Chapter 12

|| VALERIA's POV ||

" So, you wanted this job pretty badly, huh?"

The familiar voice of the boss surprised me. I raised my chin to look into his eyes. I gasped in surprise, happiness feathering on my features.

Alexander! I mean..Alex..

Alexander was one of the closest buddies that we had in our college days. Like, he wasn't so close to know our family drama but he was pretty close to us, back at that time. I still couldn't believe that Alexander was the head of the XL Company. This morning, I left early to look for a job again. Thankfully, XL had invited me to give an interview after days of rejection. A little part of me believed that Knox was behind all of this. Even though I had the best results, I couldn't manage to get any single job in this city.

Isn't it too odd?

Alexander smiled big at me. His face was still so well-rounded and handsome. He wore those big white glasses which always gave off an aura of scholar. Nothing changed inside him except for his uniform which had changed into suit. He wore a light red sight, undoubtedly emitting the aura of a CEO.

I was still in a daze before jerking my head off to reply to him,

" Alex!!! Oh my god!! It's you. After a long time..."

Alex pushed his glasses up, as surprised as I,

" I am thinking the same. I heard that you have settled down abroad. I was quite surprised when I read your CV. How have you been doing, Valeria?"

I returned a small smile, unwilling to show the sorrows that I was hiding behind the fake smile,

" Good! Actually...you know my family's condition now..I was looking for a job."

Alex gave me an assured smile, his eyes focused back on my CV again,

" You have always been an independent girl. I don't see any reason to not offer you this position. I have seen your results. You have worked hard in abroad. Are you sure that you would be able to do both of my positions?"

The company needed an intern designer and an assistant for the Boss. I didn't know why he wanted someone suitable for both the positions but I was willing to do it as long as it paid me well. Nodding my head repeatedly, I replied enthusiastically,

" Of course! I have seen the requirements already."

Alex chuckled a little, pushing the files toward me before telling me,

" Great! It's settled then! You are joining XL. I can trust you as my PA. That's why, I am hiring you."

I smiled big in return for his gratitude, getting up slowly,

" Thanks a lot, Alex. I will try my best. Do I have to join from today onwards?"

Alex took a sneak of his wristwatch, frowning before telling in a serious voice,

" That would have been better. My last assistant fled away from the country. I needed someone to handle it as soon as possible. I hope you don't have issues in joining from this day?"

I shook my head immediately. As long as I could stay out of the house, I would be better mentally. I assured him confidently, holding the folders in my arms,

" No need to worry! I am on it."

___________

" Take notes of every small detail. Don't miss any okay? They are our most important investors."

Alex reminded me repeatedly as I followed him outside with a notepad in my hands. I was still beaming with happiness that I managed to get a job finally. Fortunately, it was one of my friend's companies which gave me a 70% chance to not get kicked out easily.

I assumed that these investors meant a lot to Alex. He looked concerned and reserved. Following his footsteps, I paused in front of a glass room as Alex went inside alone to greet the man. I sighed in relief and looked around casually. When my eyes went into the room that was separated by thick glass walls, my stomach churned into a tight knot. I felt as though my heartbeat was dropping in different directions. Inside the room, it was Ace who was sitting with other investors.

I stumbled backward, letting out a gasp of surprise. NO!! NO!! I couldn't let it happen!! I couldn't lose this job at any cost. But was there any way out for me? Alex entrusted so much work to me.

Swallowing hard, I tried to calm down for now. I prayed that he wouldn't react to anything in front of Gideon. He hasn't noticed me yet but all I wished was that I could vanish in the air.

Within a few minutes, Alex led them outside, leading Gideon in front of him. Gideon wore a grey suit today with his hair trimmed early in the morning. His whole aura emitted a bossy manner which suppressed everyone including Alex.

Alex gestured at me with a smile, pointing at Knox before saying casually,

" Hey, Katherine! Look what a coincidence again! The biggest investor of my company is Gideon Vitalies. I never thought that it would be a high school reunion."

Those brown eyes finally fell on me like a predator. His gaze seemed surprised as well but when he reconfirmed that it was me, a dark murderous gleam came out. I bit my lips together, keeping my head down to avoid his intense eyes.

He muttered through his clenched teeth after a long pause,

" Neither me!! What a coincidence, Valeria!"

I could feel the weight behind his words. He was holding back himself from pouncing on me. But when he walked past me without saying anything, my shoulders slumped in relief. He looked undoubtedly mad and killing.

The rest of the meeting went well. I stayed a few meters away from them, only taking notes when it was necessary. But the burning gaze laid on me occasionally, startling my soul as I fought hard to act calm and natural. I didn't want others to know our drama.

Thankfully, they left after lunch without staying longer. I wrapped up my work faster as I had to go back to the house to face a storm. By the time I had come out, most of the staff were gone. Since I was the CEO's assistant, I had to take care of a lot more than others.

Calling out an Uber, I waited for its arrival on the road. Out of nowhere, a car pulled a brake in front of me, frightening me to death as I was staring at the road to locate any Uber coming. Before I had known, I was thrown into the backseat of that lavishing car by a strong force. I cried out in fear to realize what was going on.

Gideon slapped my ass in front of his eyes, making me silent and stupefied. He growled, pinching on my butt again,

" Make another noise again!! I will tear down your whole company within a day. Don't push me, Princepessa!!"

A few drops of tears slipped from my eyes. I whined, sobbing on his lap to explain,

" Gideon!! I can explain... Actually..I.."

" Hushh!!! We will talk after we go home! You don't want me to punish you for breaking the rules in front of the driver, do you?"

He warned, bringing his sharp gaze on me. I shuddered in fear and stayed numb on his lap as the driver drove off silently.

What was he going to do with me then?