The CEO’s dark secret

Chapter two :Into the lion’s den

MAYA'S POV

I didn't sleep that night, I kept thinking about how life was about to get better, I thought about my mother's face in this hospital bed, my father's breaking voice when he said it was his fault, the house we were about to lose and then back at Kanes Global.

“Everything is going to be fine” I said as I started at the mirror looking sharp in my blazer that I had bought but never had the opportunity to wear

“You're up early” my father said from the doorway with eyes filled with worry

“Interview's at nine” I said avoiding his eyes

“Maya..”

“Daddy please, I've thought about it over and over again and I stand by my decision” my voice came out softer than I intended it to

He ran out of words, instead he comes closer to me and gave me a kiss on the forehead and whispered

“I love you”

The way he used to when he had everything under control, I wanted to tear up but I couldn't risk ruining my face that morning, I need to look presentable.

“Be careful and call me any time” he said as I walked out of the house

The Kane Global building was exactly how I imagined it, dominating, filled with glass and steel. As I walk, I could hear my heels clicking against the mable floor so shiny I could see my nervous face on staring back at me

The lobby alone would cost more than every home in my street combined. I was still admiring the building when I heard a soft voice call at me

“Ms. Whitfield?”

She was wearing a sharp navy suit holding a tablet in her hand and her expression,strict.

“Yes ma'am”

“This way please” she said as she walked right in front of me. I followed her throughout security checkpoints that felt too much for a job interview, scanning of my badges, metal detector and a patting down

“You'll be interviewing on the executive floor” she said as she pressed the elevator buttons

My Stomach dropped “wait ma'am, I'll be interviewed by Mr Kane himself?” I asked as my voice trembled

“Mr Kane conducts final interview for this role personally” she said like it wasn't terrifying “ he's very particular about who's working closely with him” she continued

The elevator door slid shut and I caught my reflection, I looked stressed and started sweating even tho everywhere was filled with AC.

“You can do this, you must do this” i said to myself

The executive floor is more quiet than the lobby, there was several huge doors shut and gave the look of “ do not ever enter”. I walked closely behind the lady until we got to the door, the lion's den.

“ Ms. Whitfield is here for her interview, sir” she said as we walked in

I stepped into the office and immediately understood why people spoke about him this way.

Adrian stood by the window with a file in his hand carefully looking at it as tho he could see it's future, he was taller than I had imagined, his suit well iron and sharp as tho it could cut anyone who touches it, I was gazed by his back view until he turned and looked at me, I nearly tripped, he looked younger than I had expected, his facial features was so perfect. His eyes looked cold, his jaw and his nearly arranged hair gave him this aura that couldn't be explain

“Ms Whitfield” he said in a cold tone

“Si-sir” I stuttered

“Sit” he said as he looked me straight into my eyes. For some reason he didn't sit across from me instead he remained standing and was looking at me as though I was the earlier case file he was studying.

“Your resume said finance” he said as he looked at the case file

Ahhh, it was my file he was staring at, it made me even more scared

“Yes sir”

“ But I didn't call you here for that role” he paused” I need a personal assistant, someone reliable, discreet, capable of managing my schedule and is able to handle-” he adjusted his tie “sensitive information” he said

“Sensitive information?” I didn't know when I asked back

“Business matters that requires confidentiality” he said “can you handle that?” He asked

I remembered my father and friend's warning at that moment, what if I'm actually signing up for something I can't handle? Then I thought about my mother, our house, the debt

“Yes sir” I said in a firm voice

He stared straight and deeply at me but I didn't flinch, I didn't want him to sense my fear but I wasn't hiding it properly

“The salary is significant but the hours are demanding, nothing you see or hear here leaves here” he said as he placed the file on the table and seats

“I totally understand” I said with a warm smile, he didn't return it, I wiped the smile off my face

He extended his hand to shake me and when I placed my palm in his, it was cold and firm, he withdrew his hand faster than I wanted

“Rude!” I scoffed in my head

He handed me a document and I signed and added my finger print

He picked up the telephone close to him and dialed some keys then the earlier lady walked in almost immediately

“Do the tour” he said to her as he went back to his business.

I stood up and walked with the lady who showed me around.

When I got home that day, I met Ava and my father in the living room.

“You're back” Ava said as she stood and walked closer to me

“Maya, how was it?” my father asked with fear in his eyes

I smiled “I got the job!” I jumped in excitement

Ava jumped with me and we screamed together

“ He isn't as bad as everybody thinks” I found myself telling them

They stared at me then looked at each other

“I'm serious, yes he's cold like they all described but that's not what I went there for, I went there for the money”

“ Since you've made up your mind, we have no other choice but to support you” my father said and I rushed to hug him almost crying

“Thank you daddy and I promise to make everything right” I said

“ So how does he look? Is he terrifying? Looks like the devil or?” Ava asks as we both walk to my room

“Actually” I said and paused then locked my room door “ he's freaking hot!!! He's so tall, his suit is sharper than a sword, his hair, his face, he looks just so perfect”

“Hmmhnmm” Ava said as she grinned excitedly

“But he looks so..cold” my voice lowered

“Cold?” She asked

“Yeah, I just can't explain it but I don't know I don't know”

“Will you be okay?” Ava asked

“Yes, yes I will be” I said aloud “will I really be?” I asked myself quietly.

That night I couldn't sleep, I kept replaying those moments in my head

“This is it finally, this it” for the first time in a while I slept knowing everything would be fine.