✨✨JEREMY WHITE✨✨

It was late when I returned home after finishing up with some work at the office. I hadn't planned on going to the office today but the meeting was urgent. Exhaustion washed over me as I stepped into the house, I had a flight to catch tomorrow night to London and I needed proper rest before then. That was my exact thought as I walked through the parlor and about to enter my bedroom, I caught a shadow in my office and stopped.

There was nothing that didn't come to my mind in that mini-second. As I carefully inched forward towards the slightly opened door, I checked my time, it was past seven and the housekeeper didn't stay that long only on weekends, so who or what could it be?

A stalker? Burglar?

I pushed the door open to reveal whomever it was and released a huge sigh when I saw my secretary. Her head was on the desk, eyes shut and a slight snore vibrated off of her.

Paperwork was scattered all over the mahogany desk. Some were jottings she made but discarded and the rest contained instructions I gave her in the morning before heading out. She was supposed to book my flight, send out messages to some of our investors, and make a list of women suitable as dates for the luncheon.

The luncheon was always a big event for our company and our rivals Indigo Inc.

Dining with an enemy gave one an upper hand in finding their weak points. I planned on setting in when the drinks were served and everyone was high on one or two. That's when the tongues were like loose nuts. Any information can be extracted at that point. Dad taught me that and it has worked like magic for years.

I picked up the list she made and read through the names, none of the names were interesting enough for me. It was important to have a woman of high standards with me on such public outings. Surely the news would tag us a couple and haunt us for juicy details later but it'll die off as soon as it started. I was used to that, but I needed a person with a much better image than models and actresses, too much drama came with them.

I sighed and dropped the paper, my gaze fell on the woman sleeping uncomfortably on the desk. She had coffee-brown hair and always smelled of orchids.

I never thought I'd go searching for that particular scent until she rode with me to the drugstore that night, her scent never left my mind, details of her became apparent since then, like how she always had a scary look on her face at every given time. She was like a deer caught in the headlights as if she was on some sort of secret mission.

"Secret mission my foot," I snickered, she didn't look like she'd hurt a fly at all. I was amazed at her composure at the office all the while looking after a sick mother. I wasn't sure what kind of sickness the woman had but she seemed to have woken from a coma and thrown her daughter into a frenzy.

I went into my room and saw Miss Wembley had packed some of my clothes inside a travel bag. I smiled at the kind gesture and went about changing into something comfy. I was about to pull my pants when I heard a loud thud and someone yelped in pain, I rushed towards the noise in quick strides and found Miss Wembley on the floor in a ruckus.

"I'm sorry I broke your vase," she whimpered on the floor.

Clay was scattered around and mixed with pieces of white ceramic. I had bought that alongside some other things in a very expensive store abroad but I wasn't about to tell her that.

I turned the extra lights on as she helped herself up, carefully to avoid stepping on the pieces of glass.

"I'll get a broom." I said "Don't move," I ordered as she made to step further.

I came back with a broomstick and carefully cleared the dirt. When my gaze met hers, I almost smiled because she had that same expression of fear and regret.

She followed me out to the parlor while I disposed of the trash. "I'm sorry for breaking that, I know it's expensive but you can cut it off my next pay," she spoke regretfully.

I laughed in my head. "How much do you earn a month miss Wembley?"

"Huh?"

"How much is your monthly income as my secretary?"

"Almost three thousand dollars," she admitted.

That was quite low for a company that earns billions per year, I had no idea, the average salary was usually around four to five thousand per month."

"Then you'll have to save a year's worth to pay for that vase," I said and she gasped.

"T—that's like thirty-something grand?!"

"Yes, I'll let it pass. Have you had anything to eat?" I asked changing the subject.

"Uh, no but I'm not hungry I'd rather go home and rest for tomorrow."

"Oh, did you drive here yourself? Danti has retired for today."

"No, I didn't,"

"Then how did you get to work?" I blurted.

"Urhhh_ well I took the train and walked the rest."

I swallowed my shock and nodded in understanding. "Your Sonata is still under repair, yeah?"

"It is, but I'll have it back soon thank you."

"Well, you'll wait for me to have a little something to eat before I drive you home or I might collapse on the way."

She smiled shyly and nodded in agreement.