chapter 4

Scene: Office – Day (December 31st)

When Brooke walked over to Nina's desk and said with a warm smile, "Nina, I think you're perfect for the job," Nina's heart skipped a beat. A shy smile spread across her face, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. But Brooke gently added, "Wait here for 5 minutes, okay? I need to talk to Mr. Ben."

Brooke entered Ben's cabin and shared Nina's CV. After scanning through it, Ben raised an eyebrow and said with a tinge of doubt, "Are you sure, Brooke? That a girl—this young—can handle my profile as a secretary?"

Brooke, confident and calm, replied, "Sir, if you want, I'll schedule her for the final manager round after New Year. You can meet her, speak to her yourself, and decide."

Ben nodded slowly, "Okay, that will be fine." Still, thoughts ran in his head—"She looks quite young… will she be able to manage my pace, my expectations? Will she even be comfortable working with me?"

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Scene: Office Lobby – Few Minutes Later

Brooke returned to Nina with a gentle voice and soft eyes, "Nina, your interview is fixed. It's on 2nd January at 2 PM. Be ready—and there's a 99% chance you'll crack it."

Nina was thrilled but nervous. As soon as Brooke left, she started biting her nails, heart fluttering. That evening, she sat in her small apartment with her laptop open, Googling everything about being a secretary, especially for high-profile executives. She also read up about Muller Enterprises—its clients, history, and leadership.

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Scene: Ben's Car – Evening

While returning home, Ben stared out at the glowing signboard of the company from the car window. "Tomorrow is New Year," he thought, "If only Muller could land bigger, high-end deals this year…" He let out a soft chuckle, then told his driver, "Let's go to the New Year party."

At the venue, Ben met his old friends, and as drinks flowed—tequila, whisky, laughter—he slowly let go of the stress. The buzz of alcohol gave way to something more primal. A girl approached him with a seductive smile, whispering in his ear. Not long after, Ben found himself in her bedroom, giving in to his impulses.

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Scene: Nina's Apartment – Night

Meanwhile, in a cozy flat in the city, Nina celebrated New Year modestly with her roommate Lisa. They had bought a mini cake and a couple of cold cokes. Nina's eyes sparkled with hope as she whispered, "Lisa… I feel something big is going to happen this year. Something good."

Lisa smiled, clinking her coke bottle with Nina's. "You deserve it, girl."