WILLIAM'S POV

After a stressful week at the office, the weekend was much needed. I was lying in my bed when I heard my Aunt yell:

"ARE YOU STILL SLEEPING? IF NOT, COME TO HAVE SOME BREAKFAST"

I got out of bed in pajamas and saw my Aunt making breakfast, and our dining table filled with various things like macron, Sandwiches, muffins, scrambled eggs, sausages, and pancakes.

I sat down quietly on my chair and waited for her to come. She got out of the kitchen with two Mango smoothies in her hand. She put one down in front of me and then sat on the chair beside me with her smoothie.

I was curious, so I finally asked:

"Are we having someone over because that's a lot of breakfast you made?"

"I was just in my groove."

I sipped my smoothie, and the flavors tingled in my mouth. My Aunt and I ate breakfast in silence.

After we had enough, I helped her clean then we sat down on the couch.

"You cooked too much today, and I'm gonna get fat if I start eating like that."

"Why are you looking out for your figure? Are you seeing someone and not telling me?"

"I promised not to date anyone after what you did to my first boyfriend in high school."

"Hey, it's not my fault if he couldn't tell me his intentions, and I was asking responsible questions."

"I know you were looking out for me, but you know he told the whole school about you?"

"I know, and because of you graduated pregnancy free."

"I did, didn't I?"

"I know you guys didn't have sex, but after some of your friend's pregnancy announcements, I got scared."

"Thank you for always being here for me."

"You know that was high school; you're now an adult. You can date before it's too late."

"I always thought to date, but fear of abandonment is too strong."

"I will never abandon you. You know that, right?"

My Aunt said while holding my hand.

"I know you'll never abandon me, but what to say about others?"

"Sweetheart, you need to trust someone other than me; you cannot live your life in fear."

"I will try."

We both sat in silence, I always thought of my Aunt as my everything, my parent, my friend, my sibling, and she's all that.

We both have gotten accustomed to staying silent because of our past. However, we both have enjoyed this silence because in the quiet, even if there's no talking, the thought of us sitting together fills our hearts with love.

It was 2 pm. I got changed and wore a cute sports bra and, over that, a pretty pink crop top with baggy pants; I got my hair and makeup done and called my Aunt to check if she needed something before leaving.

"No, go enjoy your time with your friends. I'll be going to play bingo with my friends in the community center."

"Since when did you start playing bingo?"

"Since the retirement, third floor Mrs. Rustler introduced me to everyone."

"You need a younger crowd."

"What do you mean? All the ladies in my group are the same age."

"Ok, have fun. I'm going shopping and will meet some office friends later."

I kissed her goodbye and left. After strolling and shopping around the city, I met with some of my new office friends. My new friends are Secretary Nina from Legal Department, Russell from HR, and Ryan from President's office. Nina and I hit it off instantly after my first task as Philip's secretary.

She's a lovely woman with dark brown hair, height her face is symmetrical. Russell from HR was my friend before I was an intern, but we lost connection after I had to return to university to complete my last semester. He wears big round glasses, is of average height, has a nice build, and always wears monotone colors.

Lastly, my new friend Ryan he and I met outside of the head secretary's office; he looks scary when you see him first with his dimmed reflection and substantial dark circles around his eyes also, a resting face of not giving a fuck, hair not styled; he's just like your average guy who only works and lives.

After chit-chatting, we all settled in a nice restaurant nearby.

When we made our comfortable, we ordered some food, and Nina spoke:

"William, tell us how it works for 5th Generation Harald's Philip. Is he scary? I heard he's handsome."

"I mean..." Russell cut me off.

"He is scary; the man nearly destroyed the previous secretary before William."

"Well, because the previous secretary was spreading rumors of their affairs, and on top of that, he was incompetent," Ryan said.

"But do not forget about the rumors of and cover-ups done by the family for him because of his "Appetite," Russell said in retaliation.

"The rumors are just rumors; they don't mean anything, and whatever he does in his bed, it's his business." Ryan in a monotone voice.

"Well, you would know better because you have worked in President's office," Russell said.

"Well, guys, stop it. We didn't come here to argue; I was asking William about him and to meet as friends."

They both looked flabbergasted and had apologetic looks. It was funny, quite honestly.

I said, "Well, thank you for your input, guys, but I'm happy where I'm working, and Philip and I only talk about work. He doesn't even talk outside of work. And Russell knows I worked there before."

"William, you worked here before? I didn't see you, and when?"

Russell said, "He was an intern before his last semester."

"Russell's right; I worked as an intern. My Aunt used to work in Harald's family as a nanny. The family head supported my education and gave me the job."

"The family head Alphonso Harald the 4th, is a powerful man in the oil industry; no matter how powerful he is, he is also a great man who always cared about his employees," Ryan spoke.

"Hear hear," Russell said while agreeing with Ryan.

"Wait a minute, can we circle back to how your aunt was a nanny in their house?"

This caught me off-guard. I didn't want to answer the question as it may lead to more questions about my and Philip's relationship. So I lied.

"Yeah, she was hired as a nanny but was promoted to house management."

"Oh, ok."

I dodged the bullet here. After that, we talked and drank and ate until Russell blacked out. We called it a night and left. Ryan took Russell with him. Nina called the cab, and I was waiting for the bus.

Everyone was gone, and I was standing alone, half drunk and happy, waiting for the bus. Suddenly A black car stopped in front of me. I tried not to look, but it parked in front of me. Then the window rolled down, and I saw Philip sitting in the back. He calmly asked:

"Secretary William, do you need a ride?"

"No, thank you, sir. My bus will arrive in a minute."

"It's getting late. I'll drop you off at your home. Come on, don't make me order you."

I didn't know what to say as I was drunk, so I got in his car.

"Thank you, sir. I'll send the location to your driver."

"Don't worry; he knows where you live; Mariam's location is still on the maps."

"Oh..."

The drive home was awkward, and the alcohol made me a little bit drunk and sleepy, and my eyes started to close on their own. I tried to force them open, but I wasn't successful...

To be continued...