Chapter 1

"Hold the elevator, please!" Clarie shouted as she jogged toward the elevator door.

"Thanks," She said to the man who held the elevator door open.

Luckily, in the iron box, only a few wanted to go up, not as full as usual. Maybe because it was almost entering office hours so the employees were already in their respective rooms.

Clarie brushed her fingers back through her brown curls. She woke up late due to staying up late accompanying Daniele who was heartbroken last night. Her best friend never gave up on getting back into a relationship even though she was often hurt by the same man over and over again.

Ting!

The elevator door opened on the eighth floor of her office. The twenty-four-year-old girl rushed to the assistant secretary's room. She would definitely get a lecture from Miss. Turner for arriving late.

The sound of tapping on the heels of her shoes rang loudly on the floor which was already quiet with the employee. It seemed that all the employees were already in their respective cubicles and starting work.

"Oh!" Clarie held her breath, then let it out again.

"Good morning, Miss. Turner. Sorry I came late," She greeted kindly, not forgetting the sweet smile she threw at the pot-bellied woman.

The black-haired woman who had just cut her long hair up to her shoulders looked at the girl who had just appeared with an annoyed look.

"You're twenty minutes late, Clarie."

"Yes, I know," Clarie replied languidly, walking to her desk which was next to that of Rebecca, her chief.

"You know, this week I have to train you to take my place, Clarie. Because Mr. Henderson doesn't want new people," said Rebecca as she walked back and forth tidying up files.

Rebecca will be on maternity leave for six months. Automatically Clarie, who is currently acting as Rebecca's assistant, inevitably has to replace the woman's duties during her leave.

"We will start today," Rebecca said again.

"Okay," Clarie replied, getting up from her swivel chair and tidying up her appearance.

Clarie has been working for Hends.Corp for one year as assistant secretary. During that time, Clarie had never come face-to-face with Lucas Henderson, at least occasionally passing by accident. Because so far only Rebecca has always taken care of her boss's daily schedule.

"Bring the papers for Mr. Henderson to sign, and follow me!" Rebecca ordered as she stepped towards the door.

Clarie immediately followed suit and didn't forget to bring some files that had been prepared by Rebecca. Rebecca's steps were slowed by her large belly, making Clarie feel sorry for her. Rebecca should have taken leave since the beginning of last month, but she didn't. She didn't know why.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in." A voice came from inside.

Rebecca coded for Clarie to open the door and enter first. The girl obeyed and opened the door.

In front of her, behind the table sat a man who was focused on his laptop.

Clarie walked slowly towards the table of the man who was none other than her boss. Lucas Henderson, a 35-year-old man, is not just any man. The man married a beautiful model named Marion Larsen two years ago.

The man had a handsome face and eyes as sharp as an eagle. Fine hairs grew around his firm jaw, so any woman would be tempted to caress him.

Lucas suddenly shifted his gaze from the square screen in front of him to the ladies who had just entered his room. Clarie swallowed hard as their gazes met. The girl wasn't sure if the man in front of her was looking at her or was staring at Rebecca.

"Have you rehearsed it, Bec?" Lucas asked Rebecca.

That deep voice sounded so sexy in Clarie's ears, making the girl swallow her saliva again.

"Of course, sir. I've trained her well and she'll work nimbly, right, Clarie?"

"Ha!? Oh, yes, that's right, sir," said Clarie nervously because her mind had been wandering somewhere earlier.

Lucas looked at Clarie deeply.

"Where are the files I should review?" Lucas asked.

Rebecca nudged Clarie on the shoulder beside her to hand over the file she had in her hands.

Clarie walked over to Lucas' table with her heart beating fast.

"Please, sir," She said quietly.

Lucas grabbed the file quickly.

"Get her to focus on her work, Bec. I don't want her to daydream too much!" Lucas said firmly.

Clarie widened her eyes at the man's firm words.

Rebecca looked at Clarie with a sharp gaze. "Yes sir!"

Rebecca and Clarie immediately left the superior's room.

"What are you thinking, stupid girl?" Rebecca asked, tapping Clarie's forehead with the nib of her pen.

"Ah!" cried Clarie in surprise.

"Are you nervous or...?"

"I don't know, he's so charming, Bec," Clarie said quickly.

"Don't mess around, Clarie. He is already married!" Rebecca reminded.

"Yes, yes. I know," said the girl weakly.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to focus on work if you always admire Mr. Henderson later," Rebecca said, propping her chin.

"Ah, no, no! I'm not going to be like that, Bec, take it easy," Clarie said in denial.

"You know, Mr. Henderson doesn't like negligence and lack of time discipline. You might get fired later," said Rebecca threatening the girl next to her.

No! Clarie doesn't want to lose her job. She will do well, from now on. It took a lot of effort to get to where she is today, she will defend it.

Evening.

Rebecca prepares to leave early. Meanwhile, Clarie was going home after Mr. Henderson left his room. That's what Rebecca used to do every day.

Clarie's phone rang indicating an incoming call.

"Daniel?" She said. She quickly picked up the call.

"Yes, Danny?"

"When are you coming home, let me pick you up?" asked her best friend on the other end.

Clarie glanced at the door beside her which was still tightly closed and showed no sign of being opened.

"I have to wait for my boss to come home first," Clarie said in a low voice.

"Oh yes. I forgot that you are promoted now," said Daniele with a chuckle.

"Tsk, that's not it. I'm just replacing, not promotion!" Clarie exclaimed indignantly.

"Same thing, Clarie. Let me know when you're ready to go home, OK?"

"Okay." Clarie closed her cell phone, went back to studying the documents in front of her.

Soon Lucas came out of his room and found Rebecca's substitute secretary still working on the computer in front of him. In fact, he had been watching her for a long time. Because of that, he asked the HR department to place the girl as Rebecca's assistant.

"Time to go home, Miss Clarie," Lucas said in a low voice.

Clarie raised her head and was surprised to see her boss standing beside her desk.

"Yes?" asked Clarie confused.

"It's time to go home," the man repeated himself.

Clarie smiled awkwardly, then nodded. "Yes sir," She replied.

Lucas nodded, then left Clarie stunned in her chair.

"Just like that?" she asked in disbelief.

Pong! Clarie hit her on the head.

"What did you expect, Clarie? An offer to take you home?" said the girl mocking herself.

Lucas, who was still standing at the end of the hall, only smiled briefly at the behavior of his new secretary.