Chapter 3: Stay with Me

 I rented an apartment that cost almost half of my salary. Life here in the city means luxurious especially when you will be working in an executive company that probably handles all financial institutions in the whole country. I tried to find a cheaper apartment but if it means I have to travel two to three hours from work, it’s a no-go for me. Not practical at all. Apartments near business centers cost a literal fortune.

The balcony is what caught my attention. Overlooking to city lights, busy streets, sunrise, and sunsets. Holding my last bottle of beer, I stood on my balcony and feeling the cold night breeze on my cheeks. I feel a little woozy and after a couple of minutes of playing with my imaginations of how will I end up with my first day at work tomorrow, I decided to call it a night and closed all the windows and shut off the lights.

I am now being guided by the receptionist named, Elizabeth to my work office. We are now walking side by side passing through large double doors, numerous office stations, and multipurpose halls.

“We will be going to the Chairman’s office first. He would like to talk to you before we will proceed to your station.”

“Any idea why?”

“I also don’t know the reason. You will find it yourself.” She smiled at me as we stood face to face by a large oak door. 

“Wait. Is it mandatory here in your company for newbies to talk to him?” I asked warily of the situation.

“To be honest, no. I was going to ask you. Okay, that’s it. Stop asking the question, I sometimes couldn’t control myself from talking. Go on, just knock and get in.”

There she strutted her way back to the reception leaving me alone standing outside the door.

“Okay, this is it.”

I opened the door and saw the man in a navy blue suit and eyeglasses. He looked so professional, and young too. Young business moguls aren’t a big deal here in the city. These are the results of the grand-grand inheritance of assets and businesses. He looks so innocent from his view here more than he acted yesterday.

“Excuse me, sir…” It feels so weird calling him a sir when he is just about my age, I mean he looks so young.

“Uhh yes, have a seat.”

I made my way to the plush sofa at the center of his room and waited for him patiently. As usual, it took five minutes for him to stand up and I was starting to think he forgot I was in the room.

“I reviewed your resume and I came up with a brilliant idea.”

He came over and sat adjacent to where I was sitting. He stared at me like he was waiting for me to react but I am also staring at him waiting for him to continue what this brilliant idea he is referring to.

I don’t know how to respond when I am all nervous. It’s like my tongue got cramped and my mind blackout. 

“Okay, so you are not that much of a talker, aren’t we? I will offer you something good. Forget about the associate position.”

My attention is now all into his proposition. Is he going to offer me a managerial position? Hell, impossible. I don’t have experience yet. Is he going to offer me to another branch? Not bad, away from my now ex-best friend. But I was brought back to my sense once again with how his words came out of his mouth.

“I need a personal secretary. If you accept my proposal, you will be working only five times a week, I will double your salary and you will get a lot of benefits.”

Too good to be true. Why would he want me to be his secretary? It’s doesn’t match my degree and I am a bit wary that personal secretaries stay by their bosses all the time. And I don’t want that. It’s effin’ awkward, to begin with. Just being in the room with him makes me uncomfortable. What more spend my whole career life beside him?

“No.”

 “I mean—I am contented with the associate position, sir.”I defended silently praying he will consider my request.

“That’s not a problem at all. You will still be handling finances. To be honest, I need someone who knows how to handle money. I have this crazy habit of overspending, you know. And I need someone who can control that for me.” His smile went bigger and nastier as he stared at me waiting for my response.

“Come on, Ms. Hernandez. I am about to give you a free apartment, a service vehicle, and allowances for this position. But I have one more condition.”

“What condition, sir?”

“Accept the offer first. Then I will tell you the condition.”

Sneaky. 

“Sir, as much as I would like to accept your offer, I already signed the contract. I think it would be unprofessional for us to breach it, I think we already know that.”

“Would it be more unprofessional to decline the offer of the head of the company?”

And that left me speechless.

“Uhh—I..”

“I have your contract, Ms. Hernandez. I can submit it to HR whenever I like. And as of now, I don’t have the mood to endorse you to your department.”

Smiling like a villain, he is staring at me, taunting me to snap. I am really at the edge to bark snarky remarks but this might be my future boss, whether I accept the offer or not. So, with utmost control of anger, I clutched the hem of my skirt, smiling at him like a normal person. But in reality, I am fuming with anger. This is abusing his power. 

What the hell is happening? This is not what I am expecting. Is this for real?

“So what do you think?” He asked slumping on his chair, putting his fist on his chin, and studying me under his lashes.

Who am I to say ‘no’ to a job? I have waited for a year, to have a job like this.

“Okay, fine. I will accept your offer, sir.” I answered with disappointment and anger laced on my tone.

“Okay, so as promised... the condition is, you will help me process my annulment with my wife.”

What. The. Fuck? That came out of nowhere. Like a bomb dropped on the ocean.

This left me speechless for the second time today. So much is going on for three hours. I wonder if I can get out of this building alive by the end of the day.

My mouth hung open as I tried to process what he said. With no second thought, I scratched my head and scoffed can’t believe what I heard.

“Uhmm... okay. That came unexpectedly.” I half smiled and scratched my head once again.

“Okay. So I guess I have no choice then.”

“Okay. Let me congratulate you for joining my team.” He leaned on his chair arrogantly staring back at me.

I really can’t hide my curiosity and feel sad for him. I mean look at him. Owner of one of the big companies here in town. Lavishing lifestyle and tons of money. But his marriage isn’t perfect. 

His face suddenly morphed into disgust and snorted like an angry bull.

“I never wanted the marriage, Ms. Hernandez. For your information. Don’t feel sad, cause I am way more excited to get out of this f*cking marriage.”

And that we both fell into a long stretch of silence until we were both interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Mr. Dawson? Your Lunch meeting will now start shortly. You are expected in the Multi-Purpose Hall with the investors.” A man in his forty chimed in making my new boss nod and waved his hand to dismiss him.

“Come with me to the meeting. I will introduce you to them.”

We walked side by side and proceeds to the elevator up to the 16th floor. I still feel awkward and disappointed by how he described his marriage. His words echoed in my ears and I realized I’d rather live or stay single than living a married life with a man like him. 

We got off the lift and I can already hear talking and laughing. Men in the navy blue suit are lounging in the dining hall. The place looks so luxurious and elegant with a towering glass wall overlooking the city underneath. Odd it’s like I am seeing the kings of financial institutions sitting on their throne with their soldiers and knights underneath them. I stood in awe and it was Mr. Dawson who put a hand on my back ushering me to come forward.

“Gentlemen, thank you for gracing me with your presence today. I would like to introduce my secretary, Ms. Betty Hernandez.”

“Nice to meet you all. It’s a pleasure to be working with you.”

I smiled and they all nod in agreement and invited us to come and join them. Mr. Dawson left me in the middle of the sea of businessmen. Foods were served right away with them a glass of champagne. I was excited when a waiter started to pour in my glass, but Mr. Dawson stopped him. He pointed to another bottle of drinks. Much to my dismay, he is referring to give me sparkling water instead of champagne. I snorted in annoyance taking a small sip on my sparkling water and mouthed ‘thank you’ to him. His only response is a blank face and shook his head.

 Mr. Dawson approached a lone old businessman sipping water silently. It looks like he is special to my boss, I could tell. But what surprised me is when Mr. Dawson kissed the ring on the older man’s hand, and the latter patted his head. They are smiling from ear to ear. I can’t hear their conversation, but it looks like they are enjoying each other’s company. While I am now being questioned with the other businessmen once again. 

-----sent 3-3-21