CHAPTER NINE

SCARLETT

 The minute I walked through the sleek glass doors. the whispers started. Subtle, like a breeze rustling through overpriced silk blouses, but unmistakably about me. The new girl. The secretary plucked off the street—or at least that's probably how they saw it.

My shoes echoed across the marble floors, each click practically announcing: Yes, I'm new here. Stare all you want.

Jenny had told me that she informed the staff about me hence the stares.

Relax. It's just an office, not a gladiator arena, I told myself. Still, my grip on my tote bag tightened as though I was preparing for battle.

I made a beeline for the front desk, where a woman with a sleek ponytail and a blazer sharper than a legal contract regarded me with a look that hovered somewhere between curiosity and condescension.

"First day?" the woman asked, voice dripping with effortless cool.

"Is it the deer-in-headlights look giving me away, or the fact that I don't look like I live in a luxury magazine spread?"

The woman's lips curled into a faint smile. "Both, but mostly the shoes."

The shoes? I glanced down at my sensible black flats—the ones that hadn't pinched my toes or made me wobble down the street like a newborn giraffe. Apparently, comfort was a crime in this place.

Before I could defend my budget-friendly footwear choices, the elevator dinged, and a flood of impeccably dressed employees spilled out. They moved with purpose and polished efficiency, like extras in some corporate espionage thriller.

I sidestepped to avoid getting flattened, my confidence shrinking with every pair of designer heels that clicked past.

Taking a deep breath, I found an empty corner near the elevators and tried to compose myself. The plan was simple: survive this two-week trial without becoming office gossip. Easy enough, right?

Finally, I got to the floor. There weren't any people here and I was glad. I wouldn't want people to be staring at me.

Locating the office I assumed was that of the Secretary I didn't know if to wait inside or just sit outside here.

It might be rude to just go in there and sit so I decided to wait.

I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Jenny, telling her I had arrived. she wasn't coming in today.

"How's the first day at your new office going?"

The text pinged back almost immediately.

"It's… fine, I replied. "Kind of feels like I'm walking into a lion's den, to be honest".

The reply came almost instantly.

"Haha. Yeah, it'll feel like that for about 10 minutes. Listen, don't stress about where anything is. I've got you covered. I used to organize his life for him. His schedule book is in the middle drawer of his desk. That's your first mission. Get it and make sure you know where the meeting rooms are. The printer is in the back—he loves having everything at his fingertips, so no excuses.

My stomach churned at the thought of rummaging through his desk, but the book would be a good starting point.

Anything else I should know? I texted, 

Oh, don't make small talk unless you have to. Trust me. It's all business with him.

Don't sweat it. I used to be his right-hand woman, remember? You'll do fine. Just keep your head in the game.

A little reassured, I slid my phone back into my bag and headed toward the office I presumed was his. The door was slightly ajar, and I could see the sleek, modern desk through the crack.

Jenny's words echoed in my mind as I walked in—middle drawer, center. I opened the drawer without hesitation and found the schedule book right where she said it would be.

Mission accomplished.

I stood there for a second, feeling oddly accomplished, before glancing around the rest of the office. The pristine surface of his desk was neat—far too neat for someone who worked at his pace.

Taking one last look, I left the office, closing the door behind me, and sat back down to wait for him. This wasn't going to be as easy as I thought—but at least I had a head start.