Chapter 2 Chapter 2
In Love with the CEO
Chapter 2
Author: Alexander Smith
It’s been a few days since I buried my wife, the love of my life, and I had to explain to my daughter that she’ll never see her mother again. To a little girl to whom I promised I’d take care of her mom when she left for school that morning, telling her that I failed, that I couldn’t keep my promise to her or her mother—it’s really hard, so very hard for me. Words are too weak to express what I’m feeling right now. I’m so consumed by shame that I can’t even look my daughter in the face or spend time with her. I’m decidedly the most useless man on earth.
My mother bursts through the door in a frenzy. “Alex, you’re going to do me the favor of getting out of bed. Enough is enough!”
I cover my face. “What’s with this way of barging into people’s rooms without knocking?”
My mother, yelling, “Do you think you’re the only one who’s lost someone in this story? Do you think about your daughter, who’s lost her mother and is now also losing her father? I didn’t raise you to become as selfish as you’re turning out to be. Have you already forgotten the promise you made to your poor wife before her death? If you don’t care about your promise, at least take responsibility as a father to that little girl who became a motherless orphan overnight!”
She continues, “I’m going downstairs, and I want to see you there in the next five minutes, or I won’t be responsible for what happens next!”
With those words, she storms out, leaving me there without even waiting for a response. I have to admit, she’s absolutely right. I’ve been incredibly selfish, and I’m failing again. It’s time I stop thinking about myself and start taking care of my daughter. She only has me now, and I need to live up to her expectations as a father.
I head to the bathroom to freshen up and then go out to join them in the garden. I’m going to spend this day with my daughter, and tomorrow, I’ll go back to work. If I keep my mind occupied, I’ll think about her less.
A FEW MONTHS LATER
I lift my head from my files. “What’s wrong?”
William says, “In eight months, this is the fifth assistant who’s quit. You can’t keep treating these women like this.”
I continue working. “It’s not my fault if they’re lazy and incompetent. It’s not my job to teach them how to do theirs.”
William, exasperated, says, “Come on, be serious. You’re terrifying these girls. You yell at them, you treat them poorly—it’s no wonder they want to leave. You can’t keep blaming them.”
I reply, “We’ll find another one who’s willing to do the job.”
William says, “I think you should see a therapist. You’re always in a bad mood, you speak rudely to everyone, and you’re the talk of the hallways. I think it’s the pain from your grief that’s making you act this way.”
I snap, getting angry, “I don’t give you permission to insinuate that I have a problem. If they’re incapable of doing their job, they can leave. They’re not here to become friends with me—they’re here to work, so let them do it.”
William doesn’t respond and heads toward the door, but I stop him before he leaves.
Catching up to him, I say, “I know you’re saying this for the good of the company. I’ll try to work on myself.”
William, with a tight smile, says, “You’d better.”
With that, he leaves, and I’m left alone. William, besides being a longtime friend, is also an executive in the company. I know he pours his heart and soul into this business. All he wants is for things to go back to normal, and I know that every time these incompetent women quit, it falls on him. He’s not in human resources, but he’s the only one capable of finding the right person for this job. He knows me so well that I don’t even need to explain my expectations.
I go back to my work. I don’t want to think about what’s happening around me.
ALEX JOHNSON
Today, I have a job interview at a major company for an assistant position. I’m thrilled—I really needed this job, both for financial reasons and to escape my mother. That woman is truly a poison in my life. I know it’s not nice to talk like this, but my mother is something else. At least getting this job will let me distance myself from her a bit, which is crucial for my mental health—very, very crucial.
My mother barges in without knocking. “Where are you off to this morning?”
I reply, “I have a job interview at a company.”
My mother snaps, “You’re truly a disgrace to me. You’re just like your father—useless, both of you.”
I get angry. “I have to go. The useless one needs this job to pay the bills and groceries at the end of the month.”
My mother, furious, says, “Girls your age, less beautiful than you, with weird figures, easily find rich men to take care of them and their parents. But you? You’re useless. Despite all the beauty and the great figure you inherited from me, you can’t even land a good job without an interview. What a shame!”
I throw back before leaving, “You’ve done such a great job finding a rich man to take care of you that at 22, I’m forced to find a job to support us both. Well done, Mom!”
My mother, screaming, “Cursed, rude girl! That’s why no one wants you! Your cousin Elvire is getting married next weekend. Her husband even bought her a car and a plot of land back home. Lord, what did I do to deserve a child like this? Oh, God!”
I leave without even responding. I’m at my breaking point, and I’m ready to marry the first guy who comes along if it means getting away from her. I’ve decided I won’t stay silent or bottle up my anger anymore, or I’ll end up dying before my time.
I go out to catch a taxi. When I arrive, oddly, they don’t send me to HR but to someone named William.
I greet him, “Good morning, sir. I’m Alex Johnson.”
William replies, “Please, have a seat. I’m William Spencer. I’ll be conducting your interview, not human resources.”
I say, “Alright.”
William continues, “This isn’t an interview per se, as you’ve already been selected. I’m just going to talk to you about your position and salary.”
I try to hide my excitement. “Alright, sir.”
William goes on, “You’ll be the assistant to the CEO. You need to be ready to work hard if you want to work with him. You must be available whenever he needs your services. He’s a very rigorous man who likes a job well done.”
A bit intrigued, I say, “I’m ready for the job, sir.”
William hands me a sheet. “This will be your salary.”
I’m stunned. “All that for an assistant job? I hope I won’t have to do anything illegal.”
William, laughing, says, “I can assure you, no. The CEO is a bit special, let’s say this is compensation for all the work you’ll have to do. I assume you’re ready to start?”
I smile broadly. “I’ll start whenever you want.”
William says, “Then we’ll see you tomorrow. Come with me, and we’ll show you where you’ll work your magic.”
I follow him, we finish up, and I head home. I’m shocked at how easily I got this job. Honestly, I don’t even know what to say—I’m so happy right now. Tonight, no matter what my mother says, I won’t get upset. I’m too thrilled. On top of this astronomical salary, they’re offering me a permanent contract. This is the best thing ever. I’m the happiest girl in the world right now. I hurry home to share the news with my mother. At least tonight, she’ll be proud of her daughter.
She’ll see that you can make it without a man’s help. She’ll be proud of herself because she didn’t raise a lazy daughter.
