The CEO’s Hired Surrogate

Chapter 2

The echo of Kayla’s heels as she walked down the hallway matched the beating of her heart. Her eyes scanned the crisp white walls that rose all around her. They lacked any kind of fancy design, the exact opposite of the fancy lobby downstairs. In the back of her mind, she recalled the large reception area downstairs, the golden roses and vines that rose against the pillars on each side of the desk. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on the scenario around her now. She scanned the few paintings that were scattered around the walls. Truth be told, she didn’t appreciate them much, the dull colors and random strokes didn’t stir any emotion inside her. She was a lover of art, and could safely say that the art around her lacked any meaning or exceptional beauty.

But even if the reality of them had been different, and the artist could have managed to paint true meaning and emotions within them, she doubted that she would have studied them. She may have loved art, but that emotion was clouded by the anxiety of the day ahead.

As if in a daze, Kayla took a minute to analyze her current state of mind. She knew she had to relax in order to focus on what was to come. But how exactly was she meant to do that?

Kayla couldn’t remember how it had felt during her last interview. She couldn’t clearly recall the rush of adrenaline that had surged through her veins at that exact moment. But she had a vague idea. How different could it have been from what she was feeling then? Frankly, she did not care to remember, the slight fear and anxiousness that burned inside her chest, and spread through her body were strong enough to keep her mind busy for a while.

Sighing, she placed an ice-cold sweaty hand against her collarbone, her gaze fixed in front of her as she slowly focused on the end of the hallway. From where she was now she could see the round waiting area in its entire splendor. It was a bit isolated from the rest of the floor, probably because it was the office that operated the entire wing, or maybe due to something else. Whatever it was, one thing was for sure. The room was truly beautiful.

As soon as you entered the area, you were greeted by two Greek-inspired pillars. Her eyes wandered from the two green royal chairs that were placed behind the low mahogany coffee table, to the chandelier that scattered its light around the oval room. The chandelier was a typical one, a mix of tear-shaped crystals with a few diamond-shaped crystals that fell from its center.

From the corner of her eye, Kayla noticed a wooden desk to her right. A computer and a few scattered papers rested on top of the dusty desk. The chair was neatly tucked beneath the desk, its scarlet back being the only visible part. For a second, she imagined herself getting the job and sitting there for hours. She wondered if she would be able to answer to phone calls and take all the notes that Mr. Andrews would require. From the job description she knew she had a lot to do, but she didn’t mind. The salary was good enough to compensate for all the energy that she had to put into it.

Just as she was about to turn and face the office door, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in one of the windows across the room. Thankfully her shirt was still neatly tugged into the tight pink knee-length skirt she was wearing. Waves of raven black that cascaded down her back. From that exact spot, she couldn’t see any trace of the small amount of makeup she’d applied that morning. Not like there was anything specific to notice. She’d done nothing except apply some foundation and mascara that would make her hazel eyes pop more.

She didn’t know how long her feet were going to hold her, and she feared that she would soon trip and fall due to the mixed feelings that rushed through her. So, with a deep breath she sent a silent prayer to her dead father, begging him to help her once again before slowly walking towards the office door.

Usually those small prayers resuscitated her heart, bringing a wave of subtle faith within her. But that day, the hope-filled gesture didn’t help much.

As if in a daze, her knuckles brushed against the black wooden door, the echo of her knocks somehow barely audible to her. As if through some kind of miracle, she was able to hear the faint voice from behind the door that welcomed her inside.

Suddenly she could feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. Why was she so nervous again? She kept asking herself that, hoping she could find some kind of answer to the ongoing question.

“Hello. I’m Kayla Rogers. I’m here for the interview,” Kayla said as soon as her head had popped from behind the door. Her eyes didn’t have much time to wander around the large office or take in any detail regarding the sophisticated design around her. Because her gaze was stuck on the first thing she’d seen the minute she walked into the room, that being Mr. Paterson.

He was a man in his early forties probably, with a well-built body, and an icy gaze. His shoulders were broad, flexed beneath the navy-blue collar shirt he had on. His hair was a mixture of grey and raven black, the clear line that indicated the transition he was in. He ran a hand over his shaved faced and smiled at Kayla, his not so well-defined cheekbones lifting as the corner of his eyes formed a boyish smirk.

Most women would have swooned at the sight of the man in front of her. The charm and good looks with which he was adorned being the perfect combination. But Kayla wasn’t. In fact, to her surprise, she found herself intimidated the minute she walked into the office. There was something about the way his eyes ran up and down her body, dilating as they took her in. Kayla had felt bare and small, a feeling she didn’t appreciate at all.

“Hello, I’m Kayla. I’m here to interview for the position of personal assistant?” her voice trembled a bit as she said it but she immediately composed herself, trying to look as professional as possible.

“I know. The girl from the lobby announced you,” he said hurriedly, already approaching her with quick steps. Gently, he placed a hand on her back, a little too low for her liking, and led her towards the seat in front of his office desk, a move that she didn’t appreciate.