Monday
1017 Words
Elara's POV
Monday came too quickly.
I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, staring at a woman I barely recognized.
For the first time in years, I wasn't dressing for a runway.
No designer gown.
No expensive clothes.
No heels chosen by a stylist.
No makeup artist waiting outside my door.
No cameras.
Just a white blouse, long black pencil skirt, and a simple pair of heels.
A secretary.
I exhaled slowly.
“This is temporary.”
I repeated the words like a prayer.
Temporary.
Until the scandal disappeared.
Until people stopped talking.
Until I could return to the life I'd worked so hard to build.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Clair.
Don't be nervous. You'll be fine.
I stared at it for a moment before typing back.
You say that like you know what Caleb Vale is like.
Her reply came almost immediately.
Yes, I knew him way back in 9th grade. Just be professional, everything will be fine.
That wasn't reassuring.
I slipped my phone into my bag.
One last glance at my reflection.
Then I left.
Vale Gullermo Co. was impossible to miss.
The building rose above the surrounding skyscrapers, its glass exterior reflecting the morning sun.
The lobby looked more like the entrance to a luxury hotel than a corporate office.
Everyone seemed busy.
People walked quickly.
Phones rang.
Assistants carried folders between offices.
Nobody stopped to stare at me.
That surprised me.
I was used to people recognizing me.
Whispering.
Taking photographs.
Asking for selfies.
Here, I was just another employee.
For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.
I approached the reception desk.
“I'm here for Mr. Vale.”
The receptionist looked up.
“Name?”
“Elara Sawyer.”
Her fingers stopped moving.
For half a second, her eyes widened.
Then professionalism returned.
“Of course, Ms. Sawyer.”
She picked up the phone.
“Mr. Vale's new secretary has arrived.”
My stomach twisted at the word.
Secretary.
It still sounded strange.
She hung up.
“Forty-second floor. His assistant will meet you there.”
“Thank you.”
I stepped into the elevator.
As the doors closed, I caught my reflection in the mirrored walls.
I looked nervous.
I hated that.
I'd walked onto runways with hundreds of cameras watching me.
I'd stood backstage moments before stepping in front of thousands of people.
So why was an elevator making me nervous?
Maybe because this time, I didn't know what waited at the end.
The doors opened.
A man in a dark suit was waiting.
“Ms. Sawyer?”
“Yes.”
“I'm Daniel. Mr. Vale's executive assistant.”
He offered his hand.
I shook it.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
He glanced at the folder in my hand.
“Have you worked as a secretary before?”
“No.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“Really?”
“I've worked with managers, agents, designers, executives, and clients for years.”
“That wasn't what I asked.”
I smiled politely.
“No. But I learn quickly.”
He smiled.
“I've heard.”
That made me pause.
“Heard what?”
“Never mind.”
He turned and started walking.
I followed.
We passed several offices before reaching a large set of double doors.
Daniel stopped.
“This is Mr. Vale's office.”
I looked at the doors.
My heart began beating faster.
“He's expecting me?”
Daniel looked at me.
“He's been expecting you since eight.”
I checked my watch.
8:57.
I frowned.
“He knew I was coming?”
“Yes.”
He stepped aside.
“Good luck.”
I stared at him.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?”
He smiled.
“You'll understand.”
Then he walked away.
I stood alone in front of the doors.
I took a breath.
Once.
Twice.
Then knocked.
“Come in.”
The voice was deep.
Calm.
Controlled.
I opened the door.
The first thing I noticed was the view.
The second was the silence.
The third—
was him.
Caleb Vale sat behind an enormous black desk, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.
He wasn't looking at his computer.
He was looking at me.
His expression was unreadable.
Cold, just like every article had described.
But there was something else in his eyes.
Something I couldn't identify.
I stepped inside.
“Good morning, Mr. Vale.”
His gaze moved slowly over me.
Not inappropriate.
Not obvious.
Just... attentive.
“Greetings, Ms. Sawyer.”
Hearing my name in his voice sent an inexplicable shiver down my spine.
I tightened my grip on my folder.
“I hope I'm not late.”
“You're not.”
He glanced at the clock.
“You're early.”
I smiled awkwardly.
“That's good, right?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
His eyes returned to mine.
“Whether you intend to remain early.”
I blinked.
Was that a joke?
I couldn't tell.
“I'll do my best.”
“I don't need your best.”
His voice remained calm.
“I need competence.”
My smile disappeared.
“I can provide that.”
For the first time, something shifted in his expression.
Almost amusement.
“Good.”
He gestured toward the chair opposite him.
“Sit.”
I walked over and sat down.
He pushed a folder toward me.
“Your responsibilities.”
I opened it.
My eyes widened.
“This is a lot.”
“Yes.”
“Are you always this demanding?”
The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
Silence.
I looked up.
Caleb was staring at me.
I immediately regretted speaking.
“Sorry.”
“No.”
His gaze remained fixed on mine.
“Don't apologize.”
I frowned.
“Then what should I do?”
His lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile.
“Learn when I'm testing you.”
My pulse skipped.
I didn't know why.
He leaned back in his chair.
“Welcome to Vale Gullermo Co, Ms. Sawyer.”
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