Web Fic
Chapter 2138
Rose furrowed her brow in discomfort. Just 'a new secretary' and no other details?
"Ms. Albinia, it's the end of business hours for today. It's Ms. Tesdal's personal leisure time now. You have a flight at 4:30 PM; perhaps you could enjoy some time in downtown B City," Sean said with a gentle tone and a friendly demeanor.
Rose's expression changed. "Personal leisure time? Felix and you can go, but not me?"
"Felix is Ms. Tesdal's bodyguard, and as for me, well, I'm an old friend of President Strand. We're catching up," Sean explained, his experience as the executive assistant in the president's office evident. He was known for his always pleasant demeanor, even when faced with the harshest of insults.
In the end, Rose finished work early.d2
The Strand Group's skyscraper stood tall in the heart of B City's CBD-a shopper's paradise just a stone's throw away. But Rose had no mood for shopping. The sting of being disregarded, treated as if she was nothing, was too much to bear.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Little did she know, Rosalynn was deliberately making her feel this way.
In the car, Jacob was curious. "Why the sudden hire of a new secretary? She doesn't seem to hold a candle to your previous assistant, just by looks and demeanor."
"Lola is now the president of Jered Ventures," Rosalynn replied.
"So, you settled for second best?" Jacob didn't believe Rosalynn to be that kind of person.
"We'll talk in a bit," Rosalynn deferred. Her visit with Jacob wasn't just a catch-up; she had other matters to discuss, and the car wasn't the place for it. "Alright," Jacob nodded, then began drumming his fingers restlessly on his knee. After a moment, he finally spoke up, "How's the little furball doing?"
"Oh, she's doing great. The Carters take her everywhere they go. She's having her best kitten life."
Jacob chuckled heartily. "When I picked her out, she was the most unique kitten, perched at the very top, looking down at the world as if she owned it!" Rosalynn smiled but didn't continue the conversation.
After his laughter subsided, Jacob grew more anxious. "You know who I want to ask about, and you're not giving me an opening. Secretary Tesdal used to be much more tactful than this," he huffed. "I'm not Secretary Tesdal anymore. I'm President Tesdal now," Rosalynn stated matter-of-factly.
"Is she getting along with Larkin? That guy seems like he's got schemes for days, and Erica's too naive. I'm afraid she'll get hurt."
"Larkin may be cunning, but he hasn't used any of that with Erica. He's given her nothing but his true heart," Rosalynn assured Jacob. "You and I both know, Jacob, that it wasn't just about Erica for you. How many girlfriends did you have over the years?"
Jacob felt the sting of her words.
"If Wayne were like you, pestering me, I'd have left him long ago," Rosalynn continued.
Jacob's mood darkened, then he rubbed his face in frustration. "I know it's over; just give me some time... You know what's ironic? When I got home, my mom was asking about Erica."
Rosalynn was taken aback.
"She thought Erica and I were getting married, started planning the wedding," Jacob leaned back, "She's got a pair of heirloom emerald bracelets, each worth a neat million at the very least. She used to smack my hands if I even looked at them, and now, she was ready to give them to Erica."
"Like mother, like son." Rosalynn comments.
Always too little, too late.
"It's just you who can talk to me like this," Jacob said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Everyone else is trying to comfort me with 'there are plenty of fish in the sea' while they curse me behind my back for deserving this."
"I usually tell it to your face."
Jacob laughed, "I'm done dwelling on it. From now on, the Strand Group will be my one true love."
Rosalynn remained silent.