CALI
Immediately, I stepped out and clutched my chest. Is this boss of mine stalking me? Why does he always know when I arrive? I'm not even his PA. I later realized that the information they got from the office came from his PA—so why was she angry at me, acting like a boss herself? Boss like PA, I thought, huffing in irritation.
Oh no… I still need to talk to my boss about the money, I thought, clasping my hands together as they grew sweaty. My nervousness only made me more self-conscious. I knocked on the door, and his husky voice ushered me in.
"Any problem, Miss Rillion?" he asked.
"Yes… um… no, sir," I replied nervously, pausing.
"I just wanted to discuss something with you, sir."
"Okay, I'm all ears," he said, looking up.
The PA's presence made me uncomfortable. The excuses she gave were obvious. Before leaving reluctantly, she shot me a hard glare.
"Take your seat," he said calmly—nothing like the man who had been shouting minutes earlier.
"Don't worry, sir. I'd prefer to stand," I replied politely.
"Alright, go on," he said, gesturing for me to speak.
"Sir…" I called softly. He lifted his face gently from what he was reading. I bit my lip nervously.
"Sir, I need your help," I said. His face softened slightly.
I muttered a curse under my breath and cleared my throat under his keen gaze.
"My sixteen-year-old brother was diagnosed with cancer," I said shakily. "The doctor said I must deposit $200,000 00 within twenty-four hours."
Tears slid down my cheeks. I wiped them quickly, not wanting to look pathetic. He continued staring at me, silently urging me to continue.
"The doctor said we might lose him if I don't get the money within the stipulated time," I added.
"So?" he asked, his tone firm. I sighed.
"Sir, I don't know if you could lend me the money and deduct it from my monthly salary," I said, waiting anxiously. He leaned back properly in his chair.
"How do you expect me to lend such an amount to a newly employed secretary?" he asked.
I scoffed softly and sighed.
"I can help you," he said grumpily, "if you agree to what I'm about to ask."
Argh.
"I'm ready to do anything, sir," I replied desperately, biting my fingers—hoping it wasn't what I feared.
He grinned in a way that made my stomach twist, then cleared his throat and sat upright, resting his hands on the table, suddenly serious.
"I want you to act as my girlfriend for two weeks," he said finally.
I gasped and looked down.
I had suspected something like this, but hearing it still shook me. I was trapped—yet I couldn't lose my dignity.
"You have five minutes to give me an answer, Missy," he said gruffly, as if this wasn't my life on the line.
I stared at him, then sank gently into the nearby chair. I couldn't lose my dignity… and I couldn't let my brother die.
This is terrible. I'm so stuck, I screamed inwardly.
"Your time is almost up," he said. I shot him a deadly glare, but he didn't budge. I looked down again, my breath uneven.
How did I end up here? I thought, fighting the storm inside me.
"Time's up," he said, clearly expecting my answer