Chapter 4

Jessica’s POV

I nervously followed behind Sir Nick. My sister, Andrea, saw me. I'm in trouble. I thought she was in Europe for a business meeting. Dad doesn’t even know that I’m working for George, let alone for Nicholas. Our family and Nick’s family are in the same line of business.

Yes, I am not a typical secretary. I am the daughter of Elmer Laviste and Matilda Laviste, the owners of Laviste Land Inc. My sister, Andrea Laviste, is a sharp businesswoman and the reason our company has grown even more. They never let me handle our company because they want me to focus on painting and the arts. To them, I am weak and not good at business, so they entrusted it all to my sister, Andrea.

What they don’t know is that I’ve been working for George for almost a year now. I wanted to surprise them. I wanted to prove that I also have value in business, that I can help them, and that they can rely on me.

I paced back and forth inside my room. I couldn’t stay still. What should I do? Dad might find out and send me home. That can’t happen. I still have so much to prove. And I can’t leave Sir Nicholas. I am a professional, and I don’t abandon my work.

“I need to talk to my sister Andrea. Yes, I need to talk to her.”

I hurried out of my room and went straight to the reception. I needed to find my sister’s room. Good thing Sir Nick wasn’t around. he was at the gym.

"Hello, Miss, can I ask for the room number of Miss Andrea Laviste?" I quickly asked the receptionist.

"Sorry, Ma’am, we are not allowed to disclose our.."

"I am her sister," I interrupted before she could finish.

"One moment, ma’am," she said, then made a call.

"What is your name, ma’am?" she asked.

"Jessica Laviste," I answered.

"Room 205, ma’am, third floor," she replied.

"Thank you!"

I rushed into the elevator.

After just one ring, my sister opened the door.

"Get inside! What are you doing here?" she asked angrily. "Does Dad know you’re here? And why are you with Nicholas? Is he your boyfriend?" Her voice burned with fury.

"Sis, no! He’s not my boyfriend." I saw her visibly relax when I said that.

"So why are you with him?" she asked, her tone slightly calmer.

"I’m his temporary secretary," I admitted.

"What?! Secretary? Impossible! Nick never hires female secretaries because he despises them!" Her voice was so loud it nearly deafened me.

"How did you become his secretary? Don’t tell me you’re one of his… fucking buddies’?" she asked, both angry and jealous.

"Sis!, of course not!" I protested.

"George recommended me to Nick. It’s only for four days, and then I won’t be his secretary anymore," I explained in detail.

"Oh! So you and George are in on this together? That damn man. Why did he recommend you? Wait, you were supposed to be in London. Why are you here?"

"It’s a long story. I work for George now. It’s complicated," I stammered, unsure where to start.

"Go home. Right now!" she ordered authoritatively.

"I can’t, Sis! Please, just two more days," I pleaded.

She stared at me for a long time before sighing. It took her a while to speak again.

"Okay, two days. Then you go home and admit everything to Dad, or else… you know what will happen."

I happily hugged her and thanked her. I was about to leave when she suddenly said something.

"Wait, can you save your paintings here? I have a friend who’s interested in your work. I want it now. Save it and bring it to me."

"Yes!" I answered quickly, flustered.

Excitedly, I grabbed the USB and rushed back to my room with Sir Nick. Luckily, he wasn’t back yet, so I was able to d******d pictures of my paintings from iCloud onto the USB. I hurried back to my sister’s room and gave it to her.

When I returned to my room, I was surprised to see Sir Nick there, sweating as he drank water. He looked like he was in a commercial. I stared at him, mesmerized.

"Where have you been?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"With my sister… I mean, I got a blister," I blurted out.

He stared at me, confused. Wait what? What did I say?

"Excuse me, sir," I muttered before rushing to my room, clutching my chest.

Shet, did he notice? Was it obvious that I was nervous?

I took a deep breath and exhaled, still holding my chest.

I grabbed my phone and called George. It rang twice before he picked up.

"Hello, Jes! How are you?" he greeted cheerfully.

"George, my sister is here. She saw me," I reported anxiously.

"What? I thought she was in Europe! That’s why I was confident in letting you work for Nick," he said worriedly.

"She’s here. Sorry, I accidentally mentioned your name to her. I was so confused. I didn’t know how to explain everything."

"It’s okay. I’ll handle your sister. But did she make you go home?" he asked.

"She told me to, right now. But I begged her for two more days. I explained everything, and she agreed."

"Strange… that she agreed. Hmm… but you have to be careful," he warned.

I didn’t understand why they were all warning me about my sister. Earlier, Sir Nick said the same thing.

I said goodbye to George when I heard Sir Nick calling from outside. I opened the door and saw him fresh from a shower.

"Let’s have dinner. We need to discuss tomorrow’s plans," he said before turning away.

I hurriedly followed behind him.