The CEO's

3

I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and the smell of coffee wafting through my home. A off-tune sing songy voice was carrying through the halls straight into my bedroom and I wanted to put some earmuffs on, that's how bad it was.

Instead I walked slowly out to the kitchen to see Lila cooking breakfast.

"No one has ever used that stove." I say.

"Now someone has." She turned around to beam at me.

Her face was even prettier when I was sober, it seems like I might turn out to be the ugly friend because even without makeup her face was flawless and her large doe like green eyes held vibrancy and fun.

"You didn't have to you know." I bite into the piece of bacon she lays in front of me.

"Duh, but why not? Everyone needs to have a good breakfast come on Rose." She laughs.

I flinch at the name, a feeling of anger forming in my stomach because of the memory of Christopher calling me that.

"Okay, I'm guessing not the right nickname to call you?" She asks, flipping a pancake.

"No, it's just that that's what Christopher kept calling me yesterday."

"Well, then that's for sure not what I'll call you. Don't worry I'll figure it out but for now, hurry and eat so we can go to the office." She says then pauses. "Ew, I sound like a worker."

I choke on my third piece of bacon, laughing at her expression. I could already tell my life was going to get a lot more exciting with Lila in my life.

.....

"This is Lila everyone. She is now working here, and you will treat her with the same respect you treat me. Understood?" I ask my employees currently sitting around the large board room. A few of the uptight women shake their heads, whispering to each other. They probably are judging her colorful hair and mom jeans paired with the rainbow crop top she just had to wear that says 'F*** Off' in big black letters.

Obviously not a work outfit, but that's Lila.

"Get back to work." I motion for them all to leave the room but my assistant stays behind, scurrying up to Lila and I who was currently telling me about the time she had a plan to open a horse farm in the middle of NYC.

"Ms. Marie. Good morning. I have a couple meetings set up for you your first one in ten minutes. There is a new customer coming in around noon, he says he is very important client and you will want to talk to him. He also mentioned something about how your mind will certainly be changed by noon." She reads off her notes.

My heart pounds and my eyes widen. That must be Christopher back to taunt me and bother me. "Did he leave a name?"

"Only an initial ma'am. C?" She questions and I nod, dismissing her,

"Let me guess it's that no good son of a b-" My phone cuts off her rant.

It was a text from an unknown number.

Don't be too mad at me Rose.

"How the hell did he get my number?" I look at Lila and she grabs my phone from my hand, quickly typing a message and sending it before I could say anything.

"What did you say?" I grab it back from her, looking at the blue bubbles.

Fuck off Christopher.

"Lila." I say.

"Yes Rosie?" She asks innocently.

"I think I love you." I laugh and she laughs along as we walk out of the boardroom to the next meeting.

.....

"But, can I ask why?" My voice is small, confused at why the sudden withdrawal.

"We can't say much but the person has asked us not to use your buisness for this project, and has also offered a very large amount of money, my company just couldn't refuse. I'm sorry Ms. Marie." The old man looked down at his watch before picking up his suitcase. "Very sorry again." He says, after closing the door.

"What happened?" Lila opens it back up moments later.

"Someone told my clients not to use me for their next project. The client I just happened to tell Christopher about, the client that was going to put us high up on the ladder. That son of a b***h!" I slammed my fist down on my desk.

"We will get him back, it's just a matter of how. Isn't he coming later?" Lila asked.

"Yes, the most dreadful thing I'll have to do all day is sit in the same room as him."

"Well I'm good at finding people's weaknesses I'll just sit in with you and listen to what he has to say." She suggested.

"Alright, if you insist." I shrug, still seething.

.....

The meeting was just like last time. Christopher thinking he can order me around and me trying to hold a brave face.

"You sent away my client." I snapped.

"Why so mad Sweetheart? That just means you will have to do this for me to be put on the map." He smirks.

"No." I state.

"No?" His eyes turn red hot. "No is not in my vocabulary Rose."

"It is now, Mr. Rodgers." I smirk.

His hand reaches across the table quickly but I'm quicker, backing up as far as I can go.

"Don't touch."

"I do what I want." He stands up, towering over me as I stay seated.

"Go." I put my hand on his abdomen to push him away but he's like a solid rock, unmoving.

"Don't touch there, Rose." He says, his voice lowering. Was that desire in his voice?

"Goodbye Mr. Rodgers."

"See you, Rose." He smirks as I walk away, Lila a few steps in front of me.

The door closes behind us and she claps her hands excitedly.

"I know his weakness."

"What is it?" I ask eagerly.

She pauses for dramatic effect then speaks. "You."