Chapter 4
1221 Words
The next morning, I'm back in my office. I was halfway through a document when Joviana stepped into the room: a navy blue suit trousers, silk blouse, white suit, and hair pinned in a way that meant business.
“Good morning”, she said, placing a file on my desk. “It needs your signature. Also, your sister called. three times”.
“Did she leave a message?”
“Only that you should answer her calls before she comes here herself,” she said with a hint of amusement in her tone.
“Anything else?”.
“No”. She left without another word. Just how I like it.
The moment the door shut, I called my sister back. She launched into her pitch on the ‘perfect match’ this time. I did not bother arguing.
That night, I walked into a rooftop restaurant. My date, Serena, was already waiting at a table. I recognized her because I've seen her with Anita before. At least, she's early. Gold satin dress and silver stud and a smile that looked fake.
“James”, she dragged my name like we were childhood friends reuniting. “ Finally you are here”.
“I'm four minutes early”.
Dinner was bearable. She talked about her travel plans, her opinions about people I barely knew. Not bothering to include me in the conversation. The one time she asked me a question, she interrupted me just to check her phone. I lasted forty minutes before signaling for the check.
We said our goodbye and headed our separate ways.
Another wasted evening. Another reminder that this search wasn't about finding someone I liked, it was about finding someone I could tolerate.
The next day, the office was already humming when I arrived. Joviana is at her desk outside my office, phone pressed to her ears, her tone calm.
By afternoon, I was running on caffeine and anger. I was signing contracts when I noticed my favorite pen was missing. A Montblanc, custom-engraved. I don't misplace things. Ever.
“Joviana”, I called.
She appeared in the doorway almost immediately. “Yes?”
“My pen is gone”.
She didn't even blink. “ Too bad”.
“You took it”. I narrowed my eyes.
“Are you accusing me of stealing?” Her brow arched.
“That pen is worth more than your salary”.
“Then maybe I should keep it as an investment”, she said too sweetly.
I stared at her. She stared back.
She reached into her folder and pulled out the pen. “ I borrowed it, your signature looks so bad. I was trying to help”. She said, spinning it between her fingers.
“My signature is fine”.
“There. Safely returned. Try not to lose it this time Mr. Blackwood”, she shot back, placing the pen on my desk. She turned to leave.
“You do realize that theft can lead to you being fired?”
“Good thing I'm irreplaceable”.
The door shut and I let out a short laugh.
I was mid-call when the door to my office opened without a knock. Only two people had the nerve to do that, Anita and Jayden Cole, my oldest friend and most annoying man alive.
He dropped into the chair opposite my desk, but his gaze wasn't on me. I traced his stare to Joviana's desk outside my office while wrapping up my call. Joviana was at her desk, oblivious to the fact that Jayden was eyeing her down like a predator planning to attack his prey.
I hung up. “Stop staring,” I said. “She is my secretary”.
“If all secretaries looked like that, I'd show up at my own office”. He leaned back into his chair, still watching her through the glass wall.
“What are you doing here?”.
“Thought I’d drop by and see my favorite friend”, he said easily. “And my new favorite secretary”.
“She is my Secretary”, I replied flatly. “She is also very busy and not interested”.
“Not interested in me or not interested in you”, he teased.
Joviana walked in before I could think of a reply with a folder. “Hi, I'm Jayden”, Jayden said before she could even reach my table.
She placed the folder on the table. “Good for you”, she said, then walked out.
Lucas burst out laughing. “Oh, I like her”.
“Shouldn’t you be embarrassed?”
“I love the chase”
“Of course you do”. I said rolling my eyes at his words. “Stay away from her,” I said before I could process what just came out of my mouth.
“Why should I stay away from her?” He asked still smiling. “Afraid you won’t stand a chance?”
“No”, i said, my tone cool. “Afraid you will waste her time”.
He arched a brow, studying me like he had just seen an alien. “Since when do you care about anyone’s time but your own?”.
I didn’t answer.
“She’s too good to be a secretary, she’s gorgeous, smart, and doesn’t kiss the ground you walk on”. He said with a knowing smile refusing to leave his face despite my stare.
“She’s competent”.
“Competent? If that’s how you talk about people you like, sure”.
“I don’t like her”, i said. Too fast.
“Mm-hmm. And I don’t like a good vacation”. “Relax, I'm not going to make any move, she was not moved by my charm”.
“She is here to work, not to be swept off her feet” I retorted sharply. “I have a meeting in five minutes”.
Jayden stood, dusting imaginary dust from the sleeves of his shirt. “We’ll talk later”, he said walking towards the door. “Good to meet you, Joviana”.
She gave a polite and small nod, glancing at him for just a second.
“Joviana, if you ever get tired of working for this guy, I have a much better office and a much better boss”. He said smoothly.
“I’ll keep that in mind for when I run out of better options”. She said before walking to the boardroom.
Jayden grinned as if he had just won the lottery.
“ Admit it”, he said, “she’d eat me alive”.
“She will choke on your bones”, I muttered.
Jayden burst out laughing. He’s so irritating. “If you don’t marry her, I might”.
“She’s not your type”. I muttered.
“You are right, she is out of my league, I’m in love”. He says staring at her as she walks to the boardroom.
“No,” I said, patting his shoulder “you are in trouble”.
- Writer
