Chapter 7: Jealousy and Confusion
865 Words
The next morning, I arrived at the office earlier than usual. My heart was still heavy from last night’s dinner. Hearing Lucas praise his secretary—me—while looking at his wife—also me—with cold indifference... it broke my heart in ways I couldn’t explain.
I adjusted my glasses, put on my usual quiet expression, and sat at my desk. Minutes later, Lucas walked in.
He looked tired. His brows were furrowed, his steps heavy. As he passed my desk, he stopped. He stared at me for a long moment—intense, searching, as if trying to solve a puzzle.
"Good morning, Sir," I said softly, lowering my head.
He didn’t answer right away. He just kept looking.
"Good morning... Mia," he finally said, his voice deeper than usual. Then he walked into his office and closed the door.
Around 10:00 AM, trouble arrived.
Elena Cruz—the company’s vice president’s daughter, and the most arrogant woman I had ever met—stepped out of the elevator. Everyone knew she was obsessed with Lucas. She claimed they were destined to be together, even though Lucas had never shown any interest in her.
And today, she walked straight to my desk.
"You," she said, looking at me from head to toe with disgust. "You’re the new secretary, right?"
I stood up politely. "Yes, Miss Cruz. How may I help you?"
"Get out of my way," she snapped, pushing past me. She banged on Lucas’s door and walked right in without waiting for an answer.
I sat back down, my chest tightening. Through the glass walls, I could see everything.
Elena walked up to his desk, smiling sweetly, touching his arm. I saw Lucas lean back, moving away slightly, looking annoyed. But Elena didn’t care. She sat on the edge of his desk, too close, talking and laughing like she owned him.
And then... she handed him a small box.
"I bought this for you, Lucas," I heard her say, her voice loud enough for me to hear. "It’s a limited edition watch. I know how much you like them. And... tonight, let’s have dinner. Just us. My father wants to discuss a new project, but I think... we can talk about more personal things too."
She leaned closer, whispering something in his ear.
I gripped the edge of my desk until my knuckles turned white. I want to scream. I want to go in there and drag her away. I am his wife!
But I couldn’t. I was just the secretary.
Minutes later, Elena walked out, looking triumphant. She glanced at me and smirked.
"He said yes," she whispered as she passed by. "Better know your place, little secretary. You’re just an employee. I’m the one who belongs in his world."
My eyes burned. I felt like crying.
Shortly after, Lucas called me inside his office.
When I walked in, he was standing by the window, looking out, holding the small box Elena gave him.
"Close the door, Mia," he said quietly.
I closed it and stood there, waiting.
He turned to face me. His expression was... strange. Pained. Confused.
"Miss Cruz was here," he started, then stopped. He walked closer to me. "She invited me to dinner tonight."
I looked down, my voice trembling. "That’s good, Sir. She is... very nice. And beautiful. And from a powerful family. She suits you well."
I said the words, but each one felt like a knife stabbing my own heart.
Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders—firm, but not hurting. He pulled me closer, so close I could feel his breath on my forehead.
"Do you really mean that?" he asked, his voice low and intense. "Do you really want me to go with her?"
I looked up, shocked. "I... I don’t have a say in your life, Sir. I am just your employee."
"STOP SAYING THAT!" he snapped, making me jump. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "You are not 'just an employee' to me! Don’t you understand? Every time I look at you... every time I hear your voice... every time you smile... I lose my mind!"
He let go of me and stepped back, breathing hard.
"Last night... I was with my wife," he said, his voice quieter now, filled with confusion. "She was beautiful, elegant... perfect in every way. But when I looked at her... all I could think about was YOU. I compared her to you. I wondered... why does my wife feel like a stranger, while you... you feel like home?"
My heart was pounding so hard I thought I would faint.
He looked at me with eyes full of longing and pain.
"And now... Elena wants to take me out. And the only thing I feel... is anger. Because the only person I want to have dinner with... is standing right here. You, Mia. Only you."
I stood there, tears finally spilling from my eyes.
He loved me. He really loved me.
But he loved Mia the Secretary... not knowing she was the same woman he called Mia the Stranger Wife at home.
And now... the confusion was killing him. And it was breaking me.
- Writer
