His Secretary, His Wife

CHAPTER FOUR

Layla's POV

My hand flew over my mouth in shock as my eyes darted towards Tristan. Oh my God. My job is definitely gone.

But then, no reaction. Not even an eye twitch. I wondered what was going on in his head.

“How dare you?” Mr. Smith was already on his feet.

Is he kidding me?

“Me? How dare you touch me inappropriately?” I fired back.

“And that gives you, a mere secretary, the right to hit me?”

“You're fired. And expect to hear from my lawyer soon.”

I couldn't hold back. I laughed.

“Is this a comedy show? Where are the cameras?” I asked in between laughs.

“You crazy slut. You won't be laughing by the time I'm done with you.”

I straightened my back and wore my poker face, looking him in the eye.

“You can't fire me, Mr. Smith. I don't work for you.”

“And you think your boss will let you be after hitting a business partner?” he shot at me with a condescending gaze.

That's true. My boss. I looked at him. He was still seated in the same position, showing no reaction. Everybody in the restaurant had their gaze on us, and he was still unmoving.

Then Mr. Smith's words clicked. Would he really let me keep working after hitting his business partner?

“We as businessmen shouldn't have such willful people as workers, Tristan. You should fire her before she causes more drama,” Mr. Smith said to Tristan, settling in his seat.

“Mr. Walker,” Tristan said simply.

“I beg your pardon?” Mr. Smith said, confusion etched on his facial features.

“It's Mr. Walker to you, Mr. Smith. And my secretary is not willful. She only defended herself against a vile man like you. Now if you'll excuse me, please,” he stood up, clearly ready to leave.

I stood there stunned. Did. He. Just. Defend. Me!!??? I screamed internally.

“Are you coming?” he turned to me.

“Yes. Yes,” I muttered frantically, grabbing all my stuff. I trailed behind him but looked back and showed my middle finger to Mr. Smith.

That's right. f**k you, bastard.

The ride back was quiet. The creepy kind of silent.

What if he defended me in public for his own reputation? I just ruined a big deal for him.

Since the meeting ended so abruptly, we still had time before the next meeting.

“Bring me coffee,” he ordered before stepping into his office.

—

I placed the coffee on the center table, waiting for further orders.

“You aren't chirpy,” he asked sarcastically, with a raise of his brows.

Silence. I had no answers.

“But you could slap a business partner in his face and even throw him the middle finger.”

He saw that!!?? My eyes widened in shock.

“He provoked me,” I defended myself.

“People will provoke you. You don't go around slapping business partners in the face.”

“You shouldn't go around working with vile people,” I fired back. Once again. Without thinking. What is wrong with me?

Contrary to my expectation, he said nothing and only asked me to prepare for the next meeting.

Why do I feel he isn't letting this slide so easily?

I stepped out anyway and started organizing the documents needed for the meeting.

Soon the time for the meeting arrived.

We entered and I could feel multiple eyes on me.

Yes, guys. Your boss did it again. New secretary, whoo!!

On cue, I handed out the printed documents and the discussion started.

They were discussing a new product—a robot that'll perform domestic functions in homes. I listened as much as I could and took notes.

Then he did it. Tristan. Put. Me, a new intern. On. The. Spot.

Oh, he did not just do that.

“Layla?”

“Yes, sir?”

“How do you think we can enhance the robot to perform basic household functions?” he repeated his question.

Oh. Please. I heard it the first time.

A few heads whipped in my direction, anticipation evident on their faces. Great. I'm not a spectacle.

I was crying inside. But I am Layla Carter. I won't be disgraced.

“We can achieve that by installing a program that can connect with the internal system or household equipment like vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, and others. For example, we can make the program, sell it to companies that make those equipment. Then it can be connected, say the way Bluetooth connects devices.”

The room fell into silence. Pin-drop silence.

Then the crowd erupted into a round of applause. They applauded me.

“Good. Proceed, Gerald.”

Everybody applauded, but he only gave a wanton “Good.” What was I expecting, anyways?

The meeting soon ended. Tristan went home directly and also dismissed me for the day.

—

The taxi dropped me off, and I dragged my tired body up the stairs. What a day I had. I envisioned myself literally dropping on my bed for a quick nap before doing anything else.

As I took the last stair up, I was hugged so tightly I almost fell back from staggering.

“Laylay, my sweetheart!” her tiny voice squeaked.

Gigi.

I pulled back from the hug and held her cheek.

“My adorable baby.”

Great. This little ball of happiness was all I needed after such a stressful day.

Gigi was a year younger than me and also the last child of her parents.

The last-child energy has always made her so pleasant to be with. She's also the only friend I made in college.

“Spill. Tell me everything. How’s Walkers? How’s your boss? Is he nice? Is he handsome?” she asked frantically as I unlocked the door.

“Relax, Gi,” I said with a laugh.

We settled on my bed, the only piece of furniture I had in this crappy apartment of mine apart from my reading table.

I told her every single thing that had happened since I started work, and her mouth was agape.

Still laughing over her shock, I was distracted by a message.

“Good job today.” The message was from Tristan.

My insufferable boss complimented me.

I blinked. And again…did I read that right?