Page 10 of Scandalous Secrets

After I paid, a few minutes later, the barista called my name from the end of the counter and slid me my drink. I thanked him and left a generous tip on the counter. His eyes widened and before he could say thank you, I slipped out the door. I never wanted to make a big deal out of my wealth, but I wanted to help when I could.

Back in my office, I went through the rest of the morning’s emails. As stressful as yesterday was, today was the exact opposite. I was actually kind of bored. That was the thing with this job. It was either hair-tearing-out stressful or mindlessly boring. There was no in-between. But it was all I knew. All I had grown up around.

Thankfully, I had an afternoon meeting that would give my brain a little exercise. Unfortunately, it was with Jeremy.

There was a knock at the door, and Kathy led Jeremy inside.

“Troy, my man. Good to see you again. Heard you strolled in late today,” he said with a smirk and a shared look with Kathy. “Must have had a late night with that hot brunette last night.”

Kathy looked from Jeremy to me, annoyingly soaking in that little tidbit of information.

“Please, have a seat. Thank you, Kathy,” I said, dismissing her.

She closed the door behind her and I warded off any personal questions from Jeremy and just tried to focus on the meeting. He had an investor who was interested in potentially opening up a hedge fund, but lived overseas. He was using Jeremy as a liaison, which was irksome because I was more than capable of making the deal myself.

After an hour of video calls and using Jeremy as an unnecessary middleman, I finally closed the deal. Feeling triumphant, I thanked Jeremy for his time, even though I was sure he only did it to secure himself a favor. That’s how the business world worked. Nothing was for free. Everything was for you to gain something. That was how I wound up with a personal assistant I had never interviewed or even had a résuméfrom.

Once Jeremy left, it was nearing the end of the work day. I really had no reason to stay at the office. Sometimes I would leave early or wrap up work at my home office. But then I remembered I still had to meet my personal assistant. I groaned. Where was she?

I emailed Kathy:

Kathy,

Any update on the personal assistant? It’s nearly 4.

I hit send. A few minutes later, my email pinged.

Troy,

We will be there in five. And I thought the work day didn’t end until 5?

I rolled my eyes at her response.

Good. At least they would be here soon, so I could get this over with and head home. I was still tired from the night before. The Americano had helped a little, but had worn off by now. I planned on grabbing dinner on the way home and passing out early. No nightcap would be needed tonight.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door.

“Come in,” I said.

Kathy poked her head in.

“Your new assistant is here.”

“Bring her in,” I nodded.

Kathy opened the door and stepped inside, followed by a woman in a cream skirt suit that I immediately recognized. I stood up and swallowed hard as our eyes met.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Chapter 5

Monica

Ifelt my stomach drop about forty floors down to the lobby of the building as I made eye contact with Troy. I thought the name Gunner sounded familiar when his office manager mentioned it during my training. I didn’t think anything of it though, even though my mind had drifted to the night before with the man who now stood in front of me. My now boss, as it would seem.

He wore a fitted navy suit that was most likely custom-made to his god-like body that I had gotten a very good view of last night, even in the dimness of his living room. His hair was effortlessly pushed to one side, with a strand falling across his forehead as if it were on purpose. It was perfectly out of place. I saw the stubble of a five o’clock shadow running up his jawline. I wondered if he had been in a rush this morning too, not having time to shave. It looked good on him. Then again, anything probably would.

“Mr. Gunner, this is your new personal assistant, Monica,” said Kathy, leading me further into the room. Further into the lion’s den. I felt my ankles wobble in the black pumps I had convinced myself to wear this morning as I took another step toward him. These were a bad choice, no matter how professional they looked.

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