The Tycoon's Secret

Chapter 4

Jason’s gaze lingered on hers, making her knees grow weak, as her wavering and intimidated gaze met his, Bella couldn’t understand what was happening to her. Katy sensing the awkwardness cleared her throat as she finally broke the silence “Sir this is ms Bella, your new personal secretary” Bella bowed her head as she finally came back to reality to realize she hadn’t greeted her new boss “good morning Mr Mars, I’m Bella swariss”

“Mmm” Jason replied casually, Bella took in the surroundings of Jason’s office, she was struck by the stunning view of Manhattan’s skyline, floor to ceiling windows showcased the cities high skyscrapers,their reflection shining in the polished glass. Bella was deep in thought when suddenly Jason’s voice brought her back to reality.

“I’m sorry sir I didn’t get what you said”

“If there is anything I hate it’s having to repeat myself”

“My apologies sir I was…”

Jason raised his hand in irritation “ I asked you what makes you the perfect person for this job?”

Bella fidgeted with her fingers as she recited exactly what was on her application file “ sir, with over 2years of experience as a secretary, I possess exceptional organizational skills, I pay attention to details and expertise in handling confidential matters and…and”

“Katy will show take you to your desk” Jason said in a dismissive manner.

In Bella’s short dealings with Jason Mars, one thing she found greatly unfair was that power, wealth and intelligence could be controlled together with such good looks. He deserves to be physically unfortunate or at least average. Instead, he had this sensational dark look that made women’s heads turn in appreciation. Dark, shiny hair, and a bone structure that seemed to be carved with a loving hand to perfection. Her desk was right outside Jason’s office, she hadn’t noticed it when she walked past, her little office was cozy, soft natural light filtered through the floor to ceiling windows illuminating the sleek modern furniture. A well built oak desk anchored the room topped with a computer and laptop and a neatly organized shelf. A luxurious emerald green rug added warmth underfoot. She sat behind her desk and murmured “it’s gonna be a long day” her mind flashed back to how coldly he responded her “why was he so cold, maybe he doesn’t like me, well I haven’t come this far to quit, ahhh” she breath out in frustration “ I have no idea what to do now, should I wait for orders or…”

Jason watched Bella through the cctv suddenly picking up the telecom and dialed his secretary’s office.

“Hello Mr Mars’s office, how may I help you”

“I need my cup of coffee”

“Oh…ok sir, will go get the coffee immediately”

“There is a coffee machine in my office”

“Ok sir I will be right there”

As she walked into his office, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him, she didn’t even acknowledge him at all, Jason stared at her busying herself with the coffee machine and wondered why HR thought her to be the best candidate for the job, he couldn’t understand how someone could be so timid and shy. He clicked his tongue in irritation as his gaze followed her.

“So”, he said as his gaze lingered at the back of her head, “tell me a little bit about yourself” he stood up and sat at the front of the desk and watched as she fetched a mug from the dresser.

“I am the only daughter of my family, i um um” Bella didn’t meet his gaze as she could feel his eyes boring into her.

“And could you look at me when I am talking to you? It’s hard having a conversation with someone who insists on speaking into a mug of coffee!” Bella immediately looked at him and felt unsteady. “I’m the only child of my parents” Bella said as she walked up to him with his cup of coffee.

“And…” he said as he sipped his coffee, he began loosening his tie and dragging it down a little. Bella watched him with unpleasant fascination, like she was watching a snake about to strike its prey.

“Um” she mumbled “as I said earlier I worked as a secretary”

“It’s ok if you don’t want to tell me about yourself” Jason cut her off”

“Ok sir, if that’s all I would take my leave”

“You will be having lunch with me today, I have a meeting I would like you to take notes of during lunch”

“Ok” Bella said nervously

During lunch hours Bella met Jason at the company’s parking lot, he drove to work in a Ferrari, it was black and gorgeous just like the driver, she had only dreamt about such cars. Never in a million years would she believe she would ride in one. As they arrived at a restaurant, they were greeted warmly by the staff as they took their seats.

“What will you have?” Jason asked not looking at her as she buried her face in the menu.

“Hello?” She heard him saying now, finally turning to look at her so that for a moment their eyes tangled and a slow burn started inside her.

“Is anyone there? Or have you decided to vanish into thin air?” That was when she realized she had been lost in her thoughts and he had been talking. “Sorry”, sorry Bella said, blinking and looking away “ I’ll have a cup of coffee.”

“Anything to eat?”

‘No thank you. Thanks.”

He stared at her with a frown and looked her from head to toe and finally looking to meet her blushing face. “How much do you eat? Are you sure you eat enough?” He was already giving their orders to the waitress while Bella looked in surprise at the turn of conversation.

“Of course I eat.” She said sharply.

“You look like a bag of bones under that outfit of yours”.

In a second, he managed to make her embarrassingly aware of her body and its shortcomings. Ever since she was fourteen and had watched her friends develop hips and breast and all the things boys gravitate towards, Bella had had to keep her feelings about how slender her body and how small her breast was. Even though her dad kept trying to convince her that she was the most beautiful woman alive. Her dad adored her. He would have found her beautiful even if she had a tail and three heads.

She knew she had to give him a cold response to put him in his place, but nothing came to mind and after a brief silence he continued to disregard her feelings.

“You need to build yourself up”.

“Build myself up into what?” “A wrestler?” Bella said with sudden strength and annoyance and he looked at her with interest, his dark eyebrows raised in fascination at her sudden forceful tone of voice.

“I don’t know considering how skinny you look.” Jason answered smoothly, but her sarcasm had captured his attention and suddenly working with this shy and timid secretary didn’t seem depressing after all.

As Bella was busy looking through her work tablet, he caught himself wondering what she looked like underneath those clothes.

“I think I need a woman to warm my bed to get rid of these thoughts hovering in my mind.

He thought as his gaze swept all over her.