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#3 Working Overtime

I look up only to meet a pair of hazel eyes looking at me. The man in front of me was looking a lot like my Boss, only he was a few years younger and clean-shaven. His hair was a lighter shade of brown and messier, too.

I took in a sharp breath and tried to compose myself. "I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't see you coming," I muttered, biting my lower lip.

"It's okay, beautiful. Let me help you with these," the man said and bent over to pick up the files.

"No need, sir. I'll take care of it," I said in a small voice and hurriedly picked up the files.

"Here you go," he said, handing me the last files and my phone. Apparently, it must have slipped too, without me even noticing.

I stared at my phones' broken screen, frowning a bit. Perfect, now I had to repair that, too.

"Don't worry, we can get you a new one," the man said calmly.

I looked at him with wide eyes, "Oh, no. It was already broken. I was planning to buy a new one this week," I lied, looking at the files I was holding.

"Are you new? I don't remember seeing you around here before…"

"Oh, yes. I'm Mr. Leclair's new secretary."

A mischievous smirk appeared on his lips. "Tonia knows how to pick them…" he whispered under his breath.

"Excuse me?" I asked, unsure about his comment.

"I said we haven't properly introduced yet. I'm Nickolas Leclair, Sebastian's younger brother," the man in front of me said and extended his hand for a handshake.

My lips formed an 'O' shape, and I just stood there for a moment, completely speechless. "I… I'm Evelyn Russell. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," I stuttered when my brain started to function again.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Russell."

"Nickolas, stop harassing my secretary and come in here right now," Sebastian's voice boomed from the other end of the corridor.

Nickolas rolled his eyes, but his brother wasn't able to see him since he had his back turned. "Good luck with your new job, Miss Russell," Nickolas said and started to walk away from me.

"I'll certainly need it, sir," I murmured under my breath.

"I'll see you around," Nickolas added, and the look on Sebastian's face could kill.

I hurriedly walked to another office to make the damn copies of the files, trying to keep my mind away from the two brothers. I focused on my job, prepared the files, and made sure everything would be arranged for the meeting.

Tonia had to leave earlier that day, so I was alone. I kept some notes and silently observed everything that was told. At some point, Sebastian asked me to bring him another file, so I ran back to my office to get it. Sebastian was entirely professional with me, and that was good, wasn't it? Yet, I couldn't understand why it bothered me so much.

When the meeting finally ended, Nickolas came to my side. "Shall we go grab something to eat during your lunch break?" he asked with a smirk plastered on his lips.

"Uh, I'm not sure. I have some work to…" I murmured until someone interrupted me.

"Miss Russell, my office, now," Sebastian said in a cold tone, and a chill ran down my spine.

"I'm sorry," I mouthed at Nickolas and walked a bit faster to catch up with my Boss.

My mind kept repeating only one question: what have I done? My gut feeling told me this wasn't going to be something good…

Sebastian was walking towards his desk the moment I entered his office. He rummaged around the files that were piled, and I frowned a bit.

"What can I do for you, sir?" I asked, trying to look calm and composed.

"I need you to read these files and be updated with everything that it's written in here. I have an important meeting at seven o'clock, and you will be joining me. Make sure you'll be done by then," my Boss said, giving me some files that must have been at least two hundred pages.

"Uh, yes, of course, sir…" I said, taking the files.

"You seem a bit hesitant, Ms. Russell. I hope you didn't have any plans for your lunch break," he taunted me.

"No… Nothing that can't be postponed. Is anything else I can do for you, sir?" I asked, and once he shook his head, I left his office.

A sigh escaped my lips, and I walked back to my office. Practically, that meant not only that I couldn't eat properly for lunch, but that I had to work overtime, too. I checked today's schedule once again, and I couldn't see any meeting planned for this hour. I couldn't go back and ask again since my Boss had already given me clear orders.

Sebastian left during lunchtime, he had a meeting in a restaurant, so I was left behind with a ton of work. Not that I'm complaining, but his request was a bit cruel. Anyway, I ended up eating a sandwich in my office while I was reading the reports. I had to make sure that I'd take my medication on time, too.

When my Boss came back from his lunch, he gave me a few other tasks to handle. I had to go through another set of files, correct any mistakes, and then print them. Time passed by quicker than I thought, and my alarm almost startled me. It was twenty minutes before seven. Sebastian was still in his office, and I waited for him to show up so we could go to the meeting. I had gone through most of the documents, and I had a rough idea of what this project was about.

It was almost seven o'clock when I mustered up all my courage and went to knock on his door. Once he gave me permission, I turned the doorknob and stepped inside his office. I could practically hear my heart thumping in my ears.

"Miss Russell, why are you still here? I hope you know that you don't get paid for overtime," Sebastian said once he saw me.

I was rendered speechless. Had he forgotten about the meeting? "I thought there was another meeting for today, sir," I said, trying not to stammer again.

"What meeting? Have you not checked your program?" he asked, irritated.

"But earlier…"

"No buts, Miss Russell. I suppose your job is done for today," Sebastian interrupted me.

"Of course, sir. Have a nice evening," I said in a small voice and walked out of his office.

This was insane! He made me read all these files for nothing. And he even had the nerve to say that it was my fault! I sighed and went to my office to get my handbag and coat. This day was a disaster. It was like he purposely tried to be mean to me. That's why I promised myself not to let him win. I'd try my best to handle everything correctly and prove to him that I wasn't an incompetent, weak woman.

The company was empty, and my heels clicked on the empty corridors with every step I took. I waited for the elevator when I heard another set of footsteps somewhere behind me. I sighed and silently prayed it wasn't Sebastian's. I internally cursed my bad luck the moment my Boss stood right beside me. The elevator's door opened a few moments after, and Sebastian walked inside. I stood in my spot, not knowing whether I should step in too.

"Are you going to stand there, Miss Russell?" Sebastian asked in a bored tone.

I sighed and walked into the elevator that seemed smaller than before. I stood in one corner as far away from my Boss as possible. Sebastian's presence overpowered the small space, and the tension between us was almost palpable. I glanced sideways only to see him staring straight ahead with a poker face.

Suddenly, I felt a bit dizzy and leaned over the wall. My hands were sweating, and it was harder for me to breathe. Either it was the fact that I was in such a tiny space with one of the sexiest men on earth or the low blood glucose since I hadn't eaten properly. I massaged my temples a bit and caught him glancing back at me.

"Tell me that you are not going to faint…" he said, eyeing me up and down.

"I'm alright. Thank you for your concern."

"You should eat properly and rest," he said the moment the elevator stopped and stepped aside to let me exit first.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him. "I'd have done that if I wasn't reading reports during my break," I murmured under my breath.

"I didn't quite get that, Miss Russell," he said with a smirk as he walked right behind me.

"Oh, I just said that I'll try to keep your advice in mind," I replied in a fake sweet tone.

He nodded before asking once again, "Would you like one of the drivers to take you back home?"

"There is no need, sir; I'll manage. Have a great evening," I said, and this time, I gave him a genuine smile.

"You, too, Miss Russell," he said and walked towards a black car with tinted windows.

Suddenly a beautiful brunette woman stepped out of the car and almost ran to meet Sebastian. Once he was within arm's reach, she wrapped her arms around his neck and smashed her lips on his. He kissed her back with the same passion, his hands roaming her body…

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