When I heard about Andrew's accident, There were times when I felt like the world was slowly disappearing in front of me. Or maybe it was just me, who was fading away. Those moments didn't matter anyway because my empty heart was hitting my chest so hard that I thought it will break my ribs. It was the only thing I could think about. And of course the void. Yes, when someone you hold dear to your heart leaves you behind, nothing is left with you expect a huge hole or the empty hollow void where they were supposed to be. When you lose someone, it comes with a weird side effect of paranoia that you start to believe whoever comes close to you will eventually leave you. And thus you are crippled and confined with your own illusion of closed door.

The black hole in my head, deep inside my soul, slowly swallowing all my hopes and dreams of ever falling for someone again, That was the worst of those moments. The realization of the vacuum, the nothingness, the absurd of my existence. Those times kept me awake at five a.m. and made me wonder: why am I living for anyway? Maybe for me. Maybe for others. Did it really matter? And when I couldn't find my answers on the ceiling, the anxiety turned into panic. But today when I met that person who gave me sleepless nights, looked me in the eye and I saw no emotions for me. It felt like I was stabbed on the exact same spot a million times. This time I felt more pain than that time when I heard he was dead.

My brain was frozen so my mouth started speaking without its permission.

"Are you even going to speak?" He asked with his deep English accent.

"Um..I.. got a call back stating I would be sued if I didn't attend this interview!" I shuttered as I was brought back to the bitter reality again.

"You would be sued anyway, What makes you think I will hire you especially after the scene you have created this morning?" He spoke coldly.

I was gazing at him without saying a word.

" I don't know..may be because I thought you hire people for their talents! "I snapped.

Why did I even say that? I don't know what was going on with me? Maybe I was angry at him for not recognizing me Or maybe I was going mad. What was wrong with me? He can't be Andrew.

"What are you implying Ms Paxton?" He asked looking at me as his eyes burned with cold fire.

I should go.. This is like playing with fire.

"Nothing. Thanks for your time!" I muttered and turned away.

"Wait... This is my office, you can't leave until I say so!" He exclaimed.

Why was he being so damn arrogant?

"Alright.." I said as my hand curled up into a fist.

"Let's carry on with the interview shall we?" He asked.

I nodded agreeing.

He was eyeing my resume for a few minutes.

"Tell me this. How desperately do you want this job?" He asked closing the file swiftly.

"This is a job really important for me! " I said trying to keep my calm.

"Clearly. You have abandoned your self-respect for the sake of this job! " He said as his lips smirked.

I tried to stay as calm as possible.

"Mr Hunt. I thought this was supposed to be an interview!" I said sharply.

"It is.. And you are oddly quieter than this morning! " He mocked me.

You look exactly like my dead boyfriend, what exactly will be an appropriate reaction?

"I am just trying to be professional! " I spoke through gritted teeth.

"I gotta say. You have patience! That's actually quite impressive! " He said with an evil grin creeping on his face.

I couldn't take this anymore, I felt like I was going to explode.

"I see. You have actually applied for the columnist position?" He asked eyeing me closely, I guess he was trying to find a way to break me but I wouldn't, at least not in front of him.

"Yes!" I replied looking pale.

"I am afraid. That position was filled in earlier this morning!" He said with no regrets.

Thank God, at least now I can leave. Screw the job! I just want to leave!

"That's okay. Thanks for your time Mr Hunt!" I said as I was about to get up from my chair.

"Ms.Paxton. What's with the hurry?! " His said voice echoed into my ears as cool as a cucumber.

"What's more to hear?" I snapped.

"I have something for you! " He said looking arrogant as possible.

I gave a confused look.

"I have a decision to make you my executive assistant secretary! " He said casually.

A horrible decision of course but why was he doing this?

"I am sorry Mr Hunt but I can't accept it! " I denied it instantly.

"I don't think ego and pride are a good combination right now Ms Paxton! " He added with a smirk.

"I wanted to write ever since I was a child. So yes, as much as I am flattered by your proposition I can't take it! " I said trying to put a fake smile on my face.

"I have only four words for you Ms Paxton and they are 'You are being stupid'. " He said leaning closer to me from his chair.

You can call it whatever you want!

"Maybe, I am being impulsive but it would be worth it someday! " I said looking straight into his eyes.

He nodded his head laughing, More like a villainy evil laugh.

"Ms Paxton I need a secretary and you need a job so I guess A+B equals. I assume you can do the math! " He said looking calm.

"Mr. Hunt. " I started but then I was interrupted when he raised his hand and pointed his index finger signalling me to stop.

"Take the job and I will talk to the mortgage company for your loan extension! " He said not looking hesitant for one second.

How did he know about my loan? Why do I even bother asking that question?

"New York is a big city, you can't last a week without a job! And with a mortgage like yours, I don't think you should make rash decisions! " He said looking as cold as ice.

Like you care.

"Why do you even want me to take the position!" I asked him suddenly.

"I am glad you brought that up, I have two reasons! " He exclaimed.

"1. Because my last secretary was a fraud so I fired him obviously, he had an association with my rivals and he was secretly supplying vital business information to them.

2. If you were my secretary, I could keep you in check so you cannot go out of line for one moment. " He explained without even a glimpse of respect for people or anyone in that case.

This guy is literally like the Monday of my life.

"Okay. I get that your secretary position is open for the offer but how can you even trust me? You barely know me! " I asked looking confused or more like desperately trying to escape from him.

"Were you not listening to me, Ms. Paxton? I can control you. If you lay one toe out of line, I can pull the strings. I will call the mortgage company and in minutes you will be left in the road homeless and broke! I have the upper hand here, I have leverage over you! You will be a fool to disobey me! " He said with arrogance.

I did not doubt him one second because he was capable of such horrible things.

"So basically you don't trust anyone?" I asked feeling pity for him.

"I don't have to risk it. When I have the leverage!" He said proudly.

How can someone be so twisted?

"Why can't you just leave me alone? What did I ever do to you? " I asked looking half teary.

I tried my best to absorb the moisture in the corner of my eyes that were threatening to spill.

"You disrespected me in front of all my employees, I don't take that lightly. And since I am not very good at the forgiveness you now mine for taking! " He said looking casual.

I wonder what made him so cruel?

"If I apologize. Will, you leave me out of this? " I asked, it was my final try to escape from the complications that I created.

"If it's that easy.. Trust me I wouldn't waste my time on you now! " He said sternly.

"What do you want me to do? " I asked reluctantly.

"You will be my secretary for six months and then I will release you from this contract!" He said without any expression.

Is it just me or did I just get addressed like a prisoner?

"Six months? And then I can work anywhere I want?" I asked with a fake laugh.

"Indeed!" He said with a curt nod.

"You are in some sort of trouble aren't you? That's why you need me? " I muttered.

"You shouldn't flatter yourself, Ms. Paxton! " He said looking expressionless.

"So what's your decision?" He asked me eyeing me seriously.

"I will take the job! " I mumbled slowly.

"Great. Here is the contact sign it and be on your way!" He said and gave me a pen.

As I about make the signature, he spoke again.

"And remember when you sign that contract you have to do whatever I say! " He said glaring.

"I will abide by the contract! " I replied instantly.

"Fine. Deal!" He said and offered his hand forward.

"Deal! " I said shaking his hands.

I didn't feel anything when I shook his hands. He wasn't Andrew, he never can be. I didn't know how or why he looks like him but he is nothing like him. I cursed myself for having hope for a happy ending. Today was supposed to be a new day, a fresh beginning for me. I thought this day was full of promises, it held freshness, newness to my mundane life but it was just the opposite. I had more miseries to add up my list.

I don't know where would this deal with the devil take me? When God created me, he must have added sugar, spice and everything nice and when he held the beaker of Drama portion, I guess he had an accident and added a crapload of it. I wonder what will happen on the days to come. Tomorrow I was about to be working in Rick and Hunt publishing as Derrick Hunt's secretary looks like my worst nightmare was coming true.

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A/N Hi my adorable readers please raise your voice and comment on your views! I want to know if you like this story so far, Show your support with your votes ❤

Love,

Geet.