Chapter 2
1236 Words
Mimi’s mind raced, her stomach knotted as she tried to steady her breath. Working under Aiden Collins was a high-wire act, and any wrong step could send her crashing. She wondered how long she could survive in his world, where expectations were unforgiving, and mistakes were fatal.
“Do you plan on doing any work today, or are you just going to sit there and daydream?”
Mimi fumbles, trying to gather her thoughts. She hadn’t realized how long she had been lost in her memories, stuttering, Mimi says,
“I—I was just going over the reports, Mr. Collins. I’ll have them ready in a few minutes.”
“Miss Paulsen, are you daydreaming again?” His voice was cool, laced with a hidden edge she couldn’t quite place. Aiden’s eyes scanned her, always analytical, always distant. But there was— something in the way his lips pressed together as if holding back words that could shatter everything. “ You know if you can't handle it ,you can resign ,miss Paulsen, we're running a business here,not a day spa."
Mimi’s throat tightens, but she fights back the tears. She can’t lose this job. Not now.
Aiden’s attitude wasn’t really about Mimi and he knew that. It was Jessica.
They had another argument this morning, another silent drive to work. Every time she tried to get close, he pulled away, his walls higher and growing thorns. He couldn’t explain why he felt the need to shut her out. Vulnerability felt like a weakness, and in his world, weakness got you destroyed,that's how his father lost his life and his wife.
But why did he have to be rude to Mimi? She was just another employee. Or maybe, her quiet presence irritated him because she seemed so fragile, so... open. And people like that had no place in his life.
Mimi was just his secretary and she wouldn't last long here, so he thought.
He slammed his office door shut without another word, leaving Mimi stunned.
Mimi stares at her desk, blinking away the sting of tears. She picks up the reports, hands trembling slightly, and begins to focus, pouring herself into the work.
Hours after,Aiden steps out,
“Paulsen, I'll be heading out for lunch and I won't be returning to the office, postpone all my appointments for the rest of the day”. Aiden Instructs walking out the office into the elevator.
“Alright sir, would there be anything else?"
“Yes, I'm sorry".he said just as the elevator doors closed.
There stood a dumbstruck mimi. She couldn't believe her ears and eyes.
Mr Collins apologized?
“ I'm having an out of body experience,” she said just as shalom picked the call.
" What, why, what's wrong,are you -
" Aiden just apologized for lashing out at me”.
“Ok and so? Is that it? I thought something serious had happened “.
" This is something serious, shalom! “ Mimi said with a grin.
" Mimi Paulsen if you don't mind, I'll be dropping this call to enjoy my lunch, bye”.
Mimi couldn't contain her surprise and excitement, it was contagious.
Mimi walked into the restroom smiling from ear to ear.
While washing her hands, the person next to her, asked
"Were you proposed to?"
"What no ?" An excited Mimi responded,
Something unusual just happened I never thought it'd happen, ever".
" Oh wow, I'm Layla by the way, head of accounts" she said, reaching out for a hand shake.
" Oh, I'm Mimi, Mimi Paulsen -
"Secretary to the CEO" layla completed her words smiling," you don't have anything to be scared off, I've heard of how efficient you are ,just never thought I'd put a face to the name soon".
" You think I'm efficient?" Mimi asked, unable to hide her surprise.
" Yes, I've heard some really nice compliments, Anyways, pleasure meeting you Mimi ".
" Pleasure meeting you too Layla, I'll have to go now-
"Right.After you,see you some other time Maybe?"
" Yeah sure soon".
It's almost 10pm and
Mimi and Shalom are lounging in their cozy living room, the warm glow of the overhead lamp illuminating their faces. They’ve just finished having dinner, and Shalom is flipping through channels on the TV, but Mimi is lost in thought, sitting cross-legged on the couch with her phone in hand.
Mimi says softly,
“Today was... interesting.”
Shalom looks up from the TV, noticing the reflective tone in Mimi’s voice.
A teasing shalom replies,
“Interesting how? Did Aiden apologize again? Should I be worried?” She grins, but there’s a touch of curiosity in her eyes.
laughing,Mimi says,
“No, nothing like that! Well, actually...” She pauses, biting her lip as she thinks about it. “He actually did apologize earlier today. And get this—he told me to cancel his appointments and then said sorry just before the elevator doors closed. Can you believe it?”
Shalom raises an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
Shalom said in mocking disbelief,at the verge of laughter ,
“Oh my! You mean ,Aiden Collins? Apologized twice in one day? Yeah, the world’s definitely ending.”
They both laugh, but there’s a brief silence afterward as Mimi sinks back into her thoughts.
“But seriously, what else happened? You’ve been spacing out since you got home.” Shalom's tone is serious now.
Mimi fidgets with her phone before finally looking at Shalom.
“I met someone today. Layla Thomas. She’s the head of accounts at Havillah. She was really nice, actually. Said she’d heard of me, called me efficient, and... well, she seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me.”
Shalom’s expression changes subtly, a slight frown forming.
“Layla, huh? Okay, are you surprised about the compliment , you shouldn't be.”
Mimi plays with her finger, oblivious to the concern in Shalom’s eyes. She smiles,
“No, she was sweet. We ran into each other in the restroom, and she even suggested we hang out sometime. Honestly, it felt good hearing someone at work say something positive about me. Aiden’s always so... I don’t know, it's so intimidating and mostly unpleasant.”
Shalom sets the remote down, turning fully to face Mimi.
“Mimi, I know you’re excited, but just be careful with Layla.”
Mimi looks at her, confused ,a friend etching on a baby face.
“Why? She seemed really genuine.”
“I’ve heard some things about her. People say she’s... well, let’s just say she doesn’t always have people’s best interests at heart. She can be a bit manipulative when it suits her.” shalom sighs.
Mimi’s smile fades slightly, doubt creeping in for the first time,
“Manipulative? I don’t know, Shalom. She didn’t seem that way to me.”
“Look,I’m not saying don’t talk to her. Just keep your guard up and be careful, okay? I don’t want you getting too close to someone who might hurt you.”
Mimi sighs, leaning back on the couch.
“You’re probably right. But I can handle myself. She’s just being friendly, I think.”
Shalom doesn’t push the matter, but her unease lingers. She smiles at Mimi, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“I know you can. Just don’t forget I’m here if anything feels off.”
Mimi smiles back, grateful for Shalom’s support.
- Writer
