The CEO’s dark secret

Chapter Three:first day

MAYA'S POV

My first day came by faster than I expected, I woke up before my alarm even rang

I brushed my teeth twice and scrubbed my body harder that day for double authentication. I wore the new suit Ava had bought for me to look “qualified”. I stared at the mirror and was so proud of myself

“You've come this far to go back out” I said to my self firmly

“You're ready?” Ava said as she woke up

“Yes sleepyhead” I said as I picked up my bag, it was my mother's favourite

“It matches the suit, how did you think of this?” Ava said as she looked at the bag

“Using it as my Goodluck charm” I said as I looked at myself in the mirror one last time

“I pray everything works easier for you my love” Ava said in a soft voice “ if anything happens call me, call mee” she scoffed

“ Yes mommy” I teased

As we both walk towards the parlor I met my dad arranging the dining

“ My Maya,how are you this morning” he said as he walks towards me to kiss me on my cheek

“I'm fine daddy” I said smiling

“ Come and eat” he said as he pointed at teb table

“I'm not hungry daddy and I need to be early” I said as I walked to the door

“ But Maya ..okay atleast come and pack lunch or something” he said

“ I'm fine daddyyy” I echoed as I walked out of the house

I got there earlier than I had expected, this time I wasn't there as a visitor but as an employee

Employee, it sounded perfect in my head. I walked boldly into the building with my ID card nearly hung on my neck, as I walked towards the elevator like last time, some workers chatting at one corner caught my attention. They all stared at me but didn't say a word, neither did I.

As I walked towards the office, I saw the lady of last time but this time she's warmer

“Good morning Ms. Whitfield, I am Renee, head of executive staff” she said softly and was holding the tab from yesterday

“Good morning Renee” I smiled back.

“Mr Adrian's schedule should be your utmost priority, no mistakes, his meetings, calls and everything you need to know is in this tablet” she said as she hands me the tablet. I took a quick glance at it, the calendar, contact list, notepad, everything was so organized and the tablet felt like a bomb in my hand.

“Noted” I said

“These are also things you should learn to not ask about” she said fiercely

I wanted to ask what things? But I kept quiet instead and nodded

We both walked into Adrian's office together, he didn't look up

“Good morning Mr Adrian, Ms. Whitfield is here” Renee said

“Good morning Mr Adrian” I said almost immediately

He didn't respond back, rude!

“Ms. Whitfield is ready to start” she said

“Leave us” he said to her

“ Okay sir” she said as she walked out of the room leaving just me and him

“Sit” he said to me

“You'll find a folder on the desk in front of you” I hadn't even noticed it, it was a slim, unmarked black folder, edges crisp, like it had never been opened “Today's schedule, contacts, and a list of rules you will follow without exception”

Rules? Am I a kid?

I opened it carefully, the schedule was tight, meetings back to back, a call with someone labelled R, a dinner appointment with no location listed and the rules

Do not enter Mr. Kane's private office without explicit permission.

Do not discuss Mr. Kane's schedule, meetings, or whereabouts with anyone outside this office.

Certain floors require clearance you do not have. Do not attempt to access them.

If uncertain about anything, ask. Do not assume.

“ These seem…” I wanted do say but paused “ very specific” I said

“They exist for a reason

“ Can I know the reason?”

“ You're paid here to work, not to know” he shut me up

The words stung more than I expected

“Understood sir” I said

“Good, by 10am I have a meeting, you're coming with me” he said

“Sir?” I wanted more details

“One thing I hate is repeating myself, be sharp!” He said

You don't talk to me like that

“Yes sir”

“10am, meeting, you're coming with me” he said

“Okay sir”

“Go get busy” he said

Busy? I don't know what to do

“Sir? Busy with?” I asked and that moment I realized I wasn't supposed to

He looked at me straight without saying a word

“ Sorry sir” I said as I stood up and left the room.

I went downstairs, stared at my watch, it read “8:32” I noticed the group of workers from earlier still there I walked closer to them

“ Good morning” I greeted

They all looked at me for a minute in silence

“New assistant?” One of them asked

“ Yes” I said in a soft smile

They were cold

“Don't get excited newbie, else you'll be like the last”

“The last?” I asked .

They all went mute and looked at each other

“I have to go” one of them said and the rest followed.

I stood there trying to understand what they meant by the “last”

10am came by really fast, I scrambled to gather my folder and tablet following him out of the office into the car.The meeting was with some men with expensive suit, I stood far from them so I couldn't hear anything they were saying

By the time my day ended, my feet achess, my back tired and my mind filled with names, schedule and rules that really showed who Adrian really is, strict

But one cannot ignore some tiny details that he was still human, the way he gets frustrated at some things, exhustation and his eyes lingering on me some random times before looking away

I didn't know any of that mattered at that moment but a part of me wanted to know more, more about Adrian