Chapter 7: The New Secretary

The new secretary of Cedric Dixon.

Such a title would not fit a woman who has no experience in handling such a demanding and daunting task. How could I, a person who couldn’t even manage myself, handle another person’s affairs? It is dizzying enough to think about it. However, as a human being, I have every right to turn the position down when it was offered by the CEO of Dixon Enterprises himself. But such a rejection was not even acknowledged despite how many times I made that point across. What was even more mind-boggling was how this man refuses to listen to me. It frustrated me to no end and confused me on how such a man was in charge.

“Are you all right?”

“Leave me alone.”

I was not going to change my decision due to Cedric Dixon threatening me to quit if I didn’t accept his offer. Thankful I may be, but this wouldn’t have happened at all if he never pulled strings to get me into the company. My reputation has already been soured to a point attempting to make friends has gone down the drain completely, but today’s fiasco was not going to be forgotten. I won’t be surprised if everyone working here would avoid me like the plague starting tomorrow. And it all boils down because he accepted me into this company. I hate him.

I hate Cedric Dixon, the root of all my problems.

“Wow, is that how you treat your hero?” And yet, Cedric Dixon, the villain of my story—the same man who merely laughed at my adversaries—saved me and is now treating me in the tiny clinic the building has to offer. I was only made aware that the woman, who yanked my hair to a degree of almost balding me, had cut my forehead with her sharp nails when he pulled me from the floor to inspect my face. After the hazardous confrontation, I couldn’t help but be surprised that I wasn’t beaten to death nor escaped with only a small cut. But even such a minuscule cut bled a lot and this made both of us rush to the clinic.

And here, behind a thin curtain to shield us from whoever will enter since he banished the nurse from her own workspace in hopes of privacy, we stood there standing in silence after he placed a band-aid over the cut. The air conditioner blowing cool air over us softly; the scent of chlorine and antiseptic is strong in every part of the room.

“Why are you so prickly? You should take care of yourself…What would your family say if they learned their precious little daughter almost lost her head?”

“I don’t have anyone to call family. They’re all dead.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

After a few more seconds of silence, I cleared my throat and remained gazing on the ground. “No need for pity. And thank you…for saving me back there, even if it wasn’t needed. I could have handled it.” It was all I could tell him for scaring the group away. Images of what may have occurred if he didn’t arrive to shoo them away filled my head. I clenched my fists at the idea of being powerless but too humiliated to do anything to defend myself. At my words of gratification, he shrugged nonchalantly.

“Of course. If I didn’t save you back there, you would have come out even worse. You don’t have to appear untouchable now.” My breath hitched when his face suddenly came too close to mine for comfort, rendering me there speechless. Musky cologne and what seems to be the smell of peppermint exuded from his body. “But that doesn’t mean it was an act of kindness. No, I expect you to pay me back for my services a while ago, Miss McKenzie.”

How typical. Of course, he wants something in return…

“And how?” I countered, raising a brow at him. Already expecting the payment he wanted in exchange. How could I be so naïve to think he saved me out of pure chivalric reason. “By being your secretary as you always wanted?”

“Bingo.” He smirked, lifting my chin with his index finger to stare into my eyes properly. “You, my darling, are too smart for those ingrates downstairs. Why can’t you see your potential? Those employees are too slow, too narrow minded, for someone of your caliber to mingle with. Why would I waste such talent in a small insignificant department with such lousy management when you could be right by my side? You would be well taken care of, from the strands of your hair to your toes.”

“If any of your employees would have heard that, they would be wounded, Sir.”

He laughed, breath fanning my lips. “Funny how you always think of others…” Cedric whispered, itching close. “But let them step on you. I won’t have it. Come to me, Reese McKenzie. I’ll show you why it’s better to be with me than to be with those horrible co-workers of yours.”

“Forgive me, but I must decline once again—”

“Are you not tired? I can treat you better when you’re beside me. Pay you better than the normal salary.” Clutching my sides, he pulled me towards him, making me elicit a gasp at our proximity. However, I could not pull away because he held me so tightly. “I can make you happy, Miss McKenzie—if only you would let me do the honors. Whatever you want, I will give you. Just be my secretary. Give it a try and if you don’t want it at all, you can go back to sitting behind a computer at a cheap desk. All I ask is that you give it a chance.”

Why? The same thoughts kept repeating as he said those words, sounding desperate. He was a man who could have whatever he wanted for he had the influence and wealth to do so. However, of all things, why would he want me to be his secretary?

“Why are you so intent on having me? Being nice to me as if I’m…” I trailed off, lowering my head to watch as I fiddled with my fingers at the crazy idea that crossed my head. It would entirely make sense whenever I think about it, causing my heart to pound in panic as I stared at him in fear. “No…you can’t be. It’s unheard of and downright ridiculous…It can’t be.”

“What’s ridiculous?”

“Are you…” I swallowed hard as I continued delivering my inquiry, afraid of his answer. “Are you letting me get close to you so you can dispose of me in secret? Is that why you’re so adamant about having me become your private secretary? Are you going to kill me in secret and say I quit after a day? It would make sense if that’s what you’re planning. Everybody hates me now and I have no one to call family. You’re going to basically wipe me off the planet—”

I was dumbfounded when Cedric Dixon’s lips came into contact with mine after swooping into the last tiny space that separated us. No hesitation, just pure want. My whole body went rigid at the experience, not wanting to let it end but at the same time screaming inside as to why it was happening right now. Out of all things he has done, this is the icing on top of the cake he baked spelling disaster.

Why is he kissing me? What did I say? Is this a form of distraction? Why on earth—

“S-stop…” I stammered breathlessly, trying to pull away from him but to no avail as he leaned down again to capture my lips. The urge and the passion were evident in how he kissed me as if he was so thirsty that he could die. What was even worse, his kiss didn’t feel foreign nor strange. It felt like it was meant to be, him and me. As if we were lovers and that notion scared me. For such a feeling—especially towards a man I barely knew and who was supposed to be my superior is doing it—was unknown to me. Not my boyfriend nor someone I love. I merely stood there; eyes wide at the affectionate action before trying to pull away again with the intention of slapping him. He must have read my thoughts for he took me by the wrists and pinned them on the sides.

Stop…I feel faint…

“Is that reason enough?” Cedric whispered after pulling away, leaving me gulping for air. “With your wild ideas, anyone would have laughed at you. Despite being smart, you do also have your dumb moments. I don’t want to kill you or whatever silly thoughts you had a moment ago—I need you alive, more than ever. Please say you will stay here with me.”

Wiping my lips, I narrowed my eyes at the man. “Mr. Dixon, I appreciate the sentiments, but this isn’t what we should be doing—kissing me and begging me won’t make me yield. You should be grateful I didn’t slap you as soon as you did!”

“Well, why didn’t you?” He questioned softly, before diving down again for another kiss. I was so sure I would faint in his arms; the searing kiss and tongues caused my head to go haywire until his lips left mine to peer down my eyes half-open. “Don’t tell me…Do you like being kissed, Miss McKenzie? Or do you like the fact that it is I who is kissing you?”

Why am I letting him do this to me? I have to get away. Have to get away!

As if touched by a live wire, I tore us apart and hid behind the thin metal rod which should have been used for the IV drip. A meaningless act. “Don’t. Don’t try and tempt me, Mr. Dixon. Seducing and kissing me to sway my decision…It won’t work!”

“If you said it aloud, it must be.” Cedric chuckled, walking towards me slowly as I inched away to create more distance. “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you even recognize me at all? You know, back when I saw you the first time, I thought I was only dreaming…But there you were, in the lobby. Miss McKenzie, you break my heart every time you act this way—”

“I don’t want to listen to any more of your tricks. That’s it, I’m quitting! Do you hear me?” I yelled out, then started heading for the door in order to escape when he grabbed me by the wrist again, forcing me to look him in the eye. “Didn’t you hear? I’m quitting! Are you satisfied—”

“Don’t you feel sorry for yourself? Are you really going to walk out of this building without serving any revenge on those who wronged you here?”

“You were the reason why they acted that way—”

“I may be, but that’s because I like you and your determination. Anyone who is brave enough to apply without even having any experience at a company like this has bigger balls than the person judging the interviewee. And when I presented such an offer for you to have a better job and environment, you reject it. You rejected every offer I gave and I was at a loss.” Cedric looked livid behind those usually uncaring irises of his. I didn’t know what to say. “And to think you wanted to continue working there…Are you a masochist? Or are you afraid to admit defeat? And to make things clear, I never asked anyone to treat you harshly.”

I’m afraid of failing when I’ve only just begun.

“You…you don’t understand—”

“And what was the point of agitating that group earlier when you’d merely retreat with your tail tucked behind you?”

“This conversation has gone far enough. I shall send in my resignation letter tomorrow, so don’t try to stop me.”

I heard him sigh behind me, my whole body facing the door while my hand remained trapped with his. However, his grip suddenly loosened and I was free. Then, before I could get my legs to move and head for the exit, he uttered simply. “What if…I say I knew you and your family? Before the accident…What if I say that I knew who you were before you lost all your memories, would you care? Would that be reason enough for you to remain?”

“You knew…who I was?” I questioned with hesitation, not knowing where he got the information of my accident. But this was the CEO of the company I entered, so he must have access to all the information I gave, including medical records. Realizing this, I laughed humorlessly. “What? Is this another sad attempt at making me stay? You pretend to know me because you saw I lost my memories from the past? This is low, even for you, Sir.”

“What do you want me to do then, huh? Contact Nicholas and Katelyn to prove it to you?” He laughed while shaking his head. “Why do you distrust me so much? Have I ever lied to you? Your parents would definitely be heartbroken if they found out you mistreated me.”

Hearing him regard my parents so closely as if they were best buds made me snap my head towards him with irritation. “Mistreated you? The person who is being mistreated is me, not you. If you call sitting in a spacious well-air conditioned room with employees at your beck and call an act of mistreatment, then I suggest you contact your English teacher for you got the word’s meaning differently.”

“Not that. They would be heartbroken and shocked to see you treating your boyfriend this way.”

My eyes would have left their sockets at what he just said if this were a comedic cartoon. But alas, it wasn’t. He wasn’t joking and it didn’t seem like he was kidding it all.

“Boy…friend? You? My boyfriend?” I pointed at him in disbelief. “Why do I find it false? I don’t have pictures of you…And even if I had my memories erased, I sure would have been told that you were my boyfriend. Heck, if you were, why weren’t you in the hospital when I woke up?”

This was all very strange indeed.

“I was very busy, plus…we never got to date much before the day you got into that accident. We were only getting started that day.” He explained as he wrapped his arms around me. “To be honest, I was losing hope whether you’d survive. I waited for you, but your doctor refused to give me more information about your status, and the next thing I knew, you weren’t in the hospital anymore. I looked idiotic standing in front of an empty room with a bouquet of violets and blue roses. I thought I wouldn’t see you again—I even thought you were a ghost when I saw you at the lobby the first time.”

“Violets and blue roses…” I echoed faintly, remembering how I adored those flowers and how I wanted my future lover to give them to me. Eyeing Cedric skeptically, I knew if he would be lying, he couldn’t even answer the question I was about to give. “Tell me, did I ever want to be a politician?”

As far as I could remember, I always wanted to deviate from my parent’s line of work and interests, especially when it came to dealing with politics. If he were truly my boyfriend, he would know this secret of mine despite taking up a degree in political science due to my mother’s request.

“No.” Was his curt reply, not giving any signs of confusion or hesitancy. “You wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. You always expressed how you wanted a peaceful life and one that doesn’t involve politics.”

“And do you expect me to believe that you were my boyfriend after answering that?”

Cedric Dixon smiled. “No. You’re not dumb enough to jump into something that seems sketchy, to which I understand.”

Licking my chapped lower lip, I nodded softly. “You’re correct.” A sigh slipped past my tongue, scolding myself mentally at what I’m about to do. A part of me wanted to run, yet if I do, half of me seems to gravitate towards Cedric Dixon. As if half of me would die if I were apart from him ever again. It infuriated and bemused me. “All right, I made up my mind. I have nothing to lose if I do become your secretary, it will be your fault if I mess up. I’ll be gathering what you know about me and have a huge salary to pair with it.”

“Thank you, Reese—”

“But if I want to quit and move on with my life, you will not stop me. You will not beg nor threaten me. If you break this rule, I won’t hesitate to bring this up to court.” Shallow it may be, but I couldn’t fight the curiosity—to know what he knew about me and my family. Mostly, how he became my boyfriend in the past. “Another rule. You will not touch me so clandestinely nor kiss me out of the blue. I will scream next time.”

“All right, I accept your terms.”

Why is this so easy? Does he have something up his sleeve? Why is he going so far with this? It doesn’t make any sense. This doesn’t make any sense at all!

I never went back to the department I was assigned primarily upon working in Dixon Enterprises. As soon as I accepted his offer, Cedric told me to go home and come back tomorrow afternoon. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I was now his secretary.

The next day came and I was immediately told to go straight up to Cedric’s office and waited there for a few minutes, sitting in a comfy chair with my hair causing me a bit of pain due to how it was in a high bun. Even with the tight suit and minimal makeup to appear more professional, I wasn’t fooling myself. I was still a novice and I needed proper training if I were to avoid messing up on the first day.

“Are you Miss McKenzie?” A thin man exited the office beyond the wooden door, gesturing at me. I didn’t recognize him nor what his job was, but he seemed important enough to be near the CEO. When I nodded to confirm, he beckoned for me to stand. “Mr. Dixon is waiting inside. Cool suit…Good luck.”

“T-thanks…” I murmured to him, but he was soon gone from the area, leaving the door open. There was no backing out now and as soon as I entered through that door, I would be his secretary. Head buzzing with second thoughts, I willed myself to enter and was met with Cedric Dixon in a blue sharp suit, looking devilishly handsome as ever. Seeing me, he grinned and nodded at the chair across from him. “Sit down, Reese. Let’s start going through the contract before you sign it.”

I knew what I was getting into, but to shake the hands of a devil is another thing.

This isn’t right.

Trust him.

How can I trust such a man?

You know him.

I do?

“Sure.”