Chapter Five
1032 Words
Arianna's Pov
“His name is Mr. Michael Gillies.” I mimicked my employer's voice the moment I slammed my office door shut.
“He's definitely not the guy I met that night.” I opened the file he sent to me on the desktop. “I mean he was so gentle–”
Stop fantasizing about him!!! You should forget that night ever happen.
“Yes! I can pretend that night never happened… Besides, it's a good thing that he doesn't remember me.”
Still, a pang of something sharp struck my chest the moment I said it.
You cannot be hurt by that, Aria, My inner voice warned.
I brushed it aside and focused on work. Exactly an hour later, the desk phone rang. I picked up.
“Yes, sir?’
‘‘Meet me in the conference room. In a minute.” The line went dead.
His majesty sure knows how to keep to time.
The meeting with Mr. Michael Gillies was a disaster– aside from the fact he had a smug, dirty grin plastered across his face the whole time, he barely paid attention to the presentation. His gaze was glued on my body.
I cleared my throat after the final slide, snapping him back to reality.
I gestured toward the screen, forcing a polite smile. “Are the numbers to your preference?”
He smirked. “How much do you expect to spend on the launch? And what about the setbacks–losses?
"We're projecting an initial spend of around $250,000, most of it going into branding, and strategic partnerships. I won't lie—every big move comes with risk. But I don’t walk into a project expecting losses. I walk in expecting to learn, adapt, and dominate. Any setback will be temporary.”
Nailed it!!
I swore I saw a twitch on Killian's face–was that a smile?
Was he… impressed with my answer?
“You've got yourself a smart secretary, Killian."
“My company only hires the best.”
Gilles chuckled, “I'll be in touch, Killian.” He walked out, leaving just me alone with his majesty.
“Did I do well sir?” I turned to him, smiling, hoping for a compliment. Something. Anything. He just stared –expression unreadable, like always.
“Return to your office, Miss Kent.” He said and walked out of the conference room without another word.
I shook my head in disappointment. “Foolish of you to think he was going to compliment you.” I muttered.
Just like he did that night, yeah!
Shut up!
*****
By the fourth day as private secretary Killian, my life had become a total chaos.. It. It was Thursday –aThursdaynd just like every other day, his majesty had me buried under a mountain of paperwork. Usually, I would order my lunch and have one of the security guards bring it up. But today, I decided to stretch my legs and visit the cafeteria.
I grabbed a burger and coffee, though I barely had the appetite for either of them. Instead of relaxing, I headed straight back to the golden floors – I had paperwork due today and no intention of wasting his majesty's time.
I exited the elevator, something felt… off. Were there always this many corridors?
I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to focus. I suddenly crashed into what felt like a wall. Except it wasn't a wall. It was a man.
His hand held me by shoulder to steady me. “Are you alright?” His voice was gentle and sweet.
I looked up and nearly gasped.
Holy molly… It's Damian McLeod, the second son of the chairman.
He looked even more striking in person than on TV or magazine covers.
Well… he's still nothing compared to a certain employer?
Shut up!
“I’m so sorry, sir,” I said, stepping back. “I apologize for being clumsy.” My coffee had spilled onto him.
“You just ruined my favourite Armani shirt. I'm certain your annual salary couldn’t cover it. How do we remedy this clumsy act.” He said, tersely.
I froze in place, too shocked to respond. I had only started this job, there was no way I would be able to pay.
Then he grinned like a mischievous schoolboy. “You should've seen your face,” he laughed.
My eyes widened. “Mr. McLeod…”
“I don't even have a favourite Armani.” He chuckled again. “Please, call me Damian. Mr. McLeod makes me feel old. I'm only twenty-six.”
He's a year older than me.
“You scared the hell out of me, Mr Damian.”
He laughed, “You looked so sweet and innocent, like you were about to cry.”
I blushed, so hard.
“You must be the new private secretary.”
I nodded, “Yes, I'm Arianna Kent.” I offered my hand, which he took with ease.
“You're way too cute to be working here. Come work for me instead.”
I covered my mouth with a laugh. “Thank you for the compliment, sir.”
“I’mserious. What will it take for you to become my private secretary?”
Before I could respond, I felt a concentrated stare boring holes into my back. I turned. There he was, the source of the burning stare, Killian McLeod. Standing with theee suited men and two security men.
“Have a good day, sirMr president. We'll keep everything under control.” One of them said to Killian.
Killian nodded, but his gaze never left me and – his brother. He said nothing, just passed by us. Cold. Silent. Arctic. Until Damian called out, “I'm going to steal this one from you too!”
“I am going to steal this one from you too.”
Did he just talk about me like I wasn't standing right here?
Killian said nothing. But the look he shot back was frozen fury.
“See you around, brother.” Damian added, then turned to me with a wink. “And I'll be seeing more of you too.”
He walked away.
I stood there dumbfounded.
Weird.
- Writer
