Sara POV
After talking with Minnie, I felt a little relieved... but my heart was still heavy. I missed her already. At least she was moving on from Will. If she was happy, that was enough for me.
My phone rang.
Akil: "Hey, Sara... I reached Paris."
I smiled without realizing it.
Sara: "Already? That was fast. Did Paris welcome you properly?"
Akil: "Not yet. It's waiting for you to come and see it with me."
I laughed softly.
Sara: "So... how is Minnie?"
Akil: "Yes. She was scared like a small child. She hugged her bag like it was her life partner."
Sara: "Idiot... take care of her, okay?."
His voice became gentle.
Akil: "I know. And don't worry... I'll take care of her like I take care of you."
My heart skipped.
Sara: "Akil... you just reached Paris and you're already making me miss you."
Akil: "That's because distance only shows how much I like you."
I went quiet for a second.
Sara: "Do you miss me?"
Akil: "Every second. Paris looks beautiful, but it feels empty without you."
I hugged my pillow and smiled.
Sara: "Then work hard and come back soon."
Akil: "Only if you promise to wait for me."
Sara: "I will... but don't forget me in Paris, Mr. Manager."
Akil: "Impossible. You live in my heart rent-free."
I shook my head and laughed.
Sara: "Sleep now. You'll be tired."
Akil: "Only if you say good night properly."
Sara (softly): "Good night, Akil... dream about me, not Paris."
Akil: "Always. Good night, my girl."
I ended the call with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my chest.
Minnie POV
I woke up suddenly.
I hadn't slept properly all night. My phone showed 7:00 AM.
"Great... first day at work and I already look like a zombie." I murmured.
I rushed to take a shower and got ready in a hurry. I was still trying to tie my hair when I heard the doorbell.
Ding dong.
I opened the door and froze.
It was Akil, standing there with two paper bags and a big smile.
Akil: "Good morning, Minnie!! I brought breakfast for you... and for me. Also, I will drop you at your office like a personal driver."
I stared at the bags.
Minnie: "Wow... Paris has room service now?"
Akil: "No, only Minnie service."
I laughed and stepped aside.
Minnie: "Come in before the neighbors think you live here."
He walked in and placed the food on the table.
Akil: "Eat properly. First day at work, you need energy."
I opened the bag and saw croissants and juice.
Minnie: "Akil... you're spoiling me"
Akil: "Sara will kill me if I don't."
I rolled my eyes.
Minnie: "So you're scared of Sara, not worried about me?"
Akil: "Both. But Sara is more dangerous."
We both laughed.
I tried to eat fast and spilled some juice on the table.
Minnie: "Perfect. First day and already disaster."
Akil: "Relax. Your boss hasn't seen this talent yet."
I grabbed my bag nervously.
Minnie: "What if I forget English? What if I get lost? What if I faint?"
Akil: "Then I'll carry you like a hero and become famous in your office."
I hit his arm.
Minnie: "Stop making fun of me."
He smiled softly.
Akil: "You'll be fine, Minnie. You're stronger than you think."
I took a deep breath.
Minnie: "Okay... let's go before I change my mind and hide under my bed."
Akil: "Too late. Paris is waiting for you, Madam Assistant."
As we walked out, I locked my door and went downstairs to the parking lot. Akil's car was already waiting there. We got into the car, and I couldn't stop staring at it.
Minnie: "Wow... is this your car?"
Akil (smiling): "Yes. I'm settled in Paris now. My parents also live here. I only came to Chennai for my cousin's wedding."
I nodded, impressed.
The drive went silent for a while. My heart was beating fast as we reached the office building. I looked up at it and opened my mouth in shock.
Akil noticed and laughed, gently pushing my chin up.
Akil: "Close your mouth, Minnie. Don't be so surprised. It's just a building."
Minnie: "Just a building? This looks like a palace for working people."
He laughed again.
I got down from the car, holding my bag tightly.
Akil: "All the best, Minnie. First day at work. You'll do great."
Minnie: "Thank you for everything, Akil. Wish me luck."
I waved at him and walked inside the building.
The lobby was huge and bright. A woman was sitting at the reception desk, typing on her computer. She looked at me and smiled.
Receptionist: "Bonjour, comment puis-je vous aider ?"
She spoke in French. My heart skipped a beat. Oh no... I don't know French.
I took a deep breath and replied in English.
Minnie: "Hello... I attended an interview for the Personal Assistant position. My name is Minnie Thomas. I was selected, and today is my first day. They asked me to meet Nova"
She smiled kindly.
Receptionist: "Oh, welcome. Please wait in the waiting hall on the right side. I will inform him."
I felt relieved.
Minnie: "Thank you so much."
I walked to the waiting area and sat down, holding my bag tightly, trying to calm my nervous heart.
After a few minutes, I saw a man walking toward me. He looked confident and handsome, wearing a blue suit with a white shirt. He stopped in front of me and smiled.
Nova: "Hello. I'm Nova."
I stood up immediately and shook his hand.
Minnie: "Hello, sir. I'm Minnie Thomas."
Nova (smiling): "You must be Minnie Thomas from India, right"
Minnie: "Yes, sir."
Nova: "Welcome to Paris... and welcome to your first day at work."
I smiled nervously but proudly.
Nova: "I'm also a personal assistant, so we'll be working together. Come on, I'll show you around the office.'
I nodded and followed him.
In my mind, I had imagined my superiors would be rude, strict, and scary. But after meeting Nova, I felt a little relaxed. He looked friendly and spoke calmly, and that made me smile.
He started walking and pointing at different sections of the office.
Nova: "Okay, welcome to our little kingdom of stress and deadlines."
I laughed softly and walked behind him.
We stopped near a glass-walled section.
Nova: "This is the Marketing Team. They turn ideas into magic... and coffee into survival."
I waved at them. They smiled politely and went back to their screens.
Next, we walked to another area full of phone calls and files.
Nova: "Here is the Sales Team. If money had a voice, it would sound like them."
One man looked up and said, "Welcome!" and then immediately shouted into his phone again. I blinked in shock.
Minnie (whispering): "Do they ever breathe?"
Nova: "Only during lunch break."
We both laughed.
Then he took me to a bright and colorful area with sketches, fabric samples, and computers.
Nova: "This is the Design and Production Team. This is where creativity lives. If you get lost, you'll probably end up here because it's the prettiest place."
I looked around in wonder.
Minnie: "Wow... this looks like a dream workplace."
Nova: "Wait till deadline week. Dreams turn into nightmares."
I smiled nervously.
He continued walking.
Nova: "Over there is the Quality and Planning Team. They make sure everything is perfect before it reaches the client."
We passed by the HR Department, and he pointed at it seriously.
Nova: "And this... is the place where all office problems are solved. So behave well, Minnie."
Minnie: "Noted, sir."
Nova: "And this is where the main production meetings happen. From here, all big decisions are made."
I took a deep breath.
As I followed Nova through every department-sales, marketing, design, and production-I felt nervous but also excited. This wasn't just an office. This was the place where my new life had started.
Finally, we reached the top floor of the building. When the lift doors opened, Nova pointed to a large open office area.
Nova: "Welcome to the Business Development Team."
He walked with me toward a long table where four people were already working.
Nova: "Minnie, they are also from business development team .Their team doesn't have enough desks yet, they kidnapped our space.
I blinked and looked at them.
Minnie: "So... we are sharing desks?"
Nova: "Yes. Office sharing program. Free of cost."
They laughed softly.
Nova: "This is Caroline, Alice, Enzo, and Theo. they are my friends to and don't worry, they speak English very well"
I smiled in relief.
Minnie: "Hi, nice to meet you all."
Caroline: "Welcome to our company"
Nova pointed to two empty chairs beside Caroline.
Nova: "Originally, this was my peaceful corner. One seat was mine... and now this one is yours."
I looked at the table.
Minnie: "So they took your place and I took your peace?"
Nova: "Exactly. Welcome to office politics on Day One."
Everyone laughed.
I placed my bag on the empty chair.
Nova: "I'll sit next to you. If you get scared, just pretend you're working very seriously."
Minnie: "What if I don't know what I'm doing?"
Nova: "Then smile. In offices, smiling means 'I understand everything."
I tried not to laugh and nodded.
Then he added,
Nova: "Okay, now put your bag here... and let's go meet the boss."
My heart started beating fast again, but this time smiled a little.
"Maybe this place wasn't so scary after all. At least, I wouldn't be alone."
On our left side, there was a large door. I knew instantly that it must be our boss's room. Nova knocked, and from inside we heard a deep voice say, "Come in."
We entered the room.
The moment I stepped inside, I froze.
The room was huge, with black walls and a glass window that showed the city outside. I slowly lifted my eyes to see the person sitting behind the desk... and my breath stopped.
My eyes widened in shock.
"No... this can't be real," my mind screamed.
The room felt smaller, and my legs turned weak. The person sitting in that chair... the person I tried so hard to forget... was standing right in front of me again.
My past.
My pain.
Will.
I felt the world spin around me.
My hands trembled, and I forgot how to blink. Every memory of him crashed into my heart at once.
Why him? Why here? Why now?
I heard Nova cough, and only then did I realize I was staring like a statue.
Nova: "Mr. Will, she is our new personal secretary. I told you about her last night."
My lips parted, but no words came out. My chest hurt. My heart whispered only one thing:
"Of all the cities... of all the offices... why did I have to meet him again?"
I forced myself to breathe, but inside I was completely shattered.
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Author Note
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