Never Too Far Novel

“I’m sleepy. Let’s talk about it next time.” Ellen politely wrapped up the discussion before terminating the call. After setting her phone into silent mode, she drifted into dreamland.

At that moment, the smoking Harvey cursed in his car, “What the f*ck? If you weren’t that pretty and loaded, I wouldn’t have set my eyes on you.”

He condemned orphans like Ellen because she was not from a powerful family to bolster his life. Thus, his parents told him to marry her to rip her off over that demolition payment. He need not ask her for kids to make it easy to bring up a divorce a few years later. By then, he could still marry an influential woman who would be the godsend to his breakthrough in life.

Ellen was merely the springboard for his life. She had no one to turn to even if she was tricked. Murray and Connor were acquaintances, so Harvey was aware of Connor’s apathy toward her.

The weekend passed just like that. Ellen went to work at 8.30AM. When it was barely 9.00AM, a man holding a bouquet appeared. She intended to run away at the sheer look of the incoming person. Oh, my goodness! Why is Harvey here?

Hugging a bouquet, he alternated his gaze left and right. In the end, his gaze landed on the receptionist’s desk as he heard of her position. Almost instantly, he caught sight of the girl sitting at the desk. Despite her intentional avoidance, he approached her enthusiastically.

“Ellen, you do work here. Look! I brought you flowers. Isn’t it pretty?” He went all out just to buy the most expensive roses for her.

She put on a stern face. “Mr. Fuller, it’s the working hour, so please do not cross the line.”

“I’ll leave right after I give you the flowers! I won’t bother you!” He quickly put the bouquet on her desk and decided to be thick-skinned until the end. “I’ll be sending flowers every day until you promise to have a meal with me.”

Ellen grabbed the flowers, which she did not wish to receive, and chased after him. However, he had already exited the lobby. He would not give her the chance to return them since he was aware of her intention.

Right when he opened the door to hop into the car, she caught up. “Harvey, wait!”

She almost tripped herself along the stairs due to her speed. At that moment, a black sports car almost ran into her. Fortunately, the driver reacted quickly enough to step on the brakes and was equally surprised.

When Jared realized it was none other than Ellen, he broke into a cold sweat. Ellen?

To his relief, she was unscathed. Holding onto the bouquet, she was talking to Harvey beside his car.

“Mr. Fuller, please take back the flowers. I don’t want them,” Ellen insisted.

“Don’t you girls love pretty stuff? I spent almost three hundred on them. I’m serious about you. Please accept them, Ellen. I’ll give you something better next time.” He feigned sincerity.

“I can’t take them. Please do not send me flowers during working hours. Thank you.” She placed the flowers into his car before leaving.

“Hey, hey! Ellen, what do you mean by this? I’d already bought them. Whom am I supposed to give them to other than you?” said the frantic man, as he did not wish to let his money go down the drain.

Still, she strode to the lobby’s entrance without looking back. Harvey grumbled in frustration, “Damn it!” He entered the car and wanted to drive away, yet a black sports car was blocking the way. He would usually go berserk, yet the sight of the expensive vehicle intimidated him. So, he wound down the window to talk to the other driver politely, “Hey, dude. Make way, please.”

Jared wound down his window and glanced at him before parking his car at the front. The interested Harvey followed suit and started a conversation with Jared. “Dude, how much did you spend on your car?”

Alighting from the car, Jared stared coldly at Harvey because he did not intend to respond to the guy. In the end, the awkward Harvey decided to take his leave.

Back at the receptionist’s desk, Olive whispered to Ellen, advising her not to loaf about during working hours, or she would be penalized. Ellen did not want that either, for she even warned Harvey not to send her flowers again.

At that moment, Olive straightened her back to greet the incoming young man along with the others. “Good morning, President Presgrave.”

Ellen could not react in time, hence the tardiness. “Good morning, President Presgrave.” Her voice alone reverberated in the lobby because everyone had done their salutations by the time she stood up. Feeling embarrassed, she could not help her flushing cheeks.

Jared’s eyes naturally fixed on her. A smile appeared across his lips the moment he saw her. Then, he responded to everyone, “Save the greetings whenever I’m at work.”

“And spare me a moment, Ellen,” he called for her on the spot.

She froze at her spot, looking left and right to realize that only her name was mentioned. She had no choice but to rise from her seat. Now that he was seeing her as the company’s president, her heart surged to her throat.

Once they came to a pillar, Jared cut to the chase. “I saw you and a guy fighting back there. Who is he?”

Ellen’s mind went blank, for she did not expect him to witness that scene. “He’s the son of my uncle’s friend.”

“Is he pursuing you?”

“No, no, no! I have nothing to do with him.” She shook her head vigorously in denial.

“He’s definitely up to no good. Don’t mind him,” he reminded.

“I know.” She nodded because she hoped for peace too. However, she worked in the lobby, where Harvey could drop by at any time, so she could not do anything about it.

Needless to say, Jared was also aware of the main problem. Why don’t I transfer her to somewhere close to me? I need a personal assistant anyway. She can help me with my daily routine, and I can keep her safe by keeping those unwanted harassments in check. Perfect!

“Ellen, do you want to have a change of job?”

“A change?” That idea did not cross her mind at all.

“I need a personal assistant, so you can take office from now on.”

“Huh? Me? But I haven’t done anything relevant to that.” She lacked confidence.

He smiled. “You don’t have to worry about that. I don’t bite.”

He assured her to get back to work first before treading toward the elevator. Once Ellen was back in her position, Olive came up to her. “Ellen, why did he ask for you?”

“Nothing.” Ellen figured that it was not the time to bring up the job rotation.

The tactful Olive quelled her doubts at her response. If President Presgrave takes special care of Ellen, she won’t need to serve as a receptionist anymore.

As Olive expected, Ellen received a job rotation email from the human resource department at noon. She went to the manager’s office as required, and Joanna looked at her enviously. “Ellen, you’re promoted! You’ll be working as the president’s personal assistant from now on.”

Her face turned crimson at that. That sounds kinda weird. Personal assistant?

Seeing through her mind, Joanna grinned. “Don’t get me wrong. We’re a proper international company. As the president’s assistant, you’re required to take care of his personal life. The president will elaborate on the details himself later.”

In actuality, Joanna was clueless about what kind of a person Jared was. The only time she encountered him was during a meeting among the senior employees. Thereafter, she had the impression that Jared was a strict and serious person.

Ellen did not foresee the promotion to be this soon either.

“You should report yourself at the floor where the presidential office is.”

After thanking Joanna, she headed upstairs by the elevator. The moment she came out of it, a secretary in her early thirties escorted her.

“Ellen Reiss, come this way, please.”

Ellen trailed behind the lady. The whole floor appeared unusually solemn and strict, and she was on tenterhooks. Jumbled thoughts flooded her because she did not have the slightest idea of what kind of work she needed to do.

“Ellen, here’s your office. You are directly under President Presgrave, so he will tell you your duties himself. All you gotta do is do as you’re told to.”

“Then… Do I need to go through any handover documents?” inquired Ellen.

The secretary gave it a thought before shaking her head. “I’m not sure either. You’re his first personal assistant, so just wait for his orders.”

She strode away just like that, leaving Ellen in muse while propping her chin. A couple of moments later, the landline on her desk rang out suddenly, making her jump. Quickly, she answered the call, “Hello?”

“Come to my office.” Jared’s gruff and enchanting voice resounded.

I guess I have incoming work now, Ellen thought. “Okay. I’m on my way.”

Taking a deep breath, she walked to his office and knocked on the door. The second she opened the door, Jared was removing his blazer to reveal the dark grey vest and white shirt underneath. Geez, he’s a real-life prince charming.

“Have a seat. Let’s talk about your job scope.” He pointed at the couch.

Is he going to deliver my job scope personally? She was not sure whether to cry or laugh at reality.

Once Jared took a seat, the jittery Ellen proceeded to sit down with a straightened back. With her hands placed on her knees, her serious gaze began to focus.

Seeing that, he burst into laughter. “Relax. I don’t bite.”

But you’re the boss! How am I supposed to relax in front of my boss? She was helpless. “May I know what I have to do from now on, President Presgrave?”

“Can you make coffee?”

“Yes, I worked at a cafe before.”

“Great. That is your job for now.” The lenient boss found something for her to do. Now that she worked as his assistant, he needed to at least put something on her plate, and it happened that no one was responsible for making coffee, yet.

“Is that it?” She blinked her eyes, recalling Joanna’s words about the fivefold increase in her income. Yet, that was all she had to do?

intentionally glanced at Ellen’s place to find it empty. Where is she? Why isn’t she on duty? Perhaps she’s fired after making a mistake? Or did

Selena approached Olive with a smile. “Hi, there. I’m

Ellen, you say? She’s

“To?”

“We’re not sure either.”

position? But hasn’t it been two weeks since she

Selena had questions, one of the other receptionists piped up, “Didn’t President Presgrave speak to Ellen personally this morning? I bet

happened to hear that and quickly followed up. “He spoke to Ellen

was all gentle and

she’s not fired but promoted? Is she working

phone to message Ellen as she was on her way to the elevator.

phone upon hearing the notification. Noticing that it was Selena, she

replied, not wanting

went blank upon the shocking news, which attested to the

a distance will be an advantage for her! If she’s up to something, Jared’s gonna be wrapped in her

I crash at your place for two days?’ Selena

that message. Doesn’t she have

Connor called

for a few days, so I’m wondering

stunned, for it was her initial assumption that it was a deliberate attempt by Selena to stay with her. Now that he had made a personal request, she could only go

spend some quality time together. You girls were separated for so many years and haven’t hung out

way. Even if they shared the same space, it would not pull them closer because they

call terminated, Selena shot another message. ‘See you tonight,

‘Okay,’ responded Ellen.

Olivia with dubious eyes. “We will be at home, though. Why must we

with the questions. Just do as I say. It’s

to have the girls hanging out together. That way, they would

prompting her to pick up the

a

“Sure, President Presgrave.”

“Less sugar, no cream.”

contained various kinds of coffee beans. As a trained barista, she was able to brew a nutty aromatic coffee like a breeze with the beans and

tray to bring Jared coffee. After knocking and opening the door, she saw the

praised as the

it.” Ellen proffered the coffee to

the aromatic light texture that came with a smidgen of bitterness. The pleasant texture prodded him

lips, feeling the spiking sense of achievement inside her. “Enjoy. I’ll

assistant examining the coffee machine. Since Ellen had time, she approached the woman. “Fancy a cup

I think

you. Give me fifteen

I like

it.” A smiling Ellen

the assistant came to the pantry again while Ellen served her freshly brewed coffee. As soon as the assistant had her first

a cafe before,”

touch. Thanks!” said

time serving the employees here. To work in the presidential office, one had to be the best of the best;

she was uncertain whether to leave, so she decided to stay temporarily. It was then that a figure appeared by the door before

you with?” She stood up at the drop of a

often had dinner alone, so he would not mind the

this also my job? A curious Ellen blinked her

“Yes.” He reassured her.

go.” She nodded with

every day, and enticing dishes were on today’s menu. Every dish was meticulously concocted, and the chefs prioritized taste and nutrition over

a gustatory feast, the dishes were served in ones and twos while he recounted their background stories. For instance, the fish’s origin and the type of shrimp

his knowledge knew no bounds. She was deeply impressed by the fact that he knew

were relatively untrammeled, hence the mindlessness to study and desire to enjoy life with little money in hand. However, this man possessed not only an abundance of wealth but also knowledge. His nature

I don’t have incoming work?” Ellen requested on the account that daydreaming was simply an act of wasting

he did not transfer her to his jurisdiction to make her work in the first place. His sole wish

her so well ever since Jessica passed away. Just how lucky am I to meet such a capable gentleman? How can I repay his kindness? I don’t think I

moment, her phone rang upon receiving a call from Selena.

to the garden and answered the call, after which Selena’s voice resounded. “Ellie, where do you live? I’ve packed

out, Selena. Why don’t you have dinner on your own

you with?” Selena

“A-A friend of mine.”

me it’s

Ellen let out a silent sigh. “Yeah.

inform me when you’re

the call and returned to the

that she was back, he placed it on her plate. “I’ve grilled

by the pleasant surprise, Ellen took a small bite of the meat. Its smooth yet juicy

Jared gave her a ride back home.

exuded faint blue light, which shrouded him in a glowing sheen with

the neighborhood to

because she was aware no ordinary people would be able to afford a house there. Never had she imagined that Ellen would be

for the time

into the neighborhood when Ellen became curious about something. “Where

helping with the funeral for the next few days. I’m scared.” Selena made up an excuse for herself. Since she had set her heart to approach Jared by

without a shadow of a doubt since she did not know her family that

door to Ellen’s place, Selena wondered if the rental house comprised only one bedroom. However, her eyes widened in astonishment the second Ellen opened the door. She lives here? It’s huge and luxurious! And how is this a one-bedroom house? It stretches more than two

is the monthly rent?” The question escaped Selena

the conversation she shared with Joanna, who told her not to reveal that

deemed it impossible. “No way. That

a hurry to leave the country.

a place than a one-bedroom apartment. After her shower, she entered Ellen’s room on her own accord. She became salty at

body proportion was the epitome of perfection. Her slick tress fell over her shoulders, covering her angelic

girls tend to be

Presgrave every day?” There

a moment. “Almost. I’m

job, for she desired to take over that position. Too bad, she was not offered the

like Ellen could not see through her intentions. Thus, an idea sprouted in her mind as she nodded. “Sure. There’s this one

“What? A beautiful lady?”

a rich

Selena blurted, “He’s taken?”

he has one.” Ellen put on a serious face while making

turmoil in Selena. Jared has a girlfriend?! She must be someone extraordinary. I have

sure about this?” She held on the chance that Ellen

operation. “Selena, do you perhaps have feelings

did not hide the truth. “So what if

people lining up for you out there. Why don’t you choose someone from an influential family to be your

an eye roll. “Not

getting angry. “Yeah, yeah.

a privileged school!” Selena’s eyes twinkled with pride. It was, in actuality, a hoax because she paid

had poor grades, let alone scoring on the SAT. Therefore, how was it even possible for her to

pulled some strings. Dad has his connections. I told him I wanna get into that university, and

had Selena opened up to her toxic friends, so she felt like bringing

the

a father like Connor, who granted

Group.” Then, she wondered

finally answered, so she reconfirmed. “Uncle

called one of the

helped me too. She mustn’t know about this, or she’ll throw a fit at him. Therefore, Ellen lied. “A-As

observed the attractive Ellen while thinking that receptionists were indeed dolls. Next, she steered the topic back. “Tell me more about Mr.

“I don’t know

Who is she? Is she a celebrity or someone

a rich family. She has that air around her.” Ellen

impossible that he was single. Women would throw themselves at a capable

so special?” She could not understand why Jared noticed a newcomer

of my circumstances.” Ellen added, “I once cried at work when I bumped into him. He asked,

knew it! She planned it from the start! She acted pitifully in front of him to make

trying to rip me off when the demolition was confirmed. I accidentally spilled the beans, and the rest is what you witnessed in the lobby. He knew I was getting bullied, so he

President Presgrave is so protective of her. He knew of her

exclaimed, “He’s been helping me so much, but I don’t know how to repay his kindness. That’s why I treated him to a meal. You were there

that day. She coughed wryly. “I was just

know. So, Selena, please do not misunderstand things between me and President Presgrave. He

she thought. She initially assumed that Ellen was going to be Jared’s girlfriend and would look down upon them the day she became a rich man’s wife. Now, it seemed