When My Ex Becomes My Boss

CHAPTER 3

Cecelia stood in front of the director’s office door, her hand hovering just inches away from the polished surface. For a brief moment, she remained still, as though her body refused to cooperate with what her mind already knew she had to do.

She drew in a slow, heavy breath. It did little to calm her. Then, finally, she knocked.

“Come in.”

His voice came from inside, calm and steady, carrying the same authority she had heard earlier in the meeting room.

Cece pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The office was exactly what she expected. Spacious, organized, and polished in a way that reflected power without needing to announce it. Her eyes moved around briefly, taking it in without really focusing, until they landed on the figure sitting across from him.

Another staff member.

A quiet wave of relief settled over her. At least she would not be alone with him.

She walked further into the room, her steps measured, controlled. Alex looked up as she approached, his expression unreadable.

“Have a seat,” he said.

She nodded politely and sat, smoothing her outfit slightly as she settled into the chair beside her colleague. She kept her gaze forward, careful, avoiding looking directly at him.

“I apologize for calling you away from your work,” Alex began, his tone professional. “I just want to get to know everyone personally and understand how things operate here.”

Cece said nothing. She could feel his eyes on her. Even without looking, she knew.

Her colleague responded first, offering a brief explanation of their role in the department. Cece followed, adding what was necessary, keeping her voice steady and neutral.

Alex listened, but his attention was divided.

He asked questions. About their responsibilities. About what they had achieved so far. About their plans for improving the company.

The questions kept coming, structured and deliberate.

Cece and her colleague exchanged a brief glance, confusion flickering between them. It felt less like a conversation and more like an interview.

As though they were trying to prove themselves all over again.

Alex noticed the look.

“Relax,” he said calmly. “I am not testing you. I just want to understand how things work here. The processes. The people.”

That seemed to ease the tension slightly.

They continued, explaining procedures, workflows, and general operations. Cece spoke when necessary, her answers clear and precise, but she still avoided looking at him.

She could not bring herself to.

Eventually, the conversation came to an end.

“Alright,” Alex said, leaning back slightly. “That will be all for now.”

Both of them stood.

Cece was already turning toward the door when his voice stopped her.

“Cecelia.”

She froze.

Her colleague glanced at her briefly before stepping out, quietly closing the door behind her. The soft click of the door echoed louder than it should have.

Now they were alone.

Cece turned slowly, her expression guarded, her eyes finally meeting his. There was a silent warning in her gaze, a clear unspoken message.

Do not do this.

Alex stood from his chair without a word.

Cece’s heart skipped. She watched as he walked toward her, each step steady, deliberate. The distance between them closed too quickly, making the air feel tighter, heavier.

He stopped right in front of her.

Close. Too close.

His eyes did not leave hers.

“Are you not going to say anything?” he asked quietly.

The question hung between them.

Cece said nothing. Her silence was intentional, careful and controlled.

Alex studied her face, searching for something, anything, that resembled what they once had. But all he found was distance.

So he leaned closer.

The movement was subtle, but it was enough.

Cece startled, stepping back quickly, the sudden closeness making her chest tighten. Her composure slipped for just a second before she forced it back into place.

“If there is something you want to say,” she said, her voice firm despite the tension in it, “you can just say it. Is that why you asked me to stay back?”

For a moment, Alex said nothing. Then something shifted in his expression. He stepped back, making the distance between them return.

He turned and walked back to his desk, sitting down as though nothing had just happened.

“There is nothing,” he said calmly. “You can go.”

Cece stared at him for a second, unsure what to make of it. But she did not question it.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the office.

The moment the door closed behind her, she exhaled. Only then did she realize how tense she had been.

By the time she returned to her desk, she had mostly composed herself, though her thoughts were still unsettled.

She had barely sat down when Sandy and Mika rushed over.

“Well?” Sandy asked immediately, her eyes full of curiosity. “What happened?”

Mika folded her arms, watching Cece closely. “What kind of person is he?”

Cece reached for her keyboard, pretending to focus on her screen.

“He just wanted to get to know the staff,” she said simply. “Nothing serious. It was fine.”

Sandy frowned slightly. “That is all?”

Cece nodded. “That is all.”

Before they could press further, the HR manager walked past. Almost instantly, Sandy and Mika straightened and hurried back to their desks as though they had never moved. Cece allowed herself a small breath of relief.

The rest of the day passed quietly.

Work resumed, conversations died down, and everything slowly returned to normal. Or at least, it looked that way on the surface.

But Cece felt the difference. Every now and then, her mind drifted back to his office. To the way he looked at her. To the way he said her name. She pushed it aside every time.

By the time closing hour arrived, she was more than ready to leave.

She shut down her system, packed her things, and stood up just as Sandy appeared beside her.

“Let us go,” Sandy said.

Mika joined them moments later, and together they walked out of the office.