Page 88 of The Secretary Volume II

There is no sign of Ellis.Just the scent of aftershave and the distant sound of dishes being moved like someone’s trying not to be heard.

I should leave.

I almost do.

But then someone knocks gently—barely a sound.And when I open the door, it’s not Ellis.

It’s a woman.Gray dress.Hair pinned back like she’s expecting an evaluation.

“Breakfast is ready,” she says, and smiles like I requested it.“Mr.Harrison is waiting in the dining room.”

“Thanks,” I say, like this is normal.

She turns.I follow.

The house is different in the morning.Busier.Sharper around the edges.The air smells like citrus and starch.Someone’s whispering down the hall—too faint to follow.We pass a woman with a vacuum.She smiles at me like I’m not a surprise.

In the dining room, the table is already full.

A white-haired woman sits at one end, dressed like she’s halfway between Sunday service and hosting a local PBS segment.Beside her is a younger woman—early forties maybe—eating yogurt with surgical focus.And across from them, Ellis, in a crisp button-down, halfway through his coffee like this is normal.

He stands when I enter.“Morning,” he says.“Sit.”

I hesitate for a beat too long.I’m still in the dress from last night.It’s not exactly breakfast attire.I don’t know where my shoes are.

The woman with the yogurt gestures to the empty seat.“Don’t be shy.”

I sit.

Ellis leans over, topping off my coffee like he’s been doing it for years.“Sue,” he says, gesturing, “this is Lena.Lena, this is Sue.And”—he nods to the third woman at the table—”Quinn.”

Quinn looks at me.Smiles.

There’s something off about it.Not unkind.Just…delayed.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” I say.“But I really have to get to the office.”I glance at my watch.“Ten o’clock meeting…”

Ellis frowns.“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.You have time.”

Sue brightens, just a little too much.“You know, Quinn used to say the same thing.Always rushing out the door.Always trying to solve everything before breakfast.”

Quinn nods, deadpan.“I had staff meetings to run.”

“She was very important,” Sue says with a smile.“Back when she still had a badge.”

Ellis clears his throat.“Let’s eat, shall we?”

Quinn picks up her glass, holds it midair, and sets it down again without sipping.

I glance at Sue.She’s resumed her breakfast, eating like she’s timing each bite.

Quinn hasn’t blinked.

“Have some eggs,” Ellis says, already reaching for the serving spoon

“No thank you.”I watch as he scoops a spoonful onto his own plate.He looks over at me.“I’m good.”

Across the table, Sue dabs her mouth.“You’re the new secretary.”