Ruby's Secret

CHAPTER - 8

"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each new day to have a new and different sun…. Don’t settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon." ~ Jon Krakauer

NIKOLAS PALLIS P.O.V

As I grew up, I didn't usually care, I was spoiled, loved and got everything which I wanted but life has its own way to teach everyone.

Ever since I was born, my parents molded me to become a great man like them because I would rule the Pallis fortune someday. I had the best tutor in academics and language. Aside from English, I learned to speak Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hindi, Filipino, Italian and Chinese.

My life took a three sixty degree turn when I graduated from Harvard. My parents thought that I could finally handle our business but I walked into a different part that I didn't even know what I did for two year. My life after graduation was fully blurred.

I started doing things that would make my family freak out. I mastered assembling different types of rifles and weapons, taking parts in street fights. Getting my arms and leg broken, coming home with a body full of bruises. Started taking part in dangerous sports like volcano bungee jumping. Heli-skiing, high wave surfing, racing cars and bikes.

I felt that I was over. My life has ended. I don't want anything but I don't know how, but he tracked me down and flew back to the Himalayas where I was getting ready to climb the mountain. He dragged me from there without saying a single word. He didn't take me home, instead he admitted me to a military camp where I spend my six months going under strict training. Releasing from there, I was shocked to meet my mother waiting for me.

Like my father she also didn't talk and gave me the cold shoulder as if I wasn't even there.

I tried to talk with her but her once sentence took my breath away. "My son died two years ago." That's when I promised myself, I will get back my life and make my parents feel proud of me.

I devoted my time running our family business, Pallis Shipping & Co, from all over the world. I attended every single meeting, site, and sea instead of my father. I asked him to look after our main branch and stay close to mother and I will handle the rest.

And I went to the place where my parents wanted to see me. C.E.O Nikolas Pallis.

The moment I arrived at the office building, the security guards greeted me. I nodded at them and went directly to the lobby, where my private elevator was. Many employees were there, some just arrived and the other waited for the elevator to open. The crowded and noisy area suddenly became solemn when I entered, like you were walking inside an empty church.

The silence was so deafening that you could hear a drop of coin on the floor. Each employee stood frozen on their feet. Their eyes riveted on me. Fear and anxiety were visible on their faces.

"Good Morning, Mr. Pallis."

"Good Morning, Sir."

Everyone greeted me. I just nodded my head and went directly to my private elevator. I was impressed how fast the news fly. Me being cold-hearted and short-tempered spread like wildfire.

I should get used to this because it will be my everyday scenario.

I stepped out of the elevator and walked towards my office when I stopped and looked at the other door beside me.

Curiously I went towards the door and opened it. It was one of the messiest rooms I have ever seen in my life. File and paper were scattered all over the couch and table. The cover of the file was carelessly thrown on the floor. A black coat was hanging on the chair. Used coffee cups were sitting on top of paper.

The room looks like a storm has passed by.

My face scrunched in disgust as I can feel my anger rising up from this unprofessionalism.

But it soon dies down, when I read the name board. C.E.O's Secretary.

I walked out of the room, with a sly smile as I know how to start torturing her when a girl with a black miniskirt, red blouse with a very plunging neckline and too bright red lipstick smiled at me.

"Good morning, Mr. Pallis. I am Brittney West, your new personal assistant." She was batting her thick false eyelashes at me.

I looked at her and frowned upon hearing my personal assistant?

"Who hired you?" I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Some nerd looking girl with ugly glasses." She seductively answers, biting her lips.

A sadist smile spread on my lips as I waved my hand at her. "Miss West, you're fired."

With that I immediately went inside my office and closed the door with a loud smack.

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It was twelve in the afternoon and still there was no sign of my so-called secretary. I was impatiently waiting for her, so I could asked her to make me an espresso but it looked like my father gave her more privileges than I thought.

I tried to concentrate on my work, but after every five minute my eyes would look at the clock and then at the door, thinking what if she came.

But to my utter disappointment, she didn't come on my first day. My mood became sour as I snapped at everyone who dared to come inside the office with work related queries.

The management of this office is so loose that everyone thinks they can do whatever they want.

Calling for a board meeting, I stood at the head of the table slamming my hand on the table.

"Who was in charge of monthly revenue?" I gritted my teeth as I looked at the incomplete file in front of me.

"Ruby, sir." The guy from the finance department spoke gulping down his breath.

"Who looked after the Greece project?"

"Ruby, sir." One of the girls spoke with a quirky voice.

I scowled when I heard that name again. "Who was in charge of presentations?"

"Ru...Ruby sir."

"Design?" I raised my eyebrows standing straight crossing my arms around my chest.

"Ruby sir."

"Tell me one thing in which Ruby isn't involved?"

Silence!

Everyone took a sharp intake of breath as if they would die if they dared to breathe in front of me. I can feel my temper rising as not a single person can report to me what the hell is actually going on in this damn company.

Everything, each and every one thing from receptionist to economy of the company, from financial to design department every little to big thing work under this woman who swore to test my nerve.

"I want Miss. Ruby here, in one hour and if you failed to do that, then consider yourself fired." I snapped glaring at them. "All of you."

"Wh...what?" Everyone gasped with wide eyes.

Walking towards the door, I stopped and turned, looking at everyone as their faces went pale. "And yes, I am deducting half of your salary from this month."

With that I walked out, giving all of them a taste of how to take their job seriously.

A cunning smile, intact on face as I know she will be here within one hour.

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