Chapter 53 New Secretary
Deborah’s office was bathed in the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The golden rays caught the edges of the mahogany desk and highlighted the neat stacks of documents, folders, and reports that she had been meticulously reviewing. She was completely immersed in her work, her mind racing with numbers, contracts, and upcoming projects. Her high heels rested comfortably under the desk, one ankle crossed over the other, and a delicate glass of iced tea sat within reach, beads of condensation running down its side.
The silence of the office was suddenly interrupted by the faint click of polished shoes against marble floors. Deborah looked up sharply, eyebrow arched, spotting Lysander standing at the doorway, one hand casually resting on the doorframe.
“Lysander,” she said coolly, leaning back slightly in her chair. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?”
He gave her a slow, teasing smile, stepping further inside the office. “I could ask you the same, Deborah. You’ve been buried in these papers all morning, have you eaten?”
Deborah’s fingers tapped against her desk impatiently. “I have work to do. So… what is it you need? Why are you here?” Her voice carried that signature sharpness that could cut through steel, yet there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
Lysander closed the door behind him with a soft click and leaned against the corner of the desk, adopting his usual relaxed, almost charming posture. “I’m here to deliver some news,” he said smoothly, tilting his head. “You’re going to have a secretary.”
Deborah blinked, disbelief flickering across her face. She set down her pen and leaned forward slightly. “A secretary? I don’t need a secretary, Lysander. I’ve managed my office, my schedule, and my projects for years without one.”
He chuckled softly, the sound warm yet mischievous. “I know that. And I know you pride yourself on being completely self-sufficient. But even the strongest soldiers need a shield sometimes.”
Deborah narrowed her eyes. “I’m not a soldier, Lysander. I’m not sure who gave you the idea that I need someone to handle my work.”
Lysander smiled knowingly, his eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. “It wasn’t an idea, Debs. It’s a command....from your brothers. And let’s face it… you’ve been juggling a lot lately. Between the Valmere family affairs, contracts, international meetings, and… other distractions,” he added with a teasing lilt, “even the most brilliant mind can use a helping hand.”
Deborah tilted her head, giving him a skeptical look. “Other distractions? Are you referring to Ylmaz? Because if you are… you have no right.”
“Not quite,” Lysander said, his voice playful but calm. “I’m talking about everything. The meetings, the deadlines, the contracts, the emails that never end… even the chaos the Valmere name brings with it. You can’t do everything alone.”
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can, and I have. For years. I’ve managed every single catastrophe thrown at me. I don’t need a secretary to… babysit me.”
Lysander walked closer, tilting his head to meet her gaze. “It’s not babysitting, Deborah. Think of it as… an investment. Someone to make your life smoother, to handle the things that distract you from the big picture. You’re brilliant, but even brilliance needs room to breathe.”
Deborah’s eyes softened slightly, the weight of her recent months pressing down on her. She let out a faint sigh, her fingers tracing the edge of her desk. “Lysander… you know I’m fiercely independent. A secretary would… change the way I run my office. I don’t want someone looking over my shoulder.”
He took a step back, his posture still relaxed but his tone more serious. “I’m not asking for someone to watch you. I’m asking for someone to support you. To anticipate your needs before they pile up. To be an extension of you, not a replacement.”
Deborah paused, considering his words carefully. She knew Lysander wasn’t wrong. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, traveling, dealing with the family, managing the fallout of the Cortez contracts, and navigating her complicated personal life. She had been trying to do it all, as always, and the exhaustion was beginning to show, even if she refused to admit it.
“I suppose… if the person is competent, discreet, and efficient,” she said slowly, “maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.”
Lysander’s smile broadened, his eyes sparkling. “That’s the spirit. Trust me, Deborah, you won’t even notice them most of the time. Except, of course, when they make your life infinitely easier.”
Deborah let out a small, reluctant laugh. “You make it sound tempting.”
“I’m serious,” Lysander said, stepping back slightly. “We’ve already found someone. Highly recommended, intelligent, organized… and knows the Valmere way.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Already found someone?”
“Yes. And she will start tomorrow.”
Deborah blinked, caught off guard. “Tomorrow? Just like that?”
Lysander shrugged. “That’s how efficient we are. You don’t get a say in the timing. You get to enjoy the benefits.”
She leaned back in her chair, groaning softly. “I don’t like this, Lysander. Not one bit.”
He leaned casually against the desk, his gaze warm and almost teasing. “I know. That’s why I came to you personally to soften the blow.”
Deborah smirked, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
He grinned. “I’ve been called worse. But listen, Debs… this isn’t about control. It’s about giving you more freedom, not less. You’ve been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, and maybe… just maybe… it’s time to let someone carry a little of it for you.”
Deborah studied him, noting the sincerity behind his playful tone. For a moment, she let herself imagine the relief of having someone handle the mountain of correspondence, schedule conflicts, and endless corporate minutiae. Someone competent, efficient, invisible… yet indispensable.
She exhaled softly, a mixture of reluctance and reluctant acceptance passing through her. “Fine,” she said, tilting her head. “Tomorrow. I’ll see what this… secretary of mine can do. But they better not slow me down.”
Lysander chuckled, stepping toward the door. “They won’t. Trust me. You’re going to wonder how you ever managed without them.”
Deborah returned to her paperwork, though her mind wandered slightly, thinking about how much easier her days might become. Even the most stubborn of Valmeres had to admit that sometimes, help was not a weakness, it was a luxury. And maybe, just maybe, she could let someone in without losing control.
She gave him a faint smile, returning her attention to her files, the faint tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. Perhaps having someone to handle the small things wasn’t such a terrible idea after all.
Outside, the city sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting golden light across the office floor. And for the first time in days, Deborah felt a small spark of relief… and maybe even excitement.
Tomorrow, she would meet her new secretary. And perhaps, her life might finally become a little less complicated… and a little more fabulous.