Contracted To The Ruthless CEO

CHAPTER 2

LAUREL

I stood frozen, my eyes fixated on the smirk on his lips, he was staring directly at me, but would occasionally look back at the crowd oogling over him.

Oh God! What crime did I commit to suffer this injustice?

After he was done with his speech, I made my way to the elevator with a cup of coffee. I clutched the container with as much control as my hands could muster.

I knocked lightly before letting myself in “I don’t know who you think you are but..”

“I’m the CEO apparently” he intercepted me before I could finish speaking, his eyes glued to the documents in his hand.

“You should’ve at least told me who you were” I brushed past the vase and made my way to his mahogany desk, placing the drink in front of him.

“I didn’t ask for coffee, Miss Campbell” he still didn’t look up at me, and this infuriated me.

“Don’t change the subject Mr Calister. I didn’t know you were the Daemon Calister!” I said loudly, placing my palm around my mouth almost immediately.

“That’s a mistake on your part” he finally looked up to see my face, I made my face boil with rage “You’re a negligent one, aren’t you?”

“You’re the negligent one here..how am I supposed to survive. If anyone knows I’m getting married the CEO..” I whispered, reminding myself of how the walls had ears.

“You’re not that important” he snickered, standing up and making his way towards me “If you truly wanted to keep this a secret, you wouldn’t be here”

I knew that, yet, I wanted answers for myself, and coming here was the only way I could get that.

“So..what now. What am I going to do?” I whispered.

“Keep your face out of my sight around here” he warned.

“But my department reports to you, directly. Oh for Christ’s sakes, if anyone, anyone finds out about this..” I pointed to myself and my chest “I would lose my job and we’d lose the credibility. So we have to keep a low profi..”

He swiveled his face, slipping his arm around my waist and leaned in, almost pressing his lips against mine when I covered his lips with the palm of my hand but he was already close enough to give off the impression that something was happening.

My heart raced slightly, my palm even got sweaty but I kept my composure, I wouldn’t let him know that he was the only guy I had been this close to, letting his body radiate heat with mine, at least apart from my stupid ex Tristen.

“What are you doing?..” I mumbled under my breath and he only answered with a raised brow.

“My apologies, Mr Calister..” A feminine voice came from behind us “Please..please, I wanted to leave this here” she said and then I heard the rustling of papers before he took my palm from his mouth.

“Just leave them there and don’t come in till I say so” he ordered and almost immediately, she turned around to leave.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“You should be thanking me that our lips didn’t touch”

“You don’t know how to kiss someone” he drawled “Is that why you covered my lips?”

“You know that’s not true” I shoved him aside “I said no kisses, on the lips and she’s not the one we’re putting up a show for, so let it go” I answered making my way for the exit when he held onto my arm, pulling me close to himself.

His scent of cedar and fine oak sifted into my nostrils but who cares? He’s my boss and I can’t be seen around him.

“Don’t go that way” he paused and I gave him a quizzical stare “Go through there” he signaled for a painting at the far end of the room “You’ll reach the elevator faster and out of sight. Go”

I listened to him and walked to the painting, pushing it slightly and there was a doorway. How convenient.

The moment I was out of the elevator, I took deep breaths and headed straight for the ladies' room, a place I found myself visiting so often these days to avoid the prying eyes of my department’s head of operations.

“Did you hear about the new Calister?” A lady asked, I sat in the stall, calculating what I’d need to take from my apartment when I got there tonight.

“He looks hot, I like this new one..” the other answered, my ears could pick up her lip smacking from all the way down here.

“I know right..but I heard he’s cruel, like really cruel” She paused “He might even be the one who killed the former Calister..”

“Don’t say that out loud, Becky” the other jabbed at her “What if someone hears you?”

“I’m just saying. I mean, the whole family treats him like an outcast, haven’t you noticed it?” She asked, now whispering but it was too late, I heard it all and my attention was already caught.

“They say his startup worked in France” another chipped in and then there was the sound of running water then came their retreating footsteps which meant they headed back to work.

“Does that mean I got a murderer for a husband?” I sighed, placing my hands under the running water before leaving.

Just as I made my way out of the washroom, I felt a light tap on my shoulder, causing me to turn. It was an unfamiliar face, slightly scary because he was outside the ladies' bathroom but mostly because he looked new.

“How can I help you?” I asked, when he gestured that I leaned closer.

“Mr Calister wants you back at the office. Your presence is required” he whispered.

But I just left his office. What more does this man want?

“You’re joining me at the donation event tomorrow” he announced the moment I walked in. “So get yourself ready for the cameras”

“I’m not sure I understand Daemon. Can I call you Daemon?” I didn’t wait for a response “I can’t follow you around like that, I’ll be seen as suspicious” I explained and at this, he finally turned to look at me.

“Isn’t it already suspicious that you’re still working here? I mean after the leaking of information thing..”

Of course he knows about that but I clenched my fists hard enough so my expression of anger wouldn’t shoot through my face.

“So, get your stuff ready for tomorrow, you’ll be showcasing yourself as my new fiancé” he stated and I couldn’t even retaliate. How could I? He was now holding me by two leashes, my brother and my job.

But just as I was about to leave, he made his way towards me “And Laurel” he called out, the first time he used my name, he placed his finger on my chin.

“No funny business, make sure you’re ready by 7” he leaned closer and I took his hand off my chin, my chest heaving against his “Don’t be late”