Chapter 5: The Announcement

Kanya's POV 

I arrived at Knight Enterprises at 8:30 AM. 

The security guard at the front desk looked at me with surprise. "Miss Klopper? I thought you weren't coming back. I heard you were leaving the company." 

I felt a sting of embarrassment, but I kept my back straight and my voice steady. 

"There was a misunderstanding," I replied. "I still have a meeting to prepare for." 

I swiped my badge before he could ask another question. The light turned green with a soft beep. He hadn't deactivated my access yet. That was his first mistake. 

I walked to my desk. Taylor was already there, holding a cardboard box. She froze when she saw me. 

"Kanya? What are you doing here?" she whispered. "Zane said you were no longer with the company." 

"He can say whatever he wants," I said. I sat down and turned on my computer. "I haven't signed any termination papers. I haven't been given a formal notice from HR. Until then, I am his secretary." 

"Kanya, he’s going to be furious," Taylor said. She looked toward his office door. "He’s in a meeting with the board right now. They’re in the main conference room." 

"Good," I said. "Then he’s busy." 

I spent the next thirty minutes catching up on yesterday’s unfinished work. My hands were steady. I ignored the stares from the other employees. They whispered behind their hands, but I didn’t look up. 

At 09:15 AM, the double doors of the conference room opened. The board members walked out, talking quietly. Zane was the last one to exit. He was buttoning his jacket. He looked up and saw me sitting at my desk. 

He stopped moving. His face went pale, then a deep, angry red. He walked straight toward me. His heavy boots clicked against the marble floor. 

"My office," he said. His voice was a low growl. "Now." 

I stood up and reached for my tablet and the white envelope in my bag. “I have the updates for the Paris trip ready, Mr. Knight.” 

I followed him into his office. He slammed the door so hard the glass vibrated. He turned on me, his eyes blazing. 

"What are you doing here?" he demanded. "I gave you the severance. I told you that you were done." 

I walked toward his mahogany desk and dropped the white envelope right in front of him. 

"I do not accept the severance," I said. I stood my ground, refusing to let my voice shake. "And you cannot fire me without cause. My performance reviews have been perfect for four years. If you want me out, you will have to go through the proper legal channels. I am sure the board would love to hear why the CEO is suddenly firing his secretary without a single warning on her record." 

Zane stepped closer. He was so close I could feel the heat radiating off him. "Is this a threat, Miss Klopper?" 

"It’s a fact," I said. "I am staying." 

We stared at each other. The tension was so thick I could taste it. His jaw worked as he ground his teeth together. For a moment, I thought he might actually grab my arm and drag me out himself. 

Suddenly, the door opened. 

A woman walked in. Sydney, the blonde from before. She was wearing a tight white dress that showed off a tiny, rounded belly. She looked elegant and perfectly calm. 

"Zane, darling," she said. She walked over and slid her arm through his. "The staff is waiting in the lobby. Are you ready?" 

Zane looked down at her with a sudden softness that felt like a knife to my chest. He slowly covered her hand with his own. 

"Yes," he said. "I'm ready." 

He looked at me then. There was no warmth in his eyes. Only a cold triumph. 

"Since you insist on being here, Miss Klopper, you might as well join us," he said. "I have an announcement to make." 

He led Sydney out of the office. I followed them, my legs feeling like lead. We walked to the center of the lobby where the entire staff had gathered. Taylor stood near the front, her eyes wide with worry. 

Zane stood on the small platform near the reception desk. He kept Sydney tucked close to his side. He cleared his throat, and the room went silent. 

"I have an announcement regarding my personal life that impacts the future of this company," Zane said. His voice carried across the room. "I’d like to introduce you all to Sydney Rhodes. She is my partner and, as of today, my future wife." 

I felt my coworkers’ eyes shift to me. I forced my expression to stay calm and still. 

Zane took a deep breath. He lifted Sydney's hand. A massive diamond ring caught the light. It was twice the size of anything he had ever shown me. 

"We are officially engaged," Zane announced. "And we will be married before the baby arrives this summer." 

The world didn't end yesterday, but it felt like it was ending now. I looked at Zane, and he didn't look away. He watched me as he leaned down and kissed his new fiancée in front of everyone.