ROBERT
I stood in front of her door, swallowing a hard lump that was forming. Just as I reached for the doorknob, the door swung open, revealing her standing just on the other side.
We both froze, our eyes locking. The surprise was a mutual one. "Isla," I began, my voice hesitant. "I was just about to... to see you."
She smiled alluringly. "You were?"
I nodded, my gaze shifting away. "Yeah, I wanted to talk to you."
Her eyes carried a hint of surprise as she let me in. She looked up, surprise still visibly etched on her face. "Robert?" she called, her voice soft.
"Isla," I replied, my tone forcibly serious. "I've been receiving some... less than positive feedback about your performance."
She looked taken aback, her lips slightly parted
Her eyes narrowed. "From Mia?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I'm not surprised."
"It's not just Mia," I retorted. "There have been other complaints."
"Complaints?" she echoed, her voice rising. "What kind of complaints? I've been working hard, doing everything you've asked of me."
I sighed. "I know you've been working hard, Isla. But you've also been... difficult. You haven't been very receptive to feedback, and you've been shutting people out."
Her hazel eyes flashed with anger. "I've been shutting people out? You're the one who's been shutting me out! You've been avoiding me, pushing me away. And now you're blaming me for your own problems?"
"Isla…" I tried to talk but she interrupted me.
"I'm your secretary, I should know your schedules, know how you run your daily life..but you shut me entirely away from it. So what was I supposed to do?"
I knew she was right. I had entirely shut her out of everything and that was because I was trying to set boundaries, and even now , that has a futile effort.
"Isla," I tried again but she cut me out.
She crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "You're the problem, Mr Hardy. You've been shutting me off your business, tell that to the snitch that's been trying to make my entire life miserable."
She was headstrong, completely headstrong. She was right, part of it had something to do with me.
"Check your email address, I would send you a copy of my schedule for the month."
She softened, her anger melting away before I walked out
As I sat in my office, I went through some of the documents Davis had given me. Davis was a private investigator I had hired sometime ago, and he was on the case of my parents tragic, yet fishy death. I flipped through the pages, my eyes scanning the words.
The first few pages were filled with various details, financial records, and property deeds. The documents detailed the events leading up to their death, a tragic car accident that had claimed their lives.
I read about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the accident, the conflicting eyewitness accounts, and the hasty police investigation. The more I read, the more questions arose.
Was it truly an accident, or was there something more sinister at play?
A cold shiver ran down my spine as I read about a mysterious figure who had been seen near my parents' home in the days leading up to the accident. Could this person be connected to their deaths?
I felt a surge of anger and frustration. For years, I had been living with the pain of their loss, believing it was a tragic accident. But now, I was beginning to doubt that narrative. I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
Just then a knock came on the door and Mia walked in. I swiftly arranged the papers and kept them in a drawer under my desk. She had a suspicious frown as she sat down.
"Robert?," She shot her eyebrows up, her voice dripping with affected concern. "You look troubled. Is everything alright?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just going through some paperwork."
She pursed her lips. "Paperwork? Assign that to Ms. Turner. You work too hard, you know."
I ignored her comment. "What do you need, Mia?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Well, I was hoping we could discuss the upcoming project in more detail," she replied, her eyes scanning the room. "I've got some ideas that I think could really boost our profits."
I nodded, trying to buy in interest. "Of course, Mia. Let's talk about it."
Mia was ambitious, maybe overly ambitious, always looking for ways to increase her own wealth and status. She saw me as a means to an end, a golden goose to be milked. It was a symbiotic relationship anyway.
I'm thinking we should invest more in renewable energy," she continued, her voice growing louder. "It's the future, Robert. We need to stay ahead of the curve, above all our competitors."
I listened patiently, but my mind was somehow elsewhere. I was still thinking about the documents, the mystery surrounding my parents' deaths.
Mia's face fell. She hated it when I brushed her off. But she knew better than to push her luck. "Let me know when we can properly discuss it with the board."
"I'll need us to schedule a meeting so we carry everyone else along."
With a huff, she stood up, casted one more puzzled look at me and left the office.
As soon as she was gone, I returned to the documents. I had to uncover the truth, no matter what it took. I owed it to my parents, to myself.
Just then, my phone rang, it was Bryan. I was visibly shocked. This was definitely not a business call, if it was, his secretary would have been the one reaching out to me.
Also, I hadn't heard from him in months because we've both been caught up in a lot. A wave of excitement and anticipation washed over me. I swiped to answer the call.
"Bryan," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper.
"Robert," he replied, his voice low and seductive. "I've missed you."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. His voice, his words, they had a power over me that I couldn't resist.
"I've missed you too," I admitted.
Bryan's voice, carried through the phone. "I'll be in Chicago next week," he announced, a hint of excitement in his tone. "A business trip, of course."
I could tell the underlying meaning in his words.
"A business trip, huh?" I replied, my voice skeptical
"Of course," he chuckled. "But I wouldn't mind a little pleasure mixed with business."
I smiled, the thrill of anticipation coursing through me. "I'll be waiting."
Bryan and I shared something in common, a desire that was forbidden, a love that was hidden from the world.
He was my deepest secret.