Secrets And Lies: Mr Billionaire's Secretary

Julie clasped and unclasped her hands for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, her heart hammering wildly against her chest as she waited for her name to be called. She had only been sitting in the waiting area for fifteen minutes, yet it felt far longer than that. Every second stretched endlessly and was thick with anxiety. She swallowed hard and forced herself to take a slow breath, trying desperately to steady her nerves. She couldn’t look nervous. That was the last thing she wanted. Everyone else seated there looked polished and confident, dressed in expensive clothing and carrying themselves with effortless composure. Meanwhile, she felt as though every insecurity she possessed was written plainly across her face. “Juliet Grey.” Julie nearly jumped out of her seat at the sound of her name. Her heart dropped straight to her stomach as she looked up at the woman who had called her. The woman appeared to be in her mid-forties. Her dark hair was pulled into a severe bun, and she wore a perfectly tailored black suit that screamed authority and wealth. Not a single strand of hair was out of place. Even her expression looked carefully neutral. Julie silently thanked herself for taking extra time to dress properly that morning. Otherwise, she would have looked painfully out of place beside a woman like her. The woman frowned slightly, looking as though she would rather be anywhere else than standing there. The feeling was mutual. “Juliet Grey,” the woman repeated, this time glancing up from the tablet in her hand. Julie quickly stood to her feet and offered a polite smile. The woman said nothing for a moment, merely scanning Julie from head to toe with sharp, assessing eyes. The disapproval on her face was impossible to miss, and suddenly Julie became painfully aware of every detail of her outfit. “Come with me,” the woman said curtly. Julie immediately followed after her, her pulse quickening with every step. The hallways they walked through were impossibly elegant. Glossy marble floors reflected the soft golden lighting overhead, and every employee they passed looked busy, important, and intimidatingly perfect. Julie tried not to stare too much, though it was difficult not to feel overwhelmed in such a place. A place she would never have imagined she would be in. “I’m sure you already know you were selected out of dozens of applicants,” the woman said as they walked. “Though I’m not entirely certain why.” The last part was muttered under her breath, but not quietly enough for Julie to miss it. Julie pretended she hadn’t heard. she reminded herself that she needed to stay focused. “Well, things work differently around here,” the woman continued. “First of all, you must become familiar with his entire schedule. Nothing can be mixed up. Mr. Lockwood hates delays, and he absolutely despises incompetence.” Julie nodded quickly, trying to absorb every word being thrown at her. “You are expected to arrive at least an hour before he does every morning. Whenever he calls, you answer immediately. No excuses.” Julie’s stomach tightened further. “He doesn’t go out for lunch,” the woman continued briskly. “Dinner. well he occasionally has it at his residence, though he spends most of his time here.” Julie almost asked when exactly she was supposed to eat, but she wisely kept quiet. She was sure they wouldn't let her starve or would they. “He doesn’t like rambling either. If he asks you a question, keep your answers short and direct.” The woman barely paused for breath as she continued listing rules after rules, each one making Julie feel more nervous than the last. “You’ll also be required to sign an NDA after your meeting with me. Though I assume you were already informed about that.” Julie nodded again. by the time they finally stopped walking, her mind was spinning. The woman turned toward her, suddenly silent. The heavy look in her eyes made Julie even more uneasy. What now? Had she figured something out? had she finally been caught. no she had to relax! “Juliet,” the woman said slowly, “I hope you understand what an opportunity this is for someone like you. Very few people ever get a chance like this.” Her gaze sharpened. “Don’t ruin it. Mr. Lockwood does not appreciate being disappointed.” Julie swallowed hard and nodded, even though her heart was sinking rapidly inside her chest. Mr. Lockwood does not appreciate being disappointed. The words echoed repeatedly in her mind. The woman knocked once on the office door and waited a few seconds before pushing it open. “Come in.” Julie stepped inside after her and immediately forgot how to breathe. The office was empty, yet somehow it still felt overwhelmingly intimidating. A massive floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooked the city below, offering a breathtaking view that made Julie want to walk closer despite herself. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a golden glow across the luxurious office. Everything was immaculate. The shelves lining the walls were perfectly arranged, every book and file placed with precise order. The dark wooden desk was spotless except for a few scattered files, a silver watch, and a black suit jacket draped carelessly over the chair. Oddly enough, those small imperfections made the room feel even more intimidating, as though the owner was simply too important to care. Or too powerful for anyone to question it. “He was here a few minutes ago,” the woman muttered with a frown. “Where could he have...” The office door suddenly flew open before she could finish speaking. Julie turned instinctively toward the sound and froze. The man who walked into the room was, without question, the most striking man she had ever seen in her entire life. Everything about him commanded attention. He was tall, broad-shouldered and effortlessly powerful. His dark suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his lean frame, while his sharp jawline and piercing eyes gave him an almost unreal appearance. There was something cold about him, something dangerous hidden beneath the calm expression on his face. The entire room seemed to shift the moment he entered it. And when his eyes landed on Julie...her breath caught completely.