BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

CHAPTER TWO

Natalie's woke up at exactly 7:40 am and she rolled to the other side of the bed, she pick up her phone, and she saw the time, then realisation hit her, her heart skip, she woke up late, today wasn't just any day, it's Monday the start of a new work week, and she has to be at the office early, before her boss and it's 7:43 am already,her eyes widen “holy s**t, I can't be late” she muttered to herself, she stand up immediately brushing her hair then went to take her bath, she finished within five minutes, she slipped in her work dress and wore her heels immediately, she didn't even bother to eat breakfast, she board a cab even before taking her bath so the taxi is already at the neighborhood.

When she entered the cab she says muttered silently “pls he shouldn't be at the office yet”

STEELE ENTERPRISE

Victor walk into the office at exactly 8:17am, Victor stop walking observing the area, her desk, it was empty, no coffee aroma, no documents, no Natalie, he turn his head slightly towards the nearest staff members, “where is my secretary” his voice was low, “I don know sir, I didn't think she is here yet” Victor check his watch” 18 minutes past her required arrival time.

When Natalie reach the office, the sight that greeted her make her heart drop, Victor sit on her desk, crisp in a tailored suit, arm folded over his chest, her heart sank “Good morning sir”

“ Miss Natalie you are 30 minutes late” Natalie mouth opend “i…I'm” she stammered, Victor's gaze stays blank with no emotions “Natalie Carter you are fired” the words hit her like a punch in her stomach, fired just like that, after all the stress she went through before getting the job, it gone, the job gone just like that, “No.. sir.. please” she stammered, panicking “sir please…this won't repeat again I promise” Victor raise an eyebrow, his expression the same, perfectly cold “I don't tolerate tardiness you were suppose to be here before me at exactly 8:05 am or before, this is non negotiable”

Natalie's mind race, she couldn't lose her job, not now, not after everything “sir pls I… I understand I made a mistake, I'm sorry I promise it won't happen again, pls don't fire me, I can't lose this job” Victor's eyes scan her face he didn't blink, didn't give any sign of mercy, his voice low, “you can leave, get out” with that he walk into his main office shutting the door behind him.

Natalie stood frozen, Victor's words still echoes in her mind, she walked a few step, she stop and look back at the office, the door is shut, she was thinking if she should enter his office and beg him, "what if he changes his mind, what if i go and make it worse" she take a deep breath and walk towards Victor's office, and was about to open the door then she pause "why should i even bother begging him?, he's not going to care, but i need this job, and it has always been my dream job" she spoke to herself "damn it" then she did the unthinkable, she pushed the door open "sir" she said stepping inside, her voice firmer now

Victor was at his desk, head down, but the moment the door opened he pause.

Victor looked up to see who badge into his office, he didn't expect to see Natalie, he raised his eyebrow clearly expecting her to be long gone.

Natalie walk closer to his desk "sir pls i understand i made a mistake, and I'm sorry, i promise it won't happen again" Victor leaned back on his chair looking at her surprised by her boldness, his eyes didn't leave Natalie, even for a second "sir pls i will do anything to make up for my mistake and keep this job, i promise, i would prove to you that I'm worthy of this job"

Victor looked at her pissed "is that the reason you enter my office without knocking"

"I'm sorry, i just don't want to lose my job" Victor didn't shout, he didn't need to, his stare alone was louder.

Victor stood from his chair, tall, sharp and intimidating, why should i give you a second chance miss Carter"

"Sir i just don't want to lose this job, i will do anything to prove to you that I'm worthy of this job

Victor's eyes scan her face, he didn't show any sign of mercy, Victor stood behind his desk, arm crossed, for a moment he didn't say a word, Natalie stood there hopping he change his mind Victor smile a mischievous one "go back to your desk, prepare for board meeting in one hour"

"Thank you sir" Natalie muttered and left the office relieved

Victor watched as Natalie walk our of the office and he is sure of something, Natalie will regret working with him she will resign and leave the job herself.

Natalie sat at her desk, her fingers flying across, the table, heart racing as she compiled reports and summaries, it's as if time was moving faster, she could feel Victor watching her, at exactly thirty seconds before the meeting, Victor emerged from his office, she stood up immediately walking to him

"do not speak during the meeting unless addressed, your role is to type, note, and follow instructions, remain invisible"

Invisible the word sting but she nodded,

As they walk towards the conference room, the entire flour felt different that morning, too quite, Natalie held a tablet to her chest as she followed Victor into the conference room

CONFERENCE ROOM

Men and women in expensive suit sat in high back chairs, tablet and folders arranged, low mummers filled the air, Elaine Monroe sat near the center table, leg crossed, fingers adorned with diamonds, her expression was compose, across from her investors, senior executive, analyst and the rest of the board members including Andrew sat

The door's opened the room felt silence, Victor entered, the conference room, he moved with authority, his presence obviously shift the air in the hall,

Natalie walked beside him composed with the tablet she held neatly, posture straight, her expression was calm despite the attention

The board members rose to their feet, some new their head respectfully, others bowed slightly, Victor walk straight, eyes fixed where he is going to sit, Natalie followed half a step behind him, her heels quiet against the floor, her role understood without being announced.

Victor took his sit at the head of the table, he felt the familiar burn of irritation, board meetings always annoyed him, too many opinions, too many egos, too many people thinking they knew better, his gaze scanned the room and landed briefly on Elaine, he ignore her immediately

Natalie sat beside him, placing her tablet down smoothly, fingers steady,

The meeting began, charts appeared on screen, numbers, forecast, and market shares

"Our profits are up, twelve percent" a board member began, "but investors are concerned about the upcoming acquisition"

Elaine leaned forward, lips curving into a smile "concerned is a polite way to say uneasy, the acquisition could expose us to regulatory delays"

Victor's gaze shifted to her, "Every move worth making carries risk, Elaine"

"And every risk should be calculated" she replied smoothly "someof us believe patience would be wiser"

A murmur of agreement spread around the table

Natalie felt it, the testing of victor's authority,

Victor spoke again, "Steele Enterprises didn't become an empire by waiting for permission, we move first, we dominate the market that's why you all are sitting at this table"

Silence followed then Andrew cleared his throat

"The CEO is right about one thing, fear has never served this company well, but investors need reassurance"

Natalie typed swiftly, recording every word every shift in tone, Victor rise signalling the end of discussion

"We proceed" he said "meeting closed" everyone began rising and grabbing files, Natalie gathered her materials and followed Victor behind closely, "Sir next on your schedule, you have a meeting with the legal team at Steele holdings midtown it's scheduled for.... she checked the time. "forty five minutes from now"

"cancel it" Victor replied "yes sir" her fingers moved quickly, sending the update

"Victor" Eliana called from behind walking faster to caught up with then and he pause, Natalie stop immediately "Victor we need to discuss about..."

"Book an appointment with my secretary" he said flatly and walked out without a word Natalie hurried behind him

Elaine clenched her fist, her nails almost digging into her palm

sir you also have an inspection at the Hudson development project at 3pm, your driver is already....

"You'll drive me" the words landed abruptly, Natalie stopped walking, Victor took two more steps before realizing she wasn't beside him anymore, he turned slowly, "you heard me you will drive me to my next location"

Natalie stared at him, stunned "sir i..I'm not assigned as....

"You're my secretary," Victor cut in "your role is to ensure efficiency, my driver is unavailable for today

It was a lie, she knew it his driver is always available still, she swallowed "sir i don't know how to drive"

"You don't know how to drive" he repeated, his voice low "yes sir" she said forcing the words out "I don't"

He studied her for few seconds, then a slow smile curved his lips "that's interesting" he walked into his office and Natalie followed behind him

"You learned how to drive in college" victor said calmly "five years ago"

Natalie froze in shock

"With your friends" he continued, taking a step closer"you practice in an old white Mercedes Benz, you faliied on several attempt until your birthday"

Her lips parted but no sound came out "how.... how did you...." She couldn't even finish before Victor interrupted her

" How did i know is that even a question"

"That was years ago" Natalie said her trembling despite her effort to stay compose "sir please..."

"You have just two options" he interrupted ' you drive

me or you lose your job

Natalie stared at him "but sir driving was never listed as part of my job description"

Victor smiled "you must be daft to think job description defined reality, this is Steele Enterprises roles changes"

Her mind was racing, she hadn't driven in two years and the thought alone made her terrified but the thought of losing her job is more terrifying

"You can leave my office"

3PM PARKING LOT

Natalie sit at the driver's seat, her palm sweaty, she held the steering wheel thighter than normal, she could feel his presence behind her, she has drive a car before but not him, not the CEO of Steele Enterprises.

Victor sit at the back seat, his long legs stretched out, one arm resting on the edge of the leather chair, the other is on the seat, he didn't speak but his attention never left her

She started the engine, the soft hum of the car filled the silence between them "keep the speed steady" Victor said suddenly but calm, Natalie startled slightly "of course" she said, they pulled out of the parking lot smoothly

Natalie hands were steady on the wheel, eyes forward, no hesitation, no sign of someone who has not driven in years, Victor noticed everything.

"You said you didn't know how to drive, but you're driving like someone who does this regularly" Victor broke the silence

She didn't answer immediately "the traffic light ahead turned red and she slowed the car then pause

"I'm sorry i lied to you" she muttered

"That unprofessional, but I will let it slide

"Thank you sir"

The light turned green and she drove off, silence again but longer this time.