New Beginnings And Complicated Emotions

"Welcome to the team. We're glad to have you on board," Nathan Grey said with a warm smile as Brixlee stood before him.

Her eyes widened in shock, her racing heart and shivering body revealing her inner turmoil. She tightly clenched her fists, grappling with the realization that he didn't remember her. Was he pretending, or had the memory truly faded?

Though their previous encounter had occurred in a drunken haze, she needed this job desperately and chose to set aside her past grievances.

Brixlee slowly raised her head, meeting Nathan's innocent gaze. A sense of relief washed over her, replacing her initial fear and doubt.

"I'm happy to be on the team, boss," she muttered, her voice filled with mixed emotions, still locked in his eyes.

Nathan, the CEO, introduced himself with a seductive smile, which captivated Brixlee.

Unconsciously, she found herself mirroring his smile. He handed her a file, and as she examined its contents, his schedule for the week, she couldn't help but appreciate the scenery of the office. Her seat, positioned at the edge of the room directly facing his, was an unconventional arrangement for a secretary, but she dismissed any concerns. After all, he was the boss, and his decisions were meant to be trusted.

As Brixlee settled into her seat and dropped her bag on the table, a wave of disappointment washed over her. She realized that she would have to work under the very person she had slapped and poured a drink on at a party. Every interaction with him would be colored by that memory, and she braced herself for the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, Nathan sighed, observing Brixlee as she settled down. Pretending not to recognize her had been the first phase of his plan, and he had successfully fooled her. The prospect of this game intrigued him, and he sat at his desk, engrossed in his work.

Just then, Tyler walked into the office, holding a file in his hands. Unintentionally diverting Nathan's attention, Tyler exclaimed, "Hey! It's you!"

He walked toward Brixlee's table, accusing her with imploring eyes.

Memories flooded Brixlee's mind as she recognized him as the person she had unintentionally bumped into, leading to an unpleasant encounter. She wondered what he was doing there and whether her day could get any worse.

Tyler continued, "We met yesterday, remember? When you bumped into me and called me stupid? Does that ring a bell?"

Brixlee shrieked inwardly, momentarily delayed in her response. "I have no memory of any of that, and no, it doesn't ring a bell. I think you've got the wrong person," she lied, lowering her head, her words laced with tension.

"I guess you're lying now. Anyways, I didn't know you were Nathan's secretary. I guess we'll be seeing each other more often?" Tyler said with a smirk before returning to Nathan's table.

Brixlee replied with an eye roll, acknowledging the unfortunate reality of their encounters.

Nathan resumed his work on the computer, hours passing by in a blur. Fatigue began to wear on him, his eyes aching from staring at the screen. He raised his head slowly, noticing that Brixlee had fallen asleep while working on her computer. Frustration welled up within him, and with a loud bang on her desk, he woke her up, his face contorted with disgust.

"What the hell is going on? Are you sleeping on the job?" he yelled, catching Brixlee off guard.

Startled, she sat up straight and wiped the drool off her mouth, apologizing in a daze. She had dozed off out of sheer boredom, not accustomed to the monotony of sitting in one place and working.

"You're sorry?" Nathan sneered. "You think that's going to get my work done? This is unacceptable." Brixlee felt humiliated, but she knew better than to argue back. She simply nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Nathan, realizing it was getting late, mentioned the upcoming seminar for new employees. "It's already 6:52 pm. Be ready in five minutes," he stated, grabbing his coat before walking out of the office.

Brixlee grunted in frustration but quickly corrected herself, realizing she had misspoken. "I mean, I love seminars. They're great," she lied, internally cringing at her own attempt to rectify the situation.

Nathan, overhearing her comment, asked curiously, "Pardon? Did I hear that correctly?" Brixlee hesitated for a moment before responding, "I said, 'I love seminars.' They're insightful."

Nathan frowned, recognizing her discomfort in the heels she was wearing. "You don't have to wear those," he commented, gesturing towards her uncomfortable footwear.

Brixlee replied, "Oh, these? It's what secretaries wear in movies," trying to justify her choice.

Nathan's frown deepened. "Well, this is reality. You shouldn't wear things that make you uncomfortable," he advised, surprising both himself and Brixlee. She offered a reluctant thank you, unsure of the sudden shift in his demeanor.

As Brixlee swung her bag across her shoulder and exited the office, she made a deliberate decision to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Each step brought her closer to the seminar hall, where she could already see Nathan on the stage. Taking a seat at the back, she struggled to focus on his speech while Tyler persistently whispered into her ears.

The only coherent phrase she managed to grasp from Nathan's speech was, "When life shuts a door, humanity will open another."

. . .

Talia Mendez stood before the mirror at Twisted Olive, carefully applying another coat of Chanel lip gloss. Her cell phone beeped, indicating a new text message from her grandma. Standing perfectly still, she read the text with a thin smile.

"Hey, shortcake. Do you have some free time?"

Motioning to her manager, Talia spoke in a hushed tone, "Clear my schedule for the rest of the evening. I have somewhere to be." She stepped out of Twisted Olive, anticipating a long walk to her car parked at the far end of the street.

Walking briskly, her head down and her hood pulled up, she hoped to avoid being recognized by the crowd of fans nearby. Her heart raced as their excited chatter and screams grew louder, and she quickened her pace, desperate to reach the safety of her car. Each step felt like an eternity as she struggled to maintain her composure and evade the public eye.

As she approached the corner, the noise level intensified, and the energy of the fans became palpable. She took a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves, and hastened her steps. Her car was in sight, parked just a few feet away. But just as she was about to reach it, a voice called out her name.

Frozen, she knew it was only a matter of seconds before the fans realized her presence. Hastily retrieving her keys, she unlocked the car, scrambled inside, and slammed the door shut. The cheers of the crowd faded as she drove off, relieved to finally escape the overwhelming pressure of fame.

A few minutes later, Talia arrived at her luxurious mansion and parked her car in the designated spot. Stepping out, she sighed, feeling a cool breeze that always seemed to embrace her upon her return. The mansion had been her home for decades, a world of its own surrounded by nature, with concrete walls, tall windows offering a view of the mountains, and a sense of tranquility.

As she entered, a delightful aroma of freshly baked pancakes filled the air. Her smile widened as she noticed her grandmother seated on the gold-plated couch, covered in fluffy animal fur. Their eyes met, and her grandmother's face lit up with a broad smile.

"Granny," Talia called out, taking a seat next to her.

"Cupcake, you're home," her grandmother replied, her cracked lips forming the words with warmth. "Why did you call me? I was in the middle of something," Talia lied, pretending to be occupied.

"My leg hurts. Massage them," her grandmother requested, placing her leg on the table.

Talia looked at her for a few moments, a faint smile escaping her lips. "Anything for you, Granny."

Curiosity got the better of her grandmother, and she asked about Nathan. "So, when is Nathan coming over? It's been a while since I've seen him around here," she inquired, glancing over Talia's shoulder.

Talia's smile faltered. She had been actively avoiding Nathan all week after the events that had transpired between them. In a moment of drunken honesty, she had revealed her feelings for him, but Nathan had dismissed it as a passing phase. However, for Talia, it was anything but. She had cherished her friendship with Nathan since fourth grade and had spent her teenage years and part of adulthood loving him unconditionally.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Talia reassured herself that her feelings were not her fault. "He's been busy lately... I guess," she replied absentmindedly, trying to mask her disappointment.

"He should come over for lunch tomorrow. I'll make his favorites," her grandmother suggested cheerfully, unaware of the complexity of Talia's emotions.

"If that's what you want," Talia replied with a forced grin, hoping to navigate the delicate situation.

Observing her closely, her grandmother spoke once more, "I've seen the way you look at him, Talia. You love him." She playfully pulled Talia's cheeks.

Talia's cheeks reddened, and she couldn't help but glance away. "Well, maybe, but he sees me as just a friend. I don't want to complicate things," she retorted, her voice a mix of resignation and a thin smile.

The truth was that their friendship had already become complicated, slowly eroding under the weight of her unrequited love. If burying her feelings deep within was the only way to preserve their friendship, she was ready to do so, even if it meant losing herself in the process. Talia resolved to talk to Nathan and clear the air, hoping to salvage what remained of their bond.

"Now, let me have some of those freshly baked pancakes," Talia exclaimed, making her way to the kitchen. "Don't forget to take some for Nathan when you're leaving..."