Seductive Secrets

Chapter 2

A slightly disoriented Lia meets Maria, who came to show her around and in general makes her feel comfortable at the company.

Maria noticed the slight tremble in Lia's hands while she tried to extend her hand.

She greeted "Good morning ma".

Maria laughed to ease the tension. She had been in her shoes before - fresh from college, getting a first job, she understood the entire drill and so couldn't go tough now.

Then, walking up to Lia with a sunny smile she quipped, "Good morning hon, hope you're doing well?".

That usually puts them in a calmer mood. She was then shocked when even her best behavior failed to put Lia at ease. She noticed that the slight tension still remained in her.

"Okay, please come with me and tell me what the problem is?, " she asked her voice taking on a more concerned tone.

Lia eased slightly and looked up at the woman. Well, looks were certainly deceiving and so were voices over the phone. Over the phone, the woman definitely sounded official and even impersonal, but now meeting someone like this in this sort of place was like warm light on a very cold morning.

She thought even as she accompanied her to her office to straighten things out, she needed all the help she could get right now

Maria almost laughed as Lia narrated the incident, trying to imagine the look on Georgio's face. It seemed like a pleasant story worth a good laugh, but the fact was that it definitely was not going to be pleasant for the young woman in front of her, that is unless someone like her stepped in.

So looking at the young lady, she said, "Do not worry about that, it'll be okay, I'll talk to him about it and make sure nothing happens to you okay".

It wasn't something beyond her reach but at least one thing she was sure of was that she had the boss's ear. Though, on certain matters it might be slightly difficult to convince him, but it was certainly not too much for Maria Walters.

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She awoke with a startle from a frightening dream. It was the same dream, always the same dream where her mama died or went to heaven, as her father said, to become an angel. She hated the thought of that, the knowing that her mama Alyssa would no longer be there to come pick her up like she used to, sing her songs and tell her stories.

Yes, her papa was around, but the truth was that he was not always there. He had been there more often when mama was still alive. At least, she could remember them sitting in the reserved boxes at football games, watching and cheering together, while she gobbled up popcorn, chocolates and whatever else her heart desired, especially if she had been a good girl.

Mama always wanted her to be a good girl and it meant eating her vegetables and learning her ABC. Well, it all ended two years ago when Mama passed away. Well, pops tried to continue it at first, but it was easy to see even from her own childish eyes, then that pop was also overcome with his own grief that he could barely console her in hers.

So he shouted at her for odd reasons to the point where she just stopped going to him anymore. He was no consolation. Then she had torn the Letter books and threw them away. They couldn't bring mama back and they definitely couldn't help her. That was when she stopped talking. It seemed her voice had disappeared with her mum and try as she could, she could no longer bring it back.

She longed for those good old days, well it seemed those days weren't even close by. She would just have to make do with what she had. She got up and walked down the stairs as the maid called her name. Lunch was already served.

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"Lia Fernandez, the new secretary, is here sir," Maria said gently.

She walked into the office while Lia tagged along. Lia walked into the office and was immediately sure she was in another world altogether.

Its floor had a silk Persian rug, with gold-plated lights giving it a picturesque view. Right in front of them was an elegant wooden table, complete with leather at the rim, engraved with the words "ARMANDO BOSS" in cursive writing.

Behind it sat Georgio Armando, reclining on an Elysium- R zero gravity and looking every inch the king in this kingdom where glamour and money seemed to form an intertwining bond and embrace with each other. To his right was a gold plated model of a shoe, while behind Georgio stood a seeming trophy shelf with a stack of awards. If this company was a kingdom, then this place sure qualified to be called a palace.

Georgio's face seemed to be a bit ruffled on sighting Lia.

“It seemed he had not forgotten his encounter with her earlier today, Maria thought.

That could be the only one reason why he would have such an unusual reaction. Unknown to Lia, despite him being rough on the surface, deep down Georgio was a thorough gentleman.

Maria felt she had to come up with a quick defense, which she immediately did.

"Sir, we did a thorough examination of all applicants, and found no candidate better suited for the job than Miss Fernandez. Not only was her C.V second to none, but also her interpersonal skills and the level of intellect and wit she displayed during the tests were second to none".

When she saw that none of the things she volunteered were having the desired effect,

She then added quickly, "She graduated summa c*m laude from college and was valedictorian of her set".

These words stopped Georgio right in his tracks. As much as he might dislike a person, he genuinely respected hard work wherever he found it and couldn't resist it.

Little wonder why Maria had come into his office with the young woman. She must have known that on her own, Lia stood little chance against him, especially after the morning incident.

He looked down unconsciously at the stain on his shirt again. There was a lipstick stain on his dress for the first time in how long? After about how many years.....

It so much troubled him to get something as a simple kiss or a brush of the lips from a lady.

The last time he had felt such was about two years ago when his Alyssa was still alive. Then, at least once a week, he had those lipstick stains which he and Alyssa called "badges of honor" pasted on his shirt especially when he arrived early from work or he got her a gift.

It was a beautiful and wonderful time. For some seconds, he allowed himself to drift back in time to those moments when it had just been him, Alyssa and Gabriella against the world. It sure had it's spectacular moments, but fast-forward back to this particular moment.

He sat down on his chair and, raising his head, he saw the expression on Maria's face begging him to accept.

But then this lady, he would definitely have to be careful around her. Just an accidental brush of her lips had brought back locked-up memories into his head. He just couldn't afford love now, as it might be very expensive.

Now she was the best bet for a secretary and he needed the best, plus Maria was pleading with the lady to be accepted.

He knew it was the only option he had. "Okay, he finally said.

She's hired, he added.

He hopes he doesn't regret this decision....