Chapter 15 Chapter 15
The next morning, I was expecting myself to still be on the muddy ground, unconscious and homeless, but to my surprise, I woke up in my bed.
My clothes were a little dirty, but I was safe. After I passed out, I don’t remember anyone taking me inside.
But I knew who did it.
Adrian.
Since that night, he has turned colder than ever. He hasn’t spoken a single word to me.
If there is something important, he leaves a note on the table, and if it’s about Aurora, he tells her to tell me.
In the past two weeks, I haven't heard a word from him directly.
Aurora is now doing a lot better. She has once again joined the school, but Adrian hasn't found a job yet.
Aurora's laughter is the only thing that's making our lives easier.
I have taken the morning shift so I could do extra hours and earn more.
I sighed and leaned back. So much has happened in the past one and a half months that I haven’t even gotten a moment to breathe.
I rubbed my palms together and pressed them against my burning eyes.
When I opened them again, I saw an office boy placing a bouquet on my desk.
"What?" I asked him, "What's this?"
"A bouquet," he replied
"That I could see. I am not blind." I snapped sharply, "Why are you keeping it here?"
“Girl, are you forgetting about the new CEO?” one of my colleagues said from behind.
I slapped my forehead.
Stupid me.
I had completely forgotten.
“He’s joining today,” she added. “As a secretary, you’re supposed to welcome him.”
I let out a slow breath.
Did I want to do this?
No.
Did I have any other options?
No.
Suddenly, an announcement was made for all the employees to show up at the gate to welcome the CEO.
When the employees started leaving their desks, I too stood up and grabbed the bouquet in one arm before taking the elevator to welcome the new CEO at the entry.
I stood with the other employees outside the building.
The polished bodies of the luxury cars, lined one after another, shone under the sunlight. Media people were everywhere as the reporters shouted questions and cameras flashed on their faces.
My attention shifted when suddenly my phone vibrated in my hand.
It was a video message from Adrian’s number. I already knew what it was about.
Aurora.
Without thinking about my surroundings, I quickly tapped on the screen.
At the same moment, loud hoots and cheers erupted, but all of it faded into background noise for me because my screen lit up with my daughter’s face.
“God, he’s even more handsome in real life,” someone gasped beside me.
"He is the definition of perfection," another one said.
But my focus was on my baby's voice and her twinkling eyes.
"Mumma," Aurora chirped happily, and a soft smile made its way to my lips. “I just woke up from my rest and took my medicines like a good girl."
The camera was shaking as she was holding it.
“And now I’m doing my homework. But I miss you, Mumma," she pouted. "Please, come home soon. Aurora loves you."
My eyes burned with tears. Seeing my daughter happy and playing once again makes my day.
I glanced at the time.
Four o’clock.
Two more hours.
Just two hours and I would be holding her again.
I won’t do extra hours today.
Suddenly, someone nudged my elbow, snapping me out of my little world.
“Hey,” a woman beside me whispered, “he’s here.”
The moment I lifted my gaze from the screen, my breath left my lungs.
I forgot to blink or move.
Lucien.
My jaw dropped in shock before I could stop myself.
Indeed, he was looking devilishly handsome in a black suit that fit him perfectly, but that doesn't matter to me. He was wearing sunglasses that covered his eyes, but I didn’t need to see them to know they were fixed on me.
My fingers went numb around the bouquet.
Another nudge.
“Go,”
My legs felt weak as I stepped forward. My heart was hammering in my chest, yet I took a deep breath to do my task and disappear from here.
My fingers trembled slightly as I handed the bouquet and bowed slightly.
“Welcome, sir.”
My entire body stiffened when he brushed his fingers against mine. I looked up at him in shock to find him smirking. The smirk was so small that only I could see it.
He did it intentionally!
I quickly retrieved my hand and stepped back to disappear into the crowd. He simply walked inside the building while talking to the directors.
I came back to my desk before anyone else and inhaled sharply to calm down my racing heart.
Soon, other employees started coming.
"Girl, we know he is breathtakingly handsome, but you made it quite obvious." A group of girls commented on me and laughed among themselves.
Ignoring their words, I simply sat down on the chair and turned on my laptop. I tried to forget about him and focus on my work, but I can't.
The cursor just kept blinking back at me while I kept checking the clock for two hours to pass so that I could leave for home.
The other employees were dreaming about him, while I felt cursed because of his presence.
What is he doing here as a CEO?
He has his own company to look after. Doesn't he?
My heart skipped a beat when the clock hit 6. Immediately, I stood up and started packing my stuff.
Suddenly, the desk phone rang. My first instinct was not to pick it, but I didn't have any option.
"Cynthia," it was my manager, "you are requested in the CEO's cabin."
The colour drained from my face.
Trap.
It was a trap.
"Wh- why?" I mentally slapped myself for stuttering.
“Mr Vaughn has already met the directors. Tomorrow he’ll be introduced to the staff, but today he specifically asked to see the person who’ll be handling his schedule and daily work.”
My throat went dry.
“It’s… it’s already six,” I said weakly. “I can meet him tom...”
“Are you out of your mind?” her voice snapped through the phone. “I don't care about you, but this unprofessional attitude of yours can cost me my job!”
My grip on the receiver tightened.
“Be on the executive floor in five minutes,” she continued coldly. “Or consider yourself unemployed again.”