The Billionaire's Secretary

CHAPTER TWO

BEE’S POV

“Quick, bring it over here. It is your first day here, yet you kept me waiting for ages to have my breakfast served, huh?” His bushy eyebrows knitted in a terrifying frown as I placed the tray on the table right in front of him. I looked at my fingernails, as I couldn’t bring myself to look into his blazing eyes.

From the corners of my eyes I watched him pick up the fork, dig it into a part of the scrambled eggs, and as he brought it to his mouth, I shut my eyes and said a quick prayer. Opening one eye, I saw a look of satisfaction spread across his face, but it was short-lived.

“What are you doing standing there as a monument? Don’t you have tasks to do?

“I... I …was to take my…my leave…. Sir,” I stammered a response. In my haste to leave the office, I tripped over furniture. I apologized, fixed it and headed for the door, but his voice halted me.

“So you expect me to clear the plates when I’m done eating, right?”

I shook my head, confused at what he expected me to do. But Mr. Page was in no hurry to finish his breakfast. I had to stand the whole time waiting for him to finish his meal. And he ate in solemn silence. I allowed my eyes to wander from one expensive piece of furniture to the other that adorned his decorated office.

The huge well-polished mahogany table where Mr. Page sat, the plush swivels chairs, the feathery foot mat, his library, which housed over a thousand classics by world-class authors, the elaborate paintings curated by only the best artists around the world. Everything was exquisite.

Just then, my eyes fell on a particular painting that took my breath away. The Mona Lisa? I gasped in surprise. It was sitting on a secluded part of the wall, which looked sacred. But I couldn’t help myself.

“Oh, my…” My eyes widened in amazement as I walked in a trance over to where the painting hung. Leonardo da Vinci was one of my favorite artists and I worshiped his works. The Mona Lisa has always had me in awe. Even the magazines didn’t do justice to her looks as captured in the original oil painting by Da Vinci himself. The Mona Lisa’s unflinching stare held secrets untold. I could swear I saw a mocking glint in her eyes as she stared at me, making a fool of myself in front of my boss, whom, for a moment, I forgot existed.

Just when I took my hand to touch her glossy face, I heard a deafening s***k on my upraised hand.

“Ouch!” I screamed, pain coursed through my now reddish hand. I didn’t know what or who had hit me, because it felt like a scorpion sting. I turned to see the retreating figure of one of his guards. Mr. Page's bloodshot eyes were on me, a wicked grin played at the corners of his lips as I winced in pain.

“You have had enough time frolicking around here, clear this tray now and get back to work. Ensure you get the documents for our investors from China ready in 15 minutes. You hear me?”

“Yes sir,”

I hurried off quickly before I received another command.

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BEE’S POV

I got back home, tired, worn out and famished.

Thankfully, Gina was home. The aroma of my favorite meal snaked its way into my nostrils and for a moment I was transfixed on the spot with eyes shut, savoring the delicious smell.

“Hey hon, how did it go?” Gina’s voice fetched me out of my little ritual, the memory of everything I had to endure in one day came rushing back like a flood.

“Please, I don’t want to talk about it.” I didn’t know why, but I could feel an unhealthy anger brewing in my insides threatening to explode.

“Talk to me Bee, how was it?”

“Horrible”

“What do you mean by horrible?”

“Long story Gee, and I’m not willing to relive the last 8 hours again, especially on an empty stomach. I am famished. Is the food ready?” I asked, kicking off my low sandal heels and tossing my dress on the low bed that took almost half the space in our little room.

“Don’t tell me you got yourself fired on your first day at work.” Her eyes searched mine, demanding an answer.

“Fired? I giggled dryly. I wish”

“What do you mean? The last time I checked, the Klint & Sons Company had a bunch of well-mannered and cultured individuals. You should be grateful you got hired to work in such an establishment with a fat check at the end of the month.”

“I would say I am rather unfortunate Gee.” I left her standing there with her mouth open, which reminded me of a baby bird waiting to be fed. I smiled at the thought as I dragged my sorry self into the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, we were having potato chips and ketchup for dinner and chatting away as usual when Gina's scream sent a shiver down my spine.

“Oh my goodness, what is that reddish spot on your right hand?” Her eyes grew twice their usual size as she pointed at my hand. It was the spot where the hot coffee had scalded my skin.

I smiled at her astonishment and said “That’s proof of how my day went.”

Gina didn’t let me rest until I had told her the full story of how I got injured.

“No way, I can’t believe all that happened to you in one day,” Gina declared at the end of my tale.

I had a painful smile pasted on my face. This was the least of what I had suffered. I blinked my eyes, pushing the sad memories into the dungeon of my mind.

Gina made sure I didn’t do anything that would hurt me any further. My life had more dark patches than rainbows, yet I wasn’t going to let it define who I am. I know I have a choice to either continue working for Mr. Page or quit right away. Though deep inside of me, something kept nudging me to stay on the job. I kept tossing back and forth about my decision throughout the night. However, the next morning found me at my desk quite earlier than anyone else. What the day held I didn’t know.

And it didn’t take long for me to find out.