My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation

(Arata)

I hardly slept the night, watching the videos and reels that enigmatic and lip-smackingly delicious man had uploaded. Gaping at him twisted my insides in ways I never knew was possible.

Setting up a new email address, I created an account and followed him using the name 'Desperate Princess'. 

Corny right? Well, I was going for that, considering most of the girls who followed him were similar. 

This could turn into my new pastime, watching this mysterious man display his toned body for us to feast on. The comments were hilarious and wild, mostly from hungry women and gay men. 

[How to book an appointment with you?]

[My cherry is on fire seeing you. Can you lick it?]

[I got pregnant just by watching you.]

[You squeezed my ovaries.]

These made me laugh hysterically. I hadn't much smiled, let alone laughed, since Andy's betrayal. 

I refrained from commenting although I wanted to. The man was a complete thirst trap and I would certainly be entertained. 

Finally, I had to put my phone away and get a few hours of sleep before leaving for the Arsten Empire where I had to go through a job interview for the position of secretary. 

Was I nervous?

Absolutely.

But a part of me was also excited to embark on this journey of self-healing and self-actualisation. 

More importantly, I was looking forward to meeting the CEO; Karsten Chevalier. The man was a complete enigma. I had randomly seen him on TV in an interview. His words never gave out anything about his personal life. The odd thing I noticed during the interview was, he didn't smile. He seemed reserved and cold. 

But he was handsome, extremely handsome, and I wondered how he must appear in real life. 

I spread out all the office wear I had bought on my bed. 

Stella sauntered in carrying a cup of coffee. Her caramel-shaded hair was knotted in a bun above her head while she wore her fluffy white nightgown with rabbit ears. She appeared like an overgrown bunny.

She narrowed her eyes at my choices and picked up a button-down crisp white blouse with a thin navy blazer and a tailored pair of trousers which matched the blazer.

"Wear white pumps with these and you are ready to rock," she instructed, taking a sip from the big coffee bunny mug. 

I contemplated for a while, and Stella spoke again.

"You will be fine, don't overthink. Go rock that interview. I will fix you some breakfast." I smiled at my best friend. 

Picking up the clothes I proceeded to get dressed. Seeing myself in the full-length mirror in the wash area, I could hardly recognise myself. Instead of a fun-loving, always-smiling Arata with a flamboyant personality, a solemn-looking girl with glasses stared back at me. I smothered a lock of hair down and adjusted my glasses. I wore a black wig to hide my vermilion strands. 

Picking up my bag and file, I was ready to head out. 

"Woah! Look at you, all professional." Stella grabbed my shoulders and squeezed.

"Yeah! I feel like those well-behaved and nerdy secretaries I read in books and watch on TV." I rolled my eyes, and Stella giggled with her hand, thrusting a sandwich into mine. 

"Good luck and munch on this. You need energy." 

Bidding her goodbye, I headed out and hailed a cab. Baba had booked a car for me but it wasn't here yet. 

The cab driver was a middle-aged man who, thankfully, didn't indulge in conversation with me. I finished my sandwich and wiped my mouth with tissue paper. 

I observed Marcia City through the cab window; the hum and drum of the city were less loud than in Angel City. The autumn season had draped it in its colours of brown, orange and yellow. The colours of gloom and sadness. Or maybe it was just me to whom everything appeared dull after Andy. 

I noticed how the huge billboards showcased the Arsten Empire's reign over this city. Every corner seemed to be decorated with their paraphernalia, hoardings, banners and flexes. It was less Marica City and more of the Arsten Empire. 

Their logo of a blue rose intertwined with a needle and a thread was unique, something I had never seen before. I opened my file to go through the notes I had prepared for the interview.

"Ma'am, we are here," the cab driver's calm voice jolted me back to reality. Closing my file, I fumbled through my bag and extracted my card. The glass panel on the screen behind the passenger seat showed my rent. I swiped my card over it and paid.

"Thank you!"

Paying for my ride, I let myself down from the cab and lifted my eyes to cast a curious glance at the looming building of the Arsten Empire. 

The black cab sped away.

The very first thought that crossed my mind seeing the architectural structure was the lack of colours. The whole structure only had two colours, black and royal blue. For a clothing brand, I had anticipated the building to be more gaudy. It was slightly depressing to look at, with tons and tons of glasswork set in a mosaic style. 

The winding tower-like structure cascaded upwards like a mammoth spiral. It was indeed a marvel of modern architecture. 

I finally willed myself to move. My heart pounded slightly louder, my eyes wavered forward. 

The security guard in his crisp black uniform became even more alert than he already was as he saw me approach. His dark gaze scrutinised me like a panther sizing up his prey.

"I am here for the job interview," I quickly informed him, trying not to feel undermined. 

He nodded and stepped aside from the sliding glass door. It slid open, admitting me inside the colossal lobby. The same depressing tones of black and blue welcomed me as I confidently stepped forward and approached the large polished desk. It seemed to have been constructed from dense black glass. 

A girl who seemed to have escaped from some fashion week runway cast a wary glance at me, lifting her long, fake eyelashes. Her eyes held questions while her glossy protruding lips, like a puffer fish, remained sealed.

"I have an interview for the job of secretary of Mr Karsten." I tried to keep a straight face but my eyes wouldn't budge from her botoxed lips. Her disappointed gaze slowly swept over my body in disapproval. I didn't have a model-like figure, although I had the height. 

I knew what her gaze meant. 

'What's this fatso thinking applying here?'

Maybe she thought only slim people could become her boss's secretary. The brain wasn't required?

"Top floor, take the middle elevator." She slid a silver card my way and waved me off with her perfectly manicured right hand.

Suppressing a falling chortle I moved towards the intended elevator. The whole structure was some kind of thick black glass. I pressed the glowing button and entered it, riding it up to the 30th floor as the heavy glass doors slid close. 

Feeling anxious I tapped my foot on the glass floor. It seemed to have been constructed out of obsidian. 

I hated elevators. They seemed like death traps to me and always made me feel dizzy. 

Taking out my makeup mirror I checked myself in it and adjusted my hair. The door slid open as the elevator arrived at its destination and I stepped out into the corridor with low light. 

Another female, this one a few years older than the Botox fashionista I met downstairs, greeted me. She seemed more level-headed and less judgemental than her. 

"Good morning! I am Mr Karsten's senior secretary, Miranda Kerr." She extended her hand towards me, and a warm smile decorated her lips. I shook it, reflecting her enthusiasm, and introduced myself.

"Good morning! Ma'am. I am Arata. Here for the interview."

But her reply left me dumbfounded. "Please! Follow me to the CEO's office, he is expecting you."

I had thought that the Hiring Manager or HR department might conduct my interview, not the CEO himself.

Cold sweat broke out on my body, and my ears went hot as blood rushed into them. 

The clicking sound of Miranda's heels against the cold floor was the only sound I could hear as she guided me to a large black door with the company's logo drawn on it in a blue and silver hue. The 3D design was mesmerising to look at. 

Miranda paused outside and extended her hand. 

"Please! Press the rose." Seemed like she wasn't going to accompany me. Giving her a nod with my lips bunched up. I did as was told. 

"Enter!" A heavy masculine voice instantly sounded through the small speaker on the top of the door, showing his room was soundproof. 

Drawing in a heavy breath, I tried to keep the beats of my heart under control and pushed open the door to enter the office of this mysterious man.