Chapter 20

The following day I deliberately did my best to avoid James at all costs. I’d decided to take the subway to work and enjoy the time with myself without having to feel the overwhelming pressure of having to keep up the appearance of James Derek’s wife.

When it was just myself, it was a time when I could be who I really was. Granted, I was dressed to perfection and made sure my shoulders were always squared back...But other than that, I was just me.

When I officially clocked in for work, I made sure to set all emotional issues toward James aside and carry on with my work as normal. I still managed to handle all of my secretarial responsibilities as professionally and as orderly as possible.

When I got a few moments to myself, I decided to fix myself a cup of tea in the communal office kitchen. A few of the other workers came in and were lightly chatting about some sort of current event.

“Hey,” one of them approached me with interest. “Did you hear the news?”

“Um, what news?” I asked.

“It’s been floating around that one of the representatives from a collaborating company is planning on coming here this afternoon,” they explained.

“Yes! And they have specifically requested that you attend the meeting,” another one of them added with excitement.

My eyes practically bugged out of my head. What?! Me? Why would this representative request that I be part of the meeting?

I gently shook my head and wore a worried look. “That can’t be.”

This was too far beyond my scope. Hell, I was only James’ secretary. I wasn’t used to handling client receptions so directly like that.

What the hell did I know about getting in on lucrative business deals and forming workable connections?

‘Considering my own marriage isn’t even productive and strong, I can’t imagine how I could be of any use,’ I thought to myself.

On the other hand, if it meant narrowing down time I’d normally have to spend around James then I was eagerly all for it.

He and I had not been on any decent terms since he told me about the press conference. The only real times we’d cross paths were either during work or barely passing one another somewhere at the house.

Although I was still mildly confused as to what I could possibly provide for this unknown representative, I was ready and willing to give it a go.

“Okay,” I told my coworkers. “I’ll do it.”

...

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” I hissed under my breath.

Standing across the room in a hand-tailored, one-of-a-kind suit was Monica.

Both her makeup and hair were styled to perfection, not a single flaw could be spotted. Before I officially walked in to greet her, I’d overheard that it was her brother who’d managed to get her this position because he saw such radiating potential in her.

Whereas I saw nothing but venom and flaunty arrogance.

This was going to be nothing short of pure hell...

The moment Monica locked eyes on me, I could sense the wheels were turning in her head. She smirked and glared at me with utter disdain while proceeding to spew out several menial tasks that she insisted I obey.

Which I did all without complaint or argument. And each one came with its own ridiculous issue.

“This coffee is too hot!”

“Now the coffee is too sweet. Can't you do anything right?!”

Monica had specially requested a special kind of chantilly cake that could only be found in a shop five kilometers from the building. So, of course, I went and picked it up for her. Meanwhile, she requested that I call for a nail technician to come and work on her cuticles.

I did it all—and I did it all without fail.

Many of my colleagues who caught me in between my manic runabouts told me that Monica was deliberately causing trouble and that I should reach out to either James or Daniel. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I knew how busy both of them were and I didn’t want to appear as though I couldn’t handle things myself. I was determined to stick this one out.

As I continued to fill each and every one of Monica’s estranged demands, I could tell that I was impressing and shocking even her. The dubious expression on her face was proof enough.

But with each completed request, I could tell that she was hellbent on trying to make things more and more unreasonable and difficult for me.

“Well, since you appear to have so much free time on your hands,” she sneered. “I wish to browse through a fashion magazine that hasn't been released yet. Why don’t you make yourself useful and find a way to contact the magazine’s editor and get me an original copy?”

I let out a defeated sigh and pressed a hand to the side of my head.

“Monica,” I started. “You know I can’t do that. Requesting for a magazine that may not even exist yet is beyond unreasonable, it’s downright impossible.”

Monica appeared proud as though she’d finally found a way to bring me down. “I knew you couldn’t do it,” she taunted.

I narrowed my eyes and took a few strong steps forward. “Make no mistake. Attending to you was a job, not an obligation. As far as business matters go, you and I are equals.”

Monica’s cheeks flared a deep shade of pink. She grew angry and embarrassed that I would even dare make such an accusation.

“Like hell we are!” she fumed. “You and I are not equals! People like me belong at the top while people like you will always remain beneath me. Which reminds me, why don’t you go back to your original post and shine my shoes?”

“No.”

“Do it! Or else I will cancel the collaboration between Crescent Moon Group and New Moon Group,” Monica threatened.

At that moment, James stepped into the room. His voice boomed over the tension that surrounded us.

“The Crescent Moon Group under your charge isn't worthy of being my partner,” he stated coldly.

“James, you're only saying this because you favor this little tramp!”

James glanced at me and spoke softly. "Mia is my wife, with whom I share my life." Then he turned his head to glare coldly at Monica. "And who are you?"