7

Lana Mayas

“Mrs. Mayas?”

“Yes, ma'am,” I answered respectfully, my hands clasped in front of me as I looked at the lady seated behind the office desk. She was dressed in a black suit, looking exquisite and formidable. You could tell at a glance that she wasn't the type to entertain nonsense. She looked to be in her mid-forties. On the nameplate resting on her desk was the inscription:

The Managing Director.

She adjusted her glasses and raised her head, her gaze meeting mine.

“Why do you want to work at Molkov De Vok Hotel?”

“Experience, ma'am. It has always been my dream to become a hotelier.”

“Hmmm.” She nodded. “Do you have any previous experience?”

Of course I don't.

Taking a deep breath, I quietly shook my head.

“I see.” She returned her gaze to her computer and typed for a few moments before looking up again. This time, she slowly removed her glasses.

“The CEO was recently transferred here from our branch in Germany. He's not just some regular or ordinary CEO. He's a man of few words, born and raised in Russia. You have to be diligent, prim, and proper. No mistakes are allowed. Here.”

She placed an iPad in front of me.

“This is for tracking his schedule, meetings, and everything concerning him. Every morning, he takes hot ginger and lemon tea with one teaspoon of honey—no coffee. Four hours later, he drinks a cup of warm water. He hates inexperienced and lazy workers, so make sure you're diligent. Don't ask him too many questions, keep your distance while talking to him, and don't touch him. It's all written down in there. To keep your job, you must strictly follow those rules. I hope you make it, though.”

I was almost sweating at this point.

With all those rules, I could already imagine the CEO as a strict old man with a pot belly.

I didn't even realize how much I was sweating until—

“Here.”

The lady's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?”

I stared at her hand and realized she was holding out a pack of wipes.

“Wipe yourself. You're sweating.”

She gestured toward my forehead.

Quickly, I touched my face, only to realize just how much I was sweating.

“Thank you, ma'am.”

I gratefully accepted the wipes and began dabbing my forehead.

“Do you have any other questions? If not, I'm going to call someone to take you to your office.”

“I have a question, ma'am.”

I took a deep breath.

“Sure. Go ahead. I'm all ears.”

She flashed me a small smile and leaned back in her chair, resting her hands on the armrests as she looked at me.

“The CEO... how old is he?”

“Very intelligent question.”

She smiled and adjusted her posture. This time, both hands rested on her desk, her fingers clasped together.

“He's twenty-eight.”

“Huh...?!” My gasp escaped in shock.

“I'm sorry, ma'am.”

I quickly covered my mouth, realizing how loud I had been.

“It's fine. Kate!”

She called out, and the next moment, a young lady walked in. She was dressed gorgeously in gray trousers and a white designer blouse. Her hair was beautifully styled and neatly packed, and she wore a bright red lipstick that complemented her elegant appearance.

“This is Kate. She's my secretary, and she'll take you to your office, which is in the same area as the CEO's.”

“Ohhh, thank you, ma'am.”

“You're welcome.”

She smiled at me.

Kate had already left, so I hurried after her.

Her pace was incredibly fast. I was almost stumbling from one corner to another in the heels I had borrowed from my mother. They were slightly oversized, and the skirt suit I was wearing had been borrowed from our neighbor. I kept pulling the skirt up while trying to keep up with her.

By the time we reached the elevator, she finally slowed down.

Still trying to catch up, I noticed the elevator doors were already closing. I quickly stuck my leg between them, forcing the doors to slide back open.

At that moment, her eyes traveled down to my leg. A look of disgust crossed her face. Her eyebrows lifted, her nose scrunched, and she glared at me.

Quietly, I stepped into the elevator, making sure to keep a little distance from her.

The doors closed, and she pressed the button for the third floor.

I was nervous.

I felt so out of place.

I could already tell this particular lady didn't like me. The expression on her face said everything.

“Are you so out of clothes that this is the only thing you could come up with?”

Silence...

Pressing my lips together, I acted as though she wasn't talking to me. I just wanted to work and make a living. I wasn't about to make an enemy on my first day.

“Honestly, I don't know what they saw in a retarded thing like you.”

“What they didn't see in you,” I muttered quietly under my breath.

“Wait... did you just say something to me?”

Silence...

“I promise you're going to get fired when the CEO finally arrives. I bet he'd never want to work with a lowlife like you who lacks dress sense and workplace etiquette. A renowned and high-born man like him could never stand your presence, so enjoy your time here while it lasts.”

The elevator doors opened, and I was amazed by this part of the hotel.

There were only a few people on this floor, unlike the lower floors that were crowded with workers and guests.

She stopped in front of a door. It scanned her and immediately opened.

She walked inside.

I stepped forward next, but the scanner flashed red before the door closed right in front of me.

What's going on?

She's already inside, and I'm still out here.

I had no choice but to wait.

“Are you the new secretary, ma'am?”

I heard a voice behind me and turned around.

It was Magnus.

“Hmmm.”

I nodded.

“Let me register your biometric data so you'll have access to the office.”

“Oh, okay.”

I turned to face him.

“Stand straight, please.”

“Hmm.”

I nodded and straightened my posture.

Using the device in his hand, he scanned my face before moving it down the rest of my body.

“Your fingerprint, please.”

“Okay.”

I placed my finger on the scanner attached to his iPad.

A few seconds later, it beeped.

“You're good to go.”

“Thank you.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to turn when he suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Can I see you after work? I really want to talk to you.”

“Mmm...”

I paused for a second.

“I'll think about it.”

Without waiting to hear whatever he wanted to say next, I stepped in front of the door again.

This time, it scanned me, flashed green, and slid open.

Walking inside, I was blown away by the elegance and power this office radiated.

Wait...

I paused.

I'm really a personal assistant?

In a place like this?

Something my past self could never have dreamed of...

I'm actually working here...

With the CEO?

Am I dreaming?

There were two offices separated by a glass door.

I guessed the first one belonged to me.

Looking through the glass, I saw Kate inside the second office.

I could tell it belonged to the CEO.

Taking a few steps forward, I walked into my office.

Kate was gently caressing the CEO's chair with her eyes closed, looking as though she were daydreaming.

“Are you perhaps okay?” I found myself asking.

Her eyes flew open, and her glare deepened.

“I'll make sure you don't last long in this office.”

She glared at me as her heels clicked against the floor.

When she reached me, she slowed down.

“I was the one who should've been here. I applied for this position, and you took what belongs to me. I won't let you keep it for long. I'll take it back.”

She deliberately bumped her shoulder against mine before walking away.

I took a deep breath and shook my head.

Is she okay?