Chapter Six: Star

My smart watch beeps. One look at it tells me that it’s time to shut my laptop and close for the day.

Walking out of my office, I pass by the open floor plan cubicles where the rest secretaries work.

“See you tomorrow everyone,” I call out as l wave.

“Wait up!”

Mariella runs up to me with an excited look on her face. “You can’t leave yet.”

I blink in confusion, “Why? Is there something I’m forgetting?”

“Yeah. An after-work drink with your work buddies.”

The laughter that bubbles out of me is genuine. I’m starting to really like my new colleagues.

“Let me guess; I can’t say no.”

She nods and clicks her fingers at me, “Exactly. It’s company tradition.”

And that’s how I find myself in cozy bar, squeezed in the midst of my co-workers. Everyone is drinking and laughing and I admire how close knit they are. In all my years as a secretary, I’ve never seen anything like this.

I smile as I watch Henry talk animatedly with a petite woman. She looks up, catches my gaze and edges closer to me.

“I’m Patty,” she introduces herself. She looks to be in her thirties. “Enjoying yourself?”

I smile bashfully, “Yeah. It’s nice that you guys take out time to do this everyday.”

She laughs, “We don’t do this everyday. We do this when someone new comes along. You know…as a way of saying welcome.”

From my corner eyes, I see everyone turning to look at me and a fierce blush ravages my face.

“Oh I…t-that’s nice,” I stammer. They are so sweet.

“It’s time for the toast,” Henry booms suddenly, rising to his feet and pointing his beer in my direction, “To our newest member and head secretary…”

His jolly voice is drowned out momentarily by velvety, baritone voices laughing from somewhere behind us.

I try my best to ignore but then I get the sudden impulse to turn around.

Eyes the color of smoked coffee beans connect with mine.

Damn…

I whip my head back around, my hands clutching the base of my throat.

What is he doing here? I know for sure it has nothing to do with respecting the company’s tradition of welcoming new staff.

Maybe he’s here to see Agatha.

I shake my head at myself. I need to get my thoughts under control. Besides, whoever he’s involved with is none of my business.

I drag my mind back to my group.

“…behalf of everyone in Soft Rock Inc. , we welcome you onboard,” Henry is still reciting with the biggest smile on his face, “Cheers!”

I’m lightheaded as I force myself to smile and clink glasses with my colleagues. The hair on my nape is standing on ends as I am hyper aware of the cruelly beautiful man that is seated merely tables away, watching me.

I’m more subtle as I peek at the other table. Neal is seated in the midst of two young men. His friends maybe.

I frown as I realize how little I knew of him. I don’t even know his friends.

“Star? You there?”

I’m supposed to be drinking and laughing and having fun with my colleagues. But I’m too caught up in the moment, watching Neal watch me.

For someone that claims to not know me, he sure can’t keep his eyes away.

His friends are seated on either side of him, both dressed in smart, well tailored suits.

He has ditched his suit jacket, revealing the white dress shirt has the first two buttons undone. I gulp at the slice of tanned, fair skin that peeks out invitingly; at the way his shirt barely hides the indentation of the huge muscles on his arm.

My lips twist into a slight frown. I should be repulsed at the sight of him, not attracted.

Dainty, well manicured hands materialize out of nowhere and sit affectionately on his shoulder.

He glances up and away from me, breaking the spell. Mildly disappointed, I trail my eyes up to see the owner of those hands and as I do, my heart pounds in anticipation.

Finally, my curiosity is about to be satisfied.

But when I see the woman’s face, curiosity is the last thing on my mind. My heart constricts painfully and I’m immediately nauseous.

Because beaming down at him, with flawless pale skin and raven black hair pulled into a chignon is none other than the fancy heiress he chose over me.

Catherine.