Behind Her Cool Exterior

Fourteen years later

“Excuse me Ma’am, how may I help you?” the pretty secretary asked with a smile plastered on her face.

Sana Craven turned, realizing that the secretary was talking to her. She had an important task ahead and the last thing she wanted was any hindrance.

“I have come to see Mr. Starkis.” she said coolly.

“Do you have an appointment?” the secretary asked skeptically, assessing her from top to bottom, losing a little of her every-secretary-has-got-one smile.

‘I bet you already know the answer to that.’ Sana thought inwardly and grimaced. She had seen Nikolos’ photos in glamorous magazines as well as in the headlines of finance newspapers. In the former, he was usually seen in the company of extremely tall, extremely blonde, extremely beautiful and extremely famous women and in the latter, with some of the most famous business tycoons from around the globe. Dressed in casual jeans and top, with her messy black hair and lacking even a hint of makeup, she knew she didn’t belong to any of the category.

“No, but I am sure that he will see me... I am Sana Craven.” She answered coolly with a confidence she did not feel inside.

The secretary looked at her for a couple of seconds. Then as if remembering her job, she smiled that fake smile again and said, “Miss Craven, would you please wait in the sitting room while I inform of your arrival to Mr. Starkis?”

“Okay. Sure.” As if she had a choice.

The secretary stood up and went through the corridor. As she disappeared around the turn and her five-inch stiletto’s clattering faded away, Sana closed her eyes and swallowed, thinking ‘This better go okay.’

“The offer is set. Starkis won’t bid a penny more than that. Take it or leave it. The arrangement….”

Someone knocked at the door that precise moment. Irritated, Nikolos looked at the offending object and gruffly spoke “Come in.”

Tanya, his secretary, came in closing the door behind her and said ‘Sorry to disturb you Sir, but this is important.’

Normally, Nikolos would have been happy to see his alluring secretary in front of him, but today was not one of those days. He had appreciated her… assets for quite some time, 'Hell, who wouldn’t?’, but never crossed the line or showed any sign of it to her. Doing his employees was definitely not his style, but at the same time what was the harm in just looking?

“I will talk to you later.” Nikolos kept the phone down and looked at Tanya. “Yes?”

Tanya visibly paled a little and there was a little nervousness in her stance. She was one of the most efficient and professional employees in his company. So much so, that sometimes other employees and even Nikolos himself found her cool and remote. According to office gossips, which generally found its way to Nikolos’ ears, there was even a bet on who can break Tanya’s ‘reserve’. And as far as Nikolos knew, no one has won the bet.

On usual days, whenever a client or even a friend wanted to contact him during office hours, Tanya buzzed the intercom and let him know. But today, looking at her directly coming to see him and displaying an out-of-character uneasiness, Nikolos’ curiosity was roused and he stood up.

“Tanya, what is it?” he asked.

“Tanya, either you please tell me what is it you wanted to say or else go back to your work.” He said frustratingly, after waiting for an answer for what seemed like couple of minutes.

“Miss Craven is here to see you.” Tanya said.

Sana? What does she want from him? Hadn’t her father already done enough? Anger filled in his veins but he was also a little curious to know why would a disgraced employee’s daughter come to visit him? After his initial instinct to toss her out of this building, he looked at Tanya and said “Send her in.”

‘This better go okay.’ thought Nikolos as Tanya left his office.