They went on talking for more than an hour, sharing their stories, their dreams, their wounds. The conversation flowed naturally. Time seemed suspended.
When the sun began to go down, Cyril stood up. “Thank you for coming. I really enjoyed this.”
“So did I. You’re different, and I like that.”
He smiled. Deep inside, Cyril already knew. This girl did not just have a good heart. She was real. She was unique. And for the first time in a long while, he felt happy.
The next morning, Mireille woke up smiling. She kept thinking about her meeting with Cyril the day before. There was something about him that had stayed with her. He was not like the others. He had nothing material, but he had a rare gentleness, honesty, and depth.
She was sweeping her little living room when her phone rang. Unknown number.
“Hello?”
A man’s voice, polite but professional, came through. “Good morning, Mireille. I am the deputy general manager of the company where you worked. I am calling on behalf of Mr. Cyril. He would like to speak with you.”
Mireille frowned. “Mr. Cyril?”
“Yes. He has reviewed the situation and recognizes that he made a mistake in firing you. He is offering to bring you back, but this time as the personal assistant to the CEO.”
Mireille froze. “What? Me?”
“Yes. And you can start tomorrow if you accept.”
She remained silent for a moment, her heart beating fast. She had moved on, but this was an opportunity she could not ignore.
“All right. I accept.”
“Perfect. See you tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. at the office.”
“All right.”
The call ended. Mireille stood there with the phone in her hand, still in shock. She immediately picked up her phone and called Mama.
“Hello, Mama. Good news!”
Mama’s voice was joyful on the other end. “Tell me everything, my daughter.”
“The company called me back. They offered me a new position, personal assistant to the CEO.”
“You see, my daughter? I told you, good attracts good. You are blessed.”
Mireille smiled, touched. “Thank you, Mama. But I already know what you’re going to say next, that all of this is your famous son bringing me luck.”
Mama laughed. “And I will say it again. He deserves you, my daughter. Wait until you discover him fully.”
Mireille shook her head, laughing. “Mama, not yet.”
They both burst out laughing.
The next day, Mireille prepared herself carefully. This time, she was not returning as a simple employee, but as the direct assistant to the big boss. She put on her best outfit, tied her hair neatly, and went to the office.
When she arrived, she was directed all the way to the top floor. They pointed to a door: CEO’s office.
Mireille took a deep breath before knocking.
“Come in,” a deep voice answered from inside.
She opened the door and walked into the office. She stopped dead when she saw the man sitting behind the desk.
It was him.
Her boss.
The same Cyril she had insulted a few days earlier. The same Cyril she had called an idiot just two days after being hired. Her heart jumped. She had been talking with him all this time without ever knowing who he really was or what he looked like.
Cyril smiled gently. “Welcome back, Mireille. I hope this new position will suit you.”
Mireille was still in shock, but she quickly composed herself. “Thank you, sir.”
Cyril leaned slightly toward her. “I want to apologize for everything my ex-fiancée did to you. She was wrong, and I should never have believed her. I hope you can forgive me.”
Mireille nodded. “It’s all right, sir. I have already moved on.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Cyril replied with a smile. Then he looked at her more carefully. “You are very beautiful today.”
Mireille frowned slightly. “Thank you, sir,” she said cautiously.
But Cyril continued, “Would you agree to go out with me one of these days?”
Mireille’s face changed instantly. She straightened up and answered firmly, “Sir, if you rehired me for that reason, then I would rather stop right now. I cannot accept that.”
Cyril quickly raised his hands. “No, no, that’s not it at all. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. That is my fault.”
Mireille looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “All right. I just want to focus on my work.”
After a long day at work, Mireille finally returned home. She threw her bag on the little wooden table and collapsed onto her bed with a long sigh. Her mind was troubled. The day had been strange, and she felt uncomfortable.
She picked up her phone and dialed Cyril’s number.
He answered after the second ring. “Hello, my love. How are you?” he said in a calm, warm voice.
Mireille sighed. “Cyril, I do not like my boss. I do not feel comfortable there. I think I want to quit.”
“What happened? Did he do something to you?”
Mireille frowned. “I don’t really know how to explain it. He apologized for what happened before, and that was fine. But then, for no reason, he started acting strange. He told me I was beautiful and asked me out. It was so inappropriate. I told him clearly that if that was the reason for bringing me back, then I would not continue.”
Cyril smiled slightly, even though Mireille could not see it. He admired her firmness.
“What did he say afterward?” he asked.
Mireille sighed again. “He apologized and told me that was not his intention, but I do not trust him. I feel like he has some plan behind all this. I do not want to end up in drama at work. I think I should leave before things get worse.”
Cyril’s voice became more serious. “No, do not leave. You need that job. Mireille, do not let anything distract you. Focus on what you are doing. And if he starts again, stand firm, but do not resign because of him. Hold on, Mireille.”
Mireille hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You’re strong, Mireille. You worked hard to get that position. Do not let one uncomfortable moment make you give up. Do your work and ignore him.”
Mireille sighed. “All right, if you say so. I just do not want trouble.”
Cyril laughed softly. “You will not have any. Trust me.”
“I’m really tired. We’ll talk tomorrow, all right?”
“All right. Sleep well, my love,” Cyril said, smiling to himself.
As Mireille hung up, she still felt a little unsettled, but Cyril’s words had reassured her. On his side, Cyril smiled to himself as he set down the phone.
A few weeks later, Mireille arrived at work feeling calmer. She had decided to follow Cyril’s advice: focus on her work and ignore her boss’s strange behavior. She would not let it disturb her.
Barely had she entered the building when her boss sent for her to come to his office. She went in and stood straight in front of his desk, waiting for him to speak.
He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Mireille, as the personal assistant to the CEO, your position comes with certain advantages. First, you are going to receive a company car. Second, we are going to house you in a fully furnished apartment right next to the office.”
Mireille’s eyes widened. She remained speechless for a moment before excitement took over. “Sir… are you serious?”
He laughed softly. “Yes, Mireille. It is written in your contract. You deserve it.”
Mireille could not stop smiling. It was far beyond anything she had expected. “Wow, sir, this is incredible.”
Then suddenly she stopped and looked at him a little suspiciously. “I hope this is not what I think it is.”
He raised his hands. “Not at all. It is purely professional. But Mireille, I must confess something. I like you. You are beautiful, and I admire you.”
Mireille’s smile immediately vanished. She took a deep breath and shook her head. “And here we go again. Sir, I am going to get married soon. I love someone else. Please, let us stay professional.”
The man sighed and slowly nodded. “All right, Mireille. I respect your decision. We will remain professional.”
She gave him a small nod and then walked out of the office.
