The CEO and The Secretary

Luana stopped in front of the imposing building of Robert Corporation, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. The reflection of the glass and steel façade captured the morning sun’s gleam, giving the building an almost intimidating aura. "It's now or never," she thought, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. Her fingers touched the fabric of the gray suit she had meticulously chosen that morning, hoping her appearance would convey the confidence she still didn’t feel.

She adjusted the bun that held her long brown hair and took a deep breath before entering. The reception area immediately impressed her; the immaculate marble floor reflected the soft lights, while carefully pruned plants added a touch of nature to the modern, sterile environment. The constant movement of men and women in formal attire made it feel like time moved faster there, each second an important step towards success.

She headed directly for the elevator, ignoring the quick glances she received from a few people around her. Deep down, a pang of insecurity threatened her composure, but she pushed it aside. She needed to stay focused. The elevator’s digital panel indicated the 20th floor as her destination. As she waited, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind, all revolving around the possibility of finally landing the job she had long dreamed of.

As the elevator doors began to close, a firm, decisive hand stopped them. Luana looked up and saw a man step in. He was impeccably dressed, the dark suit perfectly aligned with his broad shoulders. The woody scent of his cologne filled the small space, and for a moment, Luana felt enveloped by that fragrance.

“Good morning,” he greeted, his deep and smooth voice seeming to resonate directly in her chest.

“Good morning,” she replied, trying to keep her tone steady but unable to hide the slight tremor his presence provoked.

The silence that followed was punctuated by the sound of floors passing by. But Luana knew his eyes were on her, analyzing her, evaluating every movement, every breath. She felt a warmth rise to her face and tried to focus on the elevator display, but his proximity unsettled her.

“First time here?” he asked, his voice cutting through the silence with a familiarity that surprised her.

“Yes, I’m here for an interview,” she replied, striving to maintain her composure.

“An interview, huh?” He raised an eyebrow, as if that had piqued his interest. “Which department?”

“Secretarial,” she said, trying not to let her nervousness show. “They said it’s a good opportunity to grow within the company.”

The man let out a slight, almost enigmatic smile.

“You seem like a determined person,” he commented, crossing his arms. “This company values that.”

There was something in the way he spoke, as if he were testing her, challenging her to prove she was worthy of that place. The intensity in his gaze made her uncomfortable, as if he could see beyond the professional façade she was trying to maintain.

The elevator doors opened on the 20th floor, and he stepped out first, briefly pausing to look at her over his shoulder.

“Good luck with your interview,” he said, with a slightly provocative smile.

“Thank you,” she replied, feeling a mix of relief and curiosity as he walked away.

As she headed to the waiting room, where the receptionist directed her to wait, Luana couldn’t get that man out of her mind. There was something about him, something that made her feel both disconcerted and intrigued. Could he be someone important in the company? With the confidence he exuded, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Time passed slowly in the modern waiting room, decorated with leather chairs and a glass table full of magazines that she could barely focus on. The city view from the window was impressive, but her nervousness prevented her from appreciating it. Her thoughts kept returning to the man in the elevator.

“Miss Luana?” The receptionist's voice interrupted her thoughts. “You may go in now; Mrs. Martins will interview you.”

Luana stood up, trying to disguise the anxiety that was taking over her chest. She entered the interview room, decorated in neutral tones with minimalist furniture, where a middle-aged woman with a serious expression and thin glasses awaited her. But it was the presence next to the interviewer that left her momentarily paralyzed. There he was, the man from the elevator, watching her with that same enigmatic smile.

“Miss Luana, this is Mr. Robert, the CEO of our company,” the interviewer said, with a formality that contrasted with Robert’s casual demeanor.

Luana felt her stomach churn. The CEO? She had spent the entire time in the elevator with the CEO of the company, having no idea who he was. Heat rose to her face, but she tried to maintain her composure, forcing a polite smile.

“Pleasure to meet you again,” Robert said, with a playful tone that made her feel even more vulnerable.

“The pleasure is mine,” she replied, struggling not to let her embarrassment show.

The interview began, but Luana could barely concentrate on the interviewer’s words. Her attention was on Robert, who observed her with evident interest. The questions he asked were seemingly simple, but his tone and intense gaze made her feel as if she were being tested in ways she didn’t fully understand.

“And what do you hope to achieve by working here, Miss Luana?” he asked.

She took a deep breath, trying to stay in control.

“I hope to grow professionally and contribute to the company’s success,” she replied. “I also want to learn more about the corporate environment in such a prestigious place.”

“Good answer,” he said, smiling as if satisfied. “Let’s see what the future holds.”

When the interview ended, Luana left the room with a whirlwind of emotions. She had the feeling that her encounter with Robert had not been a mere coincidence. The way he looked at her, as if he were planning something, indicated that this job would be more complicated than she had imagined. The man from the elevator, now her boss, carried a dangerous mystery. As she walked back to the elevator, Luana knew her life was about to change, but she had no idea how much.

The sky still displayed soft shades of pink and orange as Luana stepped out of the taxi in front of the imposing building of Robert Corporation. It was her first day on the job, and each step toward the glass doors seemed to echo the anxiety tightening in her chest. The cool morning air seemed incapable of calming her frayed nerves, still sensitive from the vivid memory of her encounter with the CEO in the elevator. Landing the personal secretary position for Robert had been quite an achievement, but it also brought with it a sense of weight, a challenge she wasn’t quite sure how she would face.

Dressed in a crisp white blouse and a black skirt that shaped her silhouette with a touch of professionalism, Luana entered the building with determined steps, even though her heart was racing. The company lobby was just as busy as it had been on the day of her interview, perhaps even more so. Men and women crossed the space at a frenetic pace, as if time there was worth its weight in gold. There was an air of sharp efficiency, as if each person carried a vital importance to the functioning of that vast corporate machine.

Luana headed toward the elevator, now knowing who the man she had shared that small space with a few days earlier was. The memory sent a flutter through her stomach, a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Robert wasn’t just the CEO; he was an overwhelming presence, someone who seemed to observe and evaluate every movement with a gaze that penetrated beyond the surface. But Luana forced herself to push those thoughts away. The day would be long, and she needed to be fully focused. She couldn’t afford to be distracted, especially by someone like Robert.

When the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, Luana was greeted by Clara, the office’s administrative assistant. Clara was a middle-aged woman, with sharp eyes behind elegant glasses and a smile that emanated a mix of curiosity and warmth.

“Ah, you must be Luana,” Clara said, adjusting her glasses on her face. “Robert asked me to show you the office and give you the initial instructions. Follow me.”

As they walked down the long corridor, Luana couldn’t help but notice the details around her. The walls were decorated with modern art, each piece seemingly handpicked to reflect the luxury and sophistication of the company. The glass doors offered glimpses into the inner offices, where executives and assistants were immersed in their tasks. The environment was minimalist, but there was a palpable atmosphere of power in every corner, as if the very walls bore witness to the highs and lows of the corporate world.

“How was your interview with Mr. Robert?” Clara asked in a casual tone, but with an underlying curiosity.

Luana hesitated for a moment, recalling the intensity of Robert’s gaze, the way he seemed to see her in a manner that no one else could.

“It was… interesting,” she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral, without revealing too much of her emotions.

Clara let out a soft laugh, as if Luana’s response had confirmed something she already knew.

“He has that effect on people,” Clara commented, with a smile that suggested a wisdom gained from many years in that environment. “But here’s a piece of advice: don’t be fooled by the first impression. Robert can be kind, but he has a reputation…”

“Reputation?” Luana tried to appear disinterested, but inside her curiosity was piqued. There was something in the way Clara spoke that sparked in Luana a need to know more.

“Yes,” Clara lowered her voice slightly, as if sharing a secret. “They say he’s a real rogue. Charming, manipulative, and very, very persuasive when he wants something. Many secretaries didn’t last long here.”

Clara’s words echoed in Luana’s mind, sending a shiver down her spine. She didn’t want, under any circumstances, to get involved in office gossip. She needed to stay focused on the job, not get distracted by stories or assumptions about her new boss.

“Here we are,” Clara said, stopping in front of a large frosted glass door. “This is your office, right next to his. Your desk is set up with everything you’ll need. If you need anything, I’ll be around.”

As she entered the room, Luana was met with a space that seemed to have come straight out of a design magazine. The large, dark wooden desk was impressive, the ergonomic chair looked inviting, and the enormous window behind it offered a breathtaking view of the city, now bathed in the golden light of the morning sun. In the corner, a discreet bookshelf held business books and administrative procedure manuals, all impeccably aligned.

She sat down, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. The environment was new and clean, but there was a tension in the air, as if she was about to step into unknown territory filled with traps. As she organized her belongings on the desk, she tried to shake off the feeling that, somehow, she was being watched, judged.

It was then that a deep, familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, making her heart skip a beat.

“How’s the new secretary doing?”

Luana quickly looked up and found Robert standing in her doorway. He wore the same enigmatic smile that had unsettled her in the elevator, an expression that seemed to carry more than just simple cordiality.

“Good morning, Mr. Robert,” Luana said, trying to hide her surprise. “I’m getting settled in. Everything seems very well organized.”

“I like to keep things organized,” he replied, stepping into the room and approaching the desk. There was something in the way he moved, a natural confidence that seemed to dominate the space around him. “How was your first impression of the environment?”

“It’s challenging, but I’m ready,” Luana said, trying to keep her gaze steady and confident.

Robert raised an eyebrow, as if impressed by her determination.

“Challenges are part of growth,” he commented, crossing his arms as he observed her. “I hope you can adapt quickly. My work requires efficiency… and loyalty.”

Robert’s words carried a tone of warning that didn’t go unnoticed by Luana. It was as if there was a subtext, a message he wasn’t verbalizing but that lingered in the air. Something told her that dealing with Robert would be more complicated than she had imagined.

“I’ll do my best,” she said, feeling the growing pressure of the conversation.

Robert leaned in slightly, resting his hands casually on the desk, but in a way that conveyed power.

“I’m sure you will,” he said softly, before stepping back. “I need you to bring me the quarterly meeting reports. They’re in the file. I want an analysis ready by the end of the day.”

The request sounded more like an order, and Luana felt the pressure increase. She hadn’t yet received any detailed instructions on the company’s filing system, but she knew she would have to figure it out. Robert left the room with a slight nod, and Luana immediately began working, aware that every minute counted.

She navigated the filing system with determination, but not without difficulty. The volume of documents was immense, and finding the specific reports Robert had mentioned required several attempts. When she finally located them, the next challenge was absorbing the content and producing an analysis that would meet his expectations. As she read, underlining information and taking notes, Clara’s voice echoed in her mind, repeating the word that had most unsettled her: rogue.

Although Robert had been surprisingly professional so far, there was something in his manner that made her suspicious. He always seemed to be one step ahead, as if he already knew exactly how each situation would unfold. This made her feel watched in a way she had never experienced before, but she refused to let it affect her. Her focus needed to be on the work, and only on that.

Hours passed, and as the sun began to set, painting the sky a reddish hue, Luana finally finished analyzing the reports. She saved the files in the system and printed a physical copy, as Robert had requested. As she walked toward his office, she felt the day’s fatigue weighing on her shoulders, but also a sense of accomplishment. She had overcome the first major challenge.

She stopped in front of Robert’s door, took a deep breath, and knocked, hearing a brief “Come in” in response. Upon entering, she found Robert sitting behind his desk, his eyes fixed on the computer monitor. When he saw her, he closed the laptop and observed her with a smile that was, once again, difficult to decipher.

“Did you manage to finish?” he asked, standing up and walking toward her with slow, calculated steps.

“Yes, here’s the report,” Luana said, handing him the folder.

Robert took the document, but his eyes never left Luana’s face for even a second. He quickly flipped through the pages, his fingers sliding over the paper with the same ease with which he wielded power.

“Impressive, Luana,” he said, closing the folder with a soft snap. “It seems you have great potential. I like people who go above and beyond.”

Luana smiled shyly, feeling a mix of satisfaction and discomfort. There was something in the way he spoke, in the almost intimate tone of his words, that made it seem like there was more there than just simple compliments.

“Thank you, Mr. Robert. I’m just doing my job,” she replied, trying to maintain her composure.

Robert let out a low laugh, as if her response held some kind of irony that he understood but that she had yet to grasp.

“Oh, Luana… Here, doing the job right is just the beginning.”

His words, laden with a suggestive tone, hung in the air, leaving Luana unsure of how to react. Before she could respond, Robert placed the report on his desk and turned his attention back to the computer, as if the matter was closed.

“You can go home now. Tomorrow will be another long day.”

Luana thanked him and left the office, feeling her heart race. The first day had ended, but the feeling that something more was coming was undeniable. The job would be challenging, but the greater challenge might be keeping her distance from Robert and his intentions, which, although still nebulous, were beginning to show signs of being dangerous.

As she walked to the elevator, Luana couldn’t help but wonder how far Robert’s “intentions” would take her, and what the cost might be for her.