CHAPTER FIVE

~NELLA~

Just then, the wine glass slipped from Gray’s hand, shattering the moment.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” Gray said, pulling away with an apologetic look.

My heart was still racing, and I couldn't help but laugh. “It’s okay, really. It’s just wine.”

But as I looked at Gray, my smile softened. I knew this was no longer just a simple dinner or friendly gesture. Something deeper, something undeniable, had shifted between us.

The night flew by. Just a week after I visited at his place, Gray finally asked me to be his girlfriend. Our first night together was unforgettable—an experience I couldn't have imagined, with him knowing just what to do in all the right ways. As I shared the story with Ashley, she shot me a look of mild disgust, but we laughed it off and had a few shots. Ethan was still out of the country, but we’d been keeping in touch through long video calls.

Two weeks later, Miss Taylor called me with some surprising news. She said I should check my mail because she was shocked to see I wasn’t listed among the retained workers. To my surprise, I had been called back to resume on Monday. I couldn’t believe it—I was going back to work! My life was falling back into place. I’d be working for the second-largest cosmetics company in the country, and on top of that, I had the best boyfriend in the world. Gray was so intentional about me, always ready to do anything for my happiness. I had an amazing friendship with Ashley and Ethan, and even my family seemed to be getting back on track. With my new job, I’d be able to save enough to help Payson with the rent and pay for Lauren’s art lessons.

Monday arrived, and I couldn’t contain my excitement. I put on my crisp white shirt and dark blue trousers, styled my hair into my signature bun, and flashed my brightest smile. My Hermes Kelly bag, a gift from Gray last weekend, completed the look. I slipped on my black loafers, which I’d purchased as soon as I got the email about the job. I was ready to take on the world.

As I swiped the company access card at the entrance, goosebumps spread across my skin. I could feel the excitement building inside me. A junior manager showed me to my desk, and I couldn't believe how incredible the office was. The day went by in a blur, one of the best experiences of my life.

After work, I immediately called Ashley and Ethan on a video call to tell them all about the company. I couldn’t wait to share how big and beautiful it was. On the bus ride home, I called Gray to tell him about my day. He was so excited for me and promised a celebratory dinner date over the weekend. I also shared the news with my mom and sisters, and they were thrilled for me too.

A few weeks passed, and I grew closer to my teammates. We’d go out for dinner after work, or grab a few drinks together. They often complained about the boss, though I had never met him. From what I heard, he was strict, distant, and a bit of a perfectionist. I made it a point to avoid any interactions with him—I wasn’t about to get caught in his web of high expectations.

Three months later, I received news that I’d been promoted. My paycheck was four times bigger than before, which was thrilling, but there was a catch—I had been promoted to the role of the boss’s secretary. Suddenly, I found myself facing a major decision.

At first, I thought the biggest challenge would be dealing with a boss who was known for his harsh demeanor and near-obsessive attention to detail. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. As I sat at my desk that Monday morning, just outside his office, I froze in shock when he walked in. It was Roy. Roy Logan. The man I’d had that unforgettable one-night stand with months ago.

The ground didn’t swallow me up, but I wished it would. I wasn’t sure how to handle this—how to face him. But he just walked into his office like he didn’t recognize me, as if our past encounter meant nothing. I stood there, stunned, until he called for me.

“Are you the new secretary?” His voice was cold, with a hint of irritation.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, trying to keep my composure.

He didn’t even look up. “Shouldn’t my coffee be here by now?” he snapped, cutting me off before I could introduce myself properly.

I had heard all the stories about how difficult he was to work for, but nothing could have prepared me for the shock of seeing him walk past me without a second glance. The day had barely begun, and already I was in deep.

I could bet Roy was on a mission to push me into resigning. The office had become a suffocating pit, each day more unbearable than the last. I barely even had time to grab lunch—often rushing through the day just to get home or meet up with the team for dinner after work. Roy seemed to delight in sending me on errands for things I knew he didn't even need.

Today was different. It was Lauren's eighteenth birthday, and all she wanted was to spend it with her family and best friend, Celyne. Payson and I had planned a surprise—a live artist to paint at the house, just for her. I wasn’t going to let work ruin this day. I was wrong.

“Good morning, sir,” I said calmly as Roy walked into his office, and I followed quietly behind him. He sat down at his desk, flipping through some papers. “What’s my schedule for today?” he asked, barely glancing up.

“You have a meeting with Mr. Roberth at 10am, lunch with Mrs. Blair at 1pm to discuss the company’s next product launch, a 3pm session with the foundation team, and then dinner at 5pm with your fiancée, Eva, at Rosá restaurant. I’ve already arranged for the flower bouquet you requested; it’ll be delivered by 2pm,” I replied softly.

He didn’t acknowledge my answer immediately. Instead, his gaze flicked over the files in front of him. Then, without missing a beat, he snapped, “And my coffee?”

“I’ll get it right away, sir,” I answered, almost too eager to get away.

The day passed slowly. By the time Roy’s dinner date with Eva rolled around, I could feel the tension between them. Word around the office was that their parents had arranged the marriage before they were even born—just another story of wealth and obligation. They barely seemed like a couple. Eva was always canceling plans to travel, and Roy, well, he seemed to enjoy flirting with other women. I could barely contain my disgust as I watched him with yet another lady at the club.

But the worst part? The one-night stand I’d shared with Roy. The one he pretended never happened. And now, every time he spoke to me, it felt like I was invisible.

Their dinner that night was a disaster—arguing in front of the staff, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. I just wanted to get through the evening so I could finally pick up the birthday flowers for Lauren. It had been a long day, and I was ready to leave.

After their dinner, I was supposed to head home, but as I climbed into Roy's car, something about the night felt off. His expression was dark, more so than usual, and when the driver began pulling away from the restaurant, Roy finally spoke.

“We’re heading back to the office.”

I froze. "But, sir, we’re done for the day. You have an interview at 8am tomorrow. You should rest," I replied, trying my best to sound concerned, though all I could think about was getting home for Lauren’s birthday.

He shot me a glare that made my stomach drop. It was a look that said, Don’t question me.

I sank back into my seat, my mind racing, frustration building with each passing minute. By the time we reached the office, it was already 8pm. Roy had done nothing but flip through some files. I was on my feet, aching with exhaustion, my phone buzzing constantly with messages.

“Excuse me, sir, may I take a call?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, but his glare was enough to silence me.

I quickly called Gray, telling him I was still stuck at work, and he sounded just as frustrated as I was. At 10:45pm, Roy finally stood up and motioned for me to leave. We made our way to the parking lot, where I saw Gray waiting for me outside his car. The sight of him made the knot in my chest loosen, just for a moment.

“I’m so sorry, sir, but my boyfriend’s here,” I said, my voice thick with emotion as I turned to Roy. The words felt like a confession, but I couldn’t bring myself to care anymore. Roy’s expression was unreadable, but there was something off, something sharp in his eyes. Jealousy? It was a feeling I never expected from him—but that was the only word I could use to describe the look he gave me.

I walked quickly toward Gray, trying to keep my composure, but as soon as he wrapped his arms around me, I broke. His lips pressed gently against mine, grounding me in a way I hadn’t felt in days. He took off my shoes, carefully placing them in the backseat, his touch tender, as if trying to comfort me from the chaos I was leaving behind.

I couldn’t help it. I glanced over at Roy’s car, still parked in the same spot. Why hadn't he left yet? But I pushed the thought away. I didn’t care.

Gray and I slid into the car, and as we drove off, I noticed Roy’s car finally pull away—slowly, almost as if it was waiting for something. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to make sense of everything.

Was I imagining it, or did Roy actually care? His car passed us on the street, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw something flicker in his eyes—something that looked a lot like regret.

But I was even too tired to add anymore stress.

As we drove into the night, I couldn’t shake the look Roy gave me when I told him my boyfriend was here to pick me up. What was he thinking? That I wouldn’t have a boyfriend just because I worked under him? But then, I remembered the strange intensity in his gaze—something I hadn’t expected to see from him. Was that... jealousy?

I couldn't believe it. Roy, the man who had always kept his distance, the man who barely acknowledged anything beyond his own needs, was looking at me with something that resembled jealousy. It unsettled me more than I wanted to admit. What did it mean? Why did it feel like he was suddenly losing control?

I tried to shake off the thought, but it stuck with me, nagging at the edges of my mind as Gray’s car took me further away from the office. Had Roy really cared all along, or was it something else entirely? I didn’t know, but one thing was certain: I was about to find out and tomorrow was going to be another day with that jerk of a boss Roy.