Craved Affection

3. New Secretary

"This will be your office and Cody will instruct you on all of the things you need to know. Here is your boss' office..."

That is the first thing that I hear as soon as I open my eyes. I rub my eyes and look at the digital clock on the bedside table. It says nine-thirty. There's some commotion outside. I can hear Lucila's voice and another I don't recognize. She must be my new secretary.

Is she that one? I don't remember her voice sounding like that. Am I still dreaming?

I yawn and stretch my arms as far as I can reach. I didn't get enough sleep. I forgot about the meeting with Watson after lunch–he also didn't come up to me–because I was busy. I call for him but he didn't answer. Still, I wait until midnight for him and also because I was caught up with work.

The project is to be presented next Wednesday, so I need to finish it before the weekend. I need to check my schedule if I could spare some time during weekends. I need to double-check everything with the legal team before the presentation. I need to do a lot of things and most of them are jobs that should be done by my secretary.

"If you have some questions, you can ask me or Cody. You can directly ask your boss. You just need to be tough."

I hear Lucila's voice again. I roll my eyes at what she said. She told me that I was kind of a notorious boss based on the rumors going around but in my opinion, she's the one spreading that rumor. I'm now finally fixing the bed when I hear a knock on the door.

"Are you sure she didn't go home last night?" Lucila's voice is now louder than before.

"Yes, Miss. I went home by ten but the boss was still inside." I hear Cody's voice answering her.

I wouldn't be able to hear the end of it.

"Catherine? I told you that you need to go home." Another knock.

I reluctantly open the door. I had doubled check myself in the mirror if I'm presentable enough to go out before opening the door. Lucila is standing outside the door with her hands on her hips. She looks as intimidating as possible. I answer her by raising my eyebrows at her.

"Good morning, Miss." Cody greets me followed by the woman beside him. She must be the new secretary.

"Morning everyone. Cody, please assist her with her work."

Cody nods at me and motions for the woman to follow her. I forgot her name but I remember her face. She was the last one to apply and I didn't pay much attention to her during that time. Lucila is staring at me with questioning eyes. She has her hands on her hips.

"I don't want to argue with you this early morning, Lucila. Please," I said to her as I wave my hand to her.

"Her name is Jaqueline Diaz. She was unemployed for over a year and this is the first job she had landed after graduating. She had already been introduced to everyone."

I look at Lucila and eye her.

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask her, this time, it is my turn to cross my arms in front of me.

"To appeal on your sympathy?"

I hate the teasing tone in her voice. I'm starting to hate her altogether. And it's not something that would happen usually.

"I don't need that. If you're done here, you can leave. And call Watson, I was waiting for him yesterday. He's not answering my call also."

Lucila stares at me before she turn around and left the office. I just shrug my shoulder and didn't bother. I'm about to call for a coffee when Jaqueline enters the office again with a coffee in hand.

"Miss, I was told that you always drink black coffee every morning." She places the coffee on my table.

"I also wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jaqueline Diaz, you can call me Jackie. I've heard a lot about how strict and cold you are, but it was not the case. I believe..." I didn't let her finish her.

"Why do you say so?" I ask her.

I stare right into her eyes. I see it waver. She's flustered with my question and she's not expecting that at all. She stands there not knowing what to do.

"I don't care about your insights about me. I just want you to do your job right. Start that now, so you can leave."

Jackie stands there with a stunned expression on her face. I was watching her in my peripheral vision but kept my focus on the papers. She should leave because I was itching to dictate her work. She's still learning, so I was controlling myself.

I'm trying.

She is in that state for another minute before finally realizing that I will not regard her again, she leaves. I see how she was stomping her little feet and is waiting for her to slam the door but she didn't. She was nice enough to hold her anger and that surprises me. Not that anyone would dare to slam the door in front of me but I assume it by her actions.

Ring... Ring...

My phone rings for a minute and when I look at it, Anna's name pops up. But before I could even accept the call, my screen turn off. The battery died down. I have forgotten to charge my phone.

I wonder what could be the reason for Anna's call for a minute. So, I did not pay too much attention to it and continued the work that I had left last night. After a few minutes, it's still bothering me. I picked up the telephone receiver and am about to input Anna's number. Except, there's one little detail that I forgot. I didn't memorize her number.

I sighed and stomped my foot. I was now mirroring Jackie's action from earlier. Why does it be hard for me to memorize their contact numbers of them and not the words written in every contract? Me and my weird mindset.

I open my door and saw Cody and Jackie looking at the computer and they are relatively close. Cody's arms were around Jackie's shoulder as the latter was staring at the screen as the former is trying to teach her.

I feel like I am interrupting. Why is it? why do I feel like that?

I clear my throat and look the other way. And I see them straighten themselves. Cody's face is tinge with red as blush makes its way to her cheek. It surprised me to see him in that state. He looks cute. But I'm not going to tell him that.

"What can we do for you, Miss?" It is Jackie who asks me.

"I need Anna Brook's contact number. She call me earlier but my phone died. I believe she was written on the contact log." I answer.

"Please give me a moment."

Jackie rummages through the books on her right. Cody is looking out the window as I watch him. He is fidgeting with his fingers again but the blush is still creeping to his ears. He's giving me side glances and when our eyes would meet, he will quickly avert his.

Is this the start of some office romance? But this is inappropriate. This shouldn't happen.

"Bring me her contacts when you find it, Jackie," I instruct and gave Cody one last glance before going back to my office.

Jackie follows behind me I heard her footsteps behind me. I stop in the middle of the room and turn around. She's surprised by the sudden halt that she almost bumped into me. She regains her composure and extends the piece of paper she's holding.

"This is the contact you had asked for, Miss." I hold it by the other end of the paper.

"How are you finding the work here?" I inquire.

Jackie smiles but she is not looking at me. She has a beautiful smile. But that doesn't have anything to do with work. I keep a serious expression on my face.

"It was great, Miss. I'm a quick learner so I am adjusting just fine. Cody was also a great coach." My ears perk up with the last thing she said.

"You're a fast learner. Okay. You have already learned the basic things you need to know?" Jackie nods.

"Great. Tell Cody that he's no longer needed. Tell him that I will be sending him back."

Jackie is taken aback by what I said. Why is that? Does she want to be with Cody all day long?

"Why are you surprised? Everyone was extra busy today and Cody lending you a hand was hindering him from his duties." I said with seriousness. "Since you said you had already learned the basics, we can send Cody back. If you had some questions, you can ask me instead."