Craved Affection

1. Catherine Bruce

What?

I look up from the papers that I am reading when I hear Lucila's nonsense. She's looking at me like I am not her boss at all. I like her but I don't think I have the patience to enjoy this little fight we are having this time.

"Just like I told you, no one wanted to apply for the position except that one you didn't like during the interview," Lucila said and she cross her arms on her chest.

"That's my answer there, Lucila. I don't like her so you need to look for another," I answer back.

I flip the pen in my hands and get back to reading the documents that are needed for the meeting tomorrow. Because my last secretary suddenly quit in the middle of work, I was forced to do all of her work and mine simultaneously. I hate it when people couldn't handle the task that was given to them and just leave. Good thing that I didn't see her that time.

"I had already connected to some agencies and they couldn't lend us some people. You're pretty famous, you know. A strict and notorious boss."

I stop midway through signing the paper when the word registers in my ears. I close my eyes and count to ten. I keep chanting that it's Lucila who I'm talking to and not just some other employee. Lashing out at her means wasting my energy since she's not one to back out.

"Lucila, dear, I don't care what my reputation is or what they think of me. I just need a secretary because the project is about to launch and I need another set of hands and brain," I took a deep breath and look straight at her eyes.

She looks at me with equal determination. She also looks stressed and that gives me a little comfort. It's nice knowing that I wasn't the only one feeling stress in this situation.

"You need another set of hands and brain, so I was advising you about the candidate you don't like because she was the only one willing to take on the role." Lucila shrugged her shoulder.

"Why do you hate her anyway? She had talent and potential."

"I don't hate her. And she did have talent and potential, but I don't know if she would be able to learn all of this in a short period. I couldn't take that risk. Not on this project."

I lean back on my chair and stare at the skyscraper blocking my view of the sky. My head is pounding and I couldn't focus on my tasks. Not when Lucila was here and was instigating a debate. That only adds to my migraine.

"You will never know until you try, right? We don't have a choice right now, Cath."

I can hear pleading in Lucila's voice. I sigh. Maybe it's time to surrender to her.

"Okay. Do as you will." Lucila's face lightened up but I raise my pointer finger, stopping her.

"I want her here as soon as possible."

Lucila's face breaks into a full smile and she beams. It finally shows how young she is. Lucila is two years younger than me and nobody would believe me when I say that to someone. They always mistook her to be the same age as me because of the way she handled herself and her work.

"Is that all? I need to finish this one."

"Waterson wanted to talk to you regarding the finance of the contract."

"Tell him to come here after lunch. I don't have any spare minute I can lend him right now."

After that exchange, Lucila excuses herself leaving me alone at my office. I try going back to the document that I need to finish before one in the afternoon, but with this headache it's impossible. I massage my temple to ease the tension but it only did so much.

I open the medicine box on the wall and fished out some aspirin. The office has a connected bedroom that had a bathroom inside. I go inside and lay down for a minute. Maybe a good rest would ease this pain. I slowly close my eyes not minding that the duvet was in disarray and clumped behind my head.

A few minutes passed when I hear my phone ring. It was on top of my table. I contemplate whether to answer it or not but it keeps on ringing. So, I begrudgingly stood up and out of the bedroom. The pounding intensifies. When I pick up the phone, Anna's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, Anna. What's up?" I said as soon as I answer.

"Just checking up on you, honey. Is everything okay? You didn't go home last night."

Anna's voice was soothing and relaxing.

"Everything is fine, Anna. There's nothing to worry about." I sit down on my swivel chair. The screen of my computer was blinding me and adds to my headache.

"Have you found a secretary already? I don't want you working too much there. You need to go home and spend time with us. You need to rest."

I put the call on speaker mode as I adjust the brightness of my computer screen.

"I know. Lucila had found one. I instructed her that I need that secretary as soon as possible."

I hear Anna sigh in relief on the other line. She must be very worried.

"Don't worry too much, Anna. Please say hi to David for me."

"Okay. I will not bother you anymore. But don't forget to call Luigi, okay?"

"I will. Bye."

The call ends. My head still hurts but the screen on my computer is not a problem anymore. So, I go back to work. I still have a few hours before lunch. Hopefully, I could finish it all by that time.

~~~

Another knock on the door interrupts me. When I look at my wristwatch, it says eight past twelve. It's already lunchtime. I call for the person outside my door to enter. It's Cody, the company's intern. He enter the office at a quick pace and stood rigidly in front of me. He glances at me once before fixing his eyes on my table.

"It's already lunch, Miss. I was asked to get something for you. What would you like to eat?" he calmly ask me.

"No, that's okay. I'll go out and get something to eat. You should go with the others."

I put my computer to rest and arranges the papers on my table. I pick up my purse and walk out of the room, Cody following me. We pass the secretary's table that I haven't cleaned yet. I see Cody look at it too.

"Are you busy after lunch, Cody?" I ask him as we wait for the elevator to come up.

"Not much, Miss. I have already finished my task for today and will just review them later before turning it over to Miss Lucila."

The elevator arrives and both of us enter. I saw how he fidget with his fingers, a habit he haven't fixed yet whenever he was nervous.

"Did I do something wrong, Miss?" his voice tremble.

"In what department did you apply again?"

"Administration, Miss."

Administration. Cody is a good employee. He's smart and quick to learn but he's shy and afraid to speak for himself. He is fine working alone and in silence. He might be a perfect candidate for a secretary if it weren't for his being timid.

"I want you to arrange the files on my secretary's table. I also need you to lend me a hand on something." I said with authority.

I see his head perk up and look at me wide-eyed at the elevator's door. He might have forgotten that it was made of glass and I can see his every movement. He doesn't look like he is against the idea so I continue.

"Don't worry about Lucila. I'll inform her of your new task."

"O-okay, Miss."

I exit the elevator. I run into some employees and they all greet me. The click-clack of my heels echoes in the reception area as everyone falls into silence when I walk past them. The guard also greets me when I get to pass the gate. I'm greeted by the bustling of people and cars. Everyone is going to and from their destination. I turn to my right and blend with the people as I walk to the coffee shop, I frequented. There's plenty of reason behind it too.