BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

CHAPTER ONE

The glass door of Steele Enterprises slid open softly, letting Natalie set into a world far bigger, and louder than anything she had ever known.

She wore a black corporate skirt and white shirt, her auburn hair was packed in a ponytail.

“Don't mess this up” she whispered to herself” she held her file to herself and took a deep breath. This was her chance, her first real job, her first step towards the future she dreamt of.

"Hello, you must be Natalie Carter?" a voice said from behind her, Natalie turned to see a woman in a navy-blue skirt and a staff badge clipped to her suit jacket.

"Yes, I'm Natalie."

"I'm Mrs Sophie, the HR supervisor” she gestures down the hall “follow me"

Natalie nodded and walk behind her, they walked past rows of frame awards, Natalie's eyes darted over them.

They entered Mrs Sophie's office, There was a binder on the table titled: Employees rules and regulations, Natalie stared at it curiously.

Mrs Sophie pushed the binder towards Natalie.

"These are the rules of this organization, especially for those who work with the CEO and board members, and since you will be his secretary you must follow every rule." She paused, waiting for an answer.

"Of course.” Natalie smiled.

"Good." Mrs Sophie said, flipping it open.

"I will explain the most important ones”

" Rule 1: professional conduct"

“No flirting, personal conversation or emotional entanglement among employees."

“Rule 2: No leaking or discussing internal documents, meetings and business deals, or the CEO's schedule” she paused again. Then hammered, “Not even with your families.”

Natalie blink, "U-Understood."

Mrs Sophie lowered her glasses, with her index finger. “If anything leaves this building you leave with it"

“You can see the rest. No fitted clothes, no bold fragrances…”

Natalie looked down at her modest blouse and skirt at least she passed.

She lowered her voice. “And here’s a tip. Do not touch anything on Mr Steele's desk, unless instructed, do not rearrange his belongings… do not enter his office without knocking even if he calls for you. Just… Respect his personal space, he's not an easy man, many quitted after a week.”

Natalie swallowed hard.

When the orientation ended Mrs Sophie guided her to an elevator "this will take you to the executive floor, your desk is right outside his office, don't be nervous". Natalie gave a tiny smile "I'm not nervous" The elevator dinged, she step inside, as the door slid shut she whispered to herself "Okay Natalie, new chapter, new job, follow the rules and don't cause dramas” the elevator rode to the executive floor and the doors open and the first person she saw was a tall, dark haired man in a fitted suit standing with his hands in his pocket staring directly at her She didn't know it yet but this was the man every rules had warned her about Victor Steele, the CEO, her new boss.

The executive floor was more quiet than the rest of the floors in the building but not in a peaceful way, it was silence of power, the one that reminds you that one wrong move might be the end of everything Natalie stepped out of the elevator holding her bag tightly, the air smelled luxury, her gaze lifted and he was still there, her boss. Tall, broad shouldered, piercing grey eyes staring straight at her like he could see through her. Natalie froze, for five seconds neither of them moved. Victor's expression remains blank.

She has seen pictures of him online, articles, news, and interviews. She never thought she would see him physically, and now she will be working with him as his secretary. He stepped forward slowly, "Natalie Carter?" Natalie swallowed. "Ye..yes Good morning sir"

He looked at her once again and muttered "follow me" then he turned sharply without replying to her greetings

She hurried after him down the long hallway, passing glass offices and silent conference room He walk ahead with a perfect posture, a man whose aura command any space he enter without even trying Natalie took note of the Polish steel, the large glass window, everything screamed wealth, they reached his office, two sets of doors stood opposite each other, the left side, CEO Victor Steele, was written in bold silver letters. Her desk sat directly across from his office, a smooth workplace with a computer waiting for her the world around her is expensive. Natalie Carter executive secretary. that was her desk, her space Victor did not slow down he walk straight into his office leaving the door open, wide enough for her to come in

She stepped in and was in awe, the office was large and massive the windows showing the view of New York City, everything was neat, the pen aligned, the paper arranged perfectly Victor move to his desk, pick up a folder and turn to her

“You're starting work immediately and must always arrive 15 minutes before me if i walk in and u're not here, you're fired” Her fingers trembled around the folder, she hoped he didn't see it His gaze shifted to her hands, he saw her trembling fingers "I'll do my best" "Your best is not what I ask for" She straighten her posture "I won't make mistake" He watch her carefully his expression blank "good" He tapped the file on his hand "your first task" then he handed the file to her "take this to the Executive CEO office and return immediately" "Yes sir" He watched her leave, her step quick and professional then he returned to his computer.

HALLWAY

Natalie exhale immediately she was out of the office, she lean on the wall for a moment A door open nearby "rough morning already" a soft voice asked She turn to see a lady in a sleek black dress wearing a deep red lipstick, she's tall, elegant, blonde She's Elaine Monroe, Natalie has seen her in photos and magazines too, she's one of the board members Elaine walk towards Natalie, her heels clicking sharply, she look Natalie up and down slowly "so you're the new secretary" "Yes ma" Natalie answered politely Elaine leaned slightly, her perfume strong and expensive "Steele Enterprises has expectations" her voice lowered "and secretaries rarely meet them" "I'll do my best ma" Natalie said smiling softly Elaine smiled "the last person said that 3 weeks ago" then she walk pass her Natalie exhales then she continues walking.

EXECUTIVE CEO'S OFFICE

Natalie reach the office in less than 5 minutes, she hesitate in front of the glass door, then she knock softly She heard a voice from inside “come in” Natalie walked in elegantly, compared to Victor's office, this office felt warm and inviting but not as large as Victor's office

“Good morning” she greeted politely He look up “ welcome, how may I help you” “I'm Natalie Carter, executive secretary” she said professionally “here is a file from Mr. Steele” Andrew took the file from her scanning through the first page “I will start working on it by noon” “Okay sir” with that Natalie left his office. Returning to the office felt different now, Eliana word's echoed in her ear, she sat on her desk, organizing the papers. The phone rang and she answered immediately “Natalie Carter speaking” Victor's voice was heard from the other end “Return to my office now” She didn't even replied before the call was hung up, she stood straighten her skirt while walking to his office Victor didn't look up when she entered “I asked you to return to my office immediately after Mr Andrew receive the file” “I'm sorry sir I just wanted to…..” he cut her off mid sentence “What was his response” “He said he will begin by noon Victor raise his head up looking at her for a second “you can leave” She left the office and went back to her desk exhausted, it's her first day at work and it did not even go as she expected She sat on her chair,just as she was about to rest for a while, she heard a soft sound, it's from her inbox and it reads Complete the unfinished report left by your predecessor, ensure everything is updated accurately before 2pm Taking a deep breath she opens the file, it was a mess, missing figures, incorrect data, “no wonder she was fired” she muttered” the unfinished report lies before her, evidence of someone else's negligence, with a determined heart Natalie begins to work