THE SECRETARY'S REVENGE

Sophia's Point of View

I am aware of all his secrets, yet he is unaware that I love him.

The time on my desk clock reads eight thirty

Everyone else went home hours ago. The big office building feels empty and quiet. Only the soft hum of computers and the city lights outside keep me company.

I open Nicholas's calendar for tomorrow. Meeting with the bank at nine. Lunch with Mr. Peterson at noon. Conference call with London at three. I write little notes next to each one. The things he needs to remember. The files he should bring. The coffee he likes best.

This is what I do. I make his life perfect.

Nicholas Blackwood sits in the big corner office. I can see him reading documents under his stylish lamp through his glass door. His dark locks cascade over his brow when he focuses

He runs his fingers through it when he thinks hard. I have watched him do this a thousand times.

I love watching him.

The security guard walked by ten minutes ago. He waved at me through the glass doors. "Working late again, Miss Chen?" he asked. I just smiled and nodded. He doesn't understand. This isn't just work for me. This is love.

I sort through Nicholas's mail. Bills for his fancy car. Letters from his lawyer. An invitation to a charity dinner. I know which ones are important. Which ones can wait. Which ones will make him smile?

There's a photo on my desk. Nicholas and I at the company party last year. We're standing apart, being professional. But I can see it in his eyes. The manner in which he gazes at me. As if I am the sole individual present in the space.

My computer beeps. A message regarding the board meeting scheduled for tomorrow. I went over it twice to ensure I comprehend everything

Nicholas will need the financial reports. The presentation slides. His lucky pen. The blue one his father gave him.

I notice these small details because I am observant. Due to my unique feelings for him that no one else shares.

My phone vibrates. A message from Nicholas. "Could you step in here?"

My heart leaps just as it always does.I smooth my skirt and gaze at my hair in my small mirror. I wish to seem perfect for him.

I rap on his door. "Enter," he replies, not raising his gaze.

The scent of his cologne fills his office

Expensive and warm. The leather chairs. The wooden desk that costs more than my car. This is his world. A world I get to be part of because I work here.

"Sophia, you're still here," he says. Now he looks at me. His blue eyes are tired but he smiles. "You work too hard."

"I wanted to finish your schedule for next week." I place the papers on his desk. Our fingers touch when he takes them. Just for a second. But my skin tingles.

"What would I do without you?" he asks.

Everything inside me glows warm. He needs me. I really need it.

"The Peterson meeting got moved to one o'clock," I say. "And your dry cleaning is ready. I can pick it up in the morning."

"You think of everything." He leans back in his chair. "Sit down. You make me tired just watching you work so hard."

I sit in the chair across from his desk. The same chair where important people sit. CEOs and lawyers and people who make millions of dollars. But tonight it's just me.

"How long have you worked for me now?" Nicholas asks.

"Three years and two months." I know exactly. I remember my first day. How scared I was. How kind he was to me.

"Has it really been that long?" He smiles again. "Time flies when you have the perfect assistant."

Perfect. He called me perfect.

"I ordered dinner," he says. "Chinese food from that place you like. Want to share it with me?"

"You don't have to"

"I want to."He rises and relaxes his tie. "Additionally, someone needs to ensure I have food." "You constantly mention that I miss too many meals."

This is the way it began six months back. Collaborating late into the evening. Exchanging meals. Discussing career, existence, and aspirations. That evening, he walked with me to my car. Under the illumination of the parking garage, he kissed me.

"We must keep this confidential," he remarked following that first kiss

"Office relationships are complicated. People might think I'm giving you special treatment."

I understood. He's the boss. I'm just his secretary. People would talk. They would say mean things. So we keep it secret. Our special secret.

The food arrives. We eat from the containers like we always do. Nicholas tells me about his day. The problems with the new client. The board meeting that went too long.

I pay attention to every word. This is the part of the day I cherish most. When it's merely us. When he speaks to me as if I matter. As if I am important.

"What about yourself?" he inquires. "What was your day like?"

I informed him about arranging his files. Regarding the arrangement of the conference room for tomorrow. Regarding the blooms I requested for his mother's birthday. Minor details. Yet he nods as if all my words are captivating.

"I cannot envision my existence without you, Sophia." He reaches out his arm across the desk and takes my hand

"You're more than simply my assistant." "You're... unique."

My heart beats so strongly I fear he may hear it. Unique. I hold a unique significance for him.

"I ought to leave," I murmured. It's nearly ten o'clock.

"Just five more minutes." His thumb glides over my knuckles. "I enjoy your presence here."

I like being here too. In his world. In his life. Even if no one else knows.

We clean up the empty food containers together. He escorts me to the elevator as he typically does. In the deserted corridor, he draws me near and kisses me. Gentle and swift.

"Be careful on the road," he says. "Message me when you arrive home."

"I shall."

The elevator doors shut in between us. His kiss lingers on my lips.

My apartment seems cramped compared to his large office

I text him like he asked. "Home safe."

He texts back right away. "Sweet dreams, beautiful."

I press my phone to my chest. Gorgeous. He believes I'm lovely.

I prepare for sleep, contemplating the day ahead

About seeing him again. About being the person he needs. The person who makes his life perfect.

I know all his appointments. His favorite coffee. His mother's birthday. His biggest fears and dreams. I know everything about Nicholas Blackwood.

At least, I thought I did.

I plug my phone in to charge and notice something strange. A notice that I haven't encountered previously. Nicholas's phone likely synchronized with my computer while I was updating his schedule.

It's a message sent via text. From an individual called Alexandra.

My hands shake as I read the note that will change everything: "Excited to see you tomorrow evening." "I really missed you, my dear."