03

Brian, Lexi and I looked at each other in shock.

“He mistook you for her” Lexi said in disbelief.

“Oh God no” I shook my head and slumped into my chair, feeling guilt creep inside me. “Mr. Kingston doesn’t know my name. He probably would’ve told the HR to fire the chief’s secretary”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “What do I do? I made the real secretary lose her job”

“Stay quiet” Lexi suggested.

“Are you kidding me?” Brian asked in an accusing tone. “What if it was you? What if you got fired because of someone else’s mistake?”

“That secretary-“ Lexi stepped forward. “purposely took the sick leave. It’s not the first time she did it to ditch a meeting”

“You don’t know that. What if she’s actually sick?”

“If you want proof, check her boyfriend’s insta stories” Lexi spat angrily.

“Guys shut up!” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself. “I’m going to turn in”

“What?” They both screamed at the same time.

Brian came and sat next to me. “You don’t have to resign. Maybe… talk it out with Mr. Kingston”

“Are you stupid Brian?” Lexi asked with her hands on her hips. “Do you think Mr. Kingston will say oh thank you for making things right. Maybe I should take my words back and not fire you. A good employee like you deserve a second chance” She said dramatically.

“It’s not what I meant”

“Then you’re clearly stupid”

“Guys” I held up my hands. “For once stop arguing” I looked at both of them and waited till they relax. “I’m going to call the chief first” I took my phone out and started dialling the Chief.

He picked up in three rings. “Hello”

“Hello Sir, it’s me, Hailey”

“Oh Hailey, uh.. I guess you heard the news”

“Yeah” I answered with guilt. “I’ll umm… resign Sir” I said reluctantly. I didn’t want to lose the job but it was the right thing to do.

“Don’t do anything reckless now. We’ll talk about this tomorrow. Come to my office at 8” Then he cut the call.

I kept my phone down and looked at it in despair.

“What did he say?” Lexi asked impatiently.

“He said to come to his office tomorrow” I leaned back in my chair and signed. “How can I come to work when I’m supposed to be fired?”

“Don’t overthink. Go home and have a good rest”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep at all”

…

It was next morning and I knocked on the cheif’s door.

“Come in” The chief called and I walked in.

The first thing I noticed coming here was that the secretary desk at the front of chief’s office was empty. And it was all my fault. I made a big fat mistake and now I should do something before it gets any messier.

“Oh Hailey, come and sit please” Chief gestured to the sofa at the middle of the room.

I sat on it and someone brought me a cup of coffee. “Thank you-“ I looked up and my eyes widened in shock. It was the chief’s secretary.

“I- you how-“ I stuttered.

“I came to pack my things” She gave me a small smile and I felt guilt bubbling inside me at a tremendous speed.

“Gosh I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to-i’m sorry”

I felt deeply embarrassed by my actions yesterday. Not for hiccuping though. I mean- uhh you can’t control it. Blame the stupid CEO for it. That arrogant narcissistic rude bastard. But I should have resigned the moment I heard the news. I should’ve set things right.

“It’s fine. I’ve never liked working here anyways” She took a seat across from me and smiled. “I mean the chief is good but being the chief’s secretary means I have to constantly see the CEO and it’s suffocating” She said in a pained tone.

“I always wanted to quit but I feared I wouldn’t find a job with a salary like this again. But now that I’m fired for something I didn’t do, the chief felt guilty and recommended me to another company. He knows their boss and they said they would take me in”

“So you’re- leaving?” I asked with uncertainty.

She nodded. “The salary over there is also good and the work environment is much less stressful. I’ll go. You can keep your job here”

I blinked. Wait what? Keep the job?

I turned to the chief. “Sir, wouldn’t I be deceiving the CEO then?”

“He fires too many people. He won’t even remember you. It’ll be okay as long as you stay out of his way”

“But-“ I straighted up. “Why are you doing this? I mean, this is risky”

The chief shrugged. “Mr. Kingston is good in his work but I don’t approve the way he handles his employees. Firing someone for a hiccup? That is absurd” He shook his head in disapproval.

“So umm…I can keep the job?” I felt a new surge of hope building within me. Is this really happening?

Chief nodded and then his face turned all serious. “But make sure not to come face to face with the CEO. No one has ever done this before and getting caught would put both of us in trouble”

“Okay chief” I stood up happily. “And thank you”

The chief dismissed me and I walked out of the room. My friends were already waiting outside the door, their ears glued to the walls.

Seeing me they jumped up and sprinted towards me. “What happened? What happened? Tell us quickly!”

I told them the entire story and they gave me a bone crushing hug.

“Aww I’m so proud” Lexi squealed. “You pulled a trick no one has ever done. You decieved the CEO”

“I wouldn’t have if I didn’t have any choice” I stated firmly.

“And-“ I spun in a circle “I’m back Prescott‼!” I chirped merrily and both Brian and Lexi groaned.

“Just give up”

“Never” I shook my head.

Within a few seconds my friends gave up trying to convince me and we began walking down the hallway.

“CEO alert!” Lexi cried out and slammed us to the wall.

“What-“ I turned and saw Ian and his secretary, Daniel striding forward in the hallway.

We quickly turned around and faced the wall, hiding our faces from the devil and his side kick.

“Shit. What should I do?” I cried. “Jump out of the window?”

“We are not so high up. You won’t die if you jump”

“Are you serious-“

“They’re coming! They’re coming!” Lexi whisper yelled.

I bit my lip feeling helpless, my palms sweating with anxiety.

“Tie your shoes laces” Brian suggested.

“I’m wearing heels”

“Then tie your heels!”

“What-“ Brian pushed me down to the ground and I almost fell on my face.

From the corner of my eyes I saw them nearing us. Ian had an irritated look on his face, he glared at all the employees who made eye contact with him. And the employees? I bet they rather wished they were dead.

Daniel on the other hand was doing the guard job. He was on alert, his eyes inspecting everyone, checking if anyone was a potential threat.

And Lexi, she was giving the biggest smile of the century.

One, she has a weakness for handsome men- even if they are rude as hell.

Two, when she tries to hide something she gives the weirdest forced smiles.

And now she was looking very very suspicious. Jeez Lexi!

Daniel who noticed the smile frowned at her. Lexi tried her best to conceal her flushed face but she failed miserably. She was blushing so so hard.

Thankfully Daniel didn’t glance at me as he was too busy glaring at Lexi. And only when they walked past us, did I feel like breathing again.

“Oh my god” I exhaled loudly and sat on the ground. “That was so scary”

“He’s so freaking handsome!” Lexi cried out and both Brian and I rolled our eyes.

“Hailey” Brian crouched down next to me. “You should avoid the CEO from now on”

“Yep” Lexi knelt down. “And we are-“ she raised her hands up, imitating the VP “the Kingston avoiding squad”

Got it. Avoid the Kingston.

But everything doesn’t go as planned, does it?