CHAPTER 4

As I walked in I was startled by applause, a crowd gathered in front of me.

I recognized a few faces; Justine, a few HODs and some clerks and secretaries.

Two even held a small poster, "Our Heroine, thanks for saving the CEO." It read.

I smiled shyly.

"Let's give it up for Miss Rose," a man in a suit walked out of the crowd, I recognized him as the manager; Mr. Brandon, he reported directly to Nathan.

"What's going on here?" a sharp voice called out.

The felt familiar, I turned, and I found myself staring Into the cold eyes of Lisa Acheron.

She stood still, staring at us.

She stared at me, her eyes slowly going over the small poster, She scoffed.

"What is this? A party?" Her lips curled up, "You think you're some sort of heroine?" She glared at me.

I stiffened under her gaze.

"This…" Brandon hesitated, "It was Rose's idea, I thought it would be good for morale."

"Me!?" I was shocked, how was this my idea? If it was how comes I didn't seem to remember it?

Justine too also looked startled.

"Morale?" Lisa glared at me, she also stared at the crowd,

"If you need morale Mr. Brandon I'd suggest you go to the army, but right now, I think you all should get back to work."

"Yes, yes" Brandon nodded, he turned to the crowd, "Everyone get to work."

The crowd dispersed, Justine signaled me to be careful.

I'd turned to leave when Lisa called me.

"Rose, a minute please."

"Yes?" I halted in my steps, while I didn't have a good impression of this lady, I didn't resent her much.

"Nathan won't be coming in today," Lisa walked up to me, I caught the scent of her faint perfume.

"You see, he has to rest well, and it won't be fair to let you be in the office, you're just a secretary."

She intentionally emphasized the word 'Secretary'  she smiled disdainfully at me.

I frowned, Nathan had given me a week off, telling me to resume the following week.

I would go drop some files I thought, then I'd head back home,"

The elevator ride was silent, I looked down at my feet. Lisa stood aside, stone-faced.

We got into the office, I immediately busied myself, I wanted to drop off the finished proposals I'd spent all week doing.

"Rose, please get me a cup of coffee from Starbucks across the street, no cream."

I paused, Who did think she was? I grumbled mentally.

"Be fast about it," Lisa said, she went back into the office.

I sighed, one of the downsides of being a secretary.

I managed to get it, fifteen minutes later I stepped into the office.

"Oop,s" I bumped into someone, "I'm sorry, that…"

I froze, it was Nathan.

"Good morning sir, how are you feeling?" I asked.

Suddenly I realized something was wrong, Nathan was staring at me coldly.

"Where have you been? Could you explain yourself?"

What was going on? I wondered, I couldn't remember doing anything wrong.

"I… I just stepped out to get Miss Lisa some coffee" I answered.

"Ohh there you are," Lisa walked up to me, "Such a darling, thank you."

She rubbed Nathan's shoulder, "Don't be too harsh on her Darling, I'm sure she didn't mean it." Lisa walked out.

Her words made me frown further, I had a bad feeling about this.

Nathan sat behind his desk, I stood in front of him, not quite sure what to say.

The door suddenly opened and Brandon walked in.

"I'd like to know what message was related to Miss Rose last week when I was indisposed," Nathan spoke, his face was dark and forbidding.

My heart skipped a beat.

"As per your orders sir, I told Miss Rose to commence consultation."

What!? I shuddered in disbelief, what consultation?

"Sir… this must be an…"

"You'll speak only when spoken to Miss Rose," Nathan snapped.

He stood up, his dark eyes made me shudder.

"I believe, Miss Rose," he turned, and he paced slowly to the transparent glass with a view of the city.

"I believe that a good deed should be rewarded, you saved my life. But…" Nathan's voice steeled.

"That does not in any way mean you're an exception to the duties I expect of you.

This case will be handled by HR (Human Resources), I also have the power to fire you at my discretion."

I paled in shock, but what did I do? I obeyed orders to stay home for a week, unless… I shuddered, I stared at Brandon… unless he lied to me.

But why?  I couldn't understand, why would he lie.

The door suddenly opened,and  Lisa walked in.

Everything became clear, she was the one behind all this I realized.

"Darling, I said you shouldn't be harsh to Rose,if she hadn't saved you, I…" Lisa sobbed, I watched speechlessly.

"She even organized a welcome special for saving you," Lisa murmured, and she smiled at me.

Nathan's face darkened, he glared at me coldly, "Sir…I can explain."

"Enough," Nathan waved his hands,

"You'll await the decision of the HR, if you repeat any more of such mistakes Miss Rose, there won't be a job to come back to."

I lowered my head, "Yes Sir."

As I turned to leave, I caught Lisa's eyes, she smiled coldly.

I felt played, after all I'd done, he couldn't even give me a chance to explain.

Brandon walked out, he refused to look at me in the eye.

"Rose," Nathan called me.

I went back into the office.

"I need all these arranged, sorted and reviewed for the project presentation tomorrow."

Nathan pushed a thick stack of files, they must have been more than a dozen, "This should be on my desk by tomorrow morning."

My heart sank, how on earth was I expected to get all that ready by tomorrow?

Nathan arched an eyebrow, "Is there a problem Miss Rose?"

"No sir." I shook my head, I took the stack of files with me.

I stared at them speechlessly outside.

Minutes later Lisa walked out of the office, she smiled coldly at me.

"A little word of advice Miss Rose," she paused beside my desk.

"The frog lusting over the swan can also become prey to the swan's mate."

I paled, what have I gotten myself into?