Secretary Jane

Chapter 3

Jane got to Steve's penthouse that night, giving him an excuse not to worry, she claimed she only wanted to come and see sleepover, him not knowing it was for her safety. The next week, Jane relocated to Steve's penthouse. It was a far cry from the shoebox apartment she had lived in for ages and where every single cent had to be budgeted meticulously. Now she had the comforting embrace of luxury surrounding her. It had everything a penthouse should have – open space with a breathtaking view of the city through floor to ceiling windows, black leather sofas, and a five-star kitchen that could compete with the best restaurants in the country.

It's a nice place, but it gives me the creeps.

This wasn’t her life.

She hadn’t worked for this. She hadn’t earned it. And more importantly—she hadn’t chosen it.

Steve had been incredibly caring throughout, to the point it became a bit worrisome. Her revealed gift to her was always accompanied by luxury – be it a handbag, a diamond necklace, or flowers flown across the globe from France. A list that continued growing alongside spending time in fine dining and dresses carefully chosen by stylists as well as having people who seemed to understand art as a lot more than life.

She should have appreciated this.

She was special, but it didn’t feel that way, as though I was someone trying to put together the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that didn’t fit.

Rumors on the other hand didn't aid the situation.

Chloe stood at the epicenter of it all.

Chloe was hired to be the new secretary shortly after Jane's “promotion” to fiancée. She was beautiful, efficient and deeply resentful. From their first meeting Jane had felt the hostility, the way Chloe stared at the engagement ring on her hand. The way she was faking her smile.

And then there were the whispers.

One afternoon, as Jane walked past the break room, she overheard a conversation that made her stop cold.

“She tricked him,” Chloe’s voice was heard as she continued, “Steve will see through her soon enough.”

Jane clenched her fist in anger, trying her best to remain calm.

Enough.

She walked into the break room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. There was instant silence.

“If you have a problem with me, then talk to me directly,” Jane said in a calm voice.

Chloe turned slowly, her green bright eyes flashing with something almost like delight.

“Oh, Mrs Jane,” she said sweetly, “I don't have a problem,“ she moved closer, in a voice Jane will be able to hear. “But Mr Steve might…. Once he finds out about your little secret.”

Jane felt unease.

What did Chloe know?

Before she could respond, Chloe smiled, and left her presence.

That evening, Steve hosted a company party. Jane played her role well, the elegant, composed and perfect fiancée. She smile at the right people when necessary, laughter at the right moment, accepted compliments, and was told how lucky she was.

But amidst all the celebration, Chloe’s words rung in her head repeatedly.

What secret? What is she aware of?

She tried tossing everything aside, but her anxiety only worsened when her phone buzzed later that night.

Kelvin.

“Let's meet tonight, or I'm going to tell Steve everything about your past.”

Jane heart stopped.

Her past.

The one thing she had buried. The only thing she had kept from Steve.

She stared at her phone, her heart racing.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she could type a single word:

“Okay.”

Seconds later, her phone buzzed again.

“At the usual place.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to steady for breathing.

She could still hear Steve's voice from earlier that night, cool and courageous as he introduced her to his business partners.

“This is Jane, my fiancée. The one whom I love with all my heart.”

Would he still say those words if he knew the truth?

Jane sat on the edge of the bed, staring out at the colourful city skyline.

She couldn’t look off this. If Kelvin meant it, if he truly wanted to tell Steve…

She had no choice but to go.

Leaving silently, she put on her coat, took her purse, and went for the door.

As she was about to twist the door knobb, a voice stopped her

“Whare are you off to?”

Jane turned sharply. Steve stood in the hallway, dressed in black slacks and an unbuttoned white shirt, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers.

She swallowed hard. “Just needed some fresh air.”

He studied her for a moment, then moved closer, his gaze dropping to the purse in her hands.

“Fresh air,” he repeated. “Or are you going to see someone?”

Jane's throat tightened.

He was aware. Or at least, he suspected.

“Steve, I…”

He turned his head slightly. “Jane Is there anything I should know about?”

The intensity in the room amplified.

She felt a shiver run down her spine.

“He has a sharp instinct”, Jane though within her, but I can't tell him. What if he changes towards me? what if he doesn't love me anymore?

“No, I'm just stepping out for fresh air,” Jane said.

Steve with a meticulous look on his face chose to believe her.

Jane felt her heart racing after lying to him. There’s no going back, she said to herself after stepping out of the penthouse.

As Jane was about step out of the penthouse, she encountered Steve parents. They had cone visiting without notice. She felt shocked. She wouldn't be able to make it on time to where she was going, and if the time was up, Kelvin Will not only show Steve her past, his family will also be there to see it.

Her phone buzzed again as she was buried in the thought of what her next move should be. There was a message, “"tick tock, tick tock,” with a twenty minute countdown, it said.

“I have to find a way to get to out of this penthouse,” Jane said to herself

Jane had to tell them that she needed to go get a drug because she had an indigestion from the result of food she ate earlier at the Grand celebration.

She took this opportunity to leave on time.

Steve felt even more suspicious because she didn't mention it earlier, but he didn't want to confront him in front of his parent.

“Don't be late then,” he replied.

“I am sure you're hiding something Jane, wait till I fund out what it is” Steve said to himself.