INCOMPETENT

The secretary did not move. Instead, she eyed Shantel's attire with open scrutiny, her gaze lingering a moment too long on the plunging neckline peeking from beneath her trench coat.

"Are you sure about that?" The secretary's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Because as far as I know, we don't conduct business in that kind of attire."

Shantel let out a soft, amused chuckle. "Oh? And what attire would that be, exactly?"

The secretary's lips pressed into a thin line. "We have a certain standard here, Ms. Hale. Professionalism. Decorum. Respectability."

All of which this self-righteous secretary lacked, Shantel noted sadly.

However, she tilted her head, feigning innocence. "How fascinating. But it so happens that I don't follow the rules. What exactly are we going to do about that?" She sighed regretfully. 

The secretary's nostrils flared. "I don't know how you managed to—" She stopped herself, inhaling sharply. "Mr. Domango has very strict rules about the kind of company he keeps in his professional space."

"Ah," Shantel murmured, letting her fingers trail idly along the desk's polished surface. "And yet, here I am. Sent personally by someone Mr. Domango himself agreed to work with."

The secretary's nose turned up in disgust. "There is no way Mr Domango will have any dealings with someone "you" are acquainted with." 

"It's a pity, but not to worry. I'll just go back and inform Elsa that Domango Enterprise doesn't need her services anymore.

"What did you say? Elsa? Sent you?" The secretary couldn't help but burst out in genuine laughter. 

Though it hadn't been made public, there was hardly a staff of Domango Enterprise that didn't know the effort their boss had put in to get Elsa's help.. all to no avail.

But just this morning she had received instructions that someone important would be coming to see the president. 

So she had been waiting for the distinguished guest. She might have been expecting anyone but definitely not… Shantel Hale, the infamous "Seventh Daughter of Jezebel."

But something was off. How did she know about Elsa? And was this special guest they were expecting from Elsa? Does that mean their boss finally got in touch with Elsa and she agreed to save the company? That would be great news as she didn't have anywhere to go if Domango Enterprise could not be saved at the end of the day.

Does this mean she was actually from Elsa?

Shantel watched the woman zone out, lost in whatever thought she alone knew about, and had to snap her fingers in her face to bring her back to earth.

'INCOMPETENT,' was the only word that danced around Shantel's mind as the woman came back to her senses, and started staring at her. 

"You aren't joking around are you?"

"I might be everything you choose to believe, but I've never imagined a joker would be part of your list. Anyways, you can confirm with Mr Domango if he is expecting someone from Elsa."

The secretary stiffened, clearly torn between her obvious distaste and her duty. Finally, she let out a clipped sigh and reached for the phone.

Of course, he was expecting someone but not her. She'd confidently bet her life on it. 

"I'll check if he's available," she said begrudgingly.

Shantel smirked. "You do that."

As the secretary turned away, Shantel caught the looks from the surrounding staff—curious, wary, envious… they were everything one would expect from haters.

Richard had just finished a conference call with a few of his investors when his phone buzzed. It was his secretary, Helen Gomez.

"Mr. Domango," her voice sounded hesitant, almost nervous.

The scowl Richard had carried from the just concluded meeting deepened. They had just threatened to withdraw all their investments if something was not done ASAP.

So he wasn't in the mood to deal with any form of laxity from his secretary. "Yes? What is it?"

"There's… someone here to see you," she said cautiously. 

"Go on."

"She says she's been sent by Elsa—but I… I wasn't sure if I should let her up."

Richard stiffened. "Why not? Didn't I tell you I was expecting an important guest today?"

"Yes, sir, but—" There was a pause. "It's just that… well, I don't think she's the type of person you'd expect."

Richard's irritation deepened. "What do you mean, 'not the type'? I don't have time for riddles, Helen. Send her up."

Another pause. "Are you sure, sir? I really don't think you'd—"

"Now, Helen," he snapped, his patience completely running out.

"Alright," she relented. 'But don't say I didn't warn you,' she added under her breath.

Richard ended the call with an exasperated sigh. What on earth was wrong with his secretary? He had a mountain of trouble to deal with, and the last thing he needed was unnecessary drama.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. This entire situation already felt off. He didn't like dealing with intermediaries, and now, on top of that, his secretary was acting like this aide was some sort of problem.

"I hope the person she sends is as competent as she said she'd be?"

"If Elsa has such confidence in the person she's sending, I believe she would be quite capable," Gideon tried to comfort his boss." 

"If someone else can handle the job, we really don't need her presence," Gideon added though he would have loved to see the mysterious woman. 

Hardly had Gideon finished speaking when he felt the hair at the back of his neck stand. 

'What did I say wrong this time?' He wondered. 

"Don't you have any better use for your mouth?"

"I'm sorry, boss," Gideon quickly apologized for an offense he knew nothing about. 

"What are you still doing standing there? Go and prepare the report. I need it in my mail by noon," he ordered.

"Right away, boss," Gideon said and hurried off to his own office, missing the visitor by a few minutes. 

After Gideon took his leave, Richard leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. 

His mind couldn't help but wander off to the memory of the woman who had invaded and dominated a greater part of his sleep last night. 

I need to get her out of my system… one way or the other. But that was easier said than done. How was he going to do that when everything that would be happening in this office will be revolving around her?

As if to confirm his sad thoughts, the next second, his phone screen lit up just as a message popped up on his screen. 

His breath hitched, and then his face underwent a sudden transformation that would have shocked the living daylight out of Gideon if he had witnessed the excited smile that adorned his boss's cold face. 

He tapped on the message… "Have you met her… my aide?"

He took in a deep breath and replied. "Not yet, but soon, I suppose. She is already in the company."

"Alright. Treat her well."

"Rest assured, I definitely will."

"Have you gone back? How was your flight?" He typed, trying to lengthen the conversation. 

He never believed that he would, one day, engage in such an idle feat like chatting to the extent that he was excitedly looking forward to a response from the other party. But unfortunately, he never received any reply.

'What was I expecting?' He groaned, about to run a hand through his hair but stopped himself in time when he remembered someone would be coming in any moment.

Not long after, there was a slight knock on the door to his office before it was opened.