𝙨𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙧 | nanami k.

22

Nanami.

I blinked. I wanted Y/N to say again what they just told me. They stood in front me, looking confident as ever, but I can hear the slight tremor in their voice. I masked my anticipation with nonchalance, directing my attention to the blank screen of my laptop.

"I accept the offer... but on one condition."

I raised an eyebrow at that. Condition?

They continued after inhaling deeply. "I'd only work until I could earn money to pay for my senior year.... if that's okay with you. Temporarily, sir."

Y/N's words lingered in the air as I ponder what they just said. So what they're saying is... this will all be temporary. I stare at them, maybe a bit too long since Y/N shifted their weight to their other leg uncomfortably.

"Temporarily." I repeat.

I got a nod and I almost frowned when I saw their fingers gripping the strap of their bag tightly, making their knuckles white. Did Y/N really meant it when they said that they get nervous around me? I take my eyes off their hands, meeting their gaze.

Letting out a hum in response, I walked around my table. Y/N visibly flinching at my action makes me want to confront them and ask what I did to intimidate them. I've yet to encounter every employee in Zoriva, but the ones I did were shaky as well, and it made me wonder if I was being too hard on them. Or do I really look 'intimidating' and 'unsmiling' in Y/N's words, when I was talking to them as their... provider? Sugar Daddy seems dirty to say.

Should I try to smile? Seems uncharacteristic for me, but it would make them feel less intimidated. I would try if I have to.

I walked around my table and leaned against it. Y/N stood a few feet away, and I dare myself to scan them, because I couldn't help it. "Mx. Y/N, this job is not meant to be temporary." the smile on their lips fell, but I managed to speak again.

"As my secretary, you'll be the one managing the meetings and your presence is required in every meeting I attend to. You'll be focusing on handling the core tasks so you'll be sticking to my side at all times. Communicating with clients with high profiles is a difficult task, which also requires you to have patience— a long one. You'll also be screening emails one by one, manage them, and reply back to said emails with the help of Ijichi, my personal assistant, and me. The rest is history, one you'll be be able to learn along the way."

Did I say things too much? From the look on their face, I think I did. I wanted them to know that the job I offered wasn't something to take lightly. This wasn't meant to be temporary, and I think I did a mistake of giving them a run-through of what they'll be facing since they accepted my offer. I had hopes that they wouldn't back down, but since this is Y/N, maybe they wouldn't or they would.

The speechless state they're in was replaced with an unexpected smile on their face. It wasn't just any smile, it was a challenging one.

"Mr. Nanami, I am well aware of the responsibilities of a secretary," I gripped the edge of the table behind me and tapped my fingers on it. "I wouldn't be accepting it if I don't see myself fit for this job."

They glanced at my hands before gazing back at me. "But I'm afraid this is the only proposition I'm willing to give to accept the offer if I'm going to start as soon as possible."

Their eyes hold so much determination that got me amused, which I kept inside. I wouldn't want them to think I was making fun of them, when in fact, I was amazed by their straightforwardness. I'm sick of people trying to please me, and here was Y/N, giving me a no-bullshit attitude.