2

Jennifer.

That morning, I was filled with excitement. For the first time, my article graced the front page—not just any article, but one featuring one of the most famous businessmen in the world. Yet, I couldn’t shake the anxiety about how my boss would react once he read it.

I had published the article without editing or seeking his approval. Surely, he would be pleased with the sales; we had sold out millions of copies within just a few hours.

Lost in my thoughts, I made my way to my office, beaming with pride. This was my first article, and I hoped it would mark the beginning of a successful career in journalism.

“Hey, Jennifer!” My manager's voice cut through my thoughts, sounding irritated. I turned slowly, apprehensive.

“Good morning, sir… Is something wrong? Oh, I suppose you want to congratulate me on my amazing article,” I said, forcing a smile to mask my growing concern.

He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Congratulate you for what? Your disastrous article? Wipe that smile off your face and see the owner immediately. This is beyond my control. The board members and CEO are waiting for you in a closed meeting—all because of you! I can’t help you. You need to take responsibility for your foolish actions,” he almost yelled before briskly walking away.

“Sir, sir?!” I called after him, but he ignored me, waving his hand dismissively.

I took a deep breath and reached my desk. As I organized my papers for the next day’s article, a colleague rushed toward me, leaning in close and motioning toward his eye.

I stepped back, startled. “What on earth are you doing? You scared me! What's wrong?” I furrowed my brows and gently pushed his face away.

He opened his mouth in shock and laughed nervously. “What’s wrong? Damn! You still don’t know what you’ve done?! You need a miracle to save yourself!” he muttered.

“What’s wrong?!” I asked innocently, genuinely confused. I had no idea what had transpired since I walked into the office that morning. My colleagues were staring at me as if I had a contagious disease. Some didn’t even say good morning, while others whispered and gossiped about me. Now, my manager had yelled at me without any explanation. To make matters worse, this colleague was mocking me!

I hadn’t sleepwalked or done anything unusual! What could have happened while I was away for just one night?

He snickered but then suddenly stopped, staring intently into my eyes. “You really have no idea. Stop what you’re doing and go straight to the conference room. The CEO and board members want to see you in a closed meeting. Don’t worry about your papers or your next article. If I’m right, you’ll never use that article again,” he smirked rudely before walking away.

I placed my hand on my chest and sighed. “Oh, I have a terrible feeling something bad is going to happen,” I thought as I headed toward the CEO’s office.

I knocked on the door and entered, bowing slightly as a formal greeting. “Good morning,” I said softly.

“Close the door, Jennifer,” the CEO barked.

I widened my eyes, shocked by his rude tone. It was the first time I had ever experienced anything like this! Slowly, I walked toward a seat, but the CEO stopped me.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” he demanded, raising an eyebrow.

“I was going to sit down, sir,” I stuttered, trying to explain. He frowned at me.

“I didn’t give you permission to sit. Don’t you have any respect or responsibility for what you did?” he shouted, slamming his hands on the table.

Startled, I looked around and asked, “Sir, what happened?” He gestured for me to come closer, and I did. Speaking in a menacing tone, he said, “You did nothing! You were going to ruin my newspaper and bankrupt my business with your article. Do you know who Tomas Charl is? How could you write such a horrible article about him? This man will ruin your life! Don’t even think about writing again.” He shook his head in disbelief.

He continued, “Don’t even dream of working for anyone in this country or any other. Your career is over. Now pick up your things and leave this building immediately. I can’t let you destroy what I’ve built over 40 years. Move, get out! I don’t want to see your face... I’ll have to apologize to Mr. Tomas Charl for the rest of my life. If I were you, I would go and beg him for forgiveness!” The CEO shouted at me with such rage that I felt like he might throw something or have security escort me out.

As I walked out of the office, slamming the door behind me, I muttered to myself, “It doesn’t matter; I’ll find another job soon.” I took the bus, calling every magazine and newspaper I could think of. One by one, they either laughed at me or hung up when they heard my name. They told me I wouldn’t be able to continue in this career because Tomas Charl had ordered everyone not to hire me.

But one person expressed interest in hiring me. At first, I was relieved, but my relief turned to shock when he offered me a job—not as a journalist, but as a housekeeper.

I lost my temper, feeling defeated. As I walked home, I noticed numerous black limousines blocking the small road where I lived. I wondered if one of my neighbors had won the lottery.

I finally reached my house when someone shouted my name, “Miss Jennifer!” I turned to see a man stepping out of a large limo, flanked by guards. He appeared to be in his mid-50s, elegantly dressed in an expensive suit.

“Yes, sir? Do you know me?” I asked, surprised.

“Please come with me, and I’ll explain everything in the car. We can’t talk here on the street. I’m Mr. Carl, the right-hand man of Mr. Tomas Charl.” I felt a chill run down my spine, narrowing my eyes in disbelief.

“What? What do you want from me? I was just fired because of Tomas Charl. Are you here to kidnap me or throw me in prison?” I frowned.

He chuckled and reassured me, “Oh God, you have a sense of humor. I was actually surprised by your beauty. I expected to find a nerd or an unattractive old woman. That would have been much easier for my mission.” He explained calmly.

Confused, I asked, “What do you mean?” He took my hand gently. “Come with me, Miss Jennifer. I’m not kidnapping you. I’ll explain everything privately in the car.” He ushered me into the vehicle and closed the door.

“Miss Jennifer, I know you got fired because of the article. I have to congratulate you on your courage. But I assume you know who I am, which is why you’re trusting me. You seem smart, so let me be direct. I raised Tomas Charl, and I need to tell you he’s not a bad guy. But women and everyone around him only stick with him to use him for money or fame. That has made him a cold-hearted man. Now, I have an offer for you. You have no job, and you won’t find one for years. I’m sure you’ve made countless calls, but nothing worked out. So, Miss Jennifer, the job is to work as Mr. Tomas Charl’s private secretary.”

I blinked in surprise, sitting there dumbfounded. “What? You want me to work for the man who ruined my career?” I couldn’t believe he was suggesting such a thing.

He smiled reassuringly. “Yes, if you’re smart, you’ll choose this path. But I must warn you, it won’t be easy. This man only hires beautiful women and uses them for a month before letting them go. He’s a womanizer, as you said. It will be a tough mission for you to keep your job with him. Plus, he intends to make your life a living hell and make you regret what you did.” Mr. Carl explained, but I interrupted him.

“Why do you want me to work for him now, and why are you telling me the truth about him?” I crossed my arms defiantly.

He looked deeply into my eyes. “Because I hope you can change his behavior. I want you to bring back the kind man I knew. He is like a son to me. I have no children of my own, and I feel sorry for you as well. So, I decided to help both of you. All you have to do is trust me and follow my instructions to keep your job. Mr. Tomas wants an attractive secretary, so I have to change your appearance to make you less appealing.” Mr. Carl informed me.

I frowned, rubbing my forehead as I tried to process his words. “I’m not a woman; I’m still a girl.” I felt insulted. I had never been touched before, so I didn’t want to be thrown into a dangerous situation. Plus, I already disliked Tomas. Yet, I respected and trusted Mr. Carl.

He widened his eyes. “Oh, that’s great. Calm down. Would you like a drink or some coffee?” Mr. Carl asked, seemingly trying to put me at ease. He didn’t seem like a man who would deceive or manipulate me; he appeared respectable and honest.

I shook my head. “I don’t drink alcohol or anything containing caffeine, sir. But thank you,” I replied.

He furrowed his brows, looking shocked, then smiled proudly. “Oh, an athletic and healthy girl, I see. Then we need to sign the contract now.” Mr. Carl said as his cell phone rang.

He grabbed his phone and glanced at the screen before turning to me. “It’s Mr. Tomas.” He gestured for me to remain silent, and I nodded politely.

He answered, “Hey, Mr. Tomas. Yes, I’m with Jennifer now. I’ll arrive at the house in less than an hour, and she will sign the contract.” Carl spoke on the phone with Tomas Charl.

I stared at Mr. Carl, confused. “Why did you say that? I haven’t even agreed to sign yet! I didn’t accept the job!” I asked, annoyed. I felt like a pawn. I had been fired because of a call from Mr. Tomas, and now I was being coerced into working for the man I despised.

He replied, “Miss Jennifer, Mr. Tomas can destroy you. You need to be close to your enemy to learn his weaknesses and protect yourself. Consider this advice from an experienced man. And trust me, I’ll be there to protect you. I informed Mr. Tomas of our arrival because he was traveling to another country to sign a merger contract. However, he turned back due to his bad mood, and he will be home in less than an hour. We don’t have time. If I hadn’t said anything, he would have come after you, leaving you homeless and penniless. Now sign this contract. I’ve negotiated a good salary and included some conditions for you. All you have to do is use your brain to keep your job.” Mr. Carl winked, and I blinked in disbelief.

I gazed at the contract before me, then grabbed the pen. I hesitated but eventually signed it. I realized I had no other choice. I couldn’t remain unemployed without money or a place to live.

“But you have to be careful. Don’t fall in love with Mr. Tomas,” Mr. Carl warned me.

I laughed and scoffed. “Fall in love with him? That will never happen,” I replied confidently.

“Don’t be so sure. It’s true that I said every woman knows him initially to use him, but I didn’t mention that all of them, when they get close to him, end up falling for him. So be careful. Or you will lose. I can’t guarantee the consequences of that,” Mr. Carl informed me.

I cleared my throat, feeling the weight of his words. “Trust me. Now let’s start our first mission: transforming you to look less attractive.”

What? Was he really serious about that!?