Chapter 2

9 a.m.

Ian parks the car in front of the large Blackwood building located in Lower Manhattan and looks at me through the rearview mirror. I look through the car mirror at the glass doors of the building and feel a sudden thrill. John won't be in his office anymore when I enter. He won't scold me anymore, won't serve me good whiskey, and won't look at me as his spoiled little girl.

I feel a tear rolling down my cheek and quickly wipe it away because I don't want Ian or the employees of the company to see my suffering. I must be strong. I must do this to honor the trust John placed in me.

I look at Ian and say:

"You can take the day off. Pick me up in the evening, but only if I call you."

"Understood, miss."

"Alright. Have a good day."

I get out of the car and as I step on the sidewalk, I feel a strong wind blowing through my hair. A wonderful sensation. I am dressed as a business owner should be, following the elite and my love for suits. It's something I have always done.

The car drives away and I make my way to the entrance. I pass through the glass doors and greet the security guards at the entrance. I pass by the receptionists and wave at them, as they already knew me and knew that I wasn't a strict boss with the employees. I then head for the elevator and press the button for the top floor, where John's office was located and where it was waiting for me to become mine. I enter the elevator and the doors close behind me.

The elevator doors open and I step out. After a few steps, I reach the department and find the employees deeply focused. Impeccable organization. Everyone looks at me in surprise because they never imagined I would be back at the company so soon after John's passing. Among them are some new faces, but there is also a familiar face that belongs to Miss Miranda Costello. She used to work as my brother's secretary and now she will be mine.

Miranda waves at me when she sees me and quickly comes over. She is short, black, her hair is honey brown, and her eyes are black. She is an elegant lady.

"What are you doing here so early, miss?" she asks with a smile on her face, leaning in to give me a side hug.

"I came to assume my new role, unfortunately!" I say, trying to maintain my seriousness.

"Miss Blackwood... my condolences. Mr. John was a very beloved person." she steps away from me because the employees are watching and can see her hugging me as if we were close friends." I visited him at the cemetery, but couldn't attend the funeral.

"Don't worry, Miranda, and thank you for always being by his side.

"You're welcome."

I walk towards John's former office and Miranda accompanies me...

"Miss... there have been some changes in the past two months while you were abroad."

"What kind of changes, Miranda?"

"Well... I'm no longer the only secretary assigned to work solely for Mr. John or now... for you."

"What do you mean? "I stop a few inches from the room and Miranda accidentally trips over me. I hold her to prevent her from falling, and she quickly steps away once she regains her balance and looks around to see if any of the employees are watching us.

"Well... Mr. John hired a new secretary due to a high volume of calls and some paperwork delays."

"He did the right thing... saving you from so much work. You're such a dedicated person, you should earn money without having to work."

"Thank you, miss." she thanks me, a little embarrassed.

"Don't be like that... I like to compliment those who are dedicated, you know."

"True."

We laugh in silence...

"But... did he decrease your salary when he decreased your workload?"

"No, miss... on the contrary. Mr. John increased everyone's salary in this department."

"Great news." I affirm and like what I've heard. John did something good before he died.

"Yes, miss. It helped many of the employees."

I continue my way to my newest office and enter because the door is already open. That is now my office.

The walls are gray, John's favorite color. The window is on the left, facing other buildings. There are a few medium-sized paintings and a black sofa. It was on that sofa that John liked to play cards with me. A very vivid memory in me. And at the end of the room was the brown table and the black chair he sat in every day. The computer, the phone, the pens, the papers, and the red cup with the name of the company that was our last name.

I approach the window and look at the buildings, while Miranda is silent, because she knows I am remembering various moments with my brother.

A few minutes later, I go to the table and sit in the chair. That chair is so comfortable, that it's easy to fall asleep on it.

"Ms. Blackwood... I'll leave you alone now."

"Yes, Miranda."

"Would you like something to drink, ma'am? I can arrange it!"

"Yes, Miranda... coffee without sugar."

"Yes, ma'am." Miranda leaves, closing the door, and I start thinking about random things because if I only think about my brother, I will end up in tears.

Amidst my thoughts, I remember that Miranda told me about a new secretary, but she didn't give any details about her. The new secretary had already been working at the company for two months, the time I spent abroad dealing with personal matters and issues involving the company. I was my brother's right hand when he couldn't leave the company. I always went in his place, because John chose not to have a wife or children.

Some time passes, and Miranda is back in my office. She leaves the coffee on the table and some papers next to it.

"Here you go, ma'am."

"Thank you. I'll feel much better after having the coffee."

"I know, ma'am," she says with a genuine smile.

"And these papers? What are they?"

"Oh... they are some documents that need your signature. From now on, you'll be doing this frequently."

"Okay, Miranda," I smile at her.

"Let me know when they're signed."

"Yes."

"I'm leaving, excuse me," she says and heads towards the door.

"Wait, Miranda," I ask.

"Yes, what do you want?" she says, slightly turned to the side without fully facing me.

"Well... I want to know the name of the new secretary. You haven't told me yet."

"Oh, yes... her name is Mia Lancaster. If you want to know more information about her, take a look at her resume. It's all on the computer."

"Thank you, Miranda... you can go now, and thanks again for the coffee."

Miranda nods with a smile and leaves the room, closing the door again. I start drinking the coffee and take a look at the documents I need to sign.

I get up from the chair, walk around the room while drinking the coffee, and decide to check the new secretary's resume. I open the computer after sitting on the edge of the table. I search for the resume with the name "Mia Lancaster" and quickly find it.

I see that there's a photo on it. I also see that this Mia Lancaster has a beautiful appearance. An impeccable resume as she is fluent in French and Italian. She is 22 years old and lives on the north side of the city.

In the photo, I can see that her skin is fair, her hair is light brown and long, and her eyes are dark green. She has an attractive face.

I set the resume aside for a moment and pick up the phone. I call Miranda, who answers after several rings.

"Yes, Ms. Blackwood?"

"Miranda, I would like to meet Ms. Lancaster, so ask her to come to my office."

"Ms... Mia Lancaster is not in the company... she is on sick leave and will only return to work tomorrow."

"That's fine, Miranda... but while I have you on the phone, come and pick up the documents."

"Okay... I'm on my way."

The call ends, and I go back to my chair to sign the documents. Just as I finish signing, I hear knocks on the door.

"Come in!" I say because I know it's Miranda.

When the door opens, a tall, fair-skinned blonde woman enters and walks directly to my table. She is dressed in a beige dress that falls to mid-high, accentuating her curves, and black high heels. She carries a small black purse on her right arm. That woman is none other than the person I ignored. The rich bitch.

I remain seated in my chair and watch as she leans over the table, trying to appear sexy. Meanwhile, she stares at me with her light blue eyes.

Lisa Mitchell was my ex-friend, and now that I was back in New York, she had come to meet me, trying to convince me to get back together with her. But no, never! What she had done to me was unforgivable. Not even her countless phone calls could make me forget her damn betrayal.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***