The journey, originally expected to take two hours, took much longer. The entire journey was filled with silence. Even a slight moment of pity, Athena felt for all the effort her boss had put in to win Miss Tiffany's heart.
Well, what else can you do? You can't force someone's feelings on you. At least Miss Tiffany isn't a cheap woman who would accept the director just because of his money.
'Does she need to encourage his boss?' Athena shook her head. Athena's desire to encourage the director was halted. She didn't ask many questions, because again—it wasn't within her realm, questioning her boss's feelings would cross the line between subordinate and superior. She still wanted to work.
"Director, we're here." Athena woke Nikolov, who had fallen asleep during the journey. Nikolov pinched the bridge of his nose, and within seconds, the tired look on his face was gone.
"Hmmm," the boss replied again.
"Director, welcome. I heard you had some trouble on your journey. Luckily, you arrived safely."
"Hmmm, so, have you settled everything with—"
The day's work went smoothly, despite being delayed several hours from the scheduled time. Director Nikolov remained professional, but unfortunately, his mood was not so good, and he didn't hesitate to take it out on those around him.
"This villa, didn't I tell you to get rid of it?" asked the director.
"Ah... the villa owner doesn't want to—"
"I've already given you money as compensation. Did you swallow all the money I gave you into your stomach? Go meet the owner of this villa again, ask him how much money he wants. Secretary Athena, you take care of everything."
"Yes, Director." Athena gave a concerned look to the middle-aged man who was on the verge of fainting. Director Nikolov was already terrible on a normal day, let alone when he was in a bad mood like this. It was also his fault for messing with the perfectionist Nikolov.
Well, another thing Athena always noted about her boss was that when Director Nikolov was in a bad mood, he wouldn't hesitate to take it out on others. Athena had to put on an apologetic face to everyone she met, while glancing out of the corner of her eye at the tall, thin man in front of her. Huh... Nikolov hadn't been in this bad of a mood this morning, why would he go to see Miss Tiffany if he was just going to end up making things difficult for everyone?
As evening approached, they rested for a while at a villa near the project site. Athena also cleaned herself up and changed into a shirt, jacket, and trousers. They also had a dinner meeting with the parties involved in the project that day.
Athena stood in front of Nikolov's door, already carrying her boss's clothes with her. "Director, I brought your clothes."
"Come in."
Athena entered the room. In front of her, Director Nikolov had just stepped out of the shower, a towel around his waist and his hair still wet. Athena sighed in disappointment; every time she saw the director shirtless like this, she was always disappointed. Look at that skinny body, she could see the skeleton beneath his skin.
It would be a treat for her if this boss cared even a little about his own body. While he was quite handsome, this boss didn't seem to care. He didn't take care of his body, didn't exercise, ate irregularly, and drank heavily. His fashion sense was also terrible. This was why her job felt incomplete, as she didn't have an athletic, handsome, and cool boss like the dramas and webtoons she read.
"You're looking at me with disappointed and angry eyes," Nikolov commented, taking the white shirt from Athena's hands, who immediately forced a smile. "What are you saying, Director? I'm very happy." Nikolov snorted and ordered Athena to leave immediately because he needed to change. "Make sure they're all here, I don't want to wait," he ordered.
Dinner also ended smoothly, there were no problems, no glasses were thrown on the floor. At nine o'clock in the evening, they left town X. An exhausted Athena accidentally fell asleep in the car, but she was also always alert to her surroundings. She immediately woke up when their car stopped.
"Mr. Ili, what's wrong?"
He looked ahead, a black car stopped in front of them. Several people got out. Of course, who could guarantee that their journey would go smoothly without any obstacles?
"Wait, director, you can't go out!"
Athena cursed inwardly as Nikolov got out of the car. Her boss couldn't even fight. Instead of waiting for the bodyguards behind him to arrive, he got out himself. Did he think he looked like a superhero? Instead, he looked like a rabbit willingly entering a lion's den.
Athena also rushed out of the car, standing in front of the Director, observing every movement of the people surrounding them. "Tell me, which bastard sent you here!" Ah, it seemed this man was still so upset about the rejection this afternoon that he wanted to vent his anger right now. "Director, stay behind me," Athena said, making sure her boss didn't get hurt.
Of course, the men in black suits did not reveal their identities clearly, instead, without hesitation, one of the men immediately attacked.
Deftly, Athena held back the hand that was about to throw a punch at Director Nikolov, the woman's blue eyes flashed and in one blow, she hit the man's face hard until he fell and bled.
The men in black suits were shocked, unable to believe that the woman they thought was not a problem, had become a threat herself.
How did they think Athena could become Director Nikolov's secretary? Besides being his personal secretary, she was also the director's primary defense, and she was also the chief of staff of Director Nikolov Zhestkiy! She— Athena was not to be underestimated!
The fight continued. Athena had to face the men attacking them alone while also protecting Nikolov, who had turned pale. Besides being unattractive, her boss also didn't know how to protect himself. "Director, get inside quickly. I think they're also blocking the bodyguard car behind." Director Nikolov was an important man, the heir to ZY Corp, wherever he went, bodyguards would follow him, even on long journeys like this. But it seemed like the bodyguards back there were also busy being blocked by the same enemy.
"What do you mean? I'll help you!" Nikolov said.
Help what? You'll only hinder me, director! Athena's heart screamed.
And sure enough, a moment of carelessness had left, Director Nikolov become an easy target for their attacker. "Director!" Athena pulled Nikolov's hand away and took the blow with her own body. Oh shit... it hurt so much. The corner of her face seemed to have been scratched. "Secretary Athena... your forehead is bleeding." If you already knew it was bleeding, you shouldn't have bothered me!
As powerful as Athena was, she was still overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies. The secretary closed her eyes, passing out after the attacker threw sleeping gas at them.
Ah, today was going to be the unluckiest day of her life.