Mr. CEO, I Cannot Be Hidden Anymore

Chapter 4

Amaka's POV

"Sorry, sir. I was mistaken. I thought you were someone I knew before," I said, as his blue eyes held mine.

"It's fine. Come on in for your interview. Why do you want to work here with us?" he asked, clicking on his laptop like he was going through my credentials.

Seeing him hit me hard, but the fact that he acted like he didn't know me or recognize who I was made me tremble.

"Hello?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at my face.

"Alright. I'm a digital marketing student, and I graduated with distinction. I believe I can help your company market their products and services online," I said, my gaze lowered as I tried not to look at his face.

Joseph had changed—he looked more masculine and handsome. My son resembled him, except Jason was fair like me.

"I see," he replied, clicking his mouse.

"I only employ staff who are committed to their jobs and don't breach my company agreement. If you dare breach it, you'll have to pay a fine of five million," he warned.

"Okay, sir. I'm an honest person, and you don't have to worry about that," I replied, lowering my gaze and avoiding his sharp blue eyes.

"Hmm," he said. "You can meet with Anita to sign up with her."

"Thank you, sir," I replied, standing up from the guest chair as I looked at his face one more time. He'd gone back to his laptop, and I couldn't believe he didn't recognize me.

Did I change that much? My eyes welled up with tears, and he looked at me.

"What's the problem, madam?" he asked, meeting my gaze. I searched his dark, handsome face to see if I affected him at all. But nothing.

"Nothing, sir," I quickly replied, blinking away my tear as I got out of the guest chair. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't look back as I left his office.

I wanted to quit right then. But this was my first job after graduating. How could my kid's dad own this place? Was that really Joseph Ericson?

I looked back as the office door closed, with the inscription: CEO - Joseph Ericson Office.

"What?!" My brows furrowed as I realized it was him. I looked away and met Anita's curious gaze. She asked, "How did it go?"

"Okay." I smiled, seeing the other newcomers looking at me. They were all fresh graduates too—young guys and girls.

"It went well, ma. I was just a bit emotional. Can I see the document?" I asked, and she said, "Sure." She handed me the documents, and I quickly read the terms and conditions for working there.

It was an exclusive agreement, meaning I couldn't work for another company or tarnish their name.

I sighed and signed it, even though part of me didn't want to.

I wanted to know if Joseph had memory loss or something for not recognizing me.

It had only been four years, and he was acting like he'd never known me. Why was seeing him messing with me so much?

I took my copy of the agreement and stuffed it in my bag while Anita told me, "You'll have to wait to meet your new coach."

"Okay, ma'am," I said, going to sit and wait. After a bit, Anita came back. "Come with me. You'll be working under Simon Braxton. He's our marketing manager, so you can help him out."

"Okay," I replied and followed her to Simon's office. The company was a five-story building, and I was shocked to see it was the same guy who'd paid my bus fare that morning. Unlike Joseph, Simon smiled and welcomed me. "Have a seat, pretty."

"Simon! You know compliments like that aren't allowed here—unless you want to lose your job," Anita warned him, but he just laughed it off.

"Don't be jealous, Anita. I know her already, so move along. Nice meeting you again, pretty. What's your name?" Simon asked me, ignoring Anita's warning. She grimaced. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

She opened Simon's office door and left, leaving me alone with him.

I leaned forward and took a seat.

"Is everything alright, miss?" Simon asked, looking concerned. I was sure my face had turned red.

"Yes, sir. I'm fine," I replied, pulling out my white handkerchief from my skirt pocket and wiping my face.

"Oh, drop the 'sir.' Just call me Simon, okay? I'm not that old, and the boss is older than me, if you ask," Simon said, flashing his nice white teeth. I couldn't help but smile at his words.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. So we get to work together today. Funny how fate works," Simon smiled, and I smiled back.

"I'll have the company security guys set up your office here. You know we'll be working close, so I can show you the ropes before you get your own space," Simon said, leaning back in his chair as I looked around his office.

Just like Joseph's office, Simon's was painted white, with a large desk and his laptop in front of him.

"Alright. So my work starts today," I said to him, and he replied, "Yes. Or do you want to go home?"

"No. I'm fine," I replied, and he smiled.

"Let me call the security guys to come set up your office—that'll make things easier," Simon said, picking up his phone and making a call. A security guy came in.

The security guy wore a white top, black pants, and black boots.

"You sent for me, Simon?" he said. "Yes. Get a new desk, chair and laptop for my assistant," Simon told him. The guy looked at me and said, "On it."

"Oh! I forgot my handbag. Let me go get it," I told Simon, and he smiled.

"Feel free."

Once I stood up from the guest chair, I stepped out and left his office. His office was on the fifth floor, same as the boss's.

Some staff worked on the fourth and second floors, while the third floor was their meeting hall.

Anita had already filled me in on the company floors when I signed the contract with her.

I went back to the locker, grabbed my bag, and returned the key.

As I turned to head back to Simon's office, Anita came out of the boss's office and smiled at me.

"How's it going with Simon? Don't pay too much attention to him—the boss's office is right next to his. Most offices have glass walls to keep an eye on things, plus CCTV footage," she said.

"Oh!" My cheeks burned even redder.

"You don't have to worry. Simon and I just met by chance on the bus today, and I don't really know much about him," I told her. She gasped. "Oh! That's fine. Feel free to reach out if you need help. Take care, Amaka."

"Alright," I replied, watching Anita walked away to her office. I sighed and went back to Simon's office to join him.

I was super aware that the boss could watch us from his office. They had cameras and glass walls separating everything.

"Are you alright?" Simon asked, looking concerned as I stepped into his office to join him, as the company's new digital marketer.

"Yeah," I smiled, and he grinned.

"Here's your new chair and small desk. It'll keep you comfortable," he said, gesturing to the new setup in his big office.

"Oh! Thank you," I smiled at him, and he rose from his chair, walking over to the new desk and chair to join me.

"Don't thank me, Amaka. We're partners now, so it's my job to make things easy for you," Simon said, leaning beside me as I sat in the new chair.

"Alright," I replied, and he turned on the laptop to test it. I focused on the loading screen and watched him set it up.

"You'll have to fill in your name, password, and register. If you need more help, just ask me," Simon said, standing up from my desk once he'd set up the laptop. I smiled at him.

"Thank you," I said, watching Simon head back to his chair. I focused on the laptop again. I glanced around at the glass wall, wondering what Joseph was up to. The glass was tinted, so I couldn't see the next office. But I felt nervous knowing I was under surveillance.