The CEO's Assistant

Camille's blue eyes softened as Arianna disappeared out of sight. Sorrow and regret filled her eyes.

"You put on quite a show, you know that." Joan's soft voice fine spoke.

"I just broke her heart." Camille's guilt was already become overwhelming.

"I'm just as guilty." Joan's eyes looking at where her daughter disappeared, "but I need to protect her, if William ever found out I'd never she alive again."

"You know that's the only reason I agreed to do this." Camille grabbed her purse and elegantly stood up. "I better get going. Go make sure she's okay."

"I will, thank you." Joan watched her friend disappear. her mind kept replaying her daughter's crying tears, guilt crashed over her like a tsunami.

~ ~ ~

Upstairs, in what could be justifiably mistaken as a princess' bedroom, laid a crying woman. Her long brunette curl sprawled across her bed as her soft pillow covered her ugly crying face.

Outside the door a concerned mother hesitated, Joan took a deep breath before walking inside to comfort her daughter.

Joan sat on the soft bed beside her daughter and held her close. Arianna buried her head into mother's shoulder.

"I'm sorry sweetheart." Her heart began to ache more with each tear that seeped through her clothing.

"Have you ever been in love mother?" Arianna looked at Joan through her teary eyes.

"Yes, once… a very long time ago." Joan signed thinking about the man she once loved deeply. "I was almost 19 and was working as a secretary for a sales director in a large company. Christopher Walsh was my boss, he was tall, handsome, smart and kind. All the women in the office had a little crush on him, but mine wasn't just a measly crush, without even knowing it I'd had fallen head-over-heels for my boss." Joan's eyes filled with sorrow as she fell into a distant gaze.

"So, what happened?" Arianna smiled eagerly.

"Nothing… he was married." Joan sounded sad yet content. "For many years I hid my affection and felt nothing but guilt about it. That was until I met his wife…" Joan stared off into the distance remembering the day she met the stunning Matilda Walsh.

~ ~ ~

It was a staff Christmas party and while Joan hadn't attended the first year of her employment, the second year Chris' wife had just given birth to their son, but Joan knew she'd finally get a chance to see the woman the man she loved chose.

She saw a tall handsome man dressed in a black tuxedo with his dark hair combed back, beside him was a tall stunning woman with auburn hair and eyes that shone like who stones of amber, her perfectly plump lips painted in red lipstick and her body curved perfectly, she certainly didn't look like she'd had a baby.

"Joan, this is my wife Matilda." Chris smiled as he introduced her to his wife. Matilda instantly smiled and hugged the young girl in front of her.

"Thank you so much for looking after my Chris." Her sweet voice was like a symphony written by angels. This woman was perfect, suddenly making Joan's guilt worse.

"You're welcome Mrs. Walsh." Joan politely smiled back.

"Well I will leave you ladies to get more acquainted, I have some business to discuss with William." Chris left the two women alone.

"You're in love with my husband." The sweet smile disappeared from Matilda's face. Joan was shocked. How did she know? "Don't try to deny it. I can see it in your eyes. Just know that he…"

"I'm sorry." Joan's interruption caused Matilda to stop.

"What?"

"I'm sorry," she repeated, Joan felt so ashamed she was not able to meet her gaze. "I never intended to have feelings for Mr. Walsh and I'm not entirely sure when they started, it was like they snuck up without me knowing. I feel so guilty, but I want you to know that I would NEVER do anything to ruin your marriage. It's just I envy you, that's all."

Matilda remained silent for a moment, she was well aware of how attractive her husband was and just how many women had tried to steal him from her, but she had never had a woman apologise for it. 'Was this woman scheming to try and get close her family and steal him away right in front of her, clever too mad miss secretary I'm smarter' Matilda thought to herself, before asking, "Why? Why are you sorry?"

"Mrs. Walsh as a child my father left my mother for another woman and ruined our family. From that moment onwards, my sister and I swore that we would never interfere with a married man. I respect that you made a vow, and just because I have feelings for him, doesn't mean I'm going to be greedy enough to try and steal him for myself." Joan looked the woman in eyes, her face softened after a she finished speaking.

Never in her life had Matilda ever thought she would meet someone so selfless to watch someone they loved, love someone else, that was the kind of love only found in fairy tales and stories. She found it surprisingly sweet. In world of facades and hidden intentions, Matilda found it refreshing to see the genuine sincerity in this young woman's eyes.

"I have too much respect for you as a woman and too much respect for myself to attempt ruin a perfectly happy marriage. Mr. Walsh loves you deeply, and I wish for nothing more than his happiness. So please Mrs. Walsh make him happy and stay by his side forever." Joan's heart ached as she said the words, but she knew as long as she could support him from a distance that was good enough for her.

Matilda was pleasantly surprised by the honour of the young woman in front of her. "Thank you." Her sharp tone dissipated into her normal sweet voice.

Several months later both Christopher, Matilda and their son were all killed in house fire while they slept.

Joan's heart still breaks for the family and inside her personal safe is the family photograph Chris Walsh used to keep on his desk.