The Secretary

If Fate was really going to be honest, she already made the decision about the job offer even before she went for the interview. It's not really about wanting it or deserving it, it's all about her needing it.

Beggars are not choosers, who is she to refuse an offer she'd been hoping for for weeks. So of course she had to take it, even after the ridiculous truth regarding the job description. She'll just have to trust Lisa's judgement that she can really do it, since she can't really trust herself.

Speaking of Lisa, she had called her the moment she left the company building after her interview. She wanted to scold her for not saying the truth about the job, then again her senior was so happy for her that she just don't have the heart to do so. Plus, she 'was' the one who gave her the opportunity that she really needed.

"We need to meet." Lisa said excitedly. "I insist that we meet. I really can't leave the house so you'll have to come to me."

"Um...I'd love to but, won't your husband mind?" Fate remembered Lisa mention that the father of her baby is a very private person. He wouldn't like having someone he doesn't really know visit his house even if that someone is Lisa's friend, right?

"Don't be silly. Of course, he won't. You'll probably be coming over a lot in the future anyway." Lisa giggled. Fate just raised a brow at this. "Anyway, it's not just a friendly visit. There are also things I have to let you know regarding your new post."

"R-Right."

"How does tomorrow sound? It's Saturday, so you'll have a day yourself to prepare before you start on Monday."

"Tomorrow sounds good. Just send me the address."

"Great! See you soon!" Lisa squealed.

Fate smiled at her phone after they had ended the call. A very wide and happy smile.

She then dialed her best friend's number. A celebration is in order.

- - - - - - - - - - 

Fate looked skeptically at the gate of the house on the address that Lisa had given her. 

Well, Lisa called it a 'house' but what kind of house is it with this towering gate? Lisa hadn't really told her much about her husband, could he actually be someone super rich? 

Fate felt her heart in her throat when the said towering gate suddely opened and revealed an elderly man in black suit. 

"Ms. Lestrange, welcome." He smiled to her kindly. "I hope you didn't have any problem getting here?"

"No, it was okay." She said coolly, at least as cool as she can. Her heart hadn't settled down back yet.

"The madame had sent me to get you, please follow me inside." He side stepped to let Fate inside the gate.

"You mean Lisa?" 

Madame? So Lisa did get herself a rich husband? 

"That is right, Ms. Lestrange. She's been looking forward to met you. Since master Kurt doesn't really like having guests over, she'd been complaining of being bored." 

"I see."

Fate blinked at the car parked in front of her when she got inside, and then looked at her surroundings which were all just trees and not a single building in sight.

How rich is Lisa's husband that it needs a car to get to the 'house'. 

"This way, Ms. Lestrange." Jeremy opened the door to the limousine and waited for her to get in. 

Fate felt her knees getting weak as she got inside, although her face and body didn't show a thing.

Jeremy was really impressed with the level of composure that Fate had shown so far. She's going to need a lot of that once she starts working as his master's executive secretary. 

In all honesty, he had his doubts at first. After all, describing his master's line of work as 'complicated' is an understatement. Then again he had thought the same when he first met Lisa, and yet she had managed to have it all under control for years. 

If there's one thing that he learned about Lisa all these years, is her ability to judge someone's true capabilities and potential.

"It's going to be a 20 minutes ride, Ms. Lestrange. Please make yourself comfortable." He gently closed the door and went to the front seat.

- - - - - - - - - - 

"Fate!" Lisa rushed towards Fate the moment she got off the car and gave her a big hug. "I'm so happy to see you again!" 

Fate couldn't help but chuckle at Lisa's welcome. She's still the same as always. "Me too."

"Madame, please be careful." Jeremy's voice was full of worry. 

That's when Fate noticed the bulge that was Lisa's stomach. 

"It's already this big?" Fate couldn't help the surprise in her voice. Nevertheless she was very happy for her senior.

"I know, right?" Lisa grinned. She is glowing and obviously really excited about the baby. "Just two more months and she'll be in my arms already."

"'She'?"

"I'm going to have a princess." Her eyes were sparkling. "I can't wait for her to come. She's going to have everything."

"I'm sure she will." Fate smiled genuinely. As one of the few people who knew about Lisa's family background, Fate knows that she will give all the love and care to her daughter.

"Anyway we shouldn't be talking here. Let's go inside." She started pulling Fate towards the house, which Fate just begun to notice.

Contrary to what she was expecting, it didn't really look that grand. In fact, the three-storey house had a very humble design and was surrounded with a lot of greenery. No fancy statues or outdoor ornaments, just trees and bushes and flowers. No one would think that it's located in an urban area.

"I've prepared some sweets. Well not 'me' exactly. Nobody trusted me into the kitchen after I almost burned down the whole room that 'one time'." Lisa pouted at Jeremy who was just behind them, and who had pretended to not have heard her. Her eyes, however, reflected mirth. "You still like truffles, right? I had them make tons."

"Yes, I do. Thank you."

The inside of the house was also decorated very simply. Although one could still tell that the owners are well-off, there wasn't any signs of extravagance. 

They spent a good part of the afternoon just chatting and reminiscing their college days, as well as dissing Fate's ex-boss.

"Now that you're part of The Mask, I can assure you that you'll have your chance to get back on that jerk." Lisa smiled smugly.

Fate just shook her head. "I would be lying if I say that I didn't want to get back at him, but it's all in the past now. After all, he's still the president's son."

"Speaking of the president, did you tell him what happened? He treated you like his own daughter, I'm sure he would have done something even if it's his own son."

"Treating me like his own daughter is an exaggeration, although he's the closest thing I have to a father. He's recuperating somewhere in europe, I wouldn't want him to worry about something like this."

"What are you talking about?" Lisa frowned at her. "Harassing you is one thing, but blacklisting you and tormenting you for weeks is just too much. If I were him, I'd have disowned that bastard."

"He's an only child so I doubt he'd get disowned over someone like me. But thanks for the sentiments." Fate grinned.

"There you go again, underestimating yourself." She shook her head. "I hate to break this to you, but you're worth way more than you think you do. You have to know that."

"I do now." She chuckled while Lisa just pouted.

"Still, I'm telling you that you have to pull a one on him when you get a chance. He deserves it."

"I will keep that in mind. Although I really won't feel comfortable using my position for personal matters." 

"Don't sweat it, it comes with being someone at the top."

"Speaking of top, when were you going to tell me about the most important part of the position you passed to me." Fate was calmly sipping on her tea as she watched Lisa squirm in her seat.

"Oh, did the others tell you?" She blushed as she laughed nervously. "Sorry I didn't tell you. I was afraid you'd turn it down of you knew."

"I thought as much. Still you believed that I will be able to pull it off, so the least I can do is try."

"You would do great, Fate." She smiled at her genuinely, which made Fate blush in return. "Anyway, I left everything in my, now your, computer. Knowing you, you'd be able to figure everything out in no time. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd welcome a call from you anytime." 

"That's very reassuring."

A knock on the door followed by the appearance of Jeremy signaled the end of their tea time. 

"Madame, master Kurt has arrived." 

"Great! Now you can officially meet your new boss."

"Sorry?" Fate frowned at Lisa's words. She thought it was just a coincidence that her ber new boss 'Kurt' and Lisa's husband 'Kurt' have the same name. "What do you mean my 'new boss'?"

"Ah, didn't I tell you? This is Kurt William's house, the chairman of The Mask."

"You're married to the chairman?" Fate's eyes widened at what she just heard.

"Well... not exactly. Due to some stuff we couldn't get married officially. But he's still the father of my daughter and I'm still his wife." Lisa said it with a smile on her face that Fate couldn't get herself to argue. "Come on, he's probably in his study now. I told him you were coming over so he probably went straight there, otherwise he'd have come to me." She giggled.

Fate followed Lisa as she lead them to the study, a lot of questions in her head.

They were almost there when Lisa suddenly stopped.

"Uh, Fate is it alright if you go on ahead? I think I drunk too much tea earlier... sorry I can't really hold this in." She grimaced as she hurriedly left for the bathroom. 

Fate wanted to go with her but Jeremy beat her to it.

"I will look after her, Ms. Lestrange. Please go on ahead. It's the door at the end of the hallway." He said before hastily going after his madame. 

Fate just sighed in defeat. 

Well, this is probably for the best. She has to make some things clear if she's really going to work for her new boss.