CH 01: Five-Minute Break Up

"Did you inform the producers about the investment pull out?"

"Yes, I sent them an email notice."

"What about that casting director I wanted fired?"

"He's now laid off permanently."

"Did you remind my 3 o'clock appointment about the meeting?"

"Yes, they confirmed their attendance. I also sent them your specific instructions and emphasized the consequences for tardiness."

Ambryan Hathaway walked around his desk. His office's glass wall displayed a view of the city. Most of it consisted of other tall buildings, their roofs more visible to the eye than the streets. The backrest of his chair towered over his tall sitting height. He leaned back comfortably, elbows resting on the armrests.

The wool of his navy blue suit and vest hugged his muscles. The color made his eyes more blue than violet. Under the sun, his beige skin glowed and the gel in his onyx hair shined. The hairstyle exposed his face shape, particularly his square jawline.

Ambryan relaxed his shoulder. The scowl he wore faded. He raised his chin, closing his eyes. To anyone who worked directly with him, they'd know that he just let down his guard. This was the only time he placed himself in a vulnerable state.

Eve knew it more than anyone.

She folded her hands over her stomach, still holding her work phone. She maintained a neutral expression. Whenever she spoke, her words came out clipped and concise.

"Would you like some tea for your 15-min break?"

"Black. No sugar. In a pot. Keep the tea bag in."

"Yes, sir. Right away." She bowed down to the waist. Then, headed to a nearby table. Everything she needed had already been prepared. She brewed the tea according to Ambyran's liking. She added an extra bag for the tea pot since it meant that her boss wanted more than a cup.

It would be a long day ahead for both of them.

She made a mental note to inform Andie about it.

Eve placed the pot and the cup on a tray. She carried it over to his desk, careful not to disturb the silence. Her heels clicked on the floor with light pressure. The door swung soundlessly since its hinges were frequently oiled.

The only sound came from its latch.

Once free, Eve let out a long breath of relief. She rolled her shoulders and squeezed her back. A soft moan rumbled in her throat. 'It felt good to stretch,' she thought. She continued the rest of the way and sat behind her own desk. The monitor flooded her vision with endless emails.

"Alright," she whispered, lacing her fingers together and pushing her palms forward. She cracked her knuckles for a bit. "Let's answer as many as possible for the next 14 minutes."

Soft keys fluttered from the keyboard. The pace matched 4 per second. Brown eyes focused on the series of texts. Any concerns meant for another department were redirected to the point person. Any inquiries on status reports were backed up with her own reminder to the respective team.

Any matters that needed the CEO's attention were also forwarded.

Except for selective positions, all emails went through Eve. She filtered and categorized them according to the content and its importance. She avoided suggesting any decision. If she had one in mind, it would have to be recommended to the proper authority.

She had kept this in mind ever since her first year on the job. Although she held a higher position than many, she did not gain the voice to openly speak on behalf of those above her—unless granted by them previously.

The intercom rang. Not missing a beat, Eve pressed the answer button. She continued to address the emails on her inbox.

"What is it?"

"Good day, Ms. Hart," the security guard said, "There's a Miss Charlee Edwards here, claiming to be the boss' lover."

"Escort her please."

"Got it, Ms. Hart. Have I told you that you look lovely today?"

Eve rolled her eyes. A small smile tugged on the corner of her lips. She had one finger on the end button. "Say that to your wife more often."

She heard a boisterous laugh before she disconnected the call. She shook her head. Darryl always made everyone's day with his compliments. Despite his old age, he did bring some positive energy to the company.

The elevator dinged from her left. The tapping ceased as Eve turned towards it. Darryl stepped aside and waited by the entrance. Then, a stunning woman walked out of the lift. Crushed white pearls adorned her pink summer dress. A slender tan leg peeked under a long slit. Voluminous mocha hair flowed down to the waist in beach waves.

Eve steeled her nerves as she approached the visitor.

"Ms. Edwards," she greeted the aspiring actress.

Unfortunately, Charlee Edwards ignored her. The guest headed for the door. Eve intercepted and blocked her path. Whatever remorse she felt before had dissipated. Her smile became tight.

This time, she wasn't unnoticed.

"Who are you?" Charlee questioned, eyeing Eve from head to toe.

The gesture struck a nerve inside her. The actress didn't even pretend to be subtle. Eve felt the judgement when Charlee scrunched her nose. "I'm Sir Hathaway's secretary."

"Then, you know who I am."

'Didn't I just call out your name?' Eve answered in her head. The pulse increased its speed beneath her temple. Even after all these years, she didn't know how her boss picked his 'girlfriends' for various events. It certainly had nothing to do with their personalities.

How could he even tolerate their behavior for an extended period?

Before she could produce a proper response, Charlee moved to a different topic.

"Are you a woman?"

"Yes," Eve replied, flinching.

"No wonder he likes to play around." Charlee clicked her tongue. She crossed her arms over her chest, walking around the secretary in a circle. "You're not exactly desirable to the eye. His sensual hunger must be so deprived."

Eve. Wanted. To. Barf.

Who talked this way? She wasn't blind. Her heart fluttered the first time she saw her boss. No matter how short the distance was, their worlds remained far apart. She had buried that crush to the Depths of Hell. Instead, she considered it a blessing to even work for someone both attractive in physique and in work ethic.

That was enough motivation for her to excel in her own job.

"Now, move."

Charlee's command broke Eve out of her reverie. She dodged around the actress and pressed her back against the door. "Please, Miss Edwards. The boss had prepared a gift for you. I was instructed to hand it over as soon as you arrive."

It was as if Eve had spoken the magic words. The hostility vanished before her eyes.

"He's such a sweet man, isn't he?" Charlee giggled. Her entire demeanor changed as a wide smile stretched her lips. Giddiness flooded her insides. "Well then, where is it?"

"Follow me." Eve sighed. She led the way to the door beside the elevator. Darryl directed a wink in her direction. She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. They both knew what was coming next.

She took out a small box from the closet. It had a baby blue wrapping and satin white ribbon. A small note stuck out from the bow. Ambryan's handwriting filled it with Charlee's name and his signature.

The actress snatched it away immediately.

"Oh my goodness! Is this a ring?!" Charlee exclaimed.

'Are you delusional?' Eve remarked in silence, biting her tongue. Those words almost flew out of her mouth. It astonished her how many times she heard this assumption. Why couldn't her boss pick someone with more originality?

The ribbon landed on the floor as Charlee opened the box. A 20k diamond anklet twinkled on top of a velvet cushion. Small stones covered the chain, leaving little space for the gold band to shine through. A few charms dangled with more diamonds. When worn, the aesthetic resembled a star shower.

"Well…" she huffed, holding the chain over her head. The lights beamed down on the diamonds. "If he was easy to get, I wouldn't have been attracted to him."

"He does have a message for you though," Eve began to say. She held her hands behind her back. When she smiled, it was out of pure delight. "Please tell Charlee Edwards that our affiliation ends here, whether she accepts the gift or not."

"Excuse me?" Charlee scoffed. She placed the anklet back in the box. "What did you just say?"

Eve did as requested, keeping her voice monotone.

The actress glared. She bared her teeth and sneered. "You're lying. Either I hear this from Ambryan himself or I won't believe it."

A phone appeared in Eve's hand. She tapped on the screen before a voice recording flowed out of its speakers. The exact same words came out but this time, it came from her boss. Ambryan had a rare deep and throaty voice that couldn't be easily duplicated.

"There you go. Satisfied?"

The authenticity couldn't be denied—even Charlee knew it. The blood drained off her face. Her body trembled from shock. Her plump lips paled as she stopped breathing.

Eve made eye contact with the third person in the room. "Darryl, please escort Ms. Edwards back downstairs. She is no longer allowed to enter the building."

"You can't do this…!" Charlee screamed as the security guard pulled her back to the elevator. She yanked her arm back but Darryl was much stronger than her. Soon, she found herself inside the lift.

"I didn't," Eve denied, shrugging her shoulders, "Think of it this way. You just didn't satisfy the boss' sensual hunger."

Then, she turned to Darryl, "If Ms. Edwards doesn't have a mode of transportation, kindly inform the chauffeur to drive her to her agency."

"Will do, Ms. Hart."

Eve waved her hand as the elevator doors closed. "Buh-bye now."

She walked back to her desk. Her forehead slammed against the table. A groan escaped her lips. The sides of her head started to ache. That was more stressful than her full inbox. Her hand pulled her drawer and took out the packet of painkillers.

"Honestly, I've done this enough times for me to have it as a skill on my resume," Eve mumbled, "Or maybe I could start a business with it. Need help with a break up? Look no further and call us! We'll wrap it up for you like a holiday present in just five minutes!"