The Jewel That Stole The CEOs Heart

Staying Away

Chapter 7

Staying away

Jessie's POV

For the fourth time in two days today Claudio came to the room when Amanda was sleeping, he brought flowers and fruits typical patients things. He doesn't talk at all, he just stays long enough to drop everything then poof he's gone. I see Amanda feeling disappointed each time she wakes up to see that he was around. I have to admit that it might be better this way so she doesn't catch feelings for him; though I'm obsessed with the idea of them being an item.

My family can be considered as being at the top of the food chain or rather part of the families at the top, and it has made me understand that it never ends well when someone with Claudio Morelli's background dates someone with Amanda's. I mean my family is not even close to the Morelli's or the other families in top ten. Those families in the top ten are considered royalty to the others below them.

Amanda was getting ready to leave the hospital, I was so happy she was going home even though it's been 3 days only but it seemed like forever as it passed by.

“Hey girlfriend!” I called out to Amanda.

“I'm coming.” She answered walking out of the room with her handbag.

I collected the bag from her and held her shoulders so she could lean on me.

“You know I'm getting discharged now, so you can stop treating me like a baby.” she said trying to remove my hands from her body.

“Well for safety purposes in case you drop like you did before.” I said pulling her closer.

“That was once and I was sick now I'm better.” She said whining as she covered her eyes to hide her face from the looks the people around were given us.

She sprang free and walked towards the counter when I pulled her back.

“What?” She whined sounding almost in tears.

“I've signed the discharge papers.” I told her not wanting her to know that it was Claudio who signed it in the morning.

“Thanks babe.” She said hugging me; “I don't know what I'd do without you.”

“Well you belong to me, I can't leave you alone now can I?” I said taking her towards the car.

As we sat in the car she turned facing me and was looking at me expectantly, I stared back raising my brows to ask what was wrong.

“He settled everything in the hospital didn't he?” She asked and I didn't even know how to say it.

“Jessie!” She called; “he came this morning to drop flowers and fruits as he did before, I suspected and woke earlier than I usually did, I just pretended I was asleep to confirm it. It's not big deal, I wish as hell he'd kept away, who cares about damned flowers.” She said looking out the window wistfully.

“I didn't know you were awake.” I whispered not knowing how to go about the discussion.

“He's avoiding me, maybe something happened. Well I wasn't expecting this but no what was I thinking, it doesn't matter we're just boss and employee anyways.” She said as if convincing herself; “there should be a gap in between us.”

“Well yeah, there should be a gap I agreed. And don't take whatever is happening too hard, it's normal at least he sent flowers, some bosses would not even give a damn about their employees. So, don't fault him, he tried really but he had to keep it business. There would have been a lot of speculations around if the press got a hang of his visits.” I said trying to soothe her.

“You're right the press, how would I fault him he has been the best boss I've ever had, he must think better than I would.” She said slowly like she was processing everything.

“So, I'm begging you Amy, keep your relationship business I'm sure he noticed you were getting overly excited by his visits, he has to cut back so you won't fall in ‘like’ with him and he's a guy he can read girls.” I said smiling .

“That's a nice way of putting it.” She said clearing the frown from her forehead; “And I'm saying this again I'm not in ‘like’ with him, it was a tiny crush that passed and left after effects that will pass also.”

“Let's keep the feelings that way.” I said starting the car.

I was trying not to be confused, I felt their connection that first night in the hospital, I know Claudio Morelli is fighting the attraction between them and I'm praying that whatever God has planned out, Amanda doesn't get hurt because she's been through a lot.

Amanda's POV

I walked into the office with my heart every bit as heavy as it had been since I left the hospital last week Wednesday. I greeted Peter the guard at the elevator before entering. I was in the staffs elevator, no more private elevator with the boss. I haven't seen him since I was in the hospital, he travelled to LA turns out he was needed, I don't even know what happened but I feel the barrier that has been placed between us. He calls to give instructions and all, but his voice is so cold and business like, and definitely Curt if I might hard my mind provided.

He is returning today and if there is anything I'm certain about it's that I'm not ready to face the new Claudio I sighed.

I left the lift after the ding and moved to my cubicle. I was so engrossed with work that I didn't hear the ding of the elevator till the loud sound of a door slamming caught my attention, I stood up to check for the disturbance. I walked towards Sir Claudio's office but changed my mind, he shouldn't be back till late evening I thought moving towards the other rooms on the floor I found no one there, which leaves only one office Mr Morelli's.

Taking a deep breath I opened the door to see the owner sitting on the office Sofa with his tablet in his hands.

I just stood there not knowing how to approach him; I guess I stayed there long because the next I knew he was no longer on the sofa, he was now on his office chair.

Clearing my voice I said the next unsure thing in my mind keeping my fingers crossed..

“Good morning sir.” I greeted unsure about what I should call him.

“Good morning Miss Amanda.” he greeted back.

It was like a bowl of cold water was poured over my head; so we're on the Mr& Miss now.

“I didn't know you were you coming back this morning.” Willing my voice to sound every bit as professional as his did.

“Yeah, I finished up earlier than expected, I was in a hurry to return that I forgot to inform you I’d be arriving earlier.” He said looking up from his computer.

"Alright sir, should I reschedule your cancelled meetings then?" I asked.

"Yes, hope you had everything prepared earlier than scheduled? He asked

Yes sir, I did. They are all ready I'll go make the necessary calls." I said turning to leave only to hear my name being called, I stopped immediately turning to face him I raised my brows in question mark (?) since I wasn't in any mood to talk.

"I don't recall telling you to leave Miss Amanda." He said smirking.

"I'm sorry sir, but I presumed the conversation had ended." I said bending my head to hide my expression.

"I hope you got the email changing the way things are going to be done around here." He asked.

"I got the email sir." I said. Instead of saying oohhh I didn't opened the mail and I was embarrassed when the security guard Peter informed me i was not allowed to enter the private elevator on the boss’s orders.

"Well things should be okay between us then." He said going back to his work, leaving me standing there. And I’m like hello sir I’m still standing.

"Sorry sir…." I tried saying when I was cut off by a very curt you can go from Claudio or should I say Sir Claudio. I was super pissed. Damn my emotions my eyes got teary as I tried to turn to leave.

I walked into my office so angry that I could have knocked down a wall if, I believed in throwing tantrums. I sat on my chair to calm my very angry self. I mean what even happened to him, he wasn’t like this even when I started working for him, we built this work relationship from the time we spent together like boss and employee. I didn't even ask him to take me to the hospital.

But how the hell am I going to cope with a Claudio Morelli that I don’t even know, I could even control his mood swings, even if he was cold to the outside world, we were able to understand each other and flow together. I’m sure I did not cross one of the lines that we drew then. So what happened because I sure as hell don’t deserve this attitude, I’ve been hardworking and giving my all when it comes to the company, I don’t even have a social life, my life is the company and the praise I got around me here.

Looking for tissue on my table, the picture of my dad on my table that caught my eyes, I wiped the little tears that got out and reached out for the picture. The picture was the last he took before he died, sometimes I really wish he was here, maybe I would have a shoulder to lean on. I really miss him.

But I know he would have disapproved of me crying just because things changed a little bit; he’d tell me to raise my head, lift my chin and stand tall then say that we can do anything as long we don’t give fear a thought. And that’s what I’ll do, I am his princess after all and princesses don’t cry.

Claudio’s POV

I watched her leave my office, I saw the hurt that quickly turned to confusion before they turned to glittering tears in her green eyes. I had to tighten my heart so I wouldn’t be forced to run to where she was and apologize. When I told her to go after I was done, the disappointment on her expression before she turned around will forever hunt me.

I stopped going to the hospital when she was sick. Jessica saw me every time, she was just good at pretending not to know what I was doing though I saw through her façade. Immediately I signed the discharge papers I flew to LA though I wasn’t needed there, I just had to plan and collect myself. I was even considering never seeing her again but I cant punish her for being who I am. I made certain changes tto ensure we didn’t end up in close arrears. I became a total jerk, I changed the elevators and a lot of things. It just the best thing I can do, I can’t put someone else that I care about in trouble. I’m going back to being the Claudio Morelli that cares for no one and even if the new pain in my heart stays, I’m happy she Is not going to be in danger because of me.

"Hey bro!!" Aleksei greeted me as I entered the VIP section of the 9ine club

"Hey!" I answered him taking the sit opposite him.

"You look different in a weird way, what happened?" He asked staring into my eyes.

"Nothing happened, I’m just stressed that’s all." cursing myself for not remembering he had always been able to read me.

"You look like you got rejected and you’re sulking." He said still staring at me intently. "Let me guess you professed your undying love for Amanda and she turned you down. Damn, I wish I could have seen your expression when she rejected you." He said taking a sip of his whiskey and laughing.

"I didn’t profess anything." I said pouring myself a glass of whiskey, excluding his overexcited side, Aleksei sure loves good whiskey.

"So what happened." he asked looking like he wasn’t ready to stop being a goddamn pest.

"Nothing happened, I came to drink with my best bud not to get drilled." I said wishing he’d drop the damn topic.

"You know! Even if you won’t tell me anything, I know everything you do just as you know all I do." He said smiling mischievously; crossing his legs he leaned on the chair and continued.

"A little birdie told me you went to the hospital but for some reason she was asleep every single time you went, so its obvious you were avoiding her. Then on the day she was to be released you signed the discharge papers and left for LA with an excuse of having business there which you and I know was a lie." He paused taking a sip off his glass before continuing.

"You changed towards her after that. You weren’t present but you changed a lot of things that were normal. As your best bud I started to wonder about you actions and I got to a conclusion that you were in denial." He finished while i just stayed looking at him without saying a word.

"You’ve thought about everything in that pretty head and the next thing is denial, you placed a barrier between you guys. Though I must admit you must be very dumb if you think your new strategy will work." He said dropping his legs and leaning on it.

"You know for a CEO that runs an empire almost as big as mine, you have enough time to be monitoring my life." I said, inwardly cursing myself for forgetting that he could find whatever he wishes to know, all he has to do was wish it.

"And for a CEO that runs an empire almost as big as he says your EQ is so low!! I mean you’re so dumb." He repeated.

"You’re starting to annoy me Kritikos! I came for some peace time, and you know why I and Amanda can’t work out." I said.

"I know, doesn’t mean I accept it. You don’t want to hurt her and all other piece of shits, life is short, you never know what can and will happen, you just can’t center your life on a mistake you made in the past and it wasn't your mistake it was a planned attack, even if you guys hadn't left the house they would have looked for another way to get you guys. Sitting closer to me, he patted my shoulders and continued; "you know no one blames you for what happened, but you have let the guilt eat you till there is almost not a piece of the best friend I knew, Amanda brought that you back when you guys got close. You were really happy when you let go of the guilt unknowingly."

"You might think you're helping her but I know that whatever you think you did is only hurting her." He finished still holding my shoulders.

"Hurting her is seriously the last thing that I want and in other for me to do that I have to keep her away from me." I said not correcting him on what he said about the past, they don't understand and never had. If I hadn't left the house with them that day, they couldn't have gotten to us, it was absolutely impossible because of the security level at home..

"I can't change my decision, she stays away and out of my private life." I said with finality

"Well then, there is nothing I can do to change your mind, but you'll regret it later, when you see her being happy with someone else." He said downing the last of his drink.

I won't deny the fact that I will not miss her, but regret? The only thing I I'll forever regret is me not dealing with those kidnappers when I had the chance.

I just have to stay away from her, even if he happiness means me seeing her with another guy.

Aleksei's POV

Looking at the best friend I would gladly punch if I was asked to. I mean I understand where he is coming from, I mean he is my best friend after all. I know him probably more than anyone. After the k********g event when we were Young, he became closed off. He was Claudio but not quite the same Claudio. Sometimes when its all too much for him, he talks to me, he told about me things they did to him when they dragged him from his cage as punishment because he helped his sister. What they did to him there, whatever he saw there changed him... He buried himself in books and business. He became a playbpy just so his competitors would underestimate him, and only when he became number one did everyone realise it was all a facade. He left Italy totally after college and almost never goes home if you count twice a year as almost. I followed him when he left because I couldn't leave him alone else we would all loose him.

He is the closest thing to a brother that I have and seeing him letting the past control his present really makes me sad and angry. The bastard that planned the whole operation years ago got away, Claudio got to see the bastard that day but when he woke up from coma his memories were all fuddled up, Everytime he tries remembering the face he saw it's all but a blurry picture.

He has spent years looking for the man for his revenge but he has never gotten overly close to finding him..

He wants to protect her, but I feel he should let Amanda choose by herself, he his making decisions for her without her knowledge. He might not know she probably hurt more than he thinks by his change. And when this is all over and she finds out she might not be able to forgive him, because she will hate herself for not being there for him.

The damned i***t won't see reasoning, he will only do whatever he sets his mind on and that's him staying away from her.

But I'll love to see how far he can go keeping his Jealousy bottled up, like his feelings. I will just help me realise that he can't be right Everytime and I'm going to enjoy making Morelli's fall.