When Jason got there, he found Nancy outside. He understood immediately the reason. She didn't want him inside. She looked as ashamed as she must feel and he swallowed the rebuke he was about to give her for not being truthful with him the other day.

'Good morning, Mr. Campbell'.

'Good morning Nancy. How are you doing today?'

'Very well thank you. Hope you are fine yourself?' Nancy asked politely.

'Yes. Have been better though'.

She heard something in his voice which she could not really explain but let it go. If it was something that she needed to know about, she was sure that he would tell her about it.

'Shall we? I can see that the woman I met yesterday relayed my message to you'.

'Sarah. Her name is Sarah and yes, she did'.

They were leaving when the woman in question came out and called out to them. Campbell knew that she wanted more money and he obliged her without waiting for her to ask. She needed it in any case if her living quarters and appearance was anything to go by.

'Thank you sir. Thank you very much

May your life be long and may the both of you find happiness'.

Nancy was about to tell her that they had no personal relationship but Jason stopped her. He didn't have the time for that type of discussion. Let her assume whatever she wanted.

'Okay. Have a great day', he said as he for stalled anything Nancy had been about to say.

On their way to where he parked his car, Nancy could not stop herself from saying, 'Why did you allow her think that there is anything other than a business or working relationship between us?'

'How would that have helped and do you think she would have believed it? Anyway, I didn't have the time to go into such arguments and clarifications. So I felt it was easier allowing things rest. Arguing with her might escalate the issue as more explanations I do not have time for would have been called for'.

Nancy understood perfectly, afterall she had not corrected the impression Sarah had made yesterday as well because she had just been too exhausted to argue.

'You are right', she said simply'.

'By the way where were you yesterday? You went out? I got the impression that you had no place to go, pardon my assumption'.

'There is nothing to forgive. Your assumption is right because I am actually new to this area but I had to go out in search of a job

I felt that I should help myself while waiting for any feed back from you and the friend you promised to speak to and I felt it could take up to a week or there abouts and I was not sure I could wait that long before earning'. Nancy explained as they got into the car.

'Please strap the seat belt', he said when it seemed she did not want to do that.

'Oh!' she interjected as she did as she was told. She had not been thinking about it. Not that she forgot actually.

'I came here take you to the office to get started with the job but you were not in. I waited but you didn't come home. You must have come back quite late, not that it is any of my business of course', he said curious to find out if she had been successful in her job search.

'I tried alot of places including apartments'.

'Apartments! Oh you were searching for a change of residence. That is good because where you stay is no place for a woman in your condition or anyone for that matter to stay'. he said thinking, 'Thank goodness she realised that she should move from that hellhole she is living'.

'I went to the apartments to see if they had jobs for me as housekeeper or a cook. I was ready to do any job to earn my living than wait for help and charity from anyone's, she said accusingly.

Jason knew that she was referring to him and grimaced.

When he did not say anything, she continued, 'And well, I came in just as you left. I ran to where you had parked your car and called for you but you had started the car and did not hear my call, I tried to run after you waving and shouting for you to stop but it was useless. Then Sarah told me you had asked her to tell me you would be here the following day and that I must not go anywhere'.

He still did not say anything as he drove into a very big premise and as Nancy looked up, she found to her surprise, the name of the company and it read.

The Campbell Enterprises.

'So he was actually going to give her a job on his own company. She should have known that someone who looked as wealthy as he would be a CEO of a company.

Before she could comment, he stopped the car, stepped out after unstrapping the seat belt and came round to open the door for her before she could do it herself.

She stepped out of the car as well and immediately missed the comfort of the car. But that was okay since her search for a job had finally come to an end. He knew where she lived and her pregnancy and still wanted to employ her, she was sure that her securing the job was a given and her heart swelled with joy as she rubbed her hands round her stomach, silently thanking her baby for bringing her such wonderful luck.

The premise was bigger than any she could imagine and we hen they went in, she was sure she could never get tired of working there but she we would have to be careful not to get missing.

There were just too many offices and industrial plants.

The man was even wealthier than she had envisaged.

Alot of the people stopped what they were doing to greet him and he just waved at them and they continued what they were doing.

Jason took her directly to the office in top floor and Instated her in one office that had an adjourning door.

'This was the office of my former secretary, but you shall be staying here as you shall be doing the job she did for me. I shall ask someone to show you what you are to do exactly and how and if you have any questions as you work, feel free to ask me. You shall assist the person who would show you the ropes till such a time as you are strong enough to work on your own, by that I am considering your pregnancy'.

'I am pregnant sir, not sick or abled. I can perform any duty given me efficiently but you are right. This is all new to me and I shall need someone to put me through'. she conceded.

'Anna, Anna?'

A young girl of about Nancy's age came forward.

'Sir, you called for me?' Anna asked.

'Yes, I did. This is Nancy .....'

'Jones. Nancy Jones', Nancy offered, smiling and taking the girl's hands. 'And you are Anna, I presume?'

The girl was taken aback 'Yes, Anna Pitts'.

'A pleasure meeting you, Anna Pitts'.

'Same here', the girl said not sure if it was really a pleasure knowing this new girl that was so bold in the presence of the boss.

'Right. Now that the both of you have met, I would like for you, Anna to put her through on the things she should do as my secretary but you shall be taking the reins while putting her through. Once she gets the hang of it, you shall go back to your original duties. Do you have a problem with that or any questions?' he asked.

'No sir. I shall do as you have instructed. It is a pity what happened to Mrs. Amos'.

'Yes indeed. please get on with it. I have lost a lot of time I would have used productively and I need to get started to make up for lost time', he said as he went through the adjourning door into what Nancy pressumed was his office.

Anna did as her boss had instructed her. Being in charge of the office while Nancy learnt from her. She asked alot of questions and Anna answered them as best as she could.

Nancy observed and within a week she knew all there was to know about being Mr. Jason Campbell's personal secretary.

Jason was not satisfied and put her through alot of test which she passed very well.

'You are really a fast learner', he commented smiling appreciatively at her.

'I have to be to survive. I am a survivor, sir', Nancy said smiling in response. She was glad that he was not the kind of boss who was hard to please or who find it difficult praising or appreciating his workers when they have done something commendable.

'Even then,Anna will still stay in this office with you, observing you and putting finishing touches to her training of you'.

'But....' Nancy was going to object. Not because she didn't like Anna but because she felt that Anna had to go back to her own job and not do a double job while she, Nancy was just sitting idle earning, the kind of salary, Mr. Campbell had placed her on. She wanted to justify the money she was going to earn.

'No buts. That is my final decision

And while we are at it,what plans are you making towards getting a better apartment?'

'I shall live where I have been living for sometime until I can afford a better place of residence', she said defensively.

'Yes, but now that you work here, I cannot allow any of my staff to live in such deplorable conditions. That place is not got for any human being, key alone a pregnant one. So, I shall advance you your salary to get a change of wardrobe. You have to get clothes that are worthy of your position as my secretary and till you can get an apartment for yourself, you will have to come live in my house's, he said turning to go, his stance showing that he condole any objections but Nancy had to have her say.

'You are my boss sir, but that does not give you the right to take over my life,plan my life and take decisions for me. I am an adult and capable to taking care of myself as well as decisions concerning my life. How can you ask me to pack up and come live with you? What would your wife say, have you thought about that?'

A shadow fell a Ross hos face but quickly disappeared and Nancy was not sure that she saw what she thought that she saw.

Anna who had been there, could not believe Nancy or how she could speak to the boss that way and most of all reject such a mouth watering offer. Any other person in her shoes would have jumped at such an offer. Living with the boss would certainly spare her money for feeding because she was sure the boss would not allow her buy her own food. So she would be treated to the best food money could buy and she would save the money for her apartment and use it for something else since My. Campbell would definitely not accept rent from her but here the foolish girl was refusing. Some people are so lucky and do not know it or fo not know how to appreciate it. But the mention of the boss'wife made Anna uncomfortable because they rembered what he went through when Mrs. Campbell left with the boss' best friend Terry. She excused herself and left the office, thinking that the boss would storm at Nancy for being so rude and assumptions.

'I do not have a wife!' he said harshly.

Nancy could not believe it. How was it possible that a devilishly handsome man such as her boss who was also as wealthy as this was not married?

She recalled the shadow and something else , anger? bitterness? that had flickered through his eyes and knew she had not imagined it. There was definitely something , a story behind his being unmarried. The girl he wanted to marry must have rejected him or left him for another or it could be a case of unrequited love. This shows that money could not buy love, else what else could a woman desire that Mr Campbell didn't have? But that was a subject to be contemplated at another time but for now, she had to stand her ground. It was her life afterall and she was not a baby, requiring a baby sitter or someone to father her.

'If there is not wife, the a girlfriend or someone and if not,how can I live with you, a single girl like me would it not raise eyebrows?'

'Did you really think about the eye brows that would be raised when you got yourself in your present condition with the loser who made you pregnant?' he said angrily.

Nancy was shocked. She looked at him with her mouth agape.

He regretted it as soon as the words were out of his mouth but he could not take it back and explaining himself would only make matters worse.

'You are not going to live insidey house. I have staff living with me and you will have a room in the staff quaters as well. It might not be what you want but it is definitely better than your present place of abode.I am not trying to impose anything on you and neither am I giving you charity, you work for me, so your welfare is of paramount importance to me. I would do it to any other person as well. You do not have to worry, your honour is intact where I am concerned', he said and left.

Nancy could not get over all he had said. She slumped I to a chair and cried. She supposed she deserved it. She was already pregnant with no father for her baby and she was still concerned about what people would say if they found out she was living with her boss? She just had not expected him to be so insensitive. The way he blurted it out was not flattering at all. She had a mind not to accept his offer but she had to put her pride aside and think about the welfare of her baby. She never doubted that her honour was safe with him though she was beginning to soften towards him because of the kindness he had shown and was still showing her. She knew that not every one would do for her what he had done and is still doing and instead of being grateful, she was fighting him.

She was not going to agree just yet. He had hurt her with his words and she was not going to forgive him that easily.

Another week rolled by but Nancy did not go to live in Jason's staff quarters. She had expected him to broach the topic with her again but he did not. It was almost as though he did not care anymore.

She was growing used to her job and duties and carrying them out effectively and effortlessly and even Jason had to admit that there was no need for Anna to continue coaching her.

Nancy had got enough corporate clothes for the office and was looking more attractive and the men in the office had started giving her the eye. Jason saw all this and though he thought in passing that she was really beautiful and had a great shape, he felt no other emotion. He had killed any emotion he had for the opposite sex and took his pleasure where he found it. He could not risk his hear getting broken again.

Nancy was in the office one day and she remembered what had bothered her for sometime. She wondered if Anna would know about it.

'Anna, why is Mr. Campbell still unmarried?'

Anna was taken unawares and did not know how to answer the question.

'Why do you want to know?'

'Well for one, he was s handsome and Roch and not really a bully though stubborn. I would have expected him to have a wife and children'.

'Well, you must not let on that I told you.Promise?'

'Promise', Nancy said thinking to herself that she had known all the while that there was a story behind his unmarried state.

'Well he was married to a very beautiful model called Rebecca. Their marriage I heard was in the magazines for months afterwards. It was a really lavish affair.

Mr. Campbell really loved her, giving her everything and more. It was a shock to us when the rumour started going round that Rebecca had run of with Mr. Campbell's best friend Terry.

He was so devastated that he did not come to the office for almost three months. And when he did, he was a ghost of his former self. He is only started to recover fully but since then, he did not allow himself get too close to any woman.

His wife also wiped their joint account clean as well as the one he personally opened for her. If his sister had not come to be with him,he might have died. It was a double betrayal, you know. The wife he loved dearly and his best friend who he trusted with everything. No one talks about his failed marriage and that was why I left that day you mention something like that to him when he was talking about your accommodation'. Anna explained.

Nancy could see now. She could also see why he felt that he had to protect her. They had alot in common. He was a broken man.He had not quite healed yet else, he would not be affected when the word wife is said, reminding him of his own wife's betrayal. And she had been betrayed as well nit by her husband but by a man she thought she was engaged to and with who she would soon get married.

She didn't want to think about Robert. She always felt like wringing his neck. She wanted to make him suffer. It did not trouble her that he was the father of her unborn child. She understood perfectly his pain. And his was even a double barrelled one. His wife and his most trusted best friend. It was a miracle he survived the hurt and betrayal.

'A penny for them?' Anna asked. She had been watching Nancy and had seen different emotions flick across her face. It was evident that she was deep in thought. What she had just heard must have affected her and why not? What woman in their right senses would leave Mr. Campbell for anyone else? Well everyone had their preferences and who was she to judge?

'They are not worth a penny, I assure you', Nancy said as she realised Anna was referring to her being lost in thought after listening to her narration. And indeed the thought of Robert was not worth anyone's hard earned penny. He was just an inhuman villain. Lower than the lowest animal alive. Even then,it was not enough to qualify his bestiary nature.

Nancy decided that she was going to tell her boss that she was ready to take up his offer of the quarters.

But Campbell did not come back to the office that day. She layer heard that he had travelled for a business sealed and would not be back for about three days.

She did not think that she would be hurt but she was. She was supposed to be his personal secretary and he had gone on such a trip without telling her and she who was suppose to let others know of her boss' appointments and trips was the last person to know of it.

She seethed. She could not understand her feelings. Why was it hurting her so much? She planned to give her boss a piece of her mind when he came home. He would have to explain her job description to her again do that she is sure if she was there as a figure head or as his personal secretary.

The three days went by still,there was no sign of the boss. Nancy was getting really impatient and worried.

She had tried calling him but he wouldn't pick her calls and she didn't know what to make of it. Yet others in the office seemed to be having easy access to him.

He came back after a week. And he looked so handsome that Nancy could not believe that he had gone on a business trip. Business trips were supposed to be stressful but no part of his body shoed any sign of stress. He seemed to have come back from a vacation and if her suspicion was true, then it must have been with a beautiful lady. No other sort would command such a man's attention.