Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I work at Gallagher Empire as the CEO's secretary. I have a lot of work because I am the right hand of the CEO. There are many businesses under this company, including shipping airlines, condominiums, malls, supermarkets, and an amusement park.

I admit that being the secretary for Helios Gallagher is not easy. He wants everything to be perfect. He should not see any flaws in your work. If your work is perfect, he does not shout. At first, it was hard, but I eventually got used to it.

I took the flash drive and some papers from my desk. Then, I knocked on my boss's office door. Before he could answer, I opened the door and walked in.

"What?!" he shouted when he saw me. I put on a serious face. After hearing him shout every day, would I still be scared?

"Here’s the report you need for your presentation later, boss," I said, placing the flash drive on his desk. "And here’s the hard copy of that report." I placed the papers in front of him.

He took the papers and read some pages. I held my head high. I was confident in my work—perfect and flawless.

"What about the presentation for the Canadian investors?"

I raised an eyebrow at his question. "I'm still working on that, boss. I thought it's due next week? Do you want me to finish it today?"

He shook his head. "No." That was good. Just this morning he told me to do that report through email, and now he wants an update?

"Okay, boss. Is there anything else you need?" I asked.

"Coffee."

"Okay, boss," I said before leaving to go to the pantry to make coffee for my boss, who seems to have been born from a dragon. I brewed the coffee and added one teaspoon of cream and three teaspoons of sugar before mixing it.

I knocked three times before opening the door without waiting for his answer. I placed the coffee in front of him.

"Here’s your coffee, boss," I said before turning to leave, but he called me back.

"Wait." I turned back to see him taking something from his desk drawer. It was a red envelope that he handed to me. "Here."

I took the envelope from him. "What’s this, boss?"

"It’s an invitation for the charity ball tonight. My mom wants you to come."

I looked at the invitation and was about to open it when I heard him speak again.

"Get out," he said, so I had no choice but to leave his office and read the invitation at my desk.

What my boss said was true; it was indeed an invitation to the charity ball organized by his family for an orphanage they sponsor. For sure, other wealthy people in the country would also be invited.

I got ready early for that party. The party would start at 7 PM, and by six-thirty, I was already there. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher at the entrance of that five-star hotel, welcoming each guest.

“Sweetheart.” I saw Mrs. Gallagher's happy smile when she saw me. “I'm so glad you made it! You look stunning as always.” She kissed me on the cheek.

That night, I wore a simple black dress with a low neckline.

“Thank you, Ma'am. You look beautiful, by the way,” I said, which made her laugh.

“Helios is already inside. You should come in too, sweetheart.”

I did what she said and went inside. My guess was right. The hotel lobby was full of rich people invited that night. If I hadn’t been with Mrs. Gallagher, I probably wouldn’t be here now.

I took a wine glass when a waiter passed by me. Surely my grumpy boss wouldn’t order me around tonight. I might as well enjoy the night so I wouldn’t get bored.

I walked over to the chocolate fountain, grabbed a marshmallow, and dipped it in the chocolate. I ate the marshmallow and felt like I was in heaven.

“Hi!”

I turned to see who greeted me and saw a goddess. I knew who this goddess was—Carmilla Johnson, Helios Gallagher's fiancée.

“Ma'am Carmilla!” I exclaimed in surprise as I quickly finished the marshmallow in my mouth. She laughed at my panic.

“I told you to call me Carmilla. Helios is your boss, not me.” I smiled at her kindness. “By the way, have you seen him?”

I nodded because I had seen him earlier but didn’t greet him since I knew he wouldn’t notice me anyway.

“I saw him at the elevator earlier. He probably went upstairs.”

“Okay, thanks,” said Carmilla as she left to find Helios.

I finished my second glass of wine before the party started.

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.”

We all looked at the stage where Mr. Hades Gallagher, Helios' father, stood in front of the microphone. Behind him were his family: Helios, Carmilla, Mrs. Sapphire Gallagher, Apollo, and Artemis.

“This charity party is for the orphanage that we Gallagher family are sponsoring. If this party is a success, we will choose another orphanage to sponsor. If you have donations or anything like that, please put them in the box beside this stage.” He pointed to the box next to the stage. “I hope you enjoy the party tonight. Thank you for coming.”

Others started to approach to drop donations into that box. I also went over to donate what I could. My parents are rich, but I am not wealthy myself. I don’t want to use their money; that’s why I chose to work instead.

I returned to my spot and got another glass of wine—maybe my fourth? I felt a bit dizzy now.

“Enjoying the party?”

I looked to my side when someone spoke and saw Apollo Gallagher with his boyish grin looking at me.

“Yeah,” I said as I finished my glass.

“Bloody hell.” I heard Apollo say as he grabbed my glass from me, but it was too late because I had already finished it. “Holy shit, how many is this for you?” he asked.

“Four? Five? I don’t know,” I said while rubbing my temples. Damn, I'm really feeling dizzy now.

“Zuri, you're drunk,” Apollo said while laughing at me. I tried to focus on him but my vision was doubling.

I'm drunk?

“No, I'm not,” I said while trying to convince myself that I'm not really drunk. “It's just wine.”

“Yeah, wine mixed with vodka. Come on; you should rest.”

I felt Apollo lift me up and take me somewhere. The next thing I knew, my back hit a soft bed.