Chapter 4 Chapter 4

In Love with the CEO

Chapter 4

Author: Alexander Smith

ALEXANDER

I, a bit irritated, say, “What’s with you barging into my office without knocking?”

Mom replies, “Well, I didn’t find anyone to announce me. I didn’t know you were in here getting cozy with your assistant.”

I respond, “Stop seeing the worst in everything. We weren’t doing anything wrong.”

Mom says, “I’m not saying otherwise, but just take the trouble to lock the door next time.”

I run my hands through my hair to calm down a bit. “Mother, it’s not what you think.”

Mom says, “You want me to believe it’s not what I think, but that’s not what the bulge at your zipper was telling me.”

She’s absolutely right, and I don’t understand what’s going on with this girl. When she touched me, I felt like a jolt went through my body, which made me linger over her a bit longer. It really pisses me off to have this kind of reaction.

Normally, an employee who called me a jerk wouldn’t last a second longer in my company, but with her, I let everything slide. I don’t want her to leave. Plus, she does a good job.

I turn to my mother. “What brings you here?”

Mom, taking on a serious tone, says, “It’s been almost two years since your wife, may she rest in peace, left us, and it’s been two years since I moved in with you. I wasn’t supposed to stay this long. You were supposed to find a mother for Julia, but so far, nothing.”

I respond, “If you’re tired of taking care of her, just tell me, and I’ll find a nanny.”

Mom, saddened, says, “You know very well I do it with pleasure, but the little one needs someone who understands her generation, someone she can confide in more easily, which isn’t the case with me. You can understand that, can’t you?”

I sit beside her, taking her hands in mine. “I’m really sorry, Mom. I think about it every day. Just give me a little more time.”

Mom says, “Alright, take the time you need, but make Julia your priority, okay?”

I say, “Okay, Mom.”

Mom continues, “But your assistant is very pretty. Plus, she’s super kind to Julia, and to top it all off, there’s attraction between you two. You like her, and she likes you.”

I settle into my chair. “Mom, that girl’s a kid. We’re not going to entrust a child’s upbringing to another child.”

Mom, smiling, says, “So I’m right. You do like her, then.”

I say, “I never said that at any point.”

Mom replies, “But you implied it, and that’s what matters.”

I, getting impatient, say, “Mother, I have work to do.”

Mom says, “Don’t worry, I’m leaving. I see you’re on the right track to finding a mother for my little Julia, so I’ll let you get on with it. Have a good day, kisses.”

I respond, “Have a good day, Mother.”

ALEX

I was coming out of the bathroom when I ran into Alexander’s mother face-to-face. I’m so overwhelmed with shame that I can’t help but lower my head. I can’t look her in the face after everything that just happened.

I approach her. “Are you leaving already, ma’am?”

Mrs. Mina, lifting my chin so I can look her in the face, says, “Call me Mina, please. Never lower your head in front of anyone. Alexander isn’t a bad person, you know. It’s the pain and bitterness that have made him this way. His little heart needs to heal, and you’ll see he’s the kindest person in the world.”

I, a bit embarrassed, say, “If your son has a heart, he hides it really well.”

Mina says, “Can I ask you a question?”

I reply, “Yes, go ahead.”

Mina, getting straight to the point, says, “You like my son, don’t you?”

I, genuinely shocked, say, “No, no, ma’am, not at all.”

Mina, smiling, says, “My son, on the other hand, likes you. I can feel it.”

With those words, she leaves me standing there and takes the elevator. That woman is direct, to say the least. I sit at my desk, lost in my thoughts. It’s true that this man doesn’t leave me indifferent. I think I’m feeling things for this man. When I don’t see him all day, I miss him. Even his jerk behavior, I tolerate it, even though I promised myself I’d never let anyone walk all over me again or make me feel like I’m nothing. But with him, it’s different. I even find him funny sometimes. It’s really stupid, I know.

A man like him, with his status and the women he could have, would never be interested in me. I’d better get all these ideas out of my head. I came here to earn my money, so I’ll focus on that and leave without causing any trouble.

Thea says, “Hello, Earth to Alex!”

I snap back to reality. “Oh, sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.”

Thea, looking at the magazine in front of me, says, “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about my brother like that.”

I say, “No, not at all. Where do you get such crazy ideas? That’s absurd.”

Thea replies, “It’s absurd, but you’re blushing like a tomato. What a paradox! You’re not going to tell me you don’t find my brother handsome or that you don’t like him.”

It’s like they all got together before coming here today. What’s with this family and me today?

I try to justify myself. “Of course I find him handsome, very much so, like any normally constituted woman, but that’s where it stops.”

Thea says, “So if my brother asked you out today, you’d refuse?”

I try to change the subject. “Mina was here today too. Did your brother misbehave at home or something?”

Thea, bursting out laughing, says, “Must be. There’s no work for the company employees on Friday. Want to go out for the evening?”

I, a bit surprised, say, “What do you mean, no work? It’s not a holiday.”

Thea explains, “Every year on this date, there’s no work. It’s the anniversary of my brother’s wife’s death. This Friday will mark two years.”

I, a bit shocked, say, “And you want to go out?”

Thea says, “Honestly, the whole day at that house is unbearable. At least in the evening, I want to change the vibe a bit.”

I laugh. “You’ll never change, will you? I think it would be inappropriate to go out that day. Another time.”

Thea says, “Alright, Miss Serious.”

I burst out laughing. “Miss Serious, really? Do you want me to announce you?”

Thea replies, “Since when do I need to be announced? I’ll just go in.”

I make a fake annoyed face. “And it’ll fall on me, as usual.”

Thea, before leaving, says, “He’s your sweetheart. Who else is he going to yell at?”

It feels so weird when she calls him my sweetheart. I don’t know, it’s like I’m back in my teenage years. It’s strange, but I think this man doesn’t leave me indifferent. I really like him. And honestly, who wouldn’t like a man like that? A handsome brunette with a brooding gaze, built like a Greek god, intelligent, and hardworking. There’s something in his eyes that hypnotizes me—a mix of sadness and I don’t know what that makes him so mysterious. He’s nothing like any man I’ve ever known. He has this extra something that draws me to him, and I can’t understand it.

I was in my own world, fantasizing about this jerk, when he starts yelling and cursing again. Luckily, his shitty personality often brings me back to reality.

Alexander, yelling as usual, says, “Where is she, and she lets you in without announcing you? Did you all plan this today or what?”

Thea, in a calm tone, says, “Alex, stop acting like that with her. I told her myself not to announce me. She wanted to do it. I don’t even recognize you anymore. I wish I could have my big brother back, if you only knew.”

Alexander, lowering his tone, says, “But I’m right here in front of you.”

Sometimes I wonder if this guy isn’t bipolar. His ability to switch moods so easily will always amaze me. He acts like he was raised among animals.