Corporate Love Affair

chapter one

"Amanda, why are all these papers in my conference file?" Belza said, holding the yellow papers up in her hand as she walked to her secretary's desk. "I thought I told you to put these in the trash? These were last week's stats." She held the papers in front of her secretary who was just paying more attention to her newly painted nails. "Were you listening to a word I said earlier?"

Amanda looked up from her phone and sighed. "I did, the whole conference you will be having is trash. I read the notes and honestly a man is better running your company, than a woman. My father always said women can't run a company, just be the advisor sometimes. My mother proved that theory, time and time again when she opened a salon in Brooklyn." Before Amanda could recollect on what she just said, Belza calmly sighed.

"Amanda, take your last lunch break now and when you come back, I expect all your belongings to be packed and out of my secretary's office by the time you are done for the day. I have given you too many chances and the rude attitude is not appreciated." Amanda opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped by Belza's hand. "I won't fire you, if that's what you think. You know all my employees' opinions are important to me, but I will simply put you as another personal's secretary in the building. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am." Amanda got up from her chair and grabbed her purse.

Taking a deep breath, Belza turned her heels, walked away from her secretary's desk, and went straight to hers. She threw the files on her desk and then sank into her chair. This was the fifth secretary she had to remove and transfer from her level in the building in almost 3 months, it was getting tiresome now. Too much to do and so much little time. The company was getting bigger and expanding in so many different ways and parts of the world, she would love a little help to get everything in order, like her meeting. Nevertheless, every time that happened she ended up either being a few steps behind.

How did her mother do this, after her father died when she was ten years old? Her mother was about thirty-one at the time; though her mother was running this company with an iron fist. She was one female that made a man's job so easy; so easy that she had so much time left to tend to Belza when she was growing up. However, when her mother didn't have the time, she was with her grandmother on her mother's side who showed her the ropes and explained to her what goes on in the company if anything was to happen to her mother. Ironically her mother passed away after her twentieth birthday. The same day she had just graduated with her master's in business and three months before becoming the youngest Sergeant Major in the US Army.

Sitting up in her chair, she logged onto her computer and sent out a group email to the board members that were supposed to attend this evening's meeting, informing them that the meeting was canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date in the weeks to come. After that was done, Belza yet again requested another help wanted ad in the local newspapers. Right now, she would not mind anyone, once they can help her get the job done. A decent secretary with a will to work and have light traveling work.

It wasn't like the job was hard; all the tasks were simple and free traveling to exotic places.

As soon as the email was sent, her cell phone began to ring from her purse. Digging through it she found it, without looking at the caller's ID, she answered.

"Hello, this is Belza." She said, sighing into the phone, like she was bored.

"I know that's not the voice you answer your personal phone with, Belle." A sassy and sarcastic voice rang on the other end, which made Belza smile.

"Nara!" Belza grinned, "It has been ten months and now you call me? How are things in California?"

"That's the thing; I no longer live in Cali. I moved my company to New York City!" Nara said laughing. "And it's right next to Grand Central. Can you spare some time right now to come see it?"

"I can try." Belza looked at the clock, it was only two and the meeting was canceled. "I can come by since I canceled a couple of meetings." She said getting up, grabbing her purse and sweater. "Give me like thirty minutes."

She heard Nara scream with excitement. "Just call me when you get to Grand Central." She said hanging up. She grabbed her purse, logged off her computer and locked her file cabinet with the key, before leaving the office.

When Belza finally exited her office, she caught a glimpse of her handsome, yet big brown-eyed favorite flamboyant person, Matthew Warrington.

"Matthew!" Belza called as she walked towards his direction

"Yes, Ms. Madrid?" He came walking up to her.

"I am stepping out for a while. I have some important business to attend too. First off, can you be a big help and transfer Amanda to be another departments' secretary and after you are done with that; I need you to finalize an ad in the paper for another secretary job." She asked.

"Leave it to me, Ms. Madrid." He smiled. "By the way, I know Nara is in town. The crazy nutcase we have a friend called me earlier. So don't lie to me about important business, also Robert would love to have dinner with you Saturday night. He wants to meet you after ten months of fearing you." He rolled his eyes. "You scare my poor boyfriend."

Matthew had been Nara's and her friend since she was in high school. He had seen all the good and bad things in her family. If it wasn't for him helping her with the minor things like scheduling company parties and fundraisers; she wouldn't know what she would do. Damn, if she offered him the position to be her secretary, she knew he would turn down the position in a heartbeat. He loved his position as her personal assistant; she had given him after his parents kicked him out for being homosexual and bringing home his long term boyfriend, Robert. He was paid the same amount as a secretary, but never wanted to be promoted to a higher position; other than where he was. He also never called her by her first name around coworkers, even though they all knew they were close friends.

"Telling him bad things about me?" Belza laughed. "I am nothing, but a fair and just boss. Nevertheless, hasn't he seen me a couple of times in the lobby? I mean he works as my front desk receptionist on the weekends? Why be so terrified of me?"

"I know he works down there, I have to visit my boo sometimes on my breaks. It's just that when he sees you, he flinches and goes rigid. You are a fair but stern boss." He pointed out. "Besides, I only tell him what you used to do, to the cheerleaders back in high school. Remember he was one himself." He snickered. "Well, let me get those things done, before I am transferred to. Lord knows where you will put me." He joked.

"You know I would never transfer you. You are my main helper in this company, when it comes to style and all things glamorous. You know I love you." She blew him a kiss, laughed and walked away to the elevator.

Once she was in the lobby, she smiled at Robert, who smiled back sheepishly. Taking out her cell phone she called for her driver and waited near the door. Looking outside she watched as women her age were hanging with friends, shopping and clinging to men who were either friends or significant others. She rather envied them.

Your job and lifestyle does not give you the time for that, the last time was a nightmare....

She remembered her last relationship. It ended badly and so scandalous, it made her wince; which resulted her being used for money, publicity and sex. Breaking off the relationship was horrific. Something she would rather forget altogether if she could.

But both are branded in her heart and memory....

"Ms. Belza?" She heard her driver's voice, which broke her from her thoughts and memories.

"I am coming, Bruce." She smiled as she walked to the car and climbed in.

"Where too?" He asked to get into the driver's seat, looking at her through the rear-view mirror.

"Grand Central." She smiled.