The CEO I Left Behind

Chapter 3: My New Boss

Kathy's POV

I barely slept the night before.

No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that everything would be fine, the image of Luther standing beside me in the elevator refused to leave my mind.

Seven years.

I had spent seven years preparing myself for the possibility of seeing him again, yet when it finally happened, I wasn't ready.

Not even close.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into Apex Technology and made my way to the Human Resources department.

"Good morning," the receptionist greeted with a warm smile. "You must be Kathy Morgan."

"Yes."

"Please have a seat. Ms. Emily will be with you shortly."

A few minutes later, Emily walked out carrying a folder.

"Good morning, Kathy. Welcome to Apex Technology."

"Thank you."

She led me into her office and handed me a stack of documents.

"These are your employment forms. Please read through them and sign where indicated."

I carefully signed each page.

When I finished, Emily smiled.

"Congratulations once again. There's just one more thing."

I looked up.

"Your position has been changed."

My smile disappeared.

"Changed?"

"Yes."

"I applied as an AI programmer."

Emily nodded.

"I know."

"Then... what do you mean?"

She hesitated before answering.

"Mr. Ashford personally requested that you be transferred."

For a moment, I couldn't understand what she had just said.

"The CEO?"

"Yes."

My heart skipped a beat.

"He requested... me?"

Emily slid another document across the desk.

"Beginning today, you'll be serving as the CEO's executive secretary."

"What?"

I shot to my feet.

"There has to be some mistake."

"I'm afraid there isn't."

"But I'm a software engineer. I studied artificial intelligence in Canada. I've never worked as a secretary before."

"I understand your concern," Emily said gently, "but this decision came directly from the CEO."

My thoughts became a tangled mess.

Did Luther recognize me?

Was this his way of taking revenge?

"I... I can't do this."

Emily sighed.

"If you refuse, your employment contract will be terminated."

The words felt like a bucket of ice water.

Terminated.

My mother's hospital bills flashed through my mind.

The expensive medications.

The endless treatments.

The doctor's worried face.

I couldn't afford to lose this job.

Not now.

Not when my mother needed me the most.

I slowly sat back down.

"...I'll do it."

Emily gave me an apologetic smile.

"I know this isn't what you expected."

I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"When do I start?"

"Immediately."

She stood and walked me toward the executive floor.

The higher we went, the tighter my chest became.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

We finally stopped outside a pair of massive wooden doors.

Emily knocked twice.

"Come in."

That voice...

Deep.

Cold.

Unforgettable.

Emily opened the door.

"Mr. Ashford, your new secretary has arrived."

Luther didn't look up immediately.

He continued signing a document as though I didn't exist.

After several long seconds, he placed his pen on the desk and slowly raised his head.

Our eyes met.

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.

His expression remained calm.

Too calm.

Then a faint, unreadable smile appeared on his lips.

"So..."

He leaned back in his chair.

"My new secretary."

I couldn't tell whether he was amused...

Or planning something far worse.

A chill ran down my spine.

Deep inside, I had the terrifying feeling that this job wasn't going to save my life...

It was about to turn it upside down.