Chapter 1: Seraphina Arden, the Secretary

There’s a Korean drama called What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim that once went viral. Movies and TV shows often portray secretaries as glamorous women—gorgeous, seductive, and impeccably dressed. They revolve around their powerful bosses, fall in love with them, and compete with their bosses’ lovers for attention, living lives of luxury in upscale venues.

Seraphina Arden told her best friend Emily, “It’s all a load of crap.”

Seraphina was the secretary to Leon Everhart, the CEO of TerraVantage Group. On this particular Sunday night, she was out with Emily, enjoying street food and doing some window shopping, when her phone buzzed.

“Seraphina,” Leon’s familiar, authoritative voice rang through the line. “My flight lands at 12:30 tonight. Pick me up at the airport.”

Seraphina silently cursed him with every swear word she knew. But for a paycheck that was more than double her father’s salary, she forced a smile and said, “Of course, Mr. Everhart. Text me your terminal and gate number, and I’ll be there.”

At 24, Seraphina Arden had graduated with a degree in construction management and cost estimation. Thanks to a connection her father had, she landed a job at TerraVantage Group as a cost estimator.

TerraVantage Group was a powerhouse in real estate, with subsidiaries like UrbanRise Realty, PrimeNest Holdings, and Skyline Estates. The company managed over a dozen ongoing projects at its headquarters alone and owned several luxury hotels, including two five-star properties in the city.

Seraphina’s father, Elijah, worked as a driver for his company’s executives. When she was 18, he had insisted she learn how to drive, and she had become quite skilled.

James, a department head at TerraVantage and a good friend of her father, had been the one to bring Seraphina into the company. After office parties, when James had a little too much to drink, Seraphina would often drive him home.

One day, while she was hauling a stack of documents to the fifth project division, James called her. “Seraphina, come down to the parking lot. Drive me and Mr. Everhart to the airport.”

Leon’s usual driver was stuck in traffic delivering documents and wouldn’t make it in time. With a meeting to attend in another city, Leon needed to leave for the airport immediately. The executive office was arranging for a replacement vehicle when James dismissed the idea. “No need. Seraphina can handle it.”

When Leon saw her, he raised an eyebrow and asked James, “Can she manage?”

James reassured him, “She’s a pro behind the wheel. No problem.”

At that time, Leon didn’t even know who Seraphina was, despite her having worked at the company for nearly a year.

It wasn’t surprising. At 5'5" and 154 pounds, Seraphina was the kind of girl who blended into the background. She was just another ordinary face in the crowd, the type you’d pass on the street without a second glance—especially if you were Leon Everhart, the tall, dashing CEO who could turn heads effortlessly.

As Leon climbed into the passenger seat, Seraphina glanced at him and James. “Gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts, and we’ll be on our way.”

Leon, accustomed to women gazing at him with admiration or outright infatuation, was caught off guard when Seraphina’s bright smile revealed no such emotions. Her gaze was steady and professional, with not a hint of excitement.

She drove smoothly and silently, her focus entirely on the road, without unnecessary chatter.

Leon, to his own surprise, fell asleep.

A few days later, Seraphina was transferred to the executive office to serve as Leon’s personal secretary. From then on, TerraVantage Group lost a cost estimator and gained an “Arden Secretary” by Leon’s side.

As a secretary, Seraphina’s workload increased exponentially. Her days were now filled with endless tasks, from managing Leon’s daily schedule to chauffeuring him around.

Leon Everhart was like a work machine. Keeping up with him was no easy feat. By the time Seraphina dragged herself home at night, she’d collapse onto her bed and groan, “Mom, Dad, I swear Leon isn’t human—he’s a robot! He’s killing me. And Mom, is there any food?”

Chloe, her mother, would appear with a smile. “What do you feel like eating, sweetheart? Your dad says there’s a new place called Ocean & Vine. Want to check it out?”

The mention of food always revived Seraphina’s spirits. “Let’s go! Call Dad!”

The Arden family—three chubby food enthusiasts—would wobble out the door, laughing and chatting.

Elijah and Chloe doted on their only daughter, who had grown up surrounded by love and support. Chloe was a talented cook who could replicate almost anything they ate at restaurants, and Elijah never missed a chance to treat his family to new dining spots.

The family loved food but often worried about their weight. “Seraphina,” Elijah would say, handing her another plate, “we should really hit the gym sometime. What if you can’t find a husband?”

Chloe would chime in, “This scallop is amazing. Eat first. We’ll talk about exercise later.”

Back at TerraVantage, people wondered how Seraphina managed to remain chubby while working with Leon, whose entire team seemed to thrive on stress and skipped meals.

Leon, however, appreciated Seraphina’s steady demeanor and impeccable work ethic. She wasn’t starstruck, didn’t gossip, and handled her job with calm professionalism—just the way he liked it.

That night, as she picked him up in her little Toyota, Leon glanced at her with a rare smile that could have stolen hearts if Seraphina hadn’t been so immune. To her, Leon was just a handsome but boring robot who lived for work. “Good looks don’t put food on the table,” she thought, “and the stress of working with him is enough to kill someone, let alone date him.”

As Leon settled in, he asked, “Got anything to eat?”

Seraphina handed him a thermos. “Chicken congee. My mom said to add the scallions from the top before eating. It’ll taste better.”

Leon, ravenous, devoured the meal. “This is amazing,” he sighed, savoring the flavors.

Seraphina smiled politely but said nothing, following her father’s advice: Listen more, talk less. Don’t overstep boundaries with the boss. Know your place.

By the time they reached their destination, Leon had fallen asleep again, a sign of trust he rarely showed anyone.