At Harper's desk, or her old desk, the new secretary was already seated. As Harper approached, she looked over the new hire. She has long, black hair that falls naturally past her shoulders, slightly tousled but well-kept, framing her face. Her complexion is smooth, and her facial features are soft yet defined, with dark eyebrows, calm brown eyes and a neutral, composed expression. She is wearing a dark grey blazer that fits close to her body, giving a tailored, structured look. Underneath, she has a simple dark top, keeping the outfit understated and cohesive. Around her neck is a delicate necklace, subtle but noticeable. 'Damn, she is pretty,' Harper thought as she went to stand beside the new hire, feeling a pang of jealously she quickly supresses. "Good morning," Harper said with the friendliest tone she can muster. "Oh, good morning. You aren't from IT by any chance?" she asks in a professional tone of voice. "No, I am… I used to be in your position. I am here to show you the ropes," Harper said quickly. "Why are you waiting for IT?"
"Someone from HR, Tanja… I think, told me to wait for IT to log out and give me the details of my account," the new hire said, then she quickly added, "I am Stella." She offered her hand to Harper for a shake; Harper shook her hand lightly. "I can log out really quick then show you around a bit," Harper said professionally. Stella stood up from the chair and stood aside so Harper could sit down. Harper typed out her password with practiced efficiency and before she could log all her various accounts out, an email arrived from Oliver. She quickly glanced at it before logging out of all the relevant accounts.
From: [email protected]
Meeting scheduled for 10 AM re: Q2 projections. Can you prepare preliminary analyses beforehand?
Harper started showing Stella around and Stella told her about some of the reorganising she had done while waiting for IT. Her organisation skills impressed Harper and as they talked, she realised that Stell was very well informed of her duties. Harper then replied to Oliver's email,
From: [email protected]
"Your new secretary, Stells, has already prepared the preliminary analysis. She is prepared. I think you will like her. See you at the office."
…
When Oliver's driver finally pulled into the underground parking garage, Oliver was already ten minutes late for work. He stepped into the elevator and as it ascended, he prepared himself to meet the new secretary. When the elevator opened onto the fourth floor, employees were already seated at their desk working. His steps slowed as he approached his office, his gaze immediately finding Harper, leaning over her old desk pointing to something on the computer screen. The sight of Stells seated at Harper's old desk, poised and professional in her black blazer, sent an unfamiliar pang through his chest. When Harper saw Oliver, she immediately smiles. "Good morning," she greeted with a friendly tone of voice. "Good morning," Oliver returned Harper's greeting, his voice slightly cooler than intended. He nodded curtly toward Stella. "You must be Stells. I trust Harper has brough you up to speed on our company protocols?" he moved toward his own office door, bypassing the two women without making eye contact with either of them. His usual morning routine felt disrupted buy their presence together– Harper in her new role as Marius' assistant while Stells occupied her old space. "Stella has been an excellent addition so far. She caught on to our filing system right away and even organized the supply closet," Harper commented cheerfully from behind him.
"Just a sec, Stella," Harper said to Stella before following Oliver to his office door. "I got you coffee," she said from behind him. He paused mid-stride, his hand already reaching for the doorknob to his office. The sound of her footsteps following him sent a jolt of something warm through him, momentarily overriding his irritation at finding her replaces. He turned slowly, his blue eyes landing on her as she entered his office with him, carrying a takeaway coffee mug and closing his office door behind her. The sight of her in her professional attire, looking completely at ease in his personal space was both familiar and disorienting. "Thank you," he said, taking the takeaway coffee mug from her hands. His fingers brushed against hers for a brief moment before he stepped further into the room. "I appreciate it. His gaze flickered toward the closed door behind her, ensuring privacy before speaking more freely. "How are you settling into your new role with Marius? Is he treating you well?" the question was professional, yet his tone carried an underlying current of concern that went beyond typical employer interest.
"I haven't been to my new desk yet," Harper said softly. "Marius said I could spend half the day catching your new secretary up, before I officially start in his department." Oliver's grip on the takeaway coffee mug tightened slightly at her admission. The realization that she would be spending half her day right next to him, working within arm's reach, sent a wave of unwanted excitement through him. "Half the day?" he repeated, his voice taking on a sharper edge than intended. "That is hardly efficient use of your time. Marius knows I prefer my staff to hit the ground running, not waste hours transferring files." He set the mug down on his desk with more force than necessary, turning to face you fully. His icy blue eyes scanned her face as if searching for cracks in her carefully constructed professional façade. "You should be learning Marius's systems, his preferred communication styles, how he handles client negotiations," Oliver continued, listing off demands with increasing intensity. "Instead, you are here helping Stella organize binders she will not even remember by next week."
"I know how important it is for your space to be efficiently organised and running smoothly," Harper said soothingly. "I know this is probably a big change for you and… well, I wanted to make sure you would be alright without me."