The Last Name Standing
782 Words
"This home feels the same as usual — every damn time." Melissa said, stretching. She had just returned from Paris, where she had been studying, though the only life she truly lived was clubbing and lavishing her father's money.
"Well, well, well. It's been seven years since that b***h left this house. I really can't wait to inherit all of my father's wealth!" She smiled to herself, then a thought crossed her mind. "What would her room look like by now?"
Curiosity got the better of her and she walked in anyway. The moment she opened the door, a wave of stale, dusty air hit her and she coughed repeatedly.
"Disgusting!" she muttered.
The room was neatly arranged and everything was intact, but the dust and cobwebs had settled in and made it grimy.
"Anna! Anna!! Anna!!!" she called out to the housemaid.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I want everything in this room cleared and cleaned."
"Sure, ma'am!" Anna replied and got straight to work.
As Anna swept, a small round metal object rolled out from under the bed. The sound made Melissa's eyes snap toward it.
"What was that?" she asked sharply.
Anna quickly bent down and picked it up. "It's a round metal piece, ma'am," she said, holding it out.
Melissa snatched it and turned it over in her hand, scanning it carefully. She can't have anything valuable around her, she thought.
"W-what are you staring at?" she snapped at Anna, who had been watching her quietly.
"Sorry, ma'am. I only wanted to ask if it belongs to you."
"Of course it's mine. I used to hide some of my things in here when my sister was still around," she said uneasily, then turned and left while Anna quietly continued with her work.
"Sir, we've gone through the records of every girl present at the bar that night and none was found to be in possession of a gold signet ring."
"Keep searching. One day we will find out who she is." A cold voice responded.
It was Adrian.
Six feet tall, broad-shouldered, with a striking face that made women's hearts falter — his presence alone commanded a room. But beneath that undeniable exterior was a man as cold as ice, making him nearly impossible to work for. Those who served him did so at the risk of their own lives.
"Sir," his HR officer spoke up, "the interviews for the new secretary position will be held next week."
"Who are the candidates?" Adrian asked without looking up.
"There are eight of them, sir. Shall I read the names?"
"Read them."
"Of course, sir. First — Mary Dalton."
"I don't like that name."
"Helena Heyes."
"I don't like that one either."
"Isabel Woods."
"I don't like any of these names!" Adrian cut in. "Don't bother going further."
The HR officer hesitated. "But sir, that was only the third name. Should I cancel the interview for the new secretary altogether?"
Adrian turned and looked at him slowly, his gaze sharp and unreadable. "Are you questioning my orders?"
"No, sir! I would never—" The HR officer quickly lowered his gaze.
A slow, sinister smile crept across Adrian's face. "Since you seem so eager to employ a secretary, go ahead and finish reading the names. But if not a single name appeals to me —" he paused, letting the silence do its work — "just know you'll be clearing out your office."
"Sir, please — don't let me lose my job," the HR officer begged, his voice barely steady.
"Come on," Adrian said, settling back into his seat. "It's not a big deal. Just a simple little game."
The HR officer's hands trembled as he continued down the list, each name feeling like a step closer to his own end.
"Molly Thompson."
"What the — are you kidding me?" Adrian scoffed. "I hate that name!" he snapped.
The HR officer swallowed hard. Only one name remained. He exhaled quietly, accepting whatever fate was coming, and called out the last one.
"Layla Richard."
Silence.
Adrian went very still. Then, slowly, he rose from his seat and walked toward the HR officer, closing the distance between them with quiet, measured steps. The HR officer held his breath.
"You see?" Adrian said softly, his voice low and even more dangerous for it. "When I tell you not to test me — you should listen. Now look at what you've done. You're about to lose your job."
"Sir, please — I swear this will never happen again." The HR officer's voice cracked.
Adrian stared at him. Long. Unblinking. The silence stretched until it became almost unbear
able.
Then, finally —
"I like that last name.”
- Writer
