CHAPTER 1
Victoria Hartman was a young woman in her late twenties, who possessed a slim light figure and a strikingly beautiful face. Before she came to New York and began to work as a secretary at Thornwood Industries, a global conglomerate owned by the enigmatic billionaire, Alexander Thornwood. Victoria's Hartman life hasn't been an easy one; it has been a bumpy ride for her ever since the death of her beloved father.
Victoria's relocation to New York from her cherished hometown in Oklahoma has been orchestrated by experiences of hardship and her unwavering determination on creating a better future for her and her mother, who has been sick after the sudden demise of her father, who died after a long tragic battle with brain cancer. Victoria leaving her mother behind at Oklahoma was a hard decision that she had no choice but to make, because she knew she had to venture to the bustling city of New York in pursuit of better opportunities.
Over the preceding years, when Victoria arrived in New York, she had tirelessly scoured the city, dispatching numerous job applications, attending countless interviews, Yet all she encountered was rejection after rejection and which started to take a toll on her. She began doubting and questioning herself. If she did the right thing of leaving Oklahoma and her mom to come down to New York looking for greener pastures, she thought about her sick mother and how she was fairing. It has been 2 years since she saw her mother last, although she does send her cards to wish her on any festive occasions but she just felt she needed to do more for her.
Victoria's struggle continued, her hope to forge a brighter future in New York city had started to dwindle, because of her failed attempt to secure a lucrative job. Little did she know that life had some surprises in store for her. It has been over three months since she applied for the role of a secretary at a multimillionaire firm, and she had even forgotten about the job. One sunny morning, Victoria began to go through her mailbox checking for any new notifications that she might have missed over the last couple of days. Inside the mailbox, was a mail response from Thornwood Industries extending an offer for the secretary position she has applied for. As Victoria read the letter, her heart was filled with exhilaration and tears streamed down her cheek. Because she had long held an admiration for the company from afar, and the unexpected opportunity to work there was an overwhelming surprise for her.
Victoria spent the weekend preparing for her new job as a secretary as she began to arrange her résumé and some vital documents in order, after some days the weekend was over. It was a beautiful Monday morning and also It was her first day at Thornwood Industries. Victoria hurriedly left her apartment around eight am and boarded a taxi going to the company address, located at Broadway street. When she got into the company grounds, she couldn't hide her excitement as she was amazed at the Thornwoods company's magnificent buildings and decorations. It was Indeed breathtaking. Quickly she found her way to the reception, where she was engaged with a lot of new faces and introductions. After she was done being introduced to her office, Victoria settled at her desk to begin her official task for the day. While trying to power her system on, Victoria couldn't help but overheard hushed whispers from her co-workers.
"Who's the odd new secretary?" A co-worker named Cynthia, Inquired.
"Victoria Hartman from Oklahoma", another co-worker replied.
"She's not meant to be here working here, hailing from Oklahoma of all places." Cynthia said, looking at Victoria with disgust.
Immediately her co-workers started giggling and regarded her as a weak and pitiable link due to the divergence of where she hailed from.
Quickly Victoria shrugged it off, she didn't want to get distracted with the side talks on her first day at work. Victoria immersed herself into her work, she was determined to demonstrate her capabilities no matter what her co-workers might think of her. Her role as a secretary was to intricate coordination of schedules, email management, and providing assistance to Mr. Thornwood whenever she was needed. But to Victoria her position was more than just a mere employment; it served as a gateway for her to leave the past behind and create a new future she has always dreamed of in New York City.
As the seasons changed, two months had passed into her new position as the secretary of thornwood industries, one particular morning Victoria was engrossed in her tasks, typing away at her desk when a commanding voice startled her.
"Victoria, could you spare a moment, please?" came the sharp, authoritative request.
When she turned to see who startled her, Victoria turned to find out that it was her CEO who she hadn't seen since she had started working. Alexander Thornwood, a tall handsome well-dressed man, with piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline was the one standing beside her desk. Her heart raced very fast as she swiftly rose to her feet. "Certainly, Mr. Thornwood. How may I be of assistance?"
Alexander Thornwood, emitting an air of authority, studied her for a moment before speaking. "I've heard that you're my new secretary, and you hail from a small town in Oklahoma, correct?"
"Yes, that's accurate," Victoria replied, striving to maintain her composure.
Alexander Thornwood maintained his stern look. "I appreciate that. The heartland of America. Tell me, what prompted you to leave your small town and journey to New York?"
Victoria took a deep breath, and was shocked by the question asked by her billionaire CEO. Then she gathered her courage and said "I've always had a dream of a life beyond the little streets of my hometown. I have yearned for something more and something greater. And I believe that New York embodied the epitome of opportunity and ambition for me.
Mr. Thornwood nodded, with his gaze still fixed on her. "Ambition, that's a good quality I hold in high regard among my employees. I sensed your co-workers may not understand and tolerate you entirely, but that doesn't judge your success here. You just have to show them the mettle of your character.
Then he departed, as he departed Victoria left out a big sigh, after some moment she was filled with a rekindled sense of purpose. She vowed to prove herself not only to her colleagues but also to her enigmatic boss who had granted her this opportunity. But unknown to her, Victoria didn't know that her journey at Thornwood Industries had just commenced, and it would lead her through some unforeseen trials, new friendships, and perhaps even a touch of romance along the way.
