Chapter 1
“Ms. Sayles, your resignation has been approved by Mr. Tate, but he didn’t seem to notice it was from you. Should I remind him?” Christine stared down at her desk, voice quiet. “No, that’s not necessary. Let’s just leave it.”
“But you’ve been his secretary for four years. He relies on you more than anyone. Are you sure you don’t want to think it over?“&
HR kept trying to talk her out of it, but Christine simply smiled.”
“No one is truly indispensable. My parents aren’t well, and I need to go home to take care of them, maybe even get married. Since Mr. Tate already signed off on it, I’ll do the handover and leave in a month. Thank you for your help.“%
Once she hung up, Christine went back to packing. She’d lived in this place for three years. She didn’t have too much stuff, but not nothing either. She kept only what she really needed, tossing the rest without a second thought.
As the room emptied, she paused, letting old memories wash over her.”
Eight years ago, Christine was just a small–town girl who’d managed to get into H University. That’s where she met Tina, heiress to one of the city’s wealthiest families. Despite their totally different upbringings, the two girls became inseparable. They would go to classes together, share late–night snacks, go for those shopping trips, and everything.”
Tina eventually brought Christine into her world, introduced her to her family, and most importantly, to Brad.?
Christine fell for him almost immediately. But she kept it hidden. She never told anyone–not even Tina.
After graduation, Tina went abroad for grad school. Christine stayed, sent out resumes, and eventually landed a job as Brad’s secretary, all just so she could see him every day.”
Then, one night, everything changed. Brad was drugged at a work event. Christine was about to call an ambulance, but before she could, Brad–completely out of control–pinned her against the wall and kissed her like he was drowning.”
The next morning, Christine woke up to find him sitting by the window, his sharp features blurred by cigarette smoke. Somehow, he looked calm but impossibly alone.”
When he heard her stir, he turned and asked, “Do you have a thing for me?“?
Christine’s first instinct was to deny it, but Brad just kept going, his face unreadable.
“You blush every time you see me. You remember all my preferences. You joined my company right after graduation, just to be near me… Don’t tell me all of that is just a coincidence.“}
His words, slow and pointed, made her cheeks burn. She didn’t know if it was embarrassment or guilt.
In the silence that followed, he handed her a card.”
“Last night was an accident. I already have someone else in my heart. I can’t return your feelings, and I can’t be responsible for what happened. Tina mentioned your family isn’t well–off. There’s enough money on this card for you to live comfortably. Forget about all of this.“%
Christine just sat there, stunned. Then she remembered–last night, even in bed, he kept calling out a name.!
Ava. Ava.!
Tina had told her about Ava before. She’s Brad’s first love, the one he could never forget. Even after–Ava dumped him, moved overseas, and dated one guy after another, Brad still insisted he’d wait for her to come back.”
Christine remembered Tina sighing, “Our family is known for being cold and distant. I don’t know how Brad turned out to be such a hopeless romantic. He’s waited for years, swearing he’ll never settle for anyone else. He’d rather be alone than settle.“%
Christine understood that feeling all too well. Thinking back now, she found herself calling out to Brad just as he was about to leave. “I don’t want your money. I just want a chance. Mr. Tate, please–be with me. If she never comes back, or if she does and you’re still not over her, I’ll leave on my own.“%
Brad stared at her for a long moment. His gaze was impossible to read. Finally, he said, “Do as you wish,” and walked out.
After that, Christine became his secretary by day and his secret lover by night. They left traces of their affair everywhere–the office, the backseat of his Mercedes, against the floor–to–ceiling windows in his penthouse.”
Four years went by. No one knew about them, and Christine was content to keep it that way.
Until a few days ago, on Brad’s birthday, when Christine went all out, planning surprises and hoping, for once, to celebrate with him.
08:54
