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A man falls for his secretary the day he meets her

Malakai Kentridge was not at all eager to meet his new secretary around two years ago. The past few his second in command had chosen, and they were all the same. Dull brunettes who were pining for him so they could use his money like it was theirs.

None were successful.

So when the second in command in question chose a young woman with a strongly different appearance, Malakai found it refreshing and shocking. A tumble of blonde curls fell as she removed her winter toque while preparing to sit for the interview. It wasn't that blonde shade that was just a shade nicer than the white of old age. It was streaked with warm reddish hues and butterscotch. It gave her some warmth, complimenting her pale face rather than making her look washed-out. Then, as she finally looked his way, Malakai found himself surprised all over again. Her eyes were not the watery blue color he'd expected. Her eyes were the color of caramel and so were the freckles than lay on her nose and upper cheeks.

He wasn't sure if you could say she was classically beautiful, but her large chromatic eyes held such an intelligence and serenity that it was impossible for him to not be held prisoner by them. Her cheekbones weren't especially high and her nose was a little too long to be perfect, but there was an undeniable symmetry to her features and perhaps that's what held him captivated.

Every day, after she was hired, she would wear her long hair up in a bun. However, each day, in his mind, it was long and fluid, lying gently on her shoulder bones, kissing her soft skin. Just like the day of the interview. It took all of him to not stutter and blush when she addressed him. It made things worse when she decided upon using his nickname: Kai.

He would watch and examine her work ethic and found it much more strong than his previous secretaries. He could also see how she worked around and with others, especially women he knew were just like those previous secretaries. Good-for-nothing gold-diggers. Many of them used to make their attempts of courting him daily. Now, they had this girl in the way. With her shortness and figure that was definitely larger than that of a catwalk model, she seemed simple. Her ordinariness was what made her stunning. Something radiated from within her that rendered her irresistible to both genders. Men desired her, and women courted her friendship.

Even Gina.

Gina was a beautiful woman, but only on the outside. She was highly practiced at seduction, and Malakai felt nothing for her. There wasn't a single cell of him that wanted him to be with her in the way it was obvious she wanted to be with him. Or any other way, either.

However, Gina, too, wanted to be noticed by her; the girl who worked closely with Malakai. Maybe it was a strategy to get to him. Maybe not.

Maybe it was that her beauty was understated, but Jade seemed to be alarmingly unaware of her prettiness. Her skin was so completely flawless. It was unlikely that she used face masks or expensive products that wasn't her m.o. She was all about simplicity, making things easy, and making those around her relax and be happy with what they had.

Perhaps that was her skin glowed so, it was her inner beauty that lit her eyes and softened her features. When she laughed and smiled, you couldn't help but smile, too, even if it was just on the inside. To be in Jade's company was to feel that you were someone. That you had been warmed in summer rays regardless of the season.

Malakai found it strange. He was infatuated, so curious about her. He didn't want just a fling or a friends-with-benefits kind of thing with her. He wanted a relationship with her, the real deal, something that could lead to something bigger than a few dates. On the other hand, he was her boss. That would not necessarily be appropriate, to ask his secretary on a date, and he was morally against dating a colleague. Even more so when she was around three years younger than him.

It was when she decided to resign from Malakai's company that he made a decision. He definitely liked Jade, and not just as a person. He liked that she made up for her lack of height with sarcasm. He liked her style, her sense of humor, her friends. There seemed to be nothing about her that wasn't unlikeable, in his opinion.

"Resign?" he says aloud, echoing her words while trying to convincingly pretend to be disappointed. In truth, he's ecstatic. If she'd want to be in a relationship with him now, it wouldn't be unethical anymore or against his morals.

She nods. "It's not that I'm not happy here. I really do love this company, and my coworkers, and my position. I'm just not...complete...or content. I've always wanted to study art and make art for a living. Now, I have that opportunity."

Malakai nods and forces a disappointed sounding sigh. "Well, if that's what you want, then I'm not going to stop you. I don't think I'll ever be able to find a secretary or a friend as good as you."

"Flattery won't convince me to stay, Kai," Jade smiles.

His heart flutters pleasurably. "It was worth a shot," he chuckles. "So, I guess I'm not your boss anymore..."

"I guess not," she says, seeming confused. She probably doesn't understand the point of his statement. "If I'm not your boss, it wouldn't be improper for me to ask you to dinner, would it?" he asks, turning his desk chair so he's looking at her from the corners of his eyes.

She blinks in surprise. "You mean...like a date?"

Malakai shrugs nonchalantly. "Yes."

Jade's smile becomes full blown, shining a beauty on her face like a spotlight that's bright than a thousand, no, a billion shining stars and suns. "I don't think it's improper at all, anymore."

"Is tomorrow good for you?"

"Tomorrow is perfect," she nods, blushing. She quickly and bashfully leaves while Malakai stays in his office, behind his desk, marveling at a new discovery.

There were gold and amber flecks in Jade's caramel eyes.

Reviews

[APOORVA]

INTENSE
is the word for you.
well done friend, a treat to read it was

[matrixmark]

This was well written and you have used some great descriptives to define certain characters in this piece. You really have a good grasp of grammar and your techniques which you use regarding 'show but don't tell' really shone through. The sentence structure was perfect and your dialogue skills were pretty much spot on.
I felt the need to comment on your skills as a writer, because I always enjoy seeing a lot of hard work which has going into a piece and I for one really appreciate the effort.
The chapter was a good opener to which I hope you carry on through to a full story.

Mark.