Lena
Lena sat across from the hiring manager in the sunlit office, the polished surface of the desk reflecting the
intensity of the conversation. They were smiling, eager, their tone warm as they outlined the offer—a
significant salary, a high-profile position, and a team ready to follow her lead. It was everything she’d worked
toward, a role that suited her ambition and skill set perfectly. She should have been thrilled, but a knot tightened
in her stomach as the conversation edged toward staffing. “We’d be happy to assign one of our experienced
executive assistants to support you,” the manager said, their voice brimming with enthusiasm. “We’ve got a few
stellar candidates already lined up—people with a proven track record.” Lena’s jaw tightened slightly. The
memory of Natalia hovered like a shadow, unbidden but impossible to ignore. She could still see Natalia’s
polished smile, her perfectly tailored outfits, her quiet efficiency that had once made Lena trust her
implicitly—before the betrayal. Before everything. “Thank you,” Lena said, her voice steady but firm. “I’m
sure your team has excellent assistants, but if I’m going to take this role, there’s one non-negotiable condition.”
The hiring manager raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Of course. What is it?”
“I want full control over the hiring and firing of my secretary,” Lena said, her tone leaving no room for debate.
“That means I choose the person, and if something isn’t working, I have the authority to make changes without
going through layers of bureaucracy.” The manager blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Well, that’s... not a
typical request. We usually—” “I understand it’s unusual,” Lena interrupted, her gaze steady. “But it’s essential
for me. I need to trust the person who has access to my schedule, my correspondence, and my office. That trust
is something I need to build myself.” She saw hesitation flicker across the manager’s face, and for a moment,
the room fell silent. The knot in Lena’s stomach tightened further, but she didn’t back down. This wasn’t just
about control—it was about ensuring she never found herself blindsided again. The manager finally nodded,
their expression softening into something more understanding. “I can see how that would be important,” they
said. “If that’s what it takes to have you on board, we’ll make it happen.” Lena exhaled, her shoulders easing
slightly. “Thank you,” she said, her voice quieter now but no less resolute. “It’s not negotiable.” The hiring
manager’s nod of agreement to her secretary requirement felt like a small victory, but Lena wasn’t done. She
leaned back slightly in her chair, her fingers interlacing in her lap as she pr epared to drop the final condition.
“One more thing,” she said, her voice calm but firm. The hiring manager glanced up, their expression curious
but attentive. “I’ll start in a month.” The manager blinked, visibly surprised. “A month?” they r epeated, as
though the timeline hadn’t occurred to them. “That’s... longer than we’d
hoped. We were really looking for someone to start within the next couple of weeks.” Lena tilted her head,
unfazed. “I understand, but I need the time,” she said evenly. “This isn’t just about transitioning into the
role—it’s about making sure I’m ready to give it the focus it deserves. You want me at my best, and I need a
clean slate to get there.” The hiring manager hesitated, clearly calculating, but Lena didn’t waver. She needed
this time. She knew exactly how she intended to spend it. She held their gaze, her expression calm but resolute.
That month was non-negotiable, for her sake. Finally, the manager exhaled, offering her a small, understanding
smile. “Alright. We’ll make it work. One month.” “Thank you,” Lena said, a small smile of her own breaking
through. She was going to go to Italy.