Tangled heart

Chapter 4

The following days at Whitaker Holdings, Chloe walked in trying to master every rhythm movement slowly. Every morning, she arrived earlier than most employees, her heels knocking confidently across the polished floors. Ashley had designed another dress very suitable for her, saying, “If you’re going to work next to the most sought after man in Brooklyn, you should at least look like you own him.”

“ I will send you a text soon sir.” Chloe replied resting her back firmly against the chair after she had made a contract with a client virtually. She steps out of the office to get some snacks as she meets with the chairman in the hallway.

“Morning sir,....”

The chairman stared at her knowing it was the first time seeing such a stunning girl in his company. “ Have I met you before?”.

“ I was just employed as the secretary to Mr Donald, I started work yesterday sir.” She said facing the floor while she avoids eye contact.

“ Oh. You were the new assistant he was talking about, that's good.” The chairman said amusingly as he walked straight to Donald's office.

Chloe headed downstairs through the elevator. She meets Sandra.

“Oh,... There you are. I've asked about you from other secretaries.” The stunning smile Sandra gives to Chloe all the time becomes uncomfortable for other secretaries creating a bit of jealousy.

“ Morning ma'am.” She bends her head down with her hand crossed over her stomach.

“ Have you met Donald today?” Sandra asked in a subtle manner.

“No ma'am.” Chloe said, still shocked at Sandra's question, she starts to think what Sandra was up to. Just in a moment, Donald walked in. The eye contact Donald had with Chloe created a bit of curiosity. He walked to his office ignoring Sandra and Chloe's presence.

Donald, always proving to be demanding as he was intelligent. Chloe could not deny the subtle curiosity in his gaze whenever their eyes came in contact. He was not like other men she had come across. Donald was different, reserved, controlled and intelligent.

One afternoon, Ashley came to deliver lunch to Chloe at Whitaker Holdings, her sister hadn't been eating enough. While she waited in the lobby, a young handsome employee bumped into her, scattering his arranged documents across the marble floor.

“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going,” the man said, kneeling quickly to gather his files.

Ashley bent to assist him. “No, it’s fine. I should have paid attention since I was just standing.”

When their eyes met, Ashley noticed the soft and gentle guy he was, warm and handsome. She didn't pay much attention to it.

“Ethan,” he said, extending a hand with a shy grin. “New member in the legal department.”

“Ashley,” she replied, shaking his hand. “Fashion designer… and also part time lunch courier.” She lifted Chloe’s food bag, and they both laughed.

It was simple and brief, but something unspoken passed between them, the kind of feeling Ashley had felt in a long time.

_____

Meanwhile, upstairs in Donald’s office, Sandra casually leaned against her brother’s desk, observing Chloe organize files like an expert.

“You’ve trained her well,” Sandra teased, sipping her iced latte. “Composed, efficient… and pretty. Just your type, Donald.” She said the last sharply like mumbling some words together.

Donald didn’t look up from his laptop. “She’s an employee, Sandra.”

But Sandra’s grin only widened. She had grown up knowing her brother better than anyone, and she noticed the subtle hint of interest behind his mask of indifference. She also knew Chloe was no ordinary assistant like the others. There was quite a difference about her, something that has triggered Donald in ways he wouldn’t admit.

“At times,” Sandra said gently, “choosing isn't just what love is about. It’s about who cares to stay when everything else falls apart.”

Donald shot her a glance, his fist tightening. “Not in this office. Please”

Chloe had a hint about the siblings' struggle but she didn't have an idea about what was going on.

……..

Chloe returned home fatigued that evening, dropping her bag on the sofa. Ashley was waiting, excitement written across her face just like she was waiting for another gist.

“You won’t believe who I met today,” Ashley began, her eyes blinks. “His name’s Ethan. Works in the legal department. And Chloe, I don’t know why something about him feels special.”

Chloe, still pulling off her outfit, chuckled. “ Lol, be careful, Ash. Special can mean trouble.”

Ashley tilted her head, smiling knowingly. “And what about you? Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you talk about your boss.”

Chloe paused, caught unaware, but before she could reply, Ashley cut in, her voice turning playful. “See? You’re blushing already.”

Was she? Chloe wondered.

---

As the sisters laughed and played, far away in his Manhattan penthouse, Donald stared out of his window, a fresh wind flowing in his thoughts. For years, he had built walls around himself, discipline, work, integrity. But Chloe had stepped into his world bringing quite some change in his thoughts and indifference towards people.