The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 64: Be His Secretary

Chapter 64: Be His Secretary

"I am done eating. I’ll go down to the office." Marlon picked up the fork and his plate and placed them on the sink. He left without looking back.

"It is nothing. I just had a big fight with Grandpa." Erik said sadly. There was something in his voice that sounded different. Was it pain or regret?

Aryana looked at him. She decided to give him a face and not asked about Cassie.

"When you left, your Grandfather talked to me." Aryana did not want to hide things from him so she told him all that transpired last night.

Erik gave her his full attention. He looked troubled.

"Did he make things difficult for you?" He said with worry.

Aryana sighed. She looked at Erik.

"He offered me ten million to leave you and disappear from this country," Aryana said without blinking.

Erik was horrified. He was silent for some time before he carefully asked.

"What did you tell him?" He asked, his grip on the cup of coffee tightened.

"I told him that if you want to divorce me, I will do so willingly. You alone can make me leave you." Aryana said casually.

Erik relaxed. He regarded Aryana with admiration. He was seeing her in a different light. If only Cassie was honest with him like her, then they could have married and had kids by now.

Aryana frowned when she saw Erik in a daze.

"Erik?" She called softly.

Erik was pulled back from his thoughts by Aryana’s gentle voice.

"I am sorry for leaving you alone last night. I hope they did not bully you." Erik stood behind Aryana and hugged her.

"You’re father said some harsh words. But it’s okay I can handle them. Jax was there with me so maybe his presence deterred the others from approaching me." Aryana paused when she felt Erik stiffen.

"Er, your Grandpa however said something that troubled me." Aryana faltered. She was not sure whether to tell Erik or not.

She stood and brought the plates to the sink. Erik stood still.

"What did Grandpa say?"

Aryana approached Erik until she was standing in front of him.

"Do you really want to know?"

Erik remained silent. Aryana tried to read what was in his mind. Will his ego be hurt by his Grandpa’s words?

The doorbell chimed and then it opened. A middle-aged woman appeared in Aryana’s line of sight.

"Good morning Sir Erik. Good morning Ma’am." She greeted him politely.

"Maria, this is Aryana. She is Mrs. Lee and you follow her instructions." Erik introduced her.

Maria’s eyes widened but she did not say anything and waited for Aryana to say something."

"Hello, Maria. Nice to meet you." Aryana greeted her.

Maria bowed slightly. "Let me know if you need anything Ma’am and if you have preferences in the food."

"Let’s talk about that some other time. I’ll leave the house to you."

Maria nodded and started tidying the table.

Aryana went back to the bedroom to brush her teeth and get her purse. Erik followed closely.

"So what did Grandpa tell you." Erik badgered her.

Aryana felt that Erik will be unsettled if she did not tell him.

"Well, he asked me why you married me. I told him the truth that you wanted to protect me because you promised Dad on his deathbed." Aryana paused and studied Erik. He was looking at her and urging her to go on.

"He said how naive you are. You were not able to protect the woman you love before so what gave you the courage to marry me so you can protect me." Aryana was very calm when she narrated these words.

Erik’s expression soured. He clenched his hands so hard that his fingernails dug into the flesh of his hands.

"But I trust that you will not go back on your promise. Besides you have already saved me three times." There was warmth in her voice.

A fuzzy feeling enveloped Erik. He was elated with what Aryana said. An inexplicable feeling towards Aryana took root in his heart.

....

Aryana was absent for a week. When she returned to her workstation she was bombarded with a barrage of questions and gossip from Elaine.

"Julia took a leave of absence today. I guessed her scandal has taken a toll on her and she went out of the country to escape." Elaine lowered her voice as she gossiped.

"Yeah, after some time the scandal will die down as new scandals will grab the headlines."

Aryana received a notification via the company messenger app that she is needed in HR.

She gestured towards Elaine and mouthed "I’ll be back." She hurried to the elevator and pressed the 10th floor.

Aryana knocked at the door of the HR director’s office.

"Come in." A gentle deep voice called from inside.

"You called for me Director?"

The director nodded.

"Have a seat." Aryana sat down on the seat across his desk.

"You know Camille right?"

Aryana nodded. "Yes. The CEO’s secretary."

"She met an accident yesterday. She is now in the hospital. While she is fine, the baby in her womb is unstable and she needs to stay in the hospital to arrest the threatened abortion."

Aryana looked at the HR head. She saw the crease on his forehead deepened with worry. Aryana understood his intent.

"You want me to temporarily replace Camille?" She asked.

The director smiled. "Indeed you are smart. The CEO has personally asked for you to be his secretary."

Aryana thought for a while and nodded.

"Okay. But I need guidance."

The director tapped on something in his laptop and a petite tanned skin lady came inside. She was charming and has a sunny smile.

"Liza, accompany Aryana to get her things and bring her to the CEO’s office."

"Yes, Boss." Liza tugged on Aryana and they left the director’s office. She gave her a box and accompany her to get her things from the training department.

"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you packing your things?" Elaine asked in a high-pitched voice.

"I will be the CEO’s temporary secretary," Aryana said matter-of-factly.

Elaine shrieked and she started jumping up and down. Their officemates glared at her.

"OMG! How can you be so lucky? Invite him to lunch and then invite me as well." Elaine blabbered like an idiot.

"Huh? The CEO is a very busy person. He will not have time." Aryana’s words were like a bucket of ice poured over Elaine’s head.

"Can’t you act more professional? You’re just like a crazy idol fan." Liza admonished Elaine.

"Hmmp! If you are half as bitchy as Julia, the CEO will definitely fall under your charm" Elaine said ignoring Liza.

Aryana smiled meaningfully. She touched the ring pendant that was suspended on a platinum chain and hidden underneath her blouse. Erik has a similar chain but his was thicker. They both agreed to wear their rings as a necklace and keep their marriage a secret. Only Erik’s family and close friends knew about it.

’Elaine will definitely pass out if she knows that Erik is my husband.’