BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

CHAPTER THREE

Natalie's alarm cut through the quietness of her apartment and for a moment she considered ignoring it, but she remembers she has to go to work and be at the office before her boss she dragged herself out of the bed removing the duvet on her body, she walk to the mirror straightening her hair, her reflection staring back at her, determined

The city of New York buzzed with life but Natalie barely notice, she's been thinking about the previous day, she keeps wondering when she became a driver instead of a secretary, the glass door of Steele Enterprises sparkling under the morning sunlight as she step inside the lobby the scent of coffee mingle with the low hums of printers, and distance conversations the office was alive and efficient, “Good morning” someone said from behind her, Natalie turn to see a young man in a crisp shirt standing at the reception area “you must be Natalie Carter” he said offering a warm smile Natalie blink surprised “yeah I'm Natalie, good morning” “ I'm Ethan” “oh nice meeting you” Natalie smile “see you next time” Ethan said then leave, "a friendly face in this intimidating place" Natalie muttered, surprised then continue walking.

Natalie took the elevator and rode to the executive floor, she walked to her desk smoothing her hair to finish the work from the previous day it didn't take long before Victor walked in.

As Natalie logs into the computer system, she stares at the system, rows of data, unfinished reports and incomplete entries, from her fingers hovering above the keyboard, hours pass as Natalie carefully inputs data.

she went to the cafe for lunch, halfway through her meal Ethan join her at her table “hi Natalie can I join you” Natalie smiled it's the guy earlier this morning “yeah you can” he day down and their conversation flowed easily, the aroma of pastries filled the place ‘’how is the new environment treating you”ethan asked pouring two glass drink “overwhelming” she admitted, Ethan chuckled “welcome to Steele Enterprises everyone struggle at first especially with the rules but you're smart Natalie, you will get it” she smiled “thanks, it means a lot honestly, i think I need someone like you around me a guide basically” Ethan laugh “then consider me as your official guide” Natalie laugh, the first genuine smile of the day, it felt so good getting along with someone within her first week already.

Natalie wrapped up for the days tasks already, she neatly stacked the files, and began to tidy up her desk, she glance at the clock it shows 5:00pm sharp, time to call it a day, as she gathered her belongings, she couldn't help but felt a sense of satisfaction, the day has been productive, she was looking forward to a relaxing evening, she wore her jacket and waiting patiently for when Victor will be out of his office it's closing hour already, he has to leave before she leaves, she was about to shut down her system then a notification pops in, she frowned glancing at the screen, an email from her boss, Victor

ATTACHED ARE THE UPDATED FINANCIAL AND PROJECT FILES FOR HUDSON DEVELOPMENT, I NEED A FULL REVIEW, AND SUMMARY REPORT BEFORE THE END OF TODAY

Her eyes widening in shock, it her closing time and her so called boss is giving her an extra work that will take approximately 2 hours before she finish, she checked the time again to be sure she didn't lost track of time.

She seat back at her chair trying to process "seriously this isn't fair" she muttered under her breath and start working on it immediately, she knew better than to ignore it, if she delayed or messed up, it wouldn't just ruined her evening, it might ruin her whole week

With a sigh, she opened the files, neatly stacking them in order, every click, every scroll, felt like a countdown to what she didn't bargain for

The quiteness in the office seemed heavier, she could feel the building emptiness around her,

She glance at victor's office often, the light are still on and the clock tucked, every minute reminding her that her evening plans were slipping away.

Two hours passed, she was still scrolling through spreadsheet and typing summary report, her eyes stung from staring at the screen for too long, at every opportunity she glance at the clock calculating how late she will be living.

After what felt like enternity, she leaned back and exhaled, she was done, she double check everything, every project update nearly summerise, she saved the file and send it back to her boss via email

She stood up immediately stretching her muscle, Victor's light was still on and she could see him moving, she waited patiently, not daring to leave before him, it was an unspoken office protocol and she knew better

Victor Walk out of his office minutes later straighten his jacket "Good work" he said

"Thank you sir" Natalie took her bag and took one last glance at the office before leaving, everything was in order.

DRIVEWAY

The air outside felt warm, the building light illuminate the driveway like a red carpet meant only for him

His driver, stood beside his car, ‘’good evening sir” he said politely and rush to the other side to open the door, Victor nodded and slid into the car

Collins started the engine and the car rolled from the company, Victor leaned his head, he watched the city through the tinted glass.

The huge gate slide open automatically, silently, warm light gilded the driveway, the car pulled up in a massive garage, they were other luxury cars in the garage, he didn't even give a glance as he walked out of the car Collins bowed again as victor pass him going inside immediately. Two female workers stand at the entrance of the house to welcome him, his workers are not much he dislike crowd especially at his comfort zone “welcome back sir” they said in unison “sir "Dinner will be ready in 20 minutes sir would you prefer your meal served upstairs instead” the older lady said “no” Victor replied, he didn't slow down as he walked into the house, "sir, your mum and sister arrived three hours ago" Victor pause mid step today of all days "where are they?" In the main living room, he sigh under his breath,

He already knew what his mom wanted to talk about, that is why he aviod visiting her for almost a month and now she's here, she always find ways to turn conversation back to her, his ex fiancee, three years has past and his mom still treated the woman like the family lost golden child, he entered the living room, the huge chandelier sparkling like crown above him, every part the house screamed wealth, the doors were open, laughter spilling out, his sister's voice was bright, youthful and warm, she sat on the couch, dark hair and sharp eyes, she was eating popcorn while scrolling her phone the moment she saw him she lit up "Big brother" Isabella jumped from the couch "you're home" he smile and open his arm and she hugged him tight "you promise to come around but you didn't i miss you" she pouted "you know I miss you too I was busy with work".

His mother stood from the couch, elegant in her red gown, her hair is perfectly made, jewelries expensive, "victor, sweetheart" she said moving to hug him "mother" he greeted giving her a polite embrace, she cupped his face "you look tired"

"I'm fine mom" he replied "how is the company?, and how is Elaine? Is she still on the board" straight to the point, he sigh "mom not now" Mrs Steele frowned slightly "darling, I'm only asking, she is part of this family she's your fiancee"

“she was, past tense" victor said walking past her towards the counter "but she said..."

"I don't care what she said mom" Abigail and Mrs Steele exchange glance "you broke up with her three years ago with no solid reason and you never told me why"

"because it doesn't matter anymore" he poured himself a glass of water, Mrs Steele sigh, sitting down “"you're my son and I worry about you, the last time you were truly happy, she was there" Victor inhaled deeply happy? Because of her? he could almost laugh, the same person that crush his happiness without even blinking, and she is comfortable like nothing happened, Angela appeared at the doorway "dinner is ready sir"

As they walked towards the dining room, Isabella moved closer to him "Vic.." she whispered "did she hurt you" he pause for a moment "no" he lied "but it's something I want you and mom not to worry about, Isabella didn't look convince, but she didn't push.

At the dinning table, the staff moved around smoothly, serving dishes and refilling waters, the aroma of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables filled the room, Mrs Steele smile warmly "it's nice to have a proper family dinner again" Abigail nodded, "yeah I'm not leaving here till next week" "because you don't have school to attend" "it's weekend and I can still skip school by monday" the staff watch descreetly, seeing a tiny softness on their cold boss face, halfway through the meal, Mrs Steele asked "Victor are you seeing someone" Isabella chocked on her drink "mom.."

" it's a simple question, since he's been avoiding Elaine that only means he's seeing someone else" Victor set down his fork calmly "I'm not having this conversation mom" " mom he's only seeing Elaine" Isabella said, Victor looked at her without saying anything and continue eating

Mrs Steele sighed "I just want you to be happy"

"I'm happy" he said and left the table

After the dinner the the maids cleared the table immediately