Chapter 24

Kendall’s jaw nearly dropped. Thanks to her years of carefully curated habits, she managed to snap it shut before it could hang open.

Lucien had a girlfriend?

She pursed her lips, getting an immediate flashback of Sabrina’s sly request.

And maybe you can tell me if women visit him at the office.

Momentarily speechless, Kendall studied the woman and the triumphant smirk on her red lips. She had bouncy brown hair that fell down her back. Her hot pink blouse was paired with a short black skirt, and her glossy shoes matched the small black purse clutched in her hand.

Was… this his type?

Kendall didn’t know why she was disappointed. The woman was beautiful, but that was it. It was a very surface-level beauty. And Lucien was one of the deepest people she knew. But that was none of her business!

Clearing her throat, Kendall nodded. “Just a moment, Ma’am, I’ll let him know you’re here.”

She picked up the telephone, but before she could press a button, the woman snatched it out of her hand and slammed it back down. “No need. He’s expecting me.”

She turned on her heel and modelled over to the closed office doors. Sighing, Kendall watched her push the doors open and enter.

When the doors were shut again, Kendall sighed and sat back down.

Her composure wasn’t rattled. Even though a nasty feeling of bitterness boiled in her gut, she kept her face expressionless as she turned on the computer, hoping to find Lucien’s entire calendar for the week.

She had work to do. So, what if he was in there with a woman? Less than five feet from her. Who cared that the woman was all sexy and foxy and everything Kendall wasn’t?

It wasn’t like she, Kendall, could even stand a chance anyway, when it came to getting the attention of a man like Lucien Sinclair.

She swallowed hard and focused on learning everything she could about her job by herself, seeing as nobody in the entire damn building was offering to help her!

She suddenly scoffed, stopping and glancing back at his office door. Was this what he did when he was at work? Have women like that pay him visits? Well, she wasn’t just a random woman. She was his girlfriend.

Kendall wasn’t being judgmental, but if that was his kind of woman, then maybe he wasn’t as refined a man as she’d always believed him to be.

Turning back to her computer a little more aggressively than was necessary, she grabbed the mouse and continued checking everything where the previous secretary had left off.

“Hello!”

Kendall jumped for the second time that morning, turning to look to her left. A man stood there, a file in his hand as he stared curiously at her.

“H-hi…” she said.

He walked slowly in. “New P.A.?”

“Uhm, secretary.”

A bright smile bloomed over his face. “With Lucien, that’s the same thing.” He reached her table and rested the bottom of the file against it. “You’re his twenty-third P.A.”

Kendall blinked. “Really?”

The man nodded. He stuck out a hand, his gaze never leaving her face. He’d been studying her with awe-filled eyes since he’d arrived, and it made Kendall feel odd. “I’m Patrick Noel.”

“Ah.” She took his hand. “You’re the Head of Risk Assessment.”

Her eyes glimmered with admiration, and the effect was an odd pride swelling through him. “That’s right!” he said in his cheerful voice. “I help prevent papercuts around here.”

She smiled at his subtle joke and nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise. I think I’ve seen you around before,” he said.

Kendall nodded, wondering why he hadn’t released her hand. “I’m—”

The office door opened.

Patrick and Kendall paused, glancing over.

The woman from earlier walked out, leaving the door open, and Kendall stared at her in poorly hidden shock. Her hair was ruffled. Her blouse hung off one shoulder, and her lipstick was smudged.

It was odd, but all Kendall could think at that moment was, Is his office soundproof?

The woman walked a little strangely, like her knees were weak and the floor was slippery, so she had to be extra careful.

Lowering her gaze, Kendall looked away from her, determined not to stare at her as she left.

Patrick did stare, though, with a brow raised and his mouth twisted into a wry grin.

He leaned closer to Kendall as he stifled his smile. “If that’s his girlfriend, I’m suddenly very interested in workplace wellness."

Despite her own displeasure, a snort burst out of Kendall, and she pressed her lips tightly together to hold back the laugh.

Laughing, Patrick lowered his head. "She walked out like she just got promoted."

“Do neither of you have work to do?”

They froze.

Standing in the open doorway to his office, Lucien tilted his head, his gaze zeroing in on the hands clasped together between the two.

They both looked at him, faces pale. Kendall saw him staring at her hand in Patrick’s and snatched it away, clumsily getting to her feet. “Mr Sinclair.”

He stood very still, only his eyes moving between them. His gaze went to Patrick. “What is it?”

“This month's review!” Patrick brightly said, grabbing the file he’d nearly forgotten on Kendall’s table.

“Does bringing me a report require you to chat up my secretary?” he asked, eyes narrowing. "I've told you about that."

Patrick pursed his lips, wincing. “I was just… getting to know Kendall. She’s new, she seemed quite alone.”

Lucien looked over at Kendall, and she saw the disappointment he’d earlier expressed returning with a vengeance. “I suggest you focus on your work, Ms McCarthy. Seeing as you insist on being a mere secretary, let me inform you that your job description doesn’t involve flirting with colleagues.”

Her eyes widened. Before she could say a word, Lucien took the file from Patrick and headed back into his office.

Patrick looked at her with a cringe. “He’s a bit cranky today,” he murmured.

She sighed. “I have no idea—"

“Kendall!” Lucien suddenly called impatiently.

“Y-Yes, Mr Sinclair!” She grabbed a notebook and a pen, rushing off into his office.

Lucien was frowning when she entered. “Close the door.”

She halted, turning around to close the door before rushing to his table. When she stood in front of him, panting, he crossed his arms and watched her.

She pursed her lips, feeling scolded even though he hadn’t said anything.

“Holding hands and giggling?” he asked icily then. “Is that what you came here for?”