On a fairly bright Monday, Athena was already getting ready in front of the mirror. Today she was wearing a white top. The beautiful woman rolled up her sleeves to her elbows, not forgetting her knee-length skirt and matching shoes. She also combed her blonde hair neatly, letting it down and styling it to one side. After ensuring her appearance was perfect, the twenty-seven-year-old woman hurried to ZY Corp, her workplace for the past four years.
Her impression of the job she's been working for four years? If she were to rate it on a scale of one to ten, she'd give it a 9.5/10. The work environment is great, the salary is generous, and she often receives unexpected bonuses. The only problem is her boss, Nikolov Zhestkiy.
Is Director Nikolov a bad person? No, he's a normal man who's a little hard to read. So normal that Athena finds him a little boring and monotonous.
Athena always arrived early. She was already sitting at her desk an hour before Director Nikolov arrived, because she would be finished if the director arrived before her.
"Morning Secretary Athena." Athena turned her head when she heard the greeting.
"Good morning, Chief Secretary." It was Secretary Stuart, the chief secretary of the company. He was a man whose hair was almost completely white. Of all the people and employees of ZY Corp, he was one of the longest-serving employees and had a very good relationship with the CEO of ZY Corp. Not to mention, he knew many things that others didn't.
In terms of personality, Secretary Stuart is a senior figure who can guide his juniors well, Athena learned a lot from this man.
Just as Athena was relaxing at her desk, Director Nikolov arrived in the office. "Good morning, Director." Athena stood up to greet him, quickening her pace, trailing behind her boss, her hands clutching the day's schedule.
"Hmmm," was Director Nikolov's short reply that morning, meaning he was in a normal mood. Not bad, but not good either.
"Today there is a meeting to meet with the manager of Bui Group at ten in the morning. After lunch your schedule is to visit the school construction project site in city X, after that there is also a meeting with—" Athena stopped immediately when Nikolov raised his hand.
"Make an appointment with Miss Tiffany's manager for lunch today. City X is very far, I won't be able to attend Star TV's birthday party tonight, and tell the manager he must bring Miss Tiffany with him." Athena thought the director was done talking, but it turned out not to be, "also, tell the manager of Bui Corp, that he must not be late."
"Yes, Director." Athena took note of her boss's entire remark without missing anything. "Oh, one more thing. If the chief manager of the planning team comes, you must tell him to review the report carefully before placing it on my desk, if he doesn't want his report to be used as a 'sample' at next week's meeting." Now Nikolov focused on the work waiting on the table. That was Athena's cue to leave the room.
Athena had just closed the door when she was immediately confronted by the head manager of the planning team. "Secretary Athena, is the director in his office?" he asked.
"Chief Manager Hon, have you reviewed it thoroughly? The director said he would use your report as an example if you make a mistake like that time," Athena said with a straight face. Manager Hon's face paled, and he decided to review the report again before submitting it to his superior.
....
Athena had already reserved the best place for Director Nikolov and Miss Tiffany's lunch this afternoon at a five-star restaurant. The artist's manager had managed to persuade Miss Tiffany to join him for lunch, but upon seeing the shock on her face when she saw Athena there, she knew he had tricked her.
Hah... poor woman.
Miss Tiffany wanted to leave immediately, but she didn't know what the manager said, so she finally canceled her plans and went into the room where Director Nikolov was waiting.
"Good afternoon, Miss Tiffany. The director is waiting for you inside." Athena kept her expressionless face. Being expressionless was a skill she had acquired during her four years at ZY Corp.
Both Director Nikolov and Miss Tiffany enjoyed lunch inside the VIP room, while Athena and Miss Tiffany's manager, waited outside with their lunch.
The manager looked flustered and kept looking at the closed door. Athena understood what was going on and said, "Please eat, you can eat whatever you want, manager. Don't worry, the director won't do anything to Miss Tiffany. After this, we have to leave immediately."
Wondering who Miss Tiffany is? She's a rookie actress who Director Nikolov has been recklessly attracted to. However, instead of being attracted to her, the actress is terrified of Nikolov and refuses to meet him.
And true enough, as unreasonable as her boss was when it came to love, he was still a professional man. Right on schedule, they exited the VIP room. Miss Tiffany left with the manager after thanking Director Nikolov for the lunch that day, while she and Nikolov continued their journey to City X.
"This trip will take about two hours. You can rest during the trip, director."
"....."
There was no answer from the boss, which meant that today was going to be a very long day.
During the trip, she and Mr. Ili, the driver, and the director were in the car, who hadn't said a word since leaving the restaurant. His expression was dark, his brows furrowed, and although he appeared preoccupied with work, his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. Ah... he must have been rejected outright by Miss Tiffany again.
"Director, it looks like there's roadworks up ahead—" Ili's driver said, pulling the luxury car over to the side of the road. Athena glanced at her boss, who remained silent, awaiting further orders. Realizing Athena was staring at him, the young director made a displeased sound with his lips. "Are you still waiting for my instructions?"
"Let's turn around and find another way, Mr. Ili," Athena said to the driver. The blonde woman wanted to roll her eyes or slap the documents she was carrying at her boss, but she kept reminding herself that her salary was well worth the work she did as Director Nikolov Zhestkiy's secretary.
....