected her, I like how she addressed Hazel as Mrs. Craige. "If everything is okay now, I'll take my leave. Have a safe trip back to Australia." I nodded and thanked the ob before sitting beside my woman who was now getting ready to be discharged. The bills have been settled, we could go out any
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