Chapter 15 chapter 15
Chapter 15 chapter 15
In Love with the CEO
Chapter 15
Author:
ALEXANDER
Today, William and I decided to have lunch at a local restaurant. It’s been a while since we’ve spent time together, and I miss it.
There were two women trying to get our attention, but those things have never interested me. Well, I wouldn’t say never—before I got married, I always had a different girl to sleep with. But when I met my wife, she made me want to stop that lifestyle and dedicate myself to her alone. Sure, she’s not here anymore, but I have another woman in my life now. I may be the worst man in her eyes, but no matter how I act toward her, I’d never cheat on her. I hope she’ll have the same loyalty toward me because infidelity is the one thing in the world I could never forgive. I could never forgive another man touching a woman who’s mine. Just seeing another man linger his eyes on her for too long irritates me. I don’t even want to imagine her in someone else’s arms.
I’m sure William would be happy to entertain those young ladies.
Me, addressing him: “I think there are two young women at the other end of the room who’d love to get to know you.”
William, nonchalantly: “I saw them. They don’t interest me.”
Me, a bit surprised: “What?”
William, repeating: “They don’t interest me.”
Me: “Who is she?”
William, still nonchalant: “Who?”
Me, smiling: “Who’s this girl?”
William, pretending not to understand: “What girl?”
Me, laughing: “Who’s the girl who’s taming you? Don’t play smart with me.”
William, trying to change the subject: “There’s no girl. You say you don’t love your wife, so why don’t you go explore other horizons?”
Me: “You know full well I’d never even think of doing something like that. You know how strict I am about fidelity in a relationship.”
William: “You’re not going to tell me it’s just about that. Admit you love her and she’s already giving you what you need at home.”
Me, laughing: “We still haven’t consummated our marriage.”
William, nearly choking on his food: “No, you’re joking.”
Me: “Not at all.”
William, getting serious: “Why are you doing this?”
Me, smiling: “Who says it’s me and not her?”
William: “I’ve gotten to know you, and I know it can only be you. It’s obvious she’s truly in love with you, so I don’t think she’d refuse the man she loves for all these months. How do you sleep next to her without touching her?”
Me, running my hands through my hair: “It’s simple. We sleep in my old room.”
William, nearly falling off his chair: “Don’t tell me you had her move into the room you shared with Eleanor.”
Me: “Yes.”
William: “But why are you doing that?”
Me: “It’s the best way to ensure nothing ever happens between us.”
William: “No, I mean, why are you doing all this? Why won’t you let go of the past?”
I take a deep breath before diving in: “I feel like if I keep myself from being happy, it’ll stop me from feeling guilty about her death. I promised to take care of her, to do everything to cure her illness, and I feel like I failed and let her go. Being happy would be a double betrayal.”
William: “What are you talking about? I’ve never seen anyone devote themselves to the person they love as much as you did with her.”
Me: “No, I didn’t do enough. I have to keep her in my life at all costs. I don’t want to end up forgetting her.”
William: “Goddamn, what are you saying? You could never forget her. She gave you a daughter. She lives on in that little girl. How could you forget her with Julia in your life?”
Me: “You can’t understand.”
William: “Right now, you’ve let this girl fall head over heels in love with you, and you’re dragging her into your abyss with you. Do you think that’s fair to her?”
Me: “No, but I’ll compensate her well in the end.”
William: “You think she agreed to all this for money? Why are you so blind, man?”
Me: “But it’s all I have to offer her.”
William: “Let her go if you know you can’t give her anything.”
Me: “That’s impossible. I could never find someone who takes care of Julia as well as she does. Besides, I never led her to believe I’d give her my love. She knew what she was getting into.”
William: “Are you serious? Kissing her and proposing a few days later—what’s that supposed to mean? Whatever you say, your actions gave her a sliver of hope. What are you talking about, man? Do you ever think about her? Ten years isn’t ten days. Don’t you think she also dreams of carrying a child, building her own family, having her own kids?”
Me: “It’s not like she’s old. She’s very young, and she can build a family when we separate.”
William: “I’m discovering a selfishness in you I never noticed before. Either you’re doing this for your daughter, or you love her and don’t want to let her go. Honestly, I’m leaning toward the second option. But to be clear, if you push her to her limit one day and she decides to leave, I’ll help her get that divorce myself. She’s the one giving the most in this relationship, and on top of getting nothing in return, she’s the one suffering the most. Either you pull yourself together and live your love, or you accept that you’ll lose her.”
Me, a bit deflated: “She’ll never leave.”
William: “Don’t be so confident. There’s only a step between love and hate, and this woman you’ve chosen to neglect is a beautiful woman who doesn’t leave men outside indifferent.”
Me, cutting him off: “Are you one of them?”
William, offended: “Are you crazy? I’m telling you this so you don’t regret your actions when it’s too late. She turns more than a few heads out there. Plenty of men would love to have her and can be very persuasive. If she realizes she can’t get anything from you except contempt or indifference, she’ll leave. I hope you keep that in mind.”
Me: “I’d rather we change the subject.”
William: “I think we should head back instead.”
He tries to show his displeasure with the situation, but even if he’s right that it’s selfish, I’m not ready to let my wife go. I never encouraged her to love me. I’ve been the worst husband in the world just to disgust her. She knew exactly what she was getting into. I never sold her a dream or made her believe I wanted a real married life or married her for love. If she thought otherwise, she’s been making up stories in her head.
Later that evening
WILLIAM
I realize I encouraged this girl to enter a relationship where she’ll come out battered. I don’t understand Alexander’s reasoning. I don’t see why he won’t let himself love and live in the moment. He’s stubborn about staying in the past despite everything we tell him. I don’t even know how to make him see reason anymore.
The sound of the doorbell snaps me back to reality. When I check my watch, it’s already 9 p.m., and I’m not expecting anyone. Who could it be?
When I open the door, she jumps into my arms, and I hurry to press my lips to hers. This little wild one does me so much good and brings so much energy.
Me, pulling away from her embrace: “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”
Thea: “I can leave if you want, you know.”
Me, realizing my mistake: “No, my love, come in, please. I missed you.”
Thea: “That’s why I came. I knew you wanted to see me, so I decided to make your wish come true.”
Me, laughing: “I didn’t know you’d become a psychic.”
Thea: “Well, you know now. And I sense something’s been bothering you lately.”
Me, laughing harder: “Wow, you’re good.”
Thea: “Want to tell me about it?”
I can’t tell her about my conversation with her brother; that’s between him and me. But this is perfect timing—we need to have a talk.
Me, getting serious: “I had lunch with your brother today, and I don’t like hiding things from him, especially the fact that his little sister and I are in a romantic relationship.”
Thea: “I know, but give me a bit more time. I want to prepare him before we tell him the news.”
Me: “Prepare him for what, exactly? We need to tell him before he finds out on his own, or he’ll get upset, and he’d be right to. I wouldn’t like it if someone hid something like this from me.”
Thea: “Just give me a little time, please.”
I feel like this is going to blow up in our faces, but I can’t refuse my darling little wild one anything, so we’ll do as she says.