Chapter 20: Replace her

When Milane returned to work the next day, a curious blend of amusement and apprehension filled her. She found herself repeatedly returning to the office with this odd mix of emotions. First, she had feared Lucas's retribution after witnessing his intoxicated state, and now... she was apprehensive about facing him again, given her front-row view of his embarrassing episode yesterday.

Fortunately, she had managed to emerge unscathed from the previous ordeal, and she fervently hoped that her luck would hold today.

Upon her arrival, Lucas was already ensconced in his office. Contrary to their past interactions, he hadn't summoned her as he often did. She breathed a sigh of relief, musing to herself, "If I were in his shoes, I'd definitely need some time to recover from that."

However, her reprieve was short-lived.

After lunch, the HR department informed her that she would be joining them and Lucas for interviewing prospective secretary candidates.

"Is he already considering replacing me?" Milane's inner thoughts swirled with concern. "But isn't that what I've been wishing for? An escape from this place?" She reasoned with herself.

"Milane, stay close," the HR executive whispered as they entered the interview room.

She followed suit and took her seat, confronted by a stack of resumes awaiting their perusal. A furrow creased her brow as she regarded the substantial heap. "Why would so many aspire to join this establishment?" she mused.

Lucas cast her a sidelong glance, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he playfully remarked, "Why the long face? Are you worried a more capable secretary will snatch your role?"

Internally rolling her eyes, Milane drew a breath to regain her composure. In a professional and courteous tone, she replied, "No, Mr. Leedon."

Noticing her lingering displeasure, Lucas promptly clarified, "They're not here to replace you. Remember, I assured you a new assistant would help shoulder your workload? You're here to pick your partner."

Milane felt a spark of surprise that he had remembered. She had half-believed his promise was merely a ploy to dissuade her from joining MiFuture.

"Thank you, Mr. Leedon," she offered a genuine smile, a rare occurrence that caused Lucas's heart to flutter.

"I do keep my word," he cleared his throat, briefly averting his gaze to the resumes before instructing the HR to bring in the first interviewee.

Throughout the entire interview session, Lucas proved to be stringent and meticulous in his evaluations. Milane couldn't help but wonder why he had chosen her in the first place, feeling a twinge of self-doubt as she compared herself to the candidates before her.

"No prior work experience? This isn't a training ground, consider interning elsewhere," he retorted.

"Less than a year in your last role? I'm not interested in temporary solutions," his voice held an air of dismissal.

"Your degree doesn't align with the job requirements. I don't need a physicist here, calculating the force required to swing open the office door," his sarcasm was undeniable.

It became evident that none had met his approval. With an air of finality, Lucas exited the room, bestowing the ultimate decision upon Milane and the HR executive.

Ultimately, the HR executive opted for a young woman who hailed from an Ivy League institution.

Afterward, Milane hurried back to the office to relay the decision to Lucas.

He nodded, "The decision is entirely up to you, as she will be your assistant."

Milane acknowledged his response, but the question of why Lucas had chosen her initially continued to linger in her mind.

With a hint of hesitation, she inquired, "Mr. Leedon, I can't help but wonder, why did you choose me originally? I had no prior work experience, and my expertise wasn't directly related to secretarial work..."

Lucas momentarily lifted his gaze from his documents and jestingly remarked to Milane, "Ah, now that you've seen more capable and younger candidates, you've realized your own shortcomings?"

Milane's response was swift, "Mr. Leedon..."

Lucas promptly rejoined, "I chose you because I saw your determination for this job. I believed that if given the opportunity, you would strive relentlessly to achieve my expectations…" He paused, a smile touching his lips. "And as it turns out, I was correct."

A chuckle escaped Milane's lips, "This is the first time I've heard praise from you. Thank you, Mr. Leedon."

With a playful arch of his eyebrows, Lucas quipped, "Was that praise for you? I was praising myself, for making the right choice. Now, leave my office and spare me these pointless inquiries."

Leaving his office, Milane settled back into her desk and allowed her thoughts to drift back to the time before joining Leedon Corporation.

Her mother's illness had placed her in dire need of funds for treatment. Fresh out of university, she scrambled to secure a job swiftly, aiming to qualify for a personal loan from the bank. Countless rejections dampened her spirits, and Leedon Corporation became her last-ditch effort. While her expectations were modest, driven by her desperation to not give up on her ailing mother, she remained determined. Lucas had chosen to employ her despite her doubts about the outcome. This act of kindness fueled her vow to work diligently and repay his faith.

But somewhere along the line, perhaps after her mother's passing or perhaps eroded by Lucas's stern demeanour and stringent demands, her sense of gratitude faded. The initial gratitude she felt toward Lucas became buried beneath the weight of her responsibilities and challenges.

As memories from the past flooded her mind, Milane was hit by an unexpected surge of determination to put her heart and soul into her job. The frustrations she'd once held against Lucas seemed to fade away, replaced by a fresh sense of resolve.

With a spring in her step, she gave herself a little pep talk and zeroed in on the work in front of her. She planned to create a comprehensive guide for the incoming secretary, ensuring a smooth and efficient support for Lucas.

As she was gearing up to dive into the task, Lucas approached her desk and handed over a stack of documents that needed her attention before the end of the day.

Milane let out a sigh, her voice a mix of determination and a dash of resignation. "Well, I suppose for now, I'll shift my goal from passion to survival. After all, a well-rested mind will have a better chance of embracing passion."