Rhea's hands trembled as she applied more foundation, desperately trying to conceal the purplish marks on her face. The scars were a constant reminder of her painful reality. Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. A message from Gerald flashed on the screen: "Good day, honey. We have a date later." Rhea's heart sank, but she replied with a simple "Okay." A date means anything can go wrong, the last time she went on a date with Gerald it did not end quite well.

Arriving at the work, she sees a notification that says all employees are to gather at the reception for a brief announcement. Stepping into the reception,  Rhea's anxiety spiked. Her colleagues' curious stares made her skin crawl. Did they notice the scars? She felt like she was walking on eggshells, waiting for someone to comment.

"Hey, you," a voice called out, making Rhea tense, she realized that the voice belongs to Lucy. Oh great, she just had to run into her. Ever since she took Lucy's position as Darren's assistant.

Didn't the boss fire you?" Lucy asked, oblivious to Rhea's inner turmoil. She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing they hadn't noticed the scars. "No, he didn't," she replied, trying to sound casual. "I..."

Another employee cut in, asking, "Then why were you absent through out last week?" Rhea's mind racing, she stuttered, "O-oh, the boss...he um...gave me the week off."  She replied.  But the weight of her secrets threatened to suffocate her. She needs someone to talk to, but who will listen to her. She can't go for therapy without Gerald's consent.

As Darren entered the reception area, the employees' hushed conversations ceased. They greeted him in unison, "Good morning, sir." Darren's stoic expression softened momentarily as he made eye contact with Rhea, returning her greeting with a gentle "Good morning" and a subtle smile. However, his demeanor quickly returned to its usual sternness.

Lucy, standing close to Rhea, misinterpreted Darren's smile, thinking it was intended for her. She beamed with pride, unaware of the true recipient of Darren's brief warmth.

Darren cleared his throat, launching into the announcements. "The company has implemented new policies. Firstly, all female employees will receive three days of paid leave during their ". He coughs " menstrual cycle". Secondly, we will provide three months of maternity leave without salary deductions. Lastly, every three months, all employees will undergo a comprehensive health check to ensure a healthy work environment. That concludes the announcements."

" HR will give more details about this, Rhea meet me in five minutes". He said as he leaves, all the employees applauses him.

" Miss Lucy, the boss really smiled at you, tell me were you the one who asked boss to give us breaks during our periods". A female employee asked Lucy .
" Maybe,maybe not" Lucy replied with a smug look, an attempt to irritate Rhea. But Rhea was not paying attention to what they were saying, she was contemplating about talking to Darren about her problem, or probably accompanying her on her date with Gerald. With a determined look, she walks briskly into the elevator, enters Darren's office and said.
" Boss,I need to.. um talk to you about something" .
"  Take a seat, I also need to talk to you but after you ". Darren replied.
" Are you um going to fire me?" Rhea questioned out of curiosity.
Darren chuckled" and why would I do that?" He asked amused at her questions.
" Boss, um can I um confide in you about something?". Rhea asked.

Darren's gaze softens" sure, you can tell me anything, as long as it is possible, I can and will do it " he said.
" Well there's this friend of mine " she paused unsure if she should continue, Darren's expression turned serious, and he leaned forward, his eyes locked on Rhea's. "Go on," he encouraged.

Rhea took a deep breath before continuing. " She has a boyfriend who usually gets angry and provoked ,she's thinking of breaking up with him,This boyfriend, he...he hits her. And she's too scared to leave him."

Darren's face darkened, and he clenched his fists. "Has she reported him to the authorities?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Rhea shook her head. "No, she's too afraid. That's why I wanted to talk to you, boss. I was wondering if...if you could help me , eh her, I meant her."

Darren's expression softened, and he nodded. "Of course, Rhea. We'll do everything we can to support your friend.  Well, in my opinion I think this is not a healthy relationship, he should attend anger management sessions, she's free to break up with him. But she should do it in a crowded place, she should also take  a trusted companion with her. After that she can file a restraining order if he doesn't quit". Darren replied.
Rhea nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, boss. That means a lot to me.You said you had something to tell me ". She replied.

" Well the thing is.." he paused, his expression turned serious, and he paused for a moment before speaking. "The thing is...I want you to marry me," he said bluntly.
Rhea's eyes widened in shock. "Sir? This...," she stuttered.
Darren held up a hand, gesturing for her to let him explain. "It's a marriage of convenience, Rhea. It would last for five years. If, after that time, we still don't feel any romantic connection, we can amicably part ways and divorce."

Rhea's mind reeled as she struggled to process Darren's unexpected proposal. A marriage of convenience? For five years? She couldn't wrap her head around it.

She finally asked " why me?, there are lots of..".
"Because you are you". Darren cuts in. He continues " well I've noticed you since you started working here long before you became my assistant ". He paused trying to read expression before he proceeds. " You are unique, different from other .."

" I know, I'm weird, I'm different in a bad kinda.." she softly cuts in. Darren grasped her hands in his as he says" I meant you are different in a good kind of way, you should never feel bad about yourself. You are you. Now that we are discussing this, I noticed something about you these pass few months, And I think it's time we talked about what's really going on with you, but if you don't feel comfortable talking about it , I'll respect that, but know that you can call me anytime and I will help you ". 
" Thank you sir, about the marr..". Rhea replied but Darren cuts in " you don't have to give me immediate response, think about it "
Rhea replied day" thank you sir," she nervously continues " actually about the friend, I um told you ,about , um well it's..".

Just as Rhea was about to open up, a sharp knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Rhea quickly withdrew her hand from Darren's, and he looked displeased. But he's angry at whosoever interrupted their conversation, a sharp knock again was heard.

"I  think you should um get that". Rhea said, she could not help but find this action of his cute
"Come in," he called out, his tone slightly irritated.
Lucy entered the office, her face retouched. She was taken aback by the sight of Darren sitting on the table in front of Rhea. Darren's anger was palpable, and Lucy felt a surge of pleasure, thinking he was angry with Rhea. But Darren's irritation was directed at Lucy herself.

"Is there something you need?" Darren asked curtly, his eyes narrowing. Lucy smirked, but Darren's expression quickly wiped the smile off her face. "Darren, on behalf of—" she began, but Darren cut her off. " Lucy, I've said it time and time again: you will refer to me as Mr. Hart or boss. If this happens again, there will be no next time." Darren's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Lucy's face flushed as she apologized, "Yes, sir, I'm sorry about that, sir." She composed herself and continued, "On behalf of all the employees, especially the females, we'd like to thank you for the new policies." Lucy bowed slightly, her eyes cast downward.She could not help but recall when she was Darren's assistant. she had told Darren she had cramps during her period. She had assumed he was not paying attention. But this new policies,he must have done this for me, she thought.

" If that's all, you can leave". Darren impatiently cuts in. " Yes sir". Lucy replied as she turns on her heels, she kept wondering if Rhea had fallen out of favor.

Immediately Lucy shut the door, Rhea stood up and said." Boss I need to go". Darren softly gazing  at her. He asked" weren't you about to tell me something?". She tenses" oh that um, that will be next time". "Okay anytime Rhea". He reassures her.

As she holds the door knob, she nervously asked" um boss?". "Yes Rhea?" he answered with soft eyes. "Um concerning me calling you anytime, does that offer like  still stand?" She quizzes.
" Sure, it does, irrespective of your answer". He replied.
Feeling relieved about Darren's reply, Rhea stepped out, whispering a soft " thank you ".