Chapter 13 chapter 13

Chapter 13 chapter 13


In Love with the CEO 

Chapter 13 

Author:

ALEX 

We settle in the dining room, and Alexander joins us after a long conversation with Thea. I act like he’s not there. I’m going to put my mother’s advice into practice—I won’t reveal our problems in front of everyone. I don’t want to attract anyone’s pity here. 

He makes his way around the table to kiss Julia on the cheek, who’s all cheerful. Under the watchful eyes of his mother and Thea, he places a kiss on my forehead. I don’t hesitate to dig my nails into his hand. I don’t want everyone to know things aren’t okay, but I also don’t want to deal with his presence too close to me. Clearly, he’s also playing the act in front of everyone, so he doesn’t comment on what I did. 

We all eat in solemn silence until Julia says something that stops everyone in their tracks. She repeats it again. 

Julia: “What should I call you?” 

I turn and see Alexander looking at me with a neutral expression, offering no help. He stays silent but waits for my response. After the scene he caused last night, I’m sure if I say the wrong thing here, it’ll go badly for me. 

Me, turning to Julia: “You can call me Alex, my darling.” 

Julia, eating for a few seconds before continuing: “Why not Mommy? Aren’t you my new mommy?” 

I’m hit with a coughing fit. What is she doing to me? Is she trying to get me killed? I notice Alexander’s face change, but is it my fault? Despite it all, he says nothing. 

Thea, turning to Julia: “You can call her whatever you want, my darling.” 

Julia, delighted: “Okay, Auntie!” 

Everyone starts eating again except Alexander and me. I didn’t have an appetite anyway. 

Me, turning to Julia: “My darling, do you want me to take you to school this morning?” 

Alexander, cutting me off: “No, we’ll go together.” 

I don’t respond. Either way, I have a move to make this morning. When they finish, I give Julia everything she’ll need for the day and say goodbye, but Alexander stops me, places his lips on mine, and kisses me. I bite his lip to stop him. He needs to stop with these acts; I’m not going to let him play with my feelings like this. 

When they leave, I pull Thea aside and ask her if there’s a spare room available. 

Thea: “Are you sure Alexander is okay with this? He had that room redone to welcome you. I don’t think he’ll like it if you move, especially so soon. Are you two already having problems or what?” 

Me, forcing a smile: “Of course not. It’s just that his wife’s things are still in the other room, and I feel a bit uneasy staying there knowing it was their room.” 

Thea, surprised: “But he said he was going to have those things moved before you arrived.” 

Me, sighing: “He didn’t.” 

Thea: “Don’t worry, he’ll do it. Since he went out of his way to make you comfortable when you got here, those things should be donated to women’s shelters. I think he just hasn’t had the time, but it won’t take long.” 

She leads me to a room that’s just as big as the other one. What’s with these insanely huge rooms in this house? 

Thea: “Does this one work for you? This is where he slept while the other room was being redone.” 

Me, smiling: “It’s perfect.” 

Thea, getting serious: “But let me tell you, my brother won’t be happy when he realizes you moved out of the room behind his back, especially since he put so much love into making it for you.” 

Love, my foot. I feel like she doesn’t really know her brother yet. 

Me: “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it with him when he gets back.” 

Thea: “You know I’m here for you, right? If he’s acting badly toward you, don’t hesitate to tell me, okay?” 

Me, trying to reassure her: “Don’t worry. Your brother is really sweet with me. It’s just that in the other room, I don’t feel comfortable doing everything I’d want to do with my husband, that’s all.” 

Thea, with a knowing look: “Ohhh, I see what you mean. I’m in my room—let me know if you need anything.” 

Me, smiling: “Alright, thanks.” 

I move all my things to the new room. I don’t want to deal with his moods. If he wants to be alone in there, fine, since that’s what he wants.

ALEXANDER 

When I arrive at work this morning, Alex’s desk is empty. I’m really going to miss seeing her sitting there. I hope her replacement will be as good at the job as she was. 

I run into William in the stairwell, and he follows me to my office. 

William: “What’s with your lip?” 

Me, touching my lips: “That little lunatic bit me like that.” 

William, laughing: “Don’t tell me you’ve turned to masochism.” 

Me, trying to control my anger: “It’s not funny.” 

William, straightening up: “What are you doing at work this morning? I thought you’d take a few days off for a honeymoon.” 

Me: “Honeymoon? With who? That little lunatic? No thanks. Besides, don’t forget this is an arranged marriage, nothing normal. No need for all that fuss.” 

William: “If you say so.” 

He stays for a moment, watching me work, before continuing. 

William, getting serious: “I’ll have to find you a new assistant. I hope you’ll treat her better than you treated the previous ones so I don’t have to do this every month.” 

Me, laughing: “Find me one who’s competent, and we won’t have a problem.” 

William: “Well, Alex was competent, and it didn’t change anything.” 

Me: “But with her, it’s different.” 

William: “How so? Because you’re in love with her and can’t admit it?” 

Me, a bit shocked: “Excuse me?” 

William, holding my gaze: “Want me to repeat myself?” 

Me: “Don’t you have something else to do?” 

William: “Yes, yes, I need to find you a new assistant. But I hope you’ll stop lying to yourself.” 

Later that evening… 

When I get home tonight, all the lights are already off. I admit it’s late. I head to my daughter’s room to wish her good night; she’s probably already asleep. 

I approach, kiss her cheek, and turn to leave, but I hear her say, “Thank you.” 

Me: “For what?” 

Julia: “For finding me a mommy.” 

Me: “You’re welcome, my heart. Sleep now; it’s late.” 

I close the door behind me and head to my room. Tonight, I can sleep with peace of mind. I admit she takes good care of my daughter. When I open the door, the room is pitch black. I assume she’s already asleep, but as I move toward the bed, I notice it’s empty. There’s no one in the room. I quickly turn on the light and see there’s really no one here. Where is she tonight? My first instinct is to check if her suitcases are still there. I head to where they were this morning—they’re gone. I go to the closet and find nothing. 

I’m hit with a panic I don’t understand. Could she have left? But why would she leave? Where is my wife?