Chapter 11

As the day goes by, I haven't forced Dad that I should continue to present the proposal because, mainly, maybe they don't trust me anymore. We also didn't get time together for ourselves. I don't know but because he's out on a business project or meeting, I haven't asked too much and it seems to be important that I have something to deal with on my own too.

I'm now packing my belongings to take to Mateo's office, and it's a waste of time knowing that after holding this position as in charge of merchandising some new products that are new to prove something that I can seal a deal, but never mind that Dad didn't listen to me either, and I failed as his secretary.

But that's fine. I can learn a lot from him since he's an ace at sealing deals even though he's the CEO of their company. I can't help but imagine that we haven't even talked for a long time, although that's fine. We don't need to talk, and we're not actual lovers, so there is no need for updates.

As I delivered my belongings to his office, I was surprised when the front desk asked me before I was able to enter the office.

"Who are they? Do you have an appointment with Mr. Mateo now?" She asked and smiled at me.

I'm not offended by it. The wedding was a closed reception, so only a few knew.

"I'm his new secretary, Chantal... Chantal Miler" I said with a smile.

"Oh yes, ma'am." she said with a bow, "Follow me."

She said as she opened the door for me.

Mateo's table was facing the entrance while mine was located on the side of the room, and there I went.

"Do you want anything? Iced tea or coffee?" She offered.

I smiled at her and told her as I put down the box I was holding on my table.

"No, thank you. I'll just fix my stuff and leave."

After I had arranged the things that I needed for this new job, I sat in my chair and turned it around. Then something caught my eye; Mateo's desk.

"Is he cleaning it or his secretary?" I said to myself and laughed, caressed his table, and to my surprise, it was dusty; I took a tissue from my bag and wiped its things; he took a long time in his business meeting, and he wasn't even able to clean his stuff very well.

Out of nowhere, I opened his drawer and was exposed to a photo in the frame. It was Mateo with a girl, and in her old photo, the girl has an angelic face, cat eyes, a pointy nose, and wavy hair. I don't know what kind of relationship they have with each other.

"The girl in the portrait at the storage room..."

I was confused when I saw that photo in Mateo's drawer, and I felt weak. I hope I didn't ruin something that had been precious to him.

I was surprised when his secretary suddenly came in with juice in her hand and I let go of the handle. I froze standing beside Mateo's chair.

"Ma'am, Sir Mateo asked me to give this to you."

"Oh, he's here already?" I asked in a daze.

"No ma'am, I just mentioned to him that you're here and Sir Mateo ask me to give this to you." She smiles at me.

"I hope he doesn't bother anymore. I'm leaving too. I just wiped his table because it was dusty." I said while pretending to wipe Mateo's desk.

"Mr. Harris has a lot of trust in you. He didn't want others to clean it even if he's gone out of town." She said and gave me a sweet smile.

I just nodded and smiled as she left, quickly picking up the photo and placing it back in his drawer. Thinking about the photo, I realized why seeing it makes me want to question Mateo, but I should respect his privacy.

After I finished what I was doing, I hurried out and bid his front desk goodbye. The picture began to haunt me but I shook my head and took a deep breath.

I'll just ask him when he gets back. When I got in my car, I called Mateo's number, and my heart was beating like crazy as if I had done something wrong. He answered the call and before I could ever speak.

"Hello? Who's this? Mateo is busy at the moment, but if you have an appointment with him, I'll tell him right away."

I was surprised when a woman answered my call. Usually, when I'm calling, he's the one who answers sometimes his secretary, but why this person doesn't know me? I remembered that my number was named, "Wifey."

Something felt suspicious.

"Babe, who's that?"

After Chantal heard that voice she frozed, it was Mateo's voice over the line which made my heart sink.

"Not speaking, maybe just the wrong number." The woman said then brutally ended the call.

I couldn't react anymore and drove calmly back to our house, not to the mansion, but I also told Edna the main maid of the mansion that I would spend the night here and they could party at home as long as it was clean when I arrived.

When I entered the house, Mom greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. She was wearing an apron and, to my guess, the dinner was delicious, just right for my what-so-ever-called broken tummy or heart.

I don't know what or how to feel

I sat on the sofa, I noticed that my curiosity could not just be swept under the rug. Then, I decided to talk to Dad about this matter in case it might get too embarrassing.

I knew exactly what to do. It was to ask my best friend, Mom.

"What's for dinner, Mom?" I said to her and hugged her from the back.

"Is there a problem?" she asked me and just looked at me.

I stayed silent and she held my chin and said, "I'm your mother. I know when there is something wrong."

"Ahm, I'm at Mateo's office to arrange my things." She nodded and listened again.

"Then I saw something like a picture of him with a girl." Mom just listened to me as if she understood me.

"I think they were very close."

Mother released her hold of me and think for a second, "Yes..."

"Before your marriage. Lesia, your mother-in-law, suddenly shares knowledge about the girl that they didn't like her."

I just lean at the kitchen table and listened.

"So, in their eyes, the woman looks opportunistic, so they can't accept her."

"He was Mateo's girlfriend for 8 years, maybe she was the one he was with in that picture."