His Secretary (SPG)

Chapter Four: The Jealous Glare

Chapter Four: The Jealous Glare

After the awkward coffee incident, Rachel made a silent vow to herself: no more mistakes. She buried the embarrassment deep inside and threw herself back into work. From printing contracts to managing the CEO’s calendar down to the second, she executed her tasks with mechanical precision. Nathaniel didn’t bring up the coffee again. He returned to his usual cold, calculated self, and Rachel pretended it never happened.

By the time the clock struck 1:00 p.m., she had already gone over her checklist for the afternoon meeting three times. Kingsley Enterprises was preparing to pitch a major app concept to potential investors—an innovation that could transform the way users managed finance through AI-driven predictions. It was Nathaniel’s baby, and the stakes were high.

Rachel adjusted the collar of her blouse and followed Nathaniel into the glass elevator. He said nothing, merely nodded once when she confirmed the schedule.

As they arrived at the high-rise conference center across the city, the tension was palpable. Nathaniel thrived in rooms like this—his suit sharp, his posture assertive, his confidence tangible. He stood at the head of the polished table, speaking with a firm clarity that demanded attention. Rachel sat to his left, scribbling down key points as he introduced the app's features, market strategy, and revenue projections.

She admired the way he took control of the room. His voice was smooth, each sentence deliberate, his intelligence on full display. Despite his coldness, there was no denying the man was brilliant.

The investors leaned forward, nodding and asking questions. The meeting was going well—extremely well. By the time they wrapped up, handshakes and business cards were exchanged with promises of follow-up.

On the way out, Rachel trailed behind Nathaniel, organizing her notes into a neat folder. They passed through the building’s marble lobby when a familiar voice rang out behind her.

"Rachel?"

She turned, eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Zach?"

Zach Hernandez stood in a navy blazer and jeans, casual but polished. He looked just like she remembered—kind eyes, playful smile, a sense of warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.

"Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you! What are you doing here in New York?"

Rachel laughed. "I could ask you the same. It's been... what, since college?"

“Too long,” he said, smiling. “I work with one of the firms upstairs. Been here about a year now. You?”

“New job,” she said, nodding toward Nathaniel, who was a few feet ahead. “Executive secretary.”

Zach's eyes widened. “To that guy?”

Rachel gave a small, amused shrug. “Yeah. he's intimidating and scary but the job’s great.”

They talked briefly, sharing a few memories from school, laughing softly at old inside jokes. For the first time since arriving in New York, Rachel felt a little piece of her old self return.

Then she felt it.

A chill ran down her spine. She glanced over to where Nathaniel stood near the revolving doors. He was watching her—expression unreadable, arms crossed, jaw tight.

Rachel quickly said goodbye to Zach. “Hey, I need to go. But it’s really good seeing you.”

Zach smiled. “Let’s catch up sometime. Coffee?”

“Sure!” she said, then walked briskly toward Nathaniel.

He didn’t say anything until she reached his side. Then, in a low and sharp voice, he muttered, “Do I even need to tell you to keep your personal life separate from your work.”

Rachel blinked. “What?”

“That man,” Nathaniel said, walking ahead. “You were laughing with him during work hours. Flirting while on the clock. Do I need to remind you what your role is?”

Flirting? It was just a small talk.

Rachel's chest tightened. “I wasn’t flirting, sir. He’s an old friend. We just bumped into each other.”

Nathaniel didn’t respond. He kept walking, and she followed silently, cheeks burning with frustration. She’d done nothing wrong. Why was he being so—so cold? So angry?

“Hey, Mr. Kingsley I know it was off to just randomly talk with my friend during work hours, it will never happen again, sorry” but then she accepted her mistake and just apologized. She needs to, she might lose her job and she doesn't want it to happen.

Back at the office, Rachel returned to her desk, sorting her notes from the meeting while her thoughts raced. Nathaniel remained behind closed doors. She caught glimpses of him through the glass—his brows furrowed, fingers drumming against the desk.

What was that really about?

Inside his office, Nathaniel sat with his elbows on the desk, staring at the city skyline. He told himself it was about professionalism. Boundaries. Expectations.

But he knew it wasn’t.

When he saw Rachel smile like that—with ease, with warmth—something inside him clenched. He didn’t like seeing her like that with another man. He couldn’t explain why, and it annoyed him even more that it affected him at all.

She wasn’t his. She was his employee. That’s it.

And yet, the image of her laughing with that guy was burned into his brain like a brand.

He shook his head, trying to refocus. He had more important things to worry about than the smile of a secretary. But no matter how hard he tried, the jealousy stayed there, lodged like a stone in his chest.

Rachel, sitting just outside his office, had no idea what she’d done to trigger it—or that she had triggered anything at all.

He talks to himself and tries to figure out why he is being possessive?