Hide The Secrets novel Chapter 1

Knock. Knock.

"Come in' I demand in a tone that would make a world champion boxer wee himself, I am beyond pissed.

In walks Joseph Crooks, a weasley looking man, small, weak, with messy hair and an all round clumsy appearance. This is not the image I want my clients to see. Well, it's a good job this guy isn't going to be working for my company anymore! Ha.

He walks over and stands in front of my desk, I smirk at him and tell him..."Sit'. He does and at the same time I stand so that I am looking down at him, I ask him...

"Are you familiar with the phrase 'A cheat never prospers?" I speak calmly and add to the tension.

His adam's apple bobs in his throat. He is nervous. Good.

"Well?" My tone increases, he is making me frustrated.

"Yes Sir, I am" he replies nervously. A bead of sweat rolls down the side of his face. Definitely nervous.

"Do you know the difference between right and wrong?" Again, my tone is increasing because he is pissing me off.

Again he replies, "Yes Sir, I do"

I've let him sweat it out long enough, I'm going in for the kill now. (Not literally though!). "Is that so? Well, I guess that as it is the right thing to do, you will tell me why you've been embezzling money from MY COMPANY? You are a thief, a liar and a cheat all of whom will never prosper. You are fired and will be attending court on the following dates..."

I slide an envelope across the surface of my desk until it is in front of him. He sits there in silence for a second before looking up at me and reaching for the envelope.

"Now... GET OUT!" I roar.

He collects the envelope and scuttles out of my office like a cockroach, he will find it hard to get a job once my head of IT posts his face on every job hunting website in the country, making them aware of his weasley nature!

I need a stiff drink...

I leave my office, and I thank Amelie (my PA) on the way to the elevator, I hired her when she was eighteen. She was pregnant with Mark Germaine's baby. I always hated that prick, ever since school. So I have paid for her child's schooling, nappies, everything. Some people think that the child, Zoe, is mine but I haven't got where I am today by caring about what other people think about me. So I don't care about other people's opinions about me. Although... Zoe is super cute and I don't think I'd mind being her father, she is beautiful inside and out, her happiness and unconditional love is amazing.

It's 9:00pm and the streets are buzzing, I head to my local watering hole and order, that's right, the usual. Which for me is the manhattan. It's about this time most nights when I contemplate my existence. Yes I am as successful as one could be financially, but do I have a successful social life, long term relationship, my own family?

My answer? One word.

No.

No social life.

"My name is Grace Clark-Tremblay, and you are..."

"Matteo, nice to meet you!" I finish for her and smile. Now that she is closer I notice smaller details about her, her hair is light brown with natural blonde highlights and her eyes are a deep brown colour. She is gorgeous.

At this point her friend walks over to us and though she is pretty I don't think she is as beautiful as Grace. Her friend is wearing a short black dress, silver heels and clutch to match. Grace's friend looks between us and winks at Grace, I smirk. Girl secret sign language?! She orders drinks from the bar and I interrupt before she can pay...

"Put it on my tab Javier." I ask the bartender whom is a good friend of mine, I've been good friends with him since I started my company and came here every Friday night for my usual, a manhattan.

Grace's friend stares at me confused then thanks me.

"Thank you...?"

"Matteo" I tell her my name and glance at Grace who is sat staring at the muscles under my suit shirt. My suit jacket is hung on the bar stool I'm sat on. We lock eyes and she looks away awkwardly.

"And your name is?" I ask looking up at the woman.

"Harriet...my name is Harriet"

"Cool, I'm going to stay and talk with Grace, is that ok? I will make sure she gets home safely. Will you be able to get home safe too?" By this point Grace is fairly drunk and guys are looking at her from across the room. Anger and jealousy flows through my veins. I don't even know this girl yet I want to protect her!