Looking through her email for the hundredth time, Ellen sighed and flung herself onto the bed.
“One, two, three,” Ellen murmured as she mentally counted the number of applications she had submitted. Staring at the ceiling of her apartment, she screamed, raising both hands and legs in the air to let out her frustration.
“I need a job, anything,” she screamed into her pillow.
Most of the applications she’d submitted were long overdue and had received no response. Her rent was almost due, and to top it off, her mom had another therapy session coming up.
Ellen had worked at the Titan Consult in Manhattan for three years; that was where she had met Luke.
“The one you had least expected had resulted in an interview,” her mom told her at dinner later that day. The last application she had made was for the position of secretary; at least she’d had a virtual interview for that already.
“I know, mom, I just wish others would move as fast as that was,” Ellen said to her mom, frustration etched on her face.
A notification sound from her phone startled her.
Picking it up from the table, she opens her phone. “Let it be an employment offer,” she prayed, looking at her mom.
[ Dear Miss Ellen Grater,
Congratulation! You have been offered the job.
Please find attached your letter of employment.
We are pleased to welcome you to Warner Haven Corporation.
You are to resume tomorrow at The Haven Hotel.
Sincerely,
Human Resource,
Warner Haven Corporation.]
Her eye widened in amazement; she had not expected to be selected among the applicants.
“Yeeeeaaaa, finally!” Ellen screamed, jumping from her seat.
“I told you, baby, you’ll get something soon,” Mrs. Grater said, all smiles, as she watched her daughter’s jubilation.
“I’m going to go get ready for work tomorrow, mom,” Ellen told her mom as she sprang to her room all excited.
The night was short, and in no time Ellen was standing at the entrance to The Haven Hotel. She felt a chill go down her spine as she remembered her experience at this very hotel not too many nights ago.
Approaching the reception at the lobby, with a broad smile, she said to one of the ladies, “Good morning. My name is Ellen Grater, and I’m a new employee here.”
The lady smiled warmly at her and responded, “Hello, kindly hold on and let me confirm where you would be heading to.”
After confirming, the lady looked at Ellen and smiled. “Please proceed to the top floor; someone will be waiting for you.”
Ellen thanked the lady and proceeded to the lift. As she rode on the lift, Ellen wondered how luck had shined on her just when she needed it the most.
She stepped out of the lift and was directed by a security guard to a small waiting area.
After five minutes, she was directed to Alex’s desk. Extending his hand to her, Alex introduced himself: “Hello, I’m Alex Gilbert, executive assistant to the CEO. Welcome.”
Ellen took his hand and said, “Thank you, Mr. Gilbert.”
Gesturing for her to take a seat, “we have a little to discuss before you meet Mr. Warner,” Alex informed her.
Alex gave her an overview of what was expected of her. “You would be working directly with the CEO and me,” he said, laying emphasis on the CEO.
“The hotel is diverting into new niches, hence the work load is intense; your experience made you a stronger candidate,” Alex informed her.
“Oh, thank you, sir,” Ellen said. She hadn’t expected that.
“Working with Mr. Warner requires a lot of commitment and loyalty; you’ll be exposed to confidential documents.” He paused, giving her an intense look.
Realizing she was needed to say something, Ellen stuttered, “Yes, sir, I understand.”
Alex looked at Ellen intently as he studied her. She had the perfect demeanor to work with his boss. She had a calm and attractive face; she was tall and had an aura of confidence. He definitely would get along with her, he thought assuredly to himself, mentally praising himself for a job well done.
Alex coughed to clear his throat as he continued the discussion. “You’ll be on probation for a year, at the end of which retaining your job will be dependent on your performance,” Alex stated.
“oh?” Ellen’s face creased in confusion as she thought twice about taking the offer. Could she really dedicate one year to being on probation? She had no other offer, and she had to think of her mother. She really had no choice.
Okay, Mr. Gilbert, I’ll do my best in this one year,” Ellen responded as she nodded.
“That’s wonderful!” Alex said, smiling.
"During this period, you're to strictly abide by Mr. Warner's instructions," he added.
“Okay, that being said, kindly go through this contract and sign it,” Alex stated, laying down a two-page document in front of her.
Okay, sir,” Ellen replied as she scanned through the document and signed it.
Congratulations, Miss Grater. Wellcome to the Warner Haven Corporation,” Alex smiled at her.
“Thank you, Mr. Gilbert,” Ellen replied, smiling back at him. She had gotten a job, and to think the pay was more than she had expected She felt renewed strength and determination as she hoped to make this work.
“Come with me, Mr. Warner awaits,” Alex said, leading the way towards Leo’s office.
Leo’s office was at the extreme end of the hall. Alex knocked on the door and entered the office with Ellen right on his heels.
“Mr. Warner, I’d like to introduce your new secretary, Miss Ellen Grater, Alex announced.
Stepping forward, Ellen said, “Good day, Mr. Warner. I appreciate the opportunity to join your team.”
Leo had been engrossed in a document in front of him, but at the voice of the lady who was to be his new secretary, he looked up. His face changed from surprise to anger, and for a moment Alex questioned himself, wondering if he had indeed made the right selection, just as Leo said, “You again!”
Leo looked back to see Felix walk into the office with a smug look on his face. "Felix! Where have you been?" Leo asked before looking to see Ellen pointing at Felix with a look of panic on her face again. "Why are you pointing at Felix? Ellen, what is going on? Are you sure this isn't just an act?" Leo asked, stepping away from her. "It's him; he is behind it, Leo," Ellen said, speaking up. Leo shook his head in amazement and replied, "If this is some sort of joke, would you please stop it?" "I am telling you the damn truth; would you for once believe me?" Ellen shouted at him. Leo paused for a minute, then turned to look at Felix as he asked, "What the hell is she saying?" Felix shrugged and said, "I don't know Leo; I think she needs to go to the hospital; it's probably a panic due to the pregnancy." Leo turned to Ellen, concern etched on his face this time around as he said, "Ellen, I think we should get you to the hospital." Ellen screamed, beating Leo on the chest as she
Downstairs, Felix navigated through the crowd as he tried to avoid mingling. Everyone was having a light conversation while they all waited for the host."Felix? Over here," Mr. Phillips called from the crowd.Felix waved and smiled, hoping he would be able to slip away without having to go over, but Mr. Phillips had other plans."Felix, what a lovely event you have here. I must say that these past few days have made the Haven hotel the talk of the town," Mr. Phillips commented."I'm glad the event turned out better than we imagined," Felix replied, trying to keep his smile in place."I'm sure Leo is glad to have you on this; truly, two good heads are better than one," Mr. Phillips added."Felix, have you really been around? It's almost like you don't stay in New York," Viva said as she joined them with a glass of wine."I am Viva, but you only have eyes for one person; I guess that's why you haven't noticed me," Felix replied with a charming grin.Every other person in the group chuc
Ellen could feel her inside running faster than her physical legs could carry her."I should go home; yes, that's what I should do." Ellen murmured and walked out of the restaurant.She couldn't look back, for fear of seeing Felix come out of the restroom already.Ellen hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of her house."Alright, ma'am," the cab driver said, and he drove back onto the road.It was then that Ellen had the courage to look back, and she saw Felix walking out of the restaurant."This could just be a misunderstanding, right? I mean, what if I'm just mistaken? What if it's pregnancy hormones?" Ellen murmured.“I think I should have stayed to ask him,” Ellen muttered, adding, “It felt so real.”"I should tell Leo right; he has every right to know; he needs to know," Ellen whispered to herself with determination.She looked at her phone and realized it was too late to head to the hotel. She picked up her phone and dialed Leo's number. It rang for eternity, and nobody
Suddenly, fear gripped Ellen, her heart skipping as she looked back at the person behind her."Did I really scare you?" Felix asked, a broad grin on his face as he enjoyed the look on Ellen's face."What the hell was that about?" Ellen exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest as she calmed herself."I didn't mean to scare you; I just wanted to pull a prank on you," Felix explained as he laughed at her."That was not funny, Felix," Ellen told him, feigning anger."I know, but the look on your face was cute," Felix replied.Ellen turned and continued walking. "I thought you were too busy to come here," she said.Felix hurried after her and said, "Yeah, I had some things to take care of, but now I'm here and I'm taking you for dinner.Ellen paused, stopping in her tracks. "Dinner? All of a sudden?""Yes, you're done for the day, right? Let's go. I'll treat you to a nice meal," Felix said, grabbing Ellen's arm as he started walking towards his car.*******In Leo's office, he was going over
"What do you want, Sandra?" Ellen said, looking at Sandra, who showed up from nowhere to stand in front of her."You've grown some guts, Ellen; I thought you were banned from coming to this hotel." Sandra glared, stepping closer to her."Sandra, is there something specific you need or want to tell me?" Ellen asked calmly."You think I would have something important to talk to you about?" Sandra mocked."Whatever this is, I really don't have the time for it," Ellen informed her, stepping backward to create space between them.Sandra laughed mockingly, "What do you have if not time? I mean, with that pregnancy and all, I doubt if anyone is going to look your way.""Do you feel better from being mean?" Ellen asked.Sandra's eyes narrowed as she asked, "What did you just say?"Ellen struggled to remain calm. She looked at Sandra and smiled. "It's fine; we can't all have it perfect."Sandra's face went rigid. "Leo will never come back to you; I'll make sure of it," she hissed.Ellen looked
Leo brushed a hand through his hair and said, "Grandma, Ellen is...""Ellen!" Mrs. Grater exclaimed before Leo could finish his statement.Ellen? Where? Leo wondered as he looked towards the door, but there she was, in flesh."Uhm, hi, Mrs. Warner," Ellen said, stuttering as she tried to put on a smile for Mrs. Warner."How are you doing? Leo has been busy with school, you know; he has not come home. Why didn't you bring him home?" Mrs. Warner asked Ellen.Ellen didn't know how to explain it, so instead, she replied, "I'll make sure he comes from now on."That put a smile on Mrs. Warner's face as she pulled Ellen back to the lounge with her."Leo, see, it is Ellen." Mrs. Warner announced as if Leo was blind and hadn't seen her."Yes, grandma, it's Ellen," Leo replied, gesturing with his hand towards her.As Mrs. Warner pulled Ellen down beside her, they heard a commotion at the door."No, you can't do that now; it's supposed to be later today," Alex said as he walked through the door