Unforeseen Chemistry

Chapter 11: Angela's Impressive Work

Even though Angela didn't want to be late for the meeting, her other reason for following Bryce was that she didn't know where the meeting was taking place or how to get there.

"I want everyone to be proactive, but it doesn't mean you should risk your life. If it is too difficult to be proactive, you can quit," Bryce said coldly and adjusted his tie.

His attempt to save Angela from getting hurt moved his tie from its position. Looking at his reflection in the elevator mirror, he properly positioned his tie.

"That is the thing. I don't want to lose my job. So if I have to fly without wings to beat time. I will. I will just guide my life, so I don't lose it in the process," Angela said, still with her head lowered wondering how Bryce was treating her that way.

She didn't expect any special treatment for being his wife but she was not expecting this cruel treatment either.

Bryce stared at her with a frown. He wondered where Angela got her boldness to reply to him. Most employees would just apologize with a promise not to repeat the action in the future, but Angela's reply only meant she would repeat her action in the future. He wondered if it was because they were married. Their marriage is secret and he is not going to give Angela any special treatment. He intend to treat her the same way he treated any other employee in the company, but somehow Angela is not as timid as she appeared to be. She got some balls.

The elevator door opened on the fifth floor. Bryce stepped out and walked down the hallway and was greeted by employees who met him. Angela walked on her five-inch heel carrying the documents close to her chest as she followed Bryce down the hallway ensuring he didn't leave her behind.

Bryce made a turn to the left and pushed the door open, walking in. Angela did not pay attention to the inscription on the door. She also pushed the door open and entered, but she quickly frowned, realizing it was a male washroom.

"Sorry," Angela apologized, averting her gaze as Bryce stood there staring at her, standing behind the closed door.

"The female washroom is the opposite," Bryce said and watched Angela hurry her steps out of the washroom.

Outside, Angela checked the door and slapped her forehead for not reading the sign. In the process, she dropped the files she was holding close to her chest on the floor. She quickly went down on all four and started gathering the scattered papers. The door opened, and a well-polished shoe stepped on some of the papers scattered on the floor. Angela slowly raised her head and towering over her was Bryce looking down at her, while she remained on the floor on all fours. Angela stared underneath Bryce's trousers, and she also saw part of his face from her position on the floor. She moved backwards and made way for Bryce.

"I am sorry," Angela apologized and quickly gathered all the papers on the floor.

Once she was done, she realized she didn't see which way Bryce went. She checked the time, and she had twenty minutes to find the meeting room. Lucky for her, a lady was walking down the hallway. She approached her and greeted her politely.

"Please direct me to the meeting room where the president is meeting the minister," Angela asked.

"Down the hallway, first right, second door," the lady replied and Angela thanked her, before heading in that direction.

She pushed the door open and four pairs of eyes turned to look at her. Angela gulped and strode in. Not sure where to sit, she occupied the space next to Bryce. The clients were using an L-shaped Sofa and Bryce was sitting opposite them on a three-in-one sofa.

The meeting continued. Angela used the opportunity to ensure all the documents were well arranged, opening them to face herself as she went through them.

"Based on your request, I would propose this," Bryce said and stretched his hand towards Angela.

Angela gave the first file to the client, who quickly started going through it. Angela prayed silently in her head as she didn't know what she was doing. She didn't know if the arrangement in the file was correct following the dropping of the file on the floor.

"There are other options you can also look at," Bryce said and looked at Angela.

Angela quickly served the ministers with the remaining documents.

"Walk them through it," Bryce said, and Angela stared at him briefly before turning to the clients.

She didn't know she was going to engaged the clients. She was told to prepare the documents which she did. Angela pushed forward and managed a smile briefly adjusted her dress. Bryce relaxed in his seat waiting to see how she would handle her first client meeting.

"Okay, let's start with the first proposal," Angela said after clearing her throat briefly.

She started explaining everything in the proposal to the clients as they listened attentively. She was a bit nervous at the beginning but she relaxed and became more confident in her presentation along the way. The clients asked their questions and Angela answered and some were answered by Bryce. She moved on to the second proposal and did the same with the third and fourth proposals. The clients settled on the second proposal.

"Meet Angela Anderson," Bryce introduced. "She is my new secretary. She will email the proposal with the prepared contract for you to sign. Once 50% of the payment is made following the signing of the contract, we will commence with work," Bryce said and stood to his feet.

The three men exited the room once the meeting was over, leaving Angela and Bryce in the meeting room. Angela quickly fetched the files and carried them. Bryce headed for the door and Angela followed him.

"Send me the notes for the meeting and prepare the contract based on the terms in the proposal and send it to me before 2 p.m.," Bryce said and headed in the direction of his office.

Angela checked her time and it was noon. She had two hours to make notes for a meeting that had already started when she entered and also prepare a contract. She hurried back to her office and prepared the contract first. That was easy to do since she lifted the terms stated in the proposal into the contract. She picked up the small handbook given to her when she was given her contract. From it, she was able to add other needed terms to the contract. She moved to the hard part, the notes of the meeting. She wrote everything she heard from the time she entered and put an introduction at the beginning. It was half an hour to 2 p.m. when she was done. She hurried out of her office and knocked on Bryce's door, but there was no response. She placed her ears on the door and heard soft music. She pushed the door open and peeped in. She didn't see Bryce in his seat. She strode in and hurried her steps to his desk to put the notes and contract on it.

"I need it in my mail," came Bryce's voice.

Angela was startled, and she scanned the entire office before her eyes settled on a figure behind a curtain at the back. It was a dining area. It was in a corner of the office. A space behind Bryce's desk. He was on lunch break and he made her work.

"Can I take my lunch break first?" Angela thought and her stomach grumbled.

"What are you still doing here? You want to join me?" Bryce asked.

"Can I go for my lunch break?" Angela asked.

"You don't need my permission for that. Make sure you are available when I need you," Bryce said, and Angela exited the office.

Angela forwarded the soft copy of the notes and contract on her laptop to Bryce's email address and picked up her lunch box. She opened it and the aroma of the food filled her office. She quickly ate her food and continued with her work.

Work came to a close and Angela signed off at the reception, happy she was going home. She also checked out at the gate before exiting the company premises. She walked down the pavement and stood at the bus stop waiting for the bus. A Porsche 911 model pulled over in front of her and the window rolled down.

"Where are you heading?" came the male voice.

Angela lowered her head and looked at the person behind the wheel. She recognized him as one of the men from the panel during her interview.

"I will be fine. I will wait for the bus," Angela replied knowing she couldn't let anyone know she was staying with Bryce.

"You are the president's secretary. It would be rude on my part to drive away leaving you standing there waiting for a bus. Come on, it is not a big deal. Where are you heading?" Bernard asked, stepping out of the car and leaning over the top of the car.

"Greenwich Village," Angela replied.

"Hop in, I will drop you. I live around that area too," Bernard said, and Angela managed a smile.

"Thank you for the offer but I would be fine. I am meeting a friend somewhere. So I am not going now," Angela replied.

"Hmm, I see. Meeting your boyfriend?" Bernard asked.

"No please," Angela replied.

"I am Bernard, by the way," Bernard said and winked at Angela before getting back into his car.

"Nice to meet you and thank you," Angela appreciated and watched Bernard drive off in the direction that used to be her direction home.

Angela's heard her phone buzz and she quickly retrieved it from her bag. It was a message from Bryce. She unlocked her phone screen and opened the message to read it.

You did well today on your task. Your work was impressive. One more thing, don't take the base, request an Uber. I will see you at 7 p.m.

Angela read and a smile appeared on her face. Bryce was cold towards her all day but she felt some warmth in his message. She was still staring at the phone screen when a car drove past her and a cup of coffee was thrown at her from the car window. Angela dropped her phone to the ground reacting to the spill.

She managed to see the person behind the wheel before the car drove off. It was Susan and the other lady she had seen inside Susan's office.

What was that about? Angela thought as she retrieved her phone from the floor.

The phone had gone off and the screen was cracked with some coffee spilt over it. Angela cleaned her phone up and tried to turn it on but it won't boot. She ends up boarding the bus back to the Estate where Bryce lives.