Chapter 24 chapter 24
Chapter 24 chapter 24
In Love with the CEO
Chapter 24
Author:
ALEX
After my fight with my mother, I decided to lock myself in my room and avoid seeing her face. It’s settled—I’m not staying in this house with her anymore. I’ll go to a hotel until I find a small place where I can have some peace. I’m tired of living in this hostile environment that stifles a person’s growth.
This morning, Robert, “my brother who just burst into my life,” asked to see me, and I agreed since the all-mighty Alexander interrupted us, and we couldn’t finish our conversation. I suggest we meet at a café near my building. I’m really not in the mood to go out or do anything today, so I’ll see him for a few minutes and head back home.
We take a seat in the café, and he orders for us. I stare at him, waiting to see what he has to say since I’m not in the mood to speak first.
Robert, studying me: “Are you okay? You’re really pale…”
Me: “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Robert: “Did he hurt you?”
Me, pretending not to understand: “Who?”
Robert: “That jerk who barged in and dragged you away like you belonged to him.”
Me, smiling despite myself: “That jerk, as you call him, is my husband. No, he didn’t hurt me. He just mistook you for a suitor, and it made him jealous. He’s not usually like that.”
I’m surprised at myself for defending him, but it’s normal—it bothers me to hear someone speak badly of the man I love.
Robert: “I got that he’s your husband, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat you like that. If he’s mistreated you, just tell me.”
Me: “He didn’t do anything to me, like I said.”
Robert: “I want you to know that you now have big brothers who’ll do anything to protect you. You don’t have to let anyone walk all over you or treat you however they want.”
Me: “Where were these big brothers when kids in the schoolyard pulled my hair or mocked me because I didn’t have a father? Where were they during my birthdays or when I spent Christmas after Christmas alone, year after year? I’m a grown woman now, and I can defend myself. I don’t need anyone’s help.”
Robert: “If those brothers had known you existed, they would never have abandoned you or left you to fend for yourself. We’re coming into your life a bit late, but it’s never too late to love or be loved in return. We’re here now, and we’re here for good.”
Me: “That’s not the point. Why did you want to see me this morning?”
Robert: “I have a letter from Dad for you. I think it’ll help you understand and forgive the past.”
The child in me, excited at the idea of a letter from my dad: “Really? He actually wrote me a letter?”
Robert, handing me the letter: “Yes, here it is.”
I take the letter from his hands and eagerly start to open it under his watchful gaze, but I stop myself. I think it’d be better to read it at home in private.
Me, turning to him: “I’d rather read it at home if that’s okay with you.”
Robert: “I think that’s for the best. I’ll ask two things of you. First, try to set aside your anger before reading this letter, even if it’s not easy. Second, let’s meet again once you’ve read it.”
Me, nodding: “Okay, no problem with that.”
Robert, kissing my forehead: “Take care of yourself, alright?”
I give him a smile in response before we part ways. I hurry back home to read the letter in peace.
ALEXANDER
This morning, I woke up determined to go see my little firecracker and talk to her to fix things. I don’t want to waste another second. I think I’ll try to be happy and stop making life miserable for those around me.
I get up early, and instead of getting ready for work, I put on a white polo and dark blue jeans, grab a car key, and decide to drive myself today. I plan to stay there until she agrees to listen to me. I’m ready to get down on my knees if that’s what it takes to win my wife back.
When I arrive, I ring the doorbell, and it’s her mother who opens the door.
Madame Dédé, eyeing me up and down: “Have you finally decided to come get your wife?”
Me: “Good morning, Madame. Is your daughter here?”
Madame Dédé: “No, no, she went out without telling me where she was going.”
Me: “May I wait for her here?”
Madame Dédé, stepping aside: “If you want, go ahead, come in. Sit over there on the couch…”
I enter the living room and take a seat, hoping she won’t be gone too long. If I call her, I’m sure she won’t come back. It’s not great, but I’d rather catch her by surprise.
I spend a good hour there before she returns. She’s still the beautiful young woman I’ve always known, despite her tired and sad demeanor. It drives me crazy to see her like this. I hope I’m not the reason.
Alex, sighing: “What are you doing here?”
Me, standing up: “What’s wrong? Are you unwell? You look like you’ve been crying.”
Alex: “That doesn’t answer my question. What are you doing here?”
Me: “I’d like us to have a conversation.”
Alex: “What for? What do you want from me?”
Me: “I’d like you to come back home.”
Alex, with a nervous laugh: “Please, I don’t have the energy this morning to talk about something pointless. If you’re here to insult me or play games, know that you can go back where you came from. I’m not moving from here. I’m not going back with you just because you decided so. That’s not how a relationship works. A marriage without love, without communication, a marriage where you’re treated like you’re forcing love—I don’t want that anymore. I’m tired of talking about the same thing with you only to end up at the same point. You don’t love me, I get it. You want a mother for your daughter? I’d be honored to be that maternal figure for her, but that’s where it ends.”
Me, genuinely sorry: “You don’t love me anymore, is that it?”
Alex, with another nervous laugh: “I wish I could rip you out of my heart so I’d stop hurting. I wish I’d never met you or fallen in love with you, but alas, you’re still in my heart, my mind. But I’d rather suffer than go back to that marriage. I think I’ve been clear enough.”
Me: “What if I told you I was ready to change and make an effort? Would you come back?”
Alex: “Don’t make me laugh. You can’t love anyone, and you want to make an effort for what? To force yourself to stay with someone who disgusts you just for convenience? Please, leave. I don’t want to continue this conversation.”
Me: “I don’t think I’ve ever hidden my attraction to you.”
Alex, laughing even harder: “See, I’m not willing to settle for the bare minimum anymore. I’m not willing to love for both of us. I want to be with someone who doesn’t have to force themselves to be with me, someone who desires me, who’s ready to take on the world for me—and that person isn’t you. I promise to be more involved in Julia’s life. If that’s what’s driving all this, I promise you don’t need to put on this act anymore. I’m committing to Julia from today onward. You can go home.”
Me: “I won’t deny that my daughter misses you a lot, but I’ve gotten used to your presence too, and I admit I miss seeing you every morning when I wake up.”
Alex, turning her back to me: “Out of habit? You can leave.”
Me: “No, I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Alex: “Why do you want me to come back with you? Give me just one good reason to come back.”
Me: “Because I want it.”
Alex: “Well, let me tell you, you won’t get what you want. Leave. I have nothing more to say to you.”
She turns her back and heads down the hallway, but I grab her arm before she can leave. I feel like I’m losing her completely, and if I let her go now, it’ll be over for good. I pull her toward me and press my lips against hers.
Me, looking her straight in the eyes: “Don’t you see that I love you? Can’t you feel it through my caresses, my kisses? Don’t you see it in my eyes? Can’t you feel it in the way I hold you in my arms? You think I’m blind—don’t you think you’re just as blind as I am? Don’t you see how much you drive me crazy?”
Alex: “If you claim to love me, why did you reject me and treat me the way you did when I was with you? Why didn’t you show me this love you’re proclaiming so loudly now?”
Me, lowering my tone: “Because I was overwhelmed by guilt. Every time I realized how much space you were taking in my heart, the guilt I felt over losing my late wife grew and pushed me to be harsh with you to keep you at a distance. I’m so sorry for making you suffer so much. I’m sorry for treating you the way I did, and I’m sorry for not knowing how to tell you these things. But now, I’m ready to live this love that floods my heart, this love that explodes in me like a volcano. I want to hold you in my arms for eternity.”
Alex, nestling into my arms: “I love you so much.”
I hold her even tighter. It feels so good to finally put words to some things. It’s so liberating. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Madame Dédé: “Are you done filming your movie there?”