Chapter 1

It was the start of a new day.

Inside of a tall building, everyone was smiling as they greeted each other with smiles. They didn't forget to start their morning with talks and gossips about the latest trends and issues. They even started laughing loudly when they heard a funny joke.

But upon seeing someone enter the entrance hall, they all turned and stopped the chattering to give their respect.

"Good morning, Ms. Secretary." all of them greeted in unison.

The person who just arrived lifted her lids to look at them. They all stared in awe as they stare into those deep gray eyes. That person's eyes glistened with joy upon seeing them, giving them her sweetest smile. She looked sweet and timid, but once she opened her mouth, their smiles all started to fade away.

That person is none other than Tiffany George. The CEO’s secretary whose beauty everyone adores. But beauty is another thing when she starts talking.

"Hmm? Is no one going to greet me? I can't hear any cheers and applause."

All of them furrowed their brows as they released a heavy sigh.

'She's hopeless...' they thought. However, the lady just laughed out loud looking very much alive.

She stepped further inside, showing her white teeth to everyone on sight. She looked so proud with her straight back and lifted chin, together with the smug look on her face.

"Whatever, Ms. Tiffany!"

"Hey, now. At least acknowledge my greatest achievement!" she grunted.

But no one paid attention.

Today is her 365^th day at work! Today is her anniversary! So why is everyone ignoring her?

Tiffany puffed her cheek in annoyance.

She was just about to walk out of everyone’s sight when someone from behind tugged her blouse. She was not feeling so happy so she turned with her brows arched. But upon seeing who it was, her annoyed look immediately shifted.

The corner of her lips lifted uncontrollably as she greeted the person with open arms.

"Phoebe!" she hugged her like there’s no tomorrow.

Phoebe, who was her long-time best friend, chuckled and patted her back lightly. After hugging and greeting each other, they both started walking towards the elevator.

“Fibs, aren’t you forgetting something?” Tiffany asked her friend, moving her brows up and down, looking stupid.

Phoebe just threw her a glance before shrugging her shoulders.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What? Not you too!” Tiffany stared at her with disappointment, her imaginary ears drooping.

Phoebe laughed at the look of her friend. She really is pretty… with her long black hair and gray eyes, she’s almost fictional. But of course, no one’s perfect. Because this friend of hers is somewhat crazy.

She’s someone who is sometimes childish, sometimes mature and most of the times funny. But Tiffany is the perfect image of a youthful professional worker. She do have fun sometimes, but she knows when to stop. She knows her boundaries.

Maybe that’s the reason why they clicked with each other.

“By the way, I heard a lady once again forced her way in.” When Phoebe said those words, the fretting secretary immediately straightened her back.

Her face turned completely serious as she eyed Phoebe.

“You should’ve said that earlier…”

After the elevator pinged, Tiffany marched out without glancing back at her friend. Phoebe was left chuckling at the sight of her, hurriedly walking. She silently bid her goodbye to Tiffany before walking to her own office.

Tiffany, on the other hand, started sweating so hard. Her office is right outside the office of the CEO. So, whenever there’s a guest, they are always sent to her first.

It was her anniversary today so she was taking her time. She usually comes five minutes earlier than the CEO, but today, she didn’t. She came just in time. At times like this, the probability of the CEO being in his office earlier than her is high.

She must hurry!

Upon arriving on her office, she managed to fix her looks first before pushing the door open. The first she saw was the lady sitting in front of her work desk. She had a toddler sitting on her lap. And after hearing the door creak, they both turned to look at Tiffany.

Tiffany immediately flashed her smile and greeted the lady and her child, silently hoping she wasn’t too late.

“Good morning, ma’am. I am Tiffany George, the CEO’s secretary. How may I help you?” she even flashed her sweetest smile but the sweats on her forehead couldn’t be hidden.

She shifted her eyes and scanned the room. And all the oxygen left her body when she saw the person standing at the corner.

That explains why the lady inside hadn’t started a commotion upon seeing her yet… someone was here, earlier than her.

“So, where have you been? Ms. George.”

It was him. Von Zacharias Arsiel. Her CEO.

She stood frozen while secretly glancing back at the other lady inside. She just realized this now, but the lady also had sweats on her forehead.

Just by looking at her, Tiffany already knew what she came here for. She was one of those girls who’d come here and claim that the CEO is either their boyfriend or was impregnated by him. It’s been a common occurrence, but why did they have to come now?

They’ve been gone for a week… Tiffany thought they were gone for good… but they just had to appear now. Now that her CEO was earlier at the office than her!

“Good morning, Mr. CEO. I wasn’t late.” Of course, Tiffany maintained her composure. She even smiled at her ice-cold CEO.

“I’m not asking if you’re late. I asked, where were you?” his voice was so cold Tiffany felt that it pierced through her soul.

Her smile turned hesitant as she tried finding the right words. But her CEO didn’t even give her the chance to speak. He just straightened and turned his back, ready to enter his office.

But before that, he still managed to throw a glance at the other lady inside the room. His eyes were piercing and cold. The lady gulped out of nervousness as she tightened her grasp around her child.

“Leave.” One word.

One word but it made the lady march out of Tiffany’s office as soon as the CEO turned his back.

Tiffany followed her with her eyes before releasing a heavy sigh, remembering all her struggles as she dealt with these situations before.

She was never able to make them leave with just one word. She always had to call the security. But with the CEO, one word was enough.

Well, she can’t deny the fact that the CEO is terrifying. He is someone who is distant and aloof. Someone who doesn’t like people that much. Tiffany only remembers his pet dog which comes here every Monday mornings. Other than his dog, she never saw him around any living organism.

He’s that distant.

Those girls from before, and that girl earlier… all of them had the courage to come here and cause disturbance because they never once really met the CEO. If they did, they wouldn’t even think of coming here in the first place.

The CEO is not the type to run around and propose to girls, nor is he one to run around and spread his genes. He is also not the type to let things like this easily off. Now I’m worried about that lady…

“Ms. George.”

“Yes?” Tiffany didn’t realize that she already drifted with her thoughts. She had even forgotten that she’s standing right in front of her CEO.

Tiffany gulped in anxiousness before lifting her lids to look at her boss. He stared back at her, making her even more nervous.

“How many times was it this month?” he asked. Of course, he’s referring to that girl earlier.

Tiffany counted in her head before raising four of her fingers.

“It’s the fourth time this month.”

Her CEO placed his elbow on top of his office table before resting his cheek on his palm. He looked at Tiffany with his lazy eyes before parting his lips to speak.

“Next time, just tell the guards not to let these people enter the company. It’s easier that way, right? Having them around affects your work efficiency. I don’t want that.”