Chapter 14: Chapter 14

"Alexis?"

"Connor hey"

"I need your help. I've been arrested and I don't know who to call"

Alexis gasped "What? How? Why?"

"I really don't know. I woke up in a car full of coke and heroin. The police won't believe me that they both aren't mine. Apparently, the car was reported stolen last week"

"Oh, poor baby. What is going on? First, you're suspended and now this?"

"I really don't know what's going on. It's like someone is out to get me. Can you help me? I hate doing this, coming to you, but I have no one else"

"Don't worry. I'll ask my dad to send one of his lawyers. Then I'll come to see you. Okay?"

"Thank you, baby. I love you so much"

"I love you too. Just hold on tight till I get there"

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She'd gotten there alright. After two days of ignoring his calls. Connor had been pissed at her for taking too long but he'd said he was happy to see her. Even hugged her and tried to kiss her but she'd pushed him away, saying his breath stunk. He'd nodded but she had seen a flash of irritation pass in his eyes. Knowing what a cheap son of a bitch he was, she knew he wouldn't complain until she'd helped him. So she had wiped the fake smile on his face when she'd told him she couldn't help him. He'd gone still as she rattled off his infidelities one by one, then told him to rot in hell. He deserved what he was getting for lying to her, for breaking his promise. She told him that with one of their lawyers, he would have already been out, but now that he couldn't keep it in his pants, he would spend at least six months in jail. After that, she'd gotten up and left. The expression on his face when he realized no one was going to help him had been priceless. Now all she wanted to do was move on from that prick. She was done with him and his lies.

Alexis looked down at the outfit she was wearing. It wasn't what she would normally wear to work or anywhere but she was trying to be invisible. That required her to look bland and boring. Not worth a second glance. So this would do.

The baggy suit was two sizes bigger and second hand. Her hair was in a ponytail and she wore glasses to complete the boring librarian look. Her face was devoid of makeup, her fingernails trimmed short and the two-inch heels she wore served to bring home the fact that she was now a simple secretary. Alexandra Barret famously known as the Rutherford Princess was officially a nerd. Jayden who had been making his way to the fridge did a double take on her, blinked like he couldn't believe it was her, then dissolved into laughter.

"Wow, Lexi. If you were going for the boring librarian look, you nailed it"

"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment"

"It wasn't meant as one. Besides if you want to play librarian at least look sexy while doing it. Even grandma is more stylish than you"

"That's the purpose of this whole look" she huffed in annoyance. "I'm supposed to be invisible"

"I know it's you and I'm sure everyone will too. Honestly, why are you even going to work? Didn't grandpa leave you a trust fund? A hefty one at that?"

"Yeah. But I want to know what it's like to work in an office as normal people do. Do you know mom used to be a waitress?"

"Yeah. But I'm sure she didn't look like an old woman while doing it"

"Argh" Alexis growled in frustration. Why was she even trying to explain it to Jayden? She was sure the moment he was old enough to get his trust fund, he'll turn into another Ray. Someone who didn't do anything all day except irritates her.

"Jayden I need a favor my man" speak of the devil. It's like he knew she was thinking about him and decided to make an appearance. He came through the back door, did exactly what Jayden did when he saw her, only Ray didn't laugh. He had this weird intense look in his eyes that made her want to go back upstairs and change. But she couldn't. Her mind was already made up.

"I'm leaving," she told them and hurried to the front door. Earlier she'd called a cab not wanting to show up at the office in an expensive flashy car while pretending to be ordinary. That would raise flags and questions she didn't want to answer. So how was she going to pull off being Alexa Barret when all her papers said otherwise? Well, Vince took care of that. He recommended her to one of his friend's PR company since finding a job on her own would take forever.

Alexis knew it was unprofessional and unfair considering she'd taken the position of someone who most likely needed this job more than she did which is why she told Vince to get all the other applicants jobs. He'd grumbled saying how hard it would be but eventually, he got each and every one of them a job. Now all she had to do was be a secretary. She had a degree in business management but it would be of no use to her since she wasn't using her real name. How hard could it be to have a normal job?

On her way to the office, she thought about this new phase her life had begun. Having a job was a pretty big deal. Soon she would have her own place and get out under her parent's wings. She was like a baby bird who had learned to fly and was ready to tackle the world all by herself. She wondered how her new colleagues would treat her. People went above and beyond to please her because of her last name. As Alexa Barret, how would they treat her? They didn't know who she was. Did she want to be normal? Ordinary?

Before she could start freaking out, the cab stopped in front of a tall building. It wasn't as grand as the Rutherford towers but her mom always said her father was the kind of person who exaggerated things. So maybe this was how normal workplaces looked. After paying the driver, she squared her shoulders and walked in. Here goes nothing.

"Hi. I'm Alexa Barret, here as new the secretary to Mr. Duke Copeland"

The receptionist sneered at her then said "The fifteenth floor" and went back to what she was doing, which was nothing. So much for making friends on her first day. Deciding to ignore her, she got in the lift and pressed the button that would take her to her new workplace. When the lift pinged open, all eyes turned on her. The layout was just like every other office she's been to, cubicles, only here people actually stopped to stare. Didn't they have anything to do? With the way she was dressed, they were making her feel uncomfortable. One girl who appeared to be her age got up and approached her

"Excuse me, are you lost?"

Do I look like I'm lost? Was on the tip of her tongue but she said "No. I'm looking for Mr. Copeland's office. I'm his new assistant"

The girl ran her gaze up and down her body, then smiled figuring out she wasn't competition or something like that. "Just walk straight, to the end of the cubicles. You won't miss it"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said but her eyes didn't portray what she'd said. Sooner or later she would have to figure all of them out. Friends on one side and faux on the other. As she passed the cubicles, some said hi while others just stared making her wonder if she'd gone overboard with her outfit. It was weird to not have people smile at her even when they didn't want to. Guess this was how it felt to be normal. At the end of the cubicles, there was a desk in the corner and beside it was a door with the word 'Manager' and 'Copeland' under it. Placing her bag on the desk she straightened her clothes then knocked on the door. When she didn't get an answer, she cracked it open and peeked inside.

There behind a large desk was a man in his mid or late twenties who appeared to be busy reading some papers. He didn't look up or even acknowledge her presence so Alexis stepped in the office but left the door open. While he was busy working, she took a moment to study him. His hair was slicked back to perfection, suit pressed to fit him like a glove, showcasing the broad shoulders, there was no stubble on his face indicating he'd shaved this morning and his long shapely fingers flew on the keyboard of the laptop that was in front of him. He was handsome, neat, judging by how clean his office was, which made Alexis think that they would get along just fine. "Sir I'm..." he held up one finger, making her shut up. Clearly, he was busy and here she was, disturbing him. Did she go back to her desk and wait for him to finish what he was doing? But how would he know his new secretary had arrived? How did people act in these situations?

He looked up, studied her from head to toe, at least what he could see, then speared her with a glare. "Did you knock?"

"Yes sir"

"Did I say you could come in?"

"You were....."

"Go back and knock" he dismissed her going back to his papers. Alexis turned around and went back outside, closing the door with more force than necessary. Maybe she had been wrong about getting along with him. She knocked. And waited. And waited.

Twenty minutes later she heard a muffled 'come in' from the other end. By then she was fuming, Her patience having run out in the first two minutes. Who the hell did this guy think he was? Banging the door open, she stood on the threshold afraid that if she went inside she'd be tempted to smack him right across his stupid smug face. Not something she wanted to do on her first day at work.

"I don't like you," he said still behind the desk.

Yeah well, the feeling's mutual jerkface.

"Did I do something wrong, sir?"

"Don't speak unless I tell you to" he snapped.

"Yes sir" she quipped acidly just to get under his skin. It worked because he was out of his chair and in front of her in a flash.

"That right there is why I don't like you. You're unqualified for this job and instead of being grateful you got it, you're rude. I don't like rude people miss Barret. If Mr. Lachlan hadn't recommended you, you'd be fired before you even began. Don't think I won't fire you just because you know the Lachlans. At the end of the day, this is my territory. You were hired to be my secretary. I decide whether you should stay or not. Are we clear?" since he'd told her not to speak unless he told her to, she just stared at him. He practically plastered his face to hers, his nose almost touching her and growled, "Do I make myself clear?"

She nodded. He slapped his palm on the wall beside her head. "Answer me!"

"Yes, sir. Crystal clear" she said sarcastically. "Now unless you want me to slap you with a sexual harassment lawsuit, you will take a step back"

He looked ready to strangle her but moved back nonetheless. The door was wide open and she was sure the whole office had witnessed this little show. Not that she cared. Just because she was dressed like an old woman and changed her name to Alexa, didn't mean she was going to let anyone bully her. Yes, she'd barged into his office without waiting for his approval, but he could have just told her to knock next time. After all, she was new. The least he could do was tell her what he expected from her not tell her he didn't like her. The Jerk.

"I don't like you, Miss Barret"

"Yeah. You said that already sir. But you are not firing me on my first day here. Yell at me all you want but I'm not losing my job. Think about that lawsuit the next time you want to come anywhere near me" then she spun around and left. Screw that moron. Her mother had taught her not to let any man walk over her especially if they thought they were superior. There was no way in hell Mr. Copeland was going to threaten her with a job she'd worked so hard to get. In the back of her mind, she realized that her heart was beating wildly because she was excited. And this was only her first day? She couldn't wait to see how tomorrow and the rest of the days turned out.

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Let the circus begin. Clearly, this Copeland guy doesn't know who Alexis is. I pity him.