Secretary Kool

Chapter Six

The Woman Who Came Back

For the first time in days, my morning did not begin with thoughts about my boss.

Instead, the entire company seemed to be talking about one person.

Mira.

Mira Han had been away for almost three months, representing the company on an international project. She was one of the company's senior secretaries and had worked closely with several important departments before she was sent abroad.

She was also the last person I wanted to see.

Our relationship had never been good.

We were polite when we had to be, but there was always an invisible competition between us. Mira was intelligent, confident, and ambitious, and she had never hidden the fact that she considered me her biggest competition.

Now she was coming back.

By lunchtime, everyone knew.

"She's arriving this afternoon," one of the employees told me.

"Mira?"

"Yes. Apparently, the project was successful."

I nodded.

"Good for her."

But I knew there was more to the story.

Before she left the country, an important company design had disappeared. The design belonged to one of the company's biggest upcoming projects. After an investigation, Mira had been questioned because she had access to some of the files.

Nothing was officially proven against her, but rumors had followed her everywhere.

Some people believed she had copied the design and passed it to someone outside the company.

Others believed she had given it to a driver who later passed it to another company.

Mira denied everything.

And then she was sent abroad to represent the company on another project.

Now she was back.

I was still thinking about it when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Secretary Kool."

I turned.

A tall young man was standing there with a smile.

It was Daniel from the marketing department.

He had been finding excuses to talk to me for the past few weeks.

"Yes?"

"I was looking for you."

"You found me."

He laughed.

"I wanted to ask if you're free this evening."

I raised an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"Coffee."

"Why?"

"Because I'd like to spend some time with you."

I couldn't help smiling.

"Daniel, you know you can just say that instead of pretending you need coffee."

He laughed again.

"Fine. I like you."

I stared at him.

He said it so casually that I didn't know how to respond.

"You're very direct."

"I've been trying to get your attention for weeks."

"You have?"

"Yes. You just never noticed."

Before I could answer, the sound of heels approaching made us both turn.

Mira had arrived.

She walked through the entrance carrying a small suitcase, dressed elegantly in a fitted business outfit, her long hair falling neatly over her shoulders.

Several employees greeted her.

She smiled at them, but when her eyes landed on me, the smile disappeared.

For a moment, we simply stared at each other.

Then she walked toward me.

"Kool."

"Mira."

Her eyes moved to Daniel.

"And who is this?"

Daniel introduced himself.

She nodded politely before looking back at me.

"I heard you've been keeping things interesting while I was away."

I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

She smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"Nothing. I'm just glad to be back."

She picked up her suitcase and walked away.

Daniel watched her leave.

"She doesn't like you."

I sighed.

"That's nothing new."

He looked at me.

"Should I be worried?"

I laughed.

"About what?"

"About becoming involved in whatever competition you two have."

I shook my head.

"There is no competition."

But as I watched Mira disappear down the corridor, I knew that wasn't completely true.

Something had changed while she was away.

And judging from the look in her eyes, she had not returned simply to continue working.

She had returned with something to prove.

And somehow, I had a feeling I was going to be part of it.