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The more I thought about it, the more appealing the idea became. A few months of hard work, a bit of sacrifice, and then… freedom.
I ran some calculations in my head. With the secretary salary, I should be able to save a decent amount, and if Cat Dad would let me work evenings, I could keep him on as a cleaning client and save up even faster.
I glanced at the time. The twenty-four hours were almost up. I snatched my phone from the table and scrolled through my contacts until I found Neil’s number. My thumb hovered over the call button, a flutter in my chest.
Here goes nothing.
I pressed the button and held my phone to my ear. Neil answered after a few rings. “Yes?” His brusque tone set my hairs on end.
“Hi. It’s me, Amelia Cross. I’m calling about the job offer.”
“I trust you have made a decision.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yes, I have.”
Chapter Fifteen
Iexamined my reflection in the full-length mirror, double-checking each item of clothing I wore wasn’t inside out or back to front. A repeat of what happened on my first run-in with Neil was something I intended to avoid at all costs.
No visible tags, no unsightly seams, nothing on the front that should have been on the back. I wore all of my clothing correctly, but I still narrowed my eyes, scrutinising my appearance. Christine was so elegant. In contrast, I looked sloppy in an ill-fitting polyester shirt, wrinkled black pants, and a ratty cardigan. Unfortunately, this was all I had, and I couldn’t afford to go out and buy a whole new work wardrobe. Not right away, at least.
Eighty-five thousand.
Maybe I could treat myself to a mini shopping spree once my first paycheck hit my bank account. A long time had passed since I last bought myself any new clothes.
I checked the time. It was eight o’clock already, so I had no more time to obsess over my outfit or put on makeup. I had to get going. I threw on a coat, pulled my bag over my shoulder, and strode out of my apartment, locking the door behind me.
This was it. My first day as Neil Kingston’s secretary. I was too nervous to read my book, so I spent the train ride calming myself with positive affirmations.
You can do it. Think of the paycheck. You’ll be able to pay down your student loan in no time, then you can move to London and travel like you’ve always wanted.
Working for Neil won’t be so bad. He said I impressed him. He said I’m devious—whatever that’s supposed to mean. Out of all the people he could have chosen, he picked me. Who cares why? Eighty-five freaking thousand!
When I entered the lift, I pressed five by accident, realised my mistake, then hit twenty. The door opened on the top floor. I gave a nod to James at the reception desk. “Morning, James,” I said.
He beamed at me. “Hi, Amelia.”
“Call me Milly, if you like. Most people do.”
“Okay, then. Milly it is. I hear you’ve joined the little team up here.”
“Yes. I don’t quite know how or why it happened, but here I am.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. Well, see you around.”
“Sure. I’m here if you need anything.”
I walked the path to Neil’s office, which was familiar by now, and entered the room where I’d be working at the desk that used to be Christine’s. At the opposite end of the room, the woman I saw last time occupied the other desk. She wore a simple pant suit and her long hair tied in a low, thin ponytail.
“Hi,” I said. “I’m Milly, Neil’s new secretary.”
“Petra,” she said. “I’m from admin, but I’m helping out here for now.”
“Have you been filling in for a while?”
“A couple of weeks. Christine’s original replacement quit! Just walked right out. I think it was too much for her.”
