I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

The neighbor then said, “I didn’t see the license plate clearly, but it was a local one with maybe three eight’s, I can’t remember exactly.” Meredith felt a bit disappointed, as she wanted to check the license plate.

Fiona was evasive, not even willing to share his name, surely up to something. “I have to go to work, let’s chat later, or I’ll miss the subway,” Meredith glanced at the time, feeling a bit anxious. Her place was far from the office, and it would take a forty-minute subway ride.

At 7:59, Meredith clocked in right on time. She had run all the way from the subway station and hurriedly took a moment to catch her breath.

“Meredith, was a dog chasing you?” Linda teased, and Meredith waved it off, panting, “Just one minute late, and my attendance records will be ruined.”

Linda asked, “Where do you live?”

“Sunfield District,” Meredith replied, “It takes forty minutes by subway.”

“That’s far,” Linda commented, handing Meredith a stack of files, “Take these to Mr. Sterling’s office, and make him a cup of coffee. Mr. Sterling always starts with a cup of coffee, he’ll be here in about twenty-five minutes.”

Meredith marveled silently, “Twenty-five minutes, and they know precisely?”

Linda said, “After you’ve been around Mr. Sterling for a while, you’ll understand everything.”

As a secretary, you have to consider every aspect for your boss, understand their routine and preferences, and plan ahead. Meredith gave a thumbs up and took the files to Terrence Sterling’s office.

Just as Linda said, twenty-five minutes. Meredith brewed the coffee, and Terrence Sterling’s footsteps approached from behind. Meredith handed him the coffee, “Mr. Sterling, good morning.” Terrence Sterling took it, “Linda’s training seems to be effective. Tidy up the bookshelf, it’s messy.”

“Yes, Mr. Sterling,” Meredith thought, ‘Even as a secretary, I can’t escape odd jobs.’

Terrence Sterling hadn’t slept well last night, images from that night kept haunting him, making him take two cold showers. But no matter what happened last night, he hadn’t stopped since stepping into the office he got down to work, reviewing documents, attending overseas conference calls…

Meredith observed while reorganizing the bookshelf, Terrence Sterling was indeed as rumored, unpredictable, his expressions shifting constantly; the stern face during calls sent chills even a few meters away.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Initially, Terrence Sterling had just seen Meredith as a mere shadow. But as she moved around, tidying up, dusting, her mint scent lingered faintly, unsettling him.

“Meredith.” Suddenly, Terrence Sterling called out.

“Huh?” Meredith looked at him puzzled, “Yes, Mr. Sterling, do you need something?”

“You… draft a proposal for Westhaven Development, have it ready by the end of the day,” he wanted to send her out but part of him found himself assigning her a task, “Can you do it here?”

“No problem,” Meredith said respectfully. Though she felt nervous, there was no turning back; she couldn’t refuse her boss’s first task. With determination, Meredith set out to write a proposal.

Sitting on the couch, she reviewed all the information on Westhaven Development. Focused and charming, Terrence Sterling found he couldn’t look away from her.

Terrence Sterling, after a while, shifted his gaze back to the documents. Just then, Rick came in to report, noticing Meredith, he hesitated for a moment, then continued professionally.

After the report, Rick asked, “Mr. Sterling, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, do you need to get a gift for Miss Woods?”

“Valentine’s Day?” Terrence Sterling was caught off guard.

Rick explained, “Girls like these kinds of holidays, and they enjoy exchanging gifts.”

Terrence Sterling knew he didn’t love Fiona, but since he had brought her to Thornfield Gardens, she was his woman. He hadn’t given her any gifts yet and felt he should compensate for that.

After some thought, Terrence Sterling looked at Meredith, “Meredith, prepare a gift, you should know what girls like, don’t worry about the price.”

Standing up respectfully, Meredith replied, “Yes, Mr. Sterling.” She knew that choosing the perfect gift for her boss’s girlfriend would no doubt impact her future. Offending the future Mrs. Sterling would be troublesome.