Chapter 5: The new secretary

The next morning, Fiona Johnson got ready for work. She's officially going to resume at her place of work that morning and she got dressed in a blue pantsuit and made her hair into a high ponytail.

She has been hired to work as the personal secretary to Lan Keith, the CEO of the Keith corporation. It's a sensitive position which means she will have to always be around the CEO.

As Ebele Johnson saw Fiona, her heart filled with an unexplainable feeling of excitement. How fortunate for her to see a miniature of herself in Fiona.

She had never thought that a day like this would come, when she would see her face in a younger woman. But seeing Fiona has filled the vacuum of childlessness she had carried for many years.

And to know that she has grandchildren as well. The day she found a daughter was the same day she had grandchildren. Being a mother and a grandmother at the same time, makes her count herself as one of the luckiest women in Florida and the world at large.

James Johnson has taken the kids to school in his car. He has assigned himself that responsibility of taking care of the kids to the extent Ebele would let him.

They both love their grandsons and decided to relieve Fiona. Let her worry less about the care of the boys while concentrating on her life and career.

Hopefully soon, she would find love and she would be happy again. That's their desire for her. And as her parents, they're willing to assist her to achieve in life and career.

“Mommy, I'm off to work” Fiona announced, picking up her handbag she added “First day as the secretary to the CEO of the Keith corporation”

“Blessings be upon you my dear Fiona” Ebele chimed, came over and kissed her chin. She walked out with Fiona and stood, watching her get into her car and waved at her before going back into the house.

As Fiona Johnson arrived at the Keith corporation, the board of directors were having heated arguments amongst themselves. Some were for, and some were against the motion.

“...her private life has got nothing to do with our businesses at home and abroad. Everyone is entitled to their private life…”one of the directors rebuffed.

“That's not what you should say. Jeniva Manor is a brand ambassador for one of our most sought after products. How can she have a filthy private life and expect us to retain her?

The private as well as the public life of our partners and that includes the brand's ambassadors are important to us. It speaks volumes of our products as well.

I will suggest that the contract be terminated and she paid compensation to the company because the product for which she's the brand ambassador is at risk of jeopardy. That's my suggestion” Another director declared, slamming his fist on the desk in emphasis.

Fiona Johnson simply stood by the sidelines. Of all A-list models in Florida, Jeniva Manor is the one the Keith corporation opted for to be their brand ambassador?

What a shame, a mistake of choice. She will not only ruin the product, she'll also cause a dent on the integrity of the cooperation.

She stood behind a man whom she assumed was the CEO of the cooperation. He was seated with his back to her. She hopes that once the meeting is over, she'll get to meet him for a proper introduction.

The board of directors were talking in hushed voices to each other. Some seemed to have similar take on, hence, they were together. That way, the people seated were now divided into two.

The CEO was quiet, waiting for the outcome of the general decision. Whatever they said would always be a suggestion. The final decision was his to make.

But beyond the heated contention, he was seeing things from a different perspective. This is not just about her sexual scandal, it's more about who tried to expose her.

Someone did it and it's deliberate. He knew what it means to be in the bad book of enemies. He also narrowly escaped death the previous day, hadn't not been for that woman Fiona Johnson, who saved him.

“The ratio of those who want Jeniva Manor removed as our brand ambassador is equal to the number of those who want her to remain. The final decision is solely yours to make, CEO Keith” one of the directors concluded.

The conference hall went quiet. Everyone waited for the CEO to talk. When Lan Keith finally spoke, his voice was stern “my decision would be in the interest of the company alone. The meeting is over”

Everyone spoke in hushed voices and stood up, leaving the conference room in a file. Fiona blinked her eyes, the voice of the CEO was somewhat familiar.

She would have readily assumed he was the stranger she met the previous day, but with that kind of injury, that stranger should still be lying with his back flat in a hospital bed at the moment.

She shrugged the thought away immediately and waited for the attendees of the meeting to leave. Now, it remained only the CEO, his personal assistant Aaron Rodgers and herself.

“Everyone leaves except Aaron,” CEO Lan declared. He felt a certain person was lingering behind him. He wants to talk privately with his assistant.

Fiona Johnson nodded and stepped out. She would have to wait for the CEO in his office then. In fact, she was supposed to wait for him there.

“Find out who is responsible for the leakage of Jeniva Manor's scandal” he ordered and for emphasis added “Now, I want the answers in few minutes”

“Right on it” Aaron declared and walked out.

In a certain penthouse, Jeniva Manor was pacing back and forth in her sitting room. Who dares to hack her account, who dares to sabotage her conversation and use it against her?

That's what is obtainable in her career sometimes. She does it, everyone does it and steps out, appearing like a saint. Only now that her secret was out will everyone see her as a bitch.

Two of her contracts have just been terminated and she has to offer compensation for breaching it. It was terminated on the ground of dented morality.

She cannot deny it. Though her company has succeeded in taking down the scandal, it was out and that was it. Her only fears were just two.

Alex Foster hadn't called her at all after calling off their engagement. He wasn't answering his phone as well when she called. He is mad with her for cheating on him.

She had never been scared of losing Alex like this for a long time after the disappearance of Isabella. Now, her mind was in turmoil. She loves him very much.

“I am worried, if the Keith corporation calls for termination, you might drop from being an A-list model to a B or C depending on how lenient the company wants to go on you” her manager Scowled.

That's her second fear, Jeniva thought. She furiously kicked the table in front of her and the glasses of wine and bottles went down with a shattering noise.

She took the flower vase and was going to throw it against the window glass when her manager held her by the wrist “you're causing more damage here than a solution.

This was all your fault. After you used your body to obtain a favour, why did you keep going back to get fucked by that bulgy belly man, why Jeniva?

You have a fiance and you are a popular celebrity. Why were you not being careful? You were careless with your phone calls and text messages. This is the result of it” she scolded her.

Without thinking through her words, Jeniva blurted them out “Because he fucks me better than my fiance does…” she said and turned to glare at her manager but immediately went Pale when she sighted the fellow by the doorway.