The President's Humble Substitute Secretary

Chapter 4: Haunting people of the past

Almost a month has gone by since Florence Rossi started working at Fanucci Holdings.

And if she was being honest with herself, it was as though Arturo Fanucci had made it his personal mission to torment her every day she's at work.

He never speaks to her unless he's about to give her the most impossible task ever known or criticize the way she works. There were days where he'd give her a workload of tasks that should require at least three people to complete. Other days he would summon her into his office just to send her back out two minutes later with another list of instructions.

It was very tiring.

But Florence wasn't going to complain. She felt fulfilled doing something for herself and not having to depend on anyone to survive.

She could still remember the day she'd begged him for this job and she wasn't going to do anything that would lead him to firing her.

Not after he had given her the job when she had nothing else left.

She had promised herself that she would prove she deserved it.

Even if that meant she had to go back home late every day just to make sure that she completed all her tasks.

Even if it meant surviving Arturo Fanucci's cold stares and impossible expectations.

Still...

A huge smile broke out on her lips as she stared at the company calendar sitting on the glass table in the middle of her living room with a date marked out on the calendar.

Arturo's birthday was in one week.

She had overheard two of her co-workers talking about how his birthday would be. Apparently he has never ever celebrated his birthday. No parties. Or birthday cake. Or even gifts. Nothing.

Which meant...

Florence tapped her fingers thoughtfully on her thigh.

She wanted to do something.

Even if it was something small.

As a way to show her appreciation because if he hadn't hired her that day,her life would be totally different today.

She had thought of organising a surprise birthday party for him at first with the help of her other coworkers but the more she thought of how he'd react if he were to work in his company full of decorations and singing employees,the more she realised that might not end well.

So she had decided that she was going to give him a gift instead.

The problem was...

"But what on earth can I possibly buy for a billionaire?"

Florence threw her back on the couch, her hand hanging lazily over her head as she held her phone between her shoulder and ear as she spoke to her best friend Lucia.

"Come on, think about it, Lucia" she groaned. "That man probably has at least five of everything already. It would be way easier if he wasn't rich"

Lucia's laugh crackled through the phone speaker. "Forget about the cost Flo. It's the thought that matters right. I bet you're the only one that has thought of getting him a gift."

"You underestimate how popular he is amongst women." Florence muttered. "I'm sure he'll get a heapload of gifts on his birthday. I only have six days until his birthday and I have no idea what to get him. Ahhh!"

"You should probably get him something simple and stop over thinking it" Lucia suggested,a crunching sound following as though she was chewing something. "I read something that wealthy guys like him rarely ever get normal gifts."

Florence hummed thoughtfully.

That was probably true.

He might be used to getting expensive gifts that he has no use for.

"But he's a hard man to please. I'm not sure he'd like it" she admitted her mood downing. "He barely even likes me."

Lucia snorted. "You are not doing this so he'll like you. I mean... at least the pay is good right"

Florence sighed, rubbing her temple. Just thinking about it was giving her a headache. "Yea. But this job is stressful but I can't even complain. A lot of my co-workers do not even like me."

"That shouldn't bother you. You're not there to make anyone like you." Lucia said. "Surviving is all that matters right now."

Before Florence could reply, a knock sounded on her apartment door.

She glanced toward it, a soft frown settling on her face. She wasn't expecting anyone.

"Bye. I'll call you later" she told Lucia as she stood up.

"Fine. And don't stress yourself too much or you'll have white hair!"

Florence hung up and placed her phone on the table as she walked toward the door.

She wondered who might be at the door. It's been a long time since she had visitors.

Which made the sudden unease in her stomach grow.

Still, she unlocked the door and pulled it open.

And the moment she saw who was standing in front of her she regretted ever opening the door.

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

She felt as though the floor had been pulled from underneath her feet.

"What... no..." she said her voice barely above a whisper.

The man standing in the doorway smiled slowly.

That smile that always made the blood in her vein run cold. There was nothing warm about his smile or him.

"What do we have here?" He asked casually pulling himself from the doorframe,his frame filling the whole entrance as though he owned the place. "It's been so long since I saw your beautiful face,my sweetheart."

Florence's whole frame began to tremble.

"I... I told you not to call me that" she said cursing herself for always being weak in his presence.

But he had already stepped inside. Pushing the door softly,he locked it with a soft click.

The sound echoed far too loudly in the small apartment.

Florence's chest tightened as she took a step backward, her heart pounding erratically as he took a step towards her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, voice small. "You... you said..."

The man chuckled softly, cutting her off.

"Is there anything wrong with coming to see my sweetheart?" He said as if expecting her to suddenly understand.

Her voice trembled. "I already gave you money."

"Money is not all that matters to me." He said lightly. "I didn't come for the money."

His dark eyes moved slowly over her face.

"I only wanted to see you. I see you've been avoiding me. It hurts me"

Florence's back hit the wall.

She was about to sprint upstairs to her room when his large hand curled around her waist stopping her.

He pulled her flushed against his chest and her body went rigid.

He leaned down until his breath was brushing against her ear.

"You're really glowing." He murmured softly. "And your hair... hmmm"

A shiver ran through her. He used to scare her then and he still did.

"Makes me want to bite you."

Florence trembled in his arms. When he'd been first arrested the police had promised her that he'd never bother her again but a year later he broke out of jail and came straight to find her. She'd reported it to the police and they had done nothing and now she has to pay off her ex boyfriend just so he'd leave her alone.

Fear coiled tightly in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

For a long moment he simply held her there, enjoying the fear that crossed her face.

Then suddenly...

He let her go.

Stepping back as if nothing had happened.

"I'll be back. Keep yourself for me sweetheart."

And then he left.

Leaving her standing there.

Shaking.

And terrified.