Chapter six

Emily's P.O.V.

"What's really the deal with this photos? Is this for the tabloid? " I ask ms. Jace.

"No a friend want to know what's really happening in there, and what he thought is true." Wait so this can pit my life in danger? You got to be kidding me, this is why i want to move as a gossip girl than a paparazzi or rather they hire us to do this.

"Argh! You know this will put me in danger."

"Relax, you'll be safe and they didn't see you right so relax. To put you at ease take this other project." She said. I think i'm infected from ms. Jace's trusts issues. I don't know if i can trust her with this projects.

"What is it this time?" My forehead furrowed. I feel little calm 'cause they didn't saw my face of even a glimpse of me. Only the manager but i think he won't point a finger at me because he saw me with Zach.

"You will be replacing Zach Armstrong's secretary who's going for maternal leave." She said.

"What!? How can i be safe by doing that? You know that secretaries always tag along where there's a meeting." I said looking at her like she's gone insane.

"That's more safe than interviewing small fishes, the photo you capture know what's behind it and good luck." Ms. Jace said.

"Wait if that got out do you think the friendship between your family's will not be ruined?" I ask her.

"Well it's a marvelous scandal don't you think, i don't really care about my parents relationship with them." i shook my head, she's insane.

"Okay, when am i starting?" I ask.

"Three day from now, i'll already sent you the other details." I nod and then out of her office. My job is getting crazy.

Three day's later...

I'M HERE in front of the Armstrong Company, today is my "briefing" as Zach's new secretary.

"Ms. James, right?" A woman caring a big watermelon, joke a pregnant woman greet me. She must be Zach's secretary.

"Yes, i am."

"Okay, this journal will be your guide." She give me a brown journal.

"Oh right, you must not butt in to the boss's personal affairs, don't ask personal things, and never be late or lazy with work." She added, so Zach is a strict boss.

Rose-his secretary- leave after she taught me the basics. I looked at the journal she gave me and it's well made, she must be a valuable employee.

I read in his schedule that he have at 11:00 o'clock. I use the intercom

"Sir, you have a meeting at 3:00 with Mr. George."

"Okay, tell the driver where leaving." He said.

"I already inform him sir." I said when he got out of his office.

"Your ms. James, right?" He ask when we got in the elevator.

"Yes sir." I answer and gave him a professional smile. He didn't say anything after that. Does he not recognize me or my name? O well this is better, i won't be suspected.

We hop in the car and go to the restaurant ms. Jace booked for the meeting with mr. George.

"Good morning, Mr. Armstrong. Please follow me." the receptionist greet us-rather only him. Zach just looked at the receptionist, he don't flirt with woman like this.

His type is a innocent lady and a bride of his cousin. Yeah that's his type.

We got to our table and mr. George is already there. His in his fourty's but his built is still great.

"Good to see you Mr. Armstrong."

"Likewise Mr. George." So this is his business mode.

"Let's eat first. I already ordered for us." mr. George said and called the waiter.

"Good morning madam, gentlemen." The waiter greet us politely, and placed the food that Mr. George ordered, but its only for two persons.

"I didn't know that your new secretary is coming with you. I only ordered for two, i apologize." I smiled at him.

"It's okay, excuse me i'll have carbonara please." I said to the waiter.

"Right away ma'am." He walk towards the kitchen.

"I thought you'll order a salad." Zach said, i rolled my eyes at him.

"Your new secretary is something Mr. Armstrong." Mr. George said while laughing. Zach just shook his head and starts to eat his meal.

My order arrive shortly, and i consume it with delight.

After we had our meal they talked about, the shares that will be past to Mr. George's son.

"This are the documents, my son already have an appointment with you within this month." Mr. George said.

"Okay, i'll arrange a meeting with the share holders about this, have a wonderful travel Mr. George." Zach said and bid their goodbye's.

Mr. George made a promise with his wife that when they reach fourty the will travel the world together, he have two son's that will manage his shares in the Armstrong's and his other business.

WHERE going to a auction that he was invited, the auction is paintings of a well known artist. We got to the hotel where the auction is being held. It's the last appointment for today and it will start at 7:00 pm.

"Mr. Armstrong we are obliged to wear this mask." I say and hand him a black mask, i wear mine.

I hand the invitation to the man guarding the door, he opened the door after he saw the invitation.

Mr. Perez- Zach's accountant- is also here with us in case Zach took a liking of an item. He will not be invited here if they don't have anything to offer to a man like him.

I seat in the table assigned to us. I can't tell who are the other people here, because we're all wearing a mask that cover our whole face.

This event is not illegal but i think the organizer of this auction think of this theme. The auction starts when the last guest went in.

"Good evening lady's and gentlemen, thank you for accepting our invitation. Enjoy yourself and happy bidding." The emcee said and the fist item is being carried to the stage.

Item after item, bid after bid, Zach still haven't took interest in any paintings and we're down to the last item.

"Our last item is a beautiful painting of a woman in black. This painting is called "Beauty in the night". Let's start with ten thousand dollar."

The painting is not just any woman, that woman in the painting is me the night at the ball. Bid gets higher and higher and when it reached to 20 million dollars, i didn't expect that a painting of myself be this worth.

"30 million dollars." Zach shouted that made me shock.

"Why would you buy that? I can sell you picture of me you know, can you take that back?" I want to say that to him but decide not to i'm not in dept to need that much money.

"30 million dollars, going ones, going twice, going thrice... sold to the man in table 7." The people clap there hands after that.

That was the biggest bid among the items, i'm flattered but i need to talk to that painter, when did he made that?

A man approach us after the auction.

"Good evening Mr. Seven, thank you for your generosity." He said.

"The woman in the painting, do you know her?" I butt in.

"Unfortunately no, i only saw her in the ball three days ago." He said, i only see his eyes so i don't know if i saw him there.

"I know the woman in that painting." I said he then removed his mask, he is in the ball that night, he is Rancis Marco polo a famous painter.

"Really!? Who is she?" Excitement is written in his face, Zach pull my arm lightly.

"The "beauty in the night" is her." Zach was about to remove my mask but i stop her midway.

"Just kidding anyway, we have to go. Bye." I said and walk out of the auction room. I feel uneasy when Zach was about to remove my mask, but i shake it off. Why did he bought that portrait.