CHAPTER 2: The Ladies’ Man

CHAPTER 2: The Ladies’ Man

“Oh, come on! We prepared so much for this! I trained Mia how to walk with shoes for today, only to get canceled!”

I clutched my phone harder on my hand as I pinned it closer to my cheek. 

“I know. I’m so sorry, Freds. I promise I’ll make it up to you and Mia.” I whispered, making sure the boss wouldn’t hear me as he sat in front with Bran in the car. 

“Don’t forget Louisse! He’s gonna be pissed.” I chuckled, hearing the frantic frustration in her voice. Both her poodle dogs had an attitude, and I like hanging out with them.

We were on our way to the restaurant to meet Mr. Peterson and Miss Annika, when I was finally able to get a hold of Freda who wasn't replying to my texts nor answering my calls earlier. She said she had a client, so she couldn’t get to her phone earlier.

“Say sorry to Louisse for me. I swear I’ll give my entire day off to you guys,” I said.

“You better! It took us months to finally get this scheduled and now it’s canceled.” Even when I couldn’t see my red-haired best friend, I know she’s rolling her eyes and flicking her hair in frustration. 

It has indeed been hard setting dates to meet when both of us are working adults and have very different schedules. Being broke was our problem about hanging out before, now it was the conflicting schedules. We couldn’t even see each other anytime we wanted. It was so much easier when we were still in school. 

“I promise. I’ll see you on Sunday. I’ll get you macaroons.” I whispered, looking over at Sir Troy, who was talking with Bran about some article they both were reading.

I heard Freda gasp on the phone. “Don’t bribe me with macaroons, Malia! You cheeky… girl dog!” 

I couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped on my mouth at my best friend’s words. She even sputtered out my full name. I know how much she loves macaroons. She loves everything with coconut in it.

“Bye, love ya,” I said.

“Fine, love ya, too! I’ll see you on Sunday, or else!” I chuckled. “Alright. Tell Mia and Louisse, I love them too.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go and let that hot devil of a boss you have drag you into his workaholic ways. Just because he's gorgeous doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants. Tsk! He's keeping you away from me! You still have a life, you know." 

"I know," I said silently, glancing at the boss and Bran in front. 

"Alright, I have to go now. Take care!” Freda said before we both hung up after I said my goodbye. I sighed and sat back on my seat, knowing she was right.

If Sir Troy wasn’t out with his girl of the day—or week, or month, or months—he’s always in the office or traveling for business. I’ve never personally seen him party (I’ve only heard of it and seen it in some tabloids—I know it’s weird since I’ve been his secretary for five years), and I’ve only seen him drinking with other business people without getting drunk. He always has his cool and is very professional. He knows what he’s doing and he knows what he wants, and is very determined to achieve it. And as his secretary, I have to keep up.

The last couple of years as his secretary was very tiring, but to be completely honest, I have enjoyed it too. I learned a lot at work, I learned a lot about myself, too. I was able to develop professional skills due to how hectic Sir Troy’s schedule is. 

It was hard working for him, especially the first year, but at that time, I couldn’t afford to hunt for more jobs again so I did everything I could to make sure I wouldn’t get fired. The salary wasn’t something I could easily find too. And I guess my efforts paid off. After all, I was said to be the longest working secretary the Sanford empire’s CEO has ever worked with.

And to keep that position, I had to become a workaholic, too. Which I honestly didn’t think it was too bad. Not until recently.

“We’re here, Sir.” I heard Bran say as he sat straight, looking out the window. Sir Troy put his tablet and phone inside his thin cloth-like briefcase and immediately went out the door after Bran. 

I took off, too, putting my phone in the pocket of my dress. I looked at the restaurant in front, and I silently thanked myself for picking a dress today to wear. Thank goodness I at least wouldn’t look so out of place.

“Enjoy your meal, Sir.” I looked at Bran when he stayed behind us with the driver. 

“Wait, you’re not coming?” I asked, confused. 

Part of the reason why I wasn’t so bothered about the thought of coming with Sir Troy for this lunch anymore was I thought Bran was coming too as his personal assistant. Also, he was the one Mr. Peterson’s secretary called to have their scheduled lunch to meet today.

Bran, with that calm yet gentle demeanor, despite his huge build (I call him Papa Bear sometimes), smiled at me. “No, Ms. Hill. I have a meeting to attend too, in place of Mr. Sanford,” he said. My hands immediately started sweating.

“C-couldn’t we just—“ I was just about to start convincing Bran to not leave and ask him if we could possibly reschedule the meeting he had to attend—not that it was my place to say, but still. I’m desperate!—but the boss interrupted me.

“Let’s go.” I looked in front and saw Sir Troy walking ahead, not wasting time. He was quick to make distance with his long strides. I watched as a lady in uniform was guiding him inside towards the reserved table. 

I exhaled a defeated breath and waved Bran goodbye with a sad and nervous face. The elder man just smiled at me. 

I turned my back against him. This is going to be very awkward.

I stepped inside the restaurant, and just as I expected, it looked as expensive as it smells. The entire room was lit with warm golden lights and there was classical, soothing music playing for the people dining. 

The servers were in uniforms, the ceiling had great chandeliers and I couldn’t specify how fancy this place was, nor could I thoroughly enjoy the luxurious experience of eating lunch here instead of being in a park with poodles that had an attitude as fiery as their owner. I was too nervous to appreciate the place.

“This way, Sir.” The lady who was escorting Sir Troy guided us to a stairwell, and there we both turned to the side where what looked like a VIP section of the restaurant was located.

And as soon as I saw the two people who were already sitting there, waiting for us, my heart immediately jumped inside my chest. 

To say that Ms. Annika Peterson hates me is an understatement. She loathes the mere mention of my name. If she could, she would throw me to the pits of hell and laugh like a villain who finally killed her archenemy.

I thought at one point, I was getting immunized by rude comments and threats of the girls that the boss has dated whenever I would be instructed to not let them bother him again, but when Miss Annika came, I was proven wrong. The girl could move mountains if she really wanted to.

She had asked for me to get fired so many times, and if not for Sir Troy’s nonchalance about her complaints, I think I would have probably been thrown out a long time ago. 

I was kind of afraid because she is basically the longest running title holder as Mr. Troy Sanford, the billionaire bachelor’s lover. And what if Sir Troy was truly serious with her and would soon get over his professionalism and just fire me to make Miss Annika’s complaints stop?

If not for the fact that she is an heir of a multi-billion dollar company, that could possibly affect my entire professional career, I wouldn’t be as scared as I would be. But she is, and I can’t have that kind of problem. I have a hamster to feed! Along with a brother that could pass as a hamster with his squeaks!

Kidding aside, I just don’t really want to lose my job. I need the money for something I have always dreamed of, and could possibly free me from these hectic schedules and overworking ways as a secretary. 

It’s not that I don’t love it, I just really have had this ultimate dream since I was a kid. To be a great baker, like my Mom. And I am finally working on making it happen.

“Mr. Sanford,” Mr. Peterson immediately greeted us as soon as he saw us. It took me out of my own thoughts and I focused on them.

I’ve seen him before, but not up close like this. He was a big man, and even in his fifties, he wore himself like a man who was still so ready to challenge the wile ways of society; confident, strong and smart. 

Like Mr. Sanford, he’s made a name for himself in the industry, even years before Mr. Sanford did. He’s one of the most formidable businessmen in the country. He takes care of his company’s welfare as much as he takes care of his loved ones' well being—and that is what makes me more nervous right now. 

He is known to be a family man. Known to love his only child, Annika, so dearly that he gives her whatever she wants, and spoils her.

And seeing his lovely daughter’s face as she openly glared at me right now, I wonder what kind of spoiling he would soon do to her.

“Miss Hill, I see you’ve accompanied your boss.” I looked away from Annika’s piercing blue glares and looked at her father. Like her, the man had blue eyes, but is currently less violent than hers right now.

“I made her come with me,” Sir Troy butted in before I could speak. Both those blue sky-like eyes went to him, one amused, one murderous.

I honestly don’t know which one I would like to investigate further.

“We’re talking business today, aren’t we, Mr. Peterson?” Sir Troy stated, more than asked. 

I looked at Mr. Peterson, and he was still smiling almost good-naturedly. The smile created lines beside his eyes. Despite that, he looked handsome. Annika, for sure, got his father’s good looks, except for the dark hair. She had light blonde strands.

“Sit down. Let’s eat first before we get to that, shall we?” The elder Peterson said and sat on his seat. Mr. Sanford nodded and followed suit. 

I was about to take the seat in front of Mr. Peterson when he beat me to it. I glanced at Miss Annika, and saw she was already killing me in her head. She just had this piercing look. 

I grimaced. Maybe she’s gutting my stomach in her mind right now. That could be the reason why I suddenly feel kind of sick.

I sat in front of Miss Annika, and I let her be. I looked at the menu instead.

“Waiter,” Mr. Peterson called and a waiter immediately came to us. 

“What would you like Ms. Hill?”

I looked up from the menu when Mr. Peterson suddenly asked me. “I…uhm,” I looked back at the menu, not really knowing which to pick. 

So I smiled at Mr. Peterson formally. “You can order first, Sir. I would love to hear some ideas from your choices.”

“Of course you do. You’ve never been to anything like this.” Miss Annika suddenly inserted with a snort. 

“Annie,” Sir Samuel looked at his daughter. Annika’s raised brow immediately mellowed a bit at her father’s slightly reprimanding tone.

“It’s alright, Sir,” I said, which made them both look at me again. I smiled a little again. “It’s true I haven’t been in places like this that much. So I honestly don’t know which would be best to order.” 

“Well, then. I would suggest a few of my own picks, but you may not like them. So why not give her the best course you have here, Jason?” Mr. Peterson suggested, addressing his last sentence to the waiter who immediately nodded. 

I leaned on my seat and sighed, realizing I was kind of stiff earlier. 

I looked at everyone as they all ordered, and I let myself breathe for a while. 

Well, this isn’t so bad… maybe. Mr. Peterson seems sensible.

It wasn’t long before the food came. We all started eating and conversations were made at the table—at least between Sir Samuel and Sir Troy. Both Miss Annika and I were just eating silently as they talked about news and business, avoiding looking at each other.

Or maybe just me. I could still feel her piercing gazes on my skin.

I was still eating my dessert, enjoying it like a kid, when Miss Annika finally decided to speak her mind. 

She slammed her spoon on the table that made a loud clunking noise. I grimaced. “I don’t understand why she’s here, Troy. You know I don’t like her.”

I looked at her, and surprise, surprise! She was still glaring at me. Even harder now. Her nude pink painted lips in a firm line, and a shade of red blooming from her neck to her face. 

I must say, even in an angry state, Miss Annika Peterson is still a beauty.

She hates me to the core, though.

“Lia is my secretary,” Sir Troy said a matter of factly, as if that would explain everything. Even I, don’t truly understand why I’m here.

That seemed to infuriate Miss Annika even further. “And that stupid secretary of yours is ruining what supposedly is a great lunch with my father. Why can’t you just fire—“

“I am here for a lunch meeting, Annika. And the stupid secretary you are talking about has saved you from trouble a couple of times from the media, due to your own scandalous affairs. Wishing her to be fired due to things unrelated to her work is not something I could tolerate. She is my employee, not yours.”

Take that! I wanted to scream those words and point a finger at Annika after Sir Troy said those words. He didn’t even mind he was saying those in front of her father who was just silently looking at them both. 

Mr. Peterson drank his water and put the glass down slowly. He stared at Mr. Sanford, and gone was all the good-naturedness I was getting from him earlier. He had gone so formal and serious all of a sudden. The air in the room immediately felt thicker to me. 

“Now that I’ve heard both your sentiments," the elder man paused and gestured to his still fuming daughter. 

“What really is your relationship with my daughter, Mr. Sanford? I’ve heard you’ve been with her for a couple months now. But I know you’re much of… a ladies man,” he said, sizing up Sir Troy with an intense look. A look that only a protective father could give.

Now, this is getting awkward.