Chapter Eleven

'Peter, I should have known that day when I saw you at Chinedu Provision Store, playing games with your friends,' Stella said, her voice softening as the memory played out vividly in her mind. 'I should have known the boss of the provision store wouldn't waste his time like that.'

Peter's lips curved into a smirk, and he leaned against the wall casually. 'The boss only plays games because his workers handle everything. A little downtime never hurt anyone.' He kept his eyes on her, the playful ease in his tone masking the deeper emotions he often tried to bury around her.

Stella shifted in her spot, glancing away as her gaze landed on the large mirror hanging on the wall beside the small dining table. The mirror, though slightly worn, reflected the limited but cosy space of her living room, making the room feel a little bigger than it actually was. She stared at her reflection, tilting her head slightly as if searching for something, anything, that would explain why this conversation was so difficult for her. She absentmindedly traced the edge of her blouse with her fingers, feeling the tension in her body.

She wasn't tall, just 165 centimetres. Her legs, though beautiful, often stayed hidden beneath her long skirts or trousers, or sometimes were modestly covered in dresses. Fashion had never been her strong suit, and she preferred to blend into the background rather than stand out. But now, working at Mars Corporation, she had no choice. Her wardrobe had become filled with sleek, fitted clothes, ones she'd bought before even realising Peter was her boss.

Why does he still care for me after all these years of me pushing him away? What could he possibly see in me? The thoughts spun in her mind, unsettling her further, but she couldn't bring herself to speak them aloud.

Peter's smirk faded into a frown as he noticed her quietness. 'Why are you so quiet, Ella?' His voice softened, a hint of concern breaking through his usual confident facade. 'You never run out of things to say.'

Stella's grip on her blouse tightened, her eyes fixed on her reflection. 'I've been thinking... Maybe I should resign and find another job.' Her voice was barely a whisper, but the weight of the words hung in the air.

Peter's expression shifted, and he stepped closer to her, his eyes catching hers in the mirror's reflection. 'The Stella I know isn't a coward,' he said, his tone firm yet gentle. 'You're bold, brave, and beautiful. You didn't get this job because of me. You got it because you're perfect for it. You're the best person to be my personal secretary.' He paused, watching her reaction closely, wanting to look into those eyes of hers for as long as he wanted, and reassure her that she was the most qualified to be his personal secretary.

Without waiting for her to respond, Peter turned towards the door. 'Come to work tomorrow.' His voice was softer this time, a final glance thrown over his shoulder before he disappeared through the doorway, leaving the room heavy with unspoken words.

Stella remained rooted in place, staring at the door long after it had clicked shut. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Should she really quit? The job market was unforgiving, and landing a position at Mars Corporation had been no small feat.

Feeling restless, she walked into her bedroom and sank into the chair by her desk. She switched on her computer, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as the screen came to life. She began scrolling through job listings, half-heartedly searching for something, anything that could offer her an escape. Hours passed, but nothing caught her eye.

Frustration welled up inside her, and for a fleeting moment, she considered reaching out to Richie. Maybe he could offer her a position at his company, Richie Corporation. But even as the thought crossed her mind, it felt absurd. She quickly dismissed it, her thoughts drifting back to the day of her interview there. The vice president had told her to try Mars Corporation instead, a suggestion that had confused her at the time. But now, everything clicked into place.

It wasn't a coincidence.

The realisation hit her hard, like a puzzle she hadn't realised she was piecing together. The job at Mars Corporation, her role as Peter's personal secretary, it had all been orchestrated. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she leaned back in her chair, her mind swirling with disbelief.

Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through her contact list until she stopped at Night's name. Her thumb lingered over the call button, hesitation pulling at her thoughts. Should she ask her best friend if she had known about this from the beginning? Had Night been aware of why she hadn't gotten the job at Richie Corporation?

But instead of calling, Stella set the phone down, her chest tight with emotions she couldn't quite make sense of. Uncertainty gnawed at her, leaving her more conflicted than ever.

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