She's Back

ZALDEN 

"What the hell is going on here?" My voice cut through the lobby, with irritation dripping in every word. I hated scenes. Especially in my space, when my eyes caught something familiar.

My pulse stilled as I saw the pairs of green eyes I'd recognize anywhere.

It was her. 

The woman from that night. The one who left my card in the hotel room without trying to sneak her way into my life. I thought she was different because she never called. She never begged or demanded outrageous things like the other girls I hooked up with in the past.

Turns out I was wrong.

She stood there, slack jawed, lips parted slightly, unable to move, and I didn't miss the hesitation in her eyes. Then, she took a calculated step back cautiously, as if they were all part of her plans. Just one step, but enough to make my chest tightened with disappointment.

It took her five damn years to come back and decide what she wanted.

"I believe I asked a question," I snapped.

"Sir... S-she showed up without an appointment." One of my employees stammered. "We told her she couldn't go in, but she refused to leave."

"I didn't... I swear, I didn't come here to make a scene," she said quickly, shifting her weight from one leg to another as she fidgeted with her hands. "I came for the interview, but they wouldn’t allow me in.

I didn't believe in coincidences. There was no way she walked into my company without a reason. One of the reasons I came down was to confirm if the woman in the resume photo was really her, but her reaction was all the confirmation I needed. She recognized me too.

"Aren't you supposed to know the difference between who came for an interview and someone roaming?" I glared at the woman who shook her head nervously.

"She couldn't have been here for an interview. Look at her, sir. She doesn't even belong here. Look how she is dressed," the woman I assumed to be the new receptionist scrunched up her face.

"Y-yes, sir. We were just trying to get her to leave when you came out," the security guard added.

"Since when do you decide who deserves to work here and who doesn't?" I shot back. The receptionist paled as she cleared her throat.

"I—I'm sorry, sir."

"You said you came for an interview," I turned my gaze to meet hers, and true to the receptionist words, she didn't belong here. 

She was wearing a faded dress, worn-out heels... definitely not the image we hired here, and yet she came.

I've never interfered with the selection before. Never cared about who got in and who didn't. But I wanted to know what she was after. 

Would she use my name to get a job?

Or is she here to ask for the card she left behind five years ago? 

"Let her in," I ordered

"But sir..."  

"Did I stutter?"

"N-no, sir."

The guards stepped aside reluctantly, and her shoulders dropped with relief.

"Thank you so much!" She breathed. The genuine light in her eyes threw me off for a second. Heck, It was beautiful.

Just then, the elevator door opened, and a few people spilled out. "The interview is over," One of them said casually with a smile.

"W-what? The interview was supposed to last for another one hour," she said, panic creeping in her voice.

"We found what we are looking for. Why waste more time?" Andrew, my personal assistant, stepped forward. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"I... I was one of the interviewers," her voice came out barely as a whisper as beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

"Stick to time next time. You don’t expect us to save a spot for you, do you?"

I watched the scene quietly, and seeing how vulnerable she looked, I couldn't help but feel the need to do something about it.

"Have you gotten a new secretary for me?" I turned to Andrew, knowing that the last one was fired a few minutes ago and he couldn't have replaced her already.

"I'm looking into it," Andrew said before turning back to her. "What are you still waiting for?" He asked with a frown.

She looked defeated, just like that morning when I threw my card at her. The receptionist's lips curved in a smile, and I didn't miss the triumph glint in her eyes. She must have sabotaged her interview on purpose.

She turned on her heels to leave when I broke the silence. "What is your qualification?" 

She turned back quickly at the sound of my voice, and seeing the glimmer of hope in her delicate eyes, I didn't know if I could let her down.

"I studied..."

"Doesn't matter," I cut her off. "Employ her as my new secretary," I ordered.

Andrew blinked. "But sir, we don't know if she's..." 

"Would you rather do all the work?" I raised my brows, and Andrew sighed.

"You’re hired," he mumbled.

Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my god! Thank you! Thank you so much!" 

I walked out of the scene before I could change my mind and have her fired without even getting a chance to prove herself.

Andrew followed suit behind me. As expected, he started asking questions as soon as we got into my office.

"You've never recommended anyone for a position no matter how close they are or personally hire someone. What changed?"

"Nothing," I shrugged. "She needed a job, and one is available."

 I hated seeing people dressed like that in my space. It's a fucking disrespect to my vision and that is exactly what she is, but I can ignore it this once, right?

"Since when do you care about that?" Andrew asked with a frown.

"Since now. Keep an eye on her and report everything she does to me."