Chapter 3: Just A Secretary
1072 Words
The question hit me like a rock.
I could feel the heat of the camera lens on my skin.
I could feel the weight of a hundred eyes waiting for my answer.
What was the most romantic thing he had done lately? Was it the way he slept in his car after telling me he was going to his ex? Or was it the box of lace and silk sitting in our trash can?
My mind went completely blank.
Not because I had no words, but because Jason really had not done anything romantic for me in a month. In months, actually.
"Well, he is a good man, and every day with him is romance," I said, forcing a smile and looking at Jason, hoping he would catch my drift and save me.
One look at his face told me he hated that response.
"That is great," the interviewer continued, her eyes searching for a real headline. "But can you point out one thing? A gesture? Flowers? A surprise vacation?"
"Um, well," I stuttered, "he is a good husband, and that is all that matters. We make a great team."
"Wow, that is amazing." The interviewer turned the mic to Jason. "Alright, sir, what is the most romantic thing your wife did in the last month?"
"I really cannot think of anything," Jason replied.
My eyes shot open. I could not believe he just said that out loud.
"As men," Jason continued with a cool, arrogant shrug, "it is always about what we do for them, not the other way around."
I had just tried to cover for him, and he threw me under the bus in front of millions of viewers. I pulled out the best fake smile I could for the photos that followed. I was furious, but I refused to look ugly.
***
We moved inside the massive ballroom. Jason was a star tonight. Everyone wanted a piece of him. They shook his hand and patted his back. I sat beside him, a silent accessory in a burgundy dress.
I tried to start a conversation, but he was too busy scanning the room.
His eyes stopped. I followed his gaze.
Vera was across the room.
Jason did not look away. He gave her a small, tight nod. My stomach twisted.
The awards began. The lights dimmed, and the tension in the room rose. When the presenter read the nominees for *International Hotelier of the Year*, I felt a flicker of the old pride I used to have for him.
Jason owned several hotels under the McCoy Resorts brand, but I was the one who wrote the original growth strategy four years ago. I had stayed up until dawn with him over blueprints and budget sheets.
I felt like the award belonged to both of us.
"... And the award goes to ... Jason McCoy."
The room exploded into applause. Jason stood up, buttoning his jacket. He looked powerful. He looked like he owned the world.
I watched him walk onto the stage. The spotlight followed him, making his charcoal suit shimmer. He took the trophy, shook the presenter's hand, and stepped to the microphone.
"Thank you," he began, his voice deep and confident. "This empire was not built in a day, and it was not built alone. I owe this to the people who stood by me when the stakes were highest."
"I’d like to thank my parents, my incredible team, especially my secretary Carly, whose tireless work and late nights kept our operations running during the toughest months. I want to thank the board for their trust."
He looked toward our table. He saw me. I was sitting right there in the front row, the woman who had sacrificed everything for him.
"And of course, thank you to my wife, Anna, for being here tonight."
He gave a sharp nod and stepped down.
I was breathless.
He didn't only undermine my contribution, he had replaced my role with his secretary.
The second award was called minutes later. Jason won again. This time, his speech was even shorter.
"Special thanks to Vera and the Sterling Group for our new strategic alliance. Without your vision, our next quarter wouldn't look this bright."
He walked back to his seat, stopping to hug his team members.
Then I saw it.
He held Carly a second too long, whispering something in her ear that made her blush.
By the time the gala ended, I had no smiles left.
***
"What the hell was that, Jason?" My voice was low but sharp as soon as we got into the car.
"What was what?" He barely looked at me, focused on his phone.
"The interview. The speech. You thanked your secretary for her 'contribution' and Vera for her 'vision.' I am the one who designed those hotel strategies four years ago, remember?"
Jason sighed, a sound of pure annoyance. "Anna, not now. I just won two awards. Can we celebrate first and argue later?"
"Celebrate?" I laughed, the sound sharp and ugly. "You humiliated me. You made me look like a stranger on the red carpet."
"You made me look like I do nothing for you with that stuttering mess of an interview!" Jason fired back.
"Because you don't do romance, Jason! You haven't bought me a flower or taken me on a date in six months!"
"I work sixteen-hour days to build this company! To give you this life! And you want to talk about flowers?"
"I am the reason you have this company!" I screamed. "I did the work!"
"Who pays for it all now, Anna? Who pays for the mansion, the Chanel bags, the vacations? Me. I do. I put in the work so that you don't have to."
"And I plan the dates so you don't have to," I fired back. "You say you're busy, yet you make time for your secretary. For Vera?"
"Vera is just a friend! God, can we stop doing this?"
"And Carly is just a secretary, right?"
"Carly helps me run a billion-dollar company. She's an asset."
"And I'm your wife!"
"Then act like it!" Jason snapped. "Instead of humiliating me in front of cameras."
I felt the tears stinging, but I didn't let them fall.
"You know what? I'm done with this conversation." He pulled out his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling another car. I'm not doing this with you right now."
"Jason, don't…"
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