Secretary

"Why don't you just apply to me, Artemesia? You don't even have to work. I mean, just sit and stay pretty, you will be paid." Dalton laughed.

Good thing Dalton spoke. I avoided Braxton's gaze.

What is wrong with me?

Why does the idea of being his secretary send shivers down my spine?

Do I want to be his secretary? Why would I want to be his secretary? I'm just his flirting expert but being his secretary means getting a higher salary.

Shut it, Artemesia. You know that it's not all about the high salary.

I looked towards Dalton.

"I'm not really that kind of person who wants to sit and stay pretty." I answered.

It is true. Even in my relationships before, it ended too soon because I don't want to be the trophy girl they want me to be. I can't just sit and stay pretty while they go around fucking every girl they met.

Now that I'm looking at Dalton, I can see my exes through him. He is good with flowery words. He knows how to make a girl blush, he knows how to flatter a girl, he knows how to manipulate one.

I squinted my eyes at him.

How can I not see that?

"Hmm? So you are not like other girls huh?" He asked.

I pursed my lips.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not a picky girl as well. I just don't like that. I don't think that I'm actually that pretty. I mean, average I guess." I shrugged.

That is also true. I know that I'm not that pretty. I know what I look like and I'm not delusional to think that I'm on the level of Kendal Jenner or any kind of model. I'm pretty but not that pretty. It doesn't mean that I don't have self confidence, I have a lot!

"What? Are you crazy? Can you hear Braxton?"

Braxton stared at me.

He stared at me for so long that even Dalton had to break the silence.

"Anyways, are you sure you don't want to work with me?" He asked.

I chuckled. "No, I'm good." I'm good with Braxton.

I didn't say it out loud. I know that ain't good.

"Alright then, I'll leave you two alone." He looked at Braxton.

"I'll set up another meeting with you man." He said.

"See you around gorgeous." He said and winked.

I sighed.

Gosh. He is really handsome, but Dalton is a trap.

A big no to all the girls.

"So smitten by him?" Braxton asked.

"Huh?"

"Sign the papers now so we can move on and do our business here." He said as he crossed his arms. He tried to sit on the armchair of the sofa next to me but decided not to when our eyes met.

What is he doing?

Is he mimicking Dalton? Like what Dalton did to me?

He stood up and went back to his chair. I shook my head and shrugged the thought away.

What is going on with him?

Is he trying to follow what Dalton is doing?

Just to catch the attention of a girl?

He doesn't even need to flirt with anyone. His face alone is enough to make. A girl quivers.

"So should we start?" I asked him as soon as I finished signing the papers to be his secretary as a cover up.

Instantly I have two jobs.

"Go on," he said as he leaned backwards to his swivel chair.

"First of all, don't do what Dalton is doing. It is weird and unnatural for you to do it. I mean, you are Braxton, you don't need to copy someone else, besides you are more handsome than him. That face is enough to make me feel—"

"Make you feel what Ms. Vena?"

I was caught off guard with what I said.

I took a deep breath before answering him.

"Make me feel delighted. You are handsome and your face makes me calm. Don't be like Dalton with a cheeky smile. If you want to smile, just smile naturally, you know." My eyes remained on him.

"Anyways, today I will teach you to reply to Monica's messages without me so you don't have to come with me all the time."

"Alright how?"

"Did you get a reply yesterday?"

He nodded.

So he got a message yesterday but he didn't tell me. I'm a little shocked that he didn't panic when he got the message. He didn't ask me either!

"Okay, let's start." I said as I licked my lips and nodded my head.

Damn it, what is going on with me?

I told Braxton everything he needs to know when messaging a girl. I told him not to go too fast because it will ruin the momentum for both of them, especially if he really likes the girl.

Which he does.

He really likes Monica.

"How do I know if I'm getting too fast with him?"

I grinned.

His eyes squinted like he knew what I meant.

"Cut it out Ms. Vena. You and your dirty mind."

"What?" I asked him.

I'm not even saying anything but he is giving a meaning to it!

"I didn't even say anything Braxton!"

"Your eyes did."

"Tsk. You are the dirty minded one. Always reading into any kind of thing."

"Cut it out–"

"Out! Cut it out Ms. Vena." I mimicked him and his deep voice.

He glared at me.

"What?" I asked, laughing.

"Don't be ridiculous Braxton, lighten up a bit. You need to smile more often. Do you know that girls like a man who smiles a lot? It is more attractive and hot."

"How does smiling make someone hot Ms. Vena? Maybe it is just you who found it hot, because you are dirty–" I cut him off.

"A dirty minded person. I get it Mr. Bentley you don't have to say it over and over again. Besides, I'm the flirting expert here. Not you."

"You are the one who needs to listen to me, because I know all this stuff. I'm a girl. I know what a girl like me wants. So trust me on this one. Come on, try to smile for me." I said.

"Not gonna happen." He crossed his arms.

"Oh come on!" I groaned.

"Is that so hard to smile for you Braxton?"

"I don't see the need to smile.",

"What?"

"You should be smiling because you are alive, you have good health. You should be smiling and spreading all the love–" I was cut off by a ring on his phone.

Before I could even speak to continue, he picked up his phone and mouthed me to leave his office.

Tsk.

I left his office.

I wonder who that is.

I sat in the waiting room, scrolling on my phone. Finding other ways to use my time other than think of Braxton–

Oh shit.

No.

I'm not thinking about him.

Specifically. I'm just thinking, in general, how to help him. How to do my job as his flirting expert. How to do it right, that's what I'm thinking, nothing else.

I waited for Braxton for an hour in the waiting room but he didn't come or call on the intercom. The next thing I know someone knocks on the window.

"Mr. Bentley can't talk to you anymore. His schedule is full for the day, you may come back tomorrow in your schedule time and date," she said then left.

That was it?

He let me wait for a freaking hour then ask someone to tell me to fucking leave?

Because he has a slot of appointments for today and he is busy?

What bullshit. He could have just told me that I needed to leave.

He didn't have to let me wait for a fucking hour doing nothing in the waiting room. Besides, what is the urgent call that he got?

Tsk.

My time is wasted here.

I have nothing to do so I decided to go to the nearest park that is near my condo. It was an amazing park full of trees and the benches were hand carved.

On my way there I tried to get the wedding situation that happened out of my mind. I stopped on my tracks when I saw a familiar face.

It was Juliana.

What is she doing here?

She looked in my direction, it was my intuition who told me to hide behind the trees.

I tried to peek but she was already gone.

I looked around but Juliana was nowhere to be seen.

Did she see me?

I wonder who is she waiting for?

Or is she just trying to unwind? From all of her fans? From all of the drama she created?

Most of the time she is the one who started the drama, she deserves to be stressed out. It is her fault.

But at least she has a successful career and ongoing drama in her life. I have none.

I sighed.

I walked towards the bench where I saw Juliana and sat there.

I took out my phone and looked for a notification. I don't know why I'm acting like a fool staring at it, waiting for a notification to arrive. To ring my phone.

I waited for a solid five minutes but there was no notification at all.

I opened the camera to take pictures of myself, after a few poses I took pictures of the carve benches in the park.

The park is actually aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. It is instagram worthy.

After I'm done taking good photos of the carved bench. I sit once again and take my phone in my hand while thinking of a caption.

When I think of a good caption I click on the photo, type the caption and post it on my instagram.

After I posted it I stood up and walked home. Since my house unit is near here, I walk on foot to get there.

Right after I entered my house. A notification from my phone caught my attention.

Braxton Bentley liked your post.

I can't help but raise my eyebrows because of that notification.

My eyes remained on the phone.

He liked it?

Isn't he busy?

He didn't even tell me to leave the office a while ago because the woman say she is busy.

I'm his secretary!

Well a cover up secretary but I should know his schedule if he really wants it to be true so people won't be suspicious, that is how you do it. I should take over the real job, but here I am.

Wait, Artemesia, why do you want to be his secretary?

First of all you are not supposed to be a secretary. You are a singer-songwriter. Not a freaking secretary to that arrogant billionaire.

I'm stuck inside my home. I don't get anything from this.

And there he is!

Liking my post. Well I guess, he is not really busy. He just wants to get rid of an annoying girl.

Tsk.

I shook my head and went straight to the shower. I don't want to think about him anymore.

I played a song while I'm in the shower. I played one of the songs to motivate myself to write. I've been so busy with Braxton that I forgot to write poems or songs.

I'm not even using my guitar anymore.

Damn it, I'm not even his secretary before I signed but my life is all around him already!

I need to be connected with myself again. I need to stand my ground and think about the benefits that I will get from this contract rather than think about Braxton's handsome face.

Shit.

Artemesia what is wrong with you?

After I took a bath, I blow dried my hair and sat on my bed. My notepad and pen are on the bed as well.

I stare into nothingness. Trying to figure out what song I should write.

I keep asking myself. What is my inspiration? What do I want to write?

See?

I'm not writing all about my exes because I'm thinking about them. A good thing to write. Unlike what the media made the people believe.

My thoughts faded away when another notification rang on my phone.

I immediately grabbed it.

My brows furrowed as I read the text.

Braxton:

Gala tonight, 7pm.