The CEO's Hidden Heart

Chapter Two

EMILY'S POV

“It's a good thing your bags aren't unpacked, we're going back to the States,” Sebastine stood at my door and announced.

I had only a towel on and was seated in front of the dressing mirror.

I couldn't bear to look at him. I was overcomed by diffidence. I couldn't still hear his harsh words from a few hours ago, after we both woke up.

“You would not speak a single word to any living soul about last night,”

“Forget it ever happened and focus on the job you have to feed your dying mother and family.”

His words had caused me two hours of tears, thinking over and over about all my life's decisions and how I ended up in bed with my overbearing boss.

‘What was I thinking?’ I scolded myself, ‘Did I really think this was love?’ For someone who had not shown me any kindness in four weeks, I was definitely clowning to have thought so.

Our stay in Paris was supposed to last three days, but I had no complaints about having to leave the very next day after our meeting. I was too filled with diffidence to continue sharing space with Sebastine Harrington.

During our flight, I made sure we were seats apart, and luckily, there was more than enough space to allow that.

“Have the comprehensive report on my desk on Monday morning,” Sebastine said, as he entered the black Limousine that had come to take him to the mansion.

I stopped a cab and took the shortest ride home. I was just glad it was the weekend and I didn't have to worry about sharing the same air as Mr. Harrington, especially not after the embarrassing encounter.

***********

“Do I really have to do this?” I took a deep breath at Mr. Harrington’s door.

I didn't want to have to look at his piercing, charming eyes again, as they reminded me of the firm way his eyes were staring into mine, as he slowly thrust in and out, at the suite in Paris.

‘I have a report to turn in.’ I reminded myself, before ringing the doorbell.

“Good morning, Mr. Harrington,” I greeted, walking in with the report and his morning coffee, like I normally would.

“Morning, Miss. Hayes,” he responded coldly, stretching out his hand to get the cup of coffee.

After two sips, he took the file from me and began reading through.

“Make another copy for my mother, and email it to every member of the board,” Sebastine instructed.

“Actually…” I softly pitched in.

Sebastine lifted his head and gave me a surprised look.

“I wanted to hand this to you, sir,” I said, pulling out a small brown envelope.

“What is this?” He queried.

I did not respond, as he was already tearing the envelope apart.

“A resignation?” He voiced his surprise.

“I know I'm supposed to give a two weeks notice, but I would appreciate it if my resignation is effective immediately, sir,” I kept my head bowed to the floor.

Sebastine gave me a death stare.

“You'll get a response from the company by the end of the day,” he said, “for now, do as you have been instructed.” He added.

I turned around and then left.

I had the toughest day in the office and it was highly impossible to avoid Sebastine, since I was both his secretary and personal assistant.

I walked all day with my head to the ground and struggled to get through the day and at 5pm, I was the happiest I could ever be.

I scaled the elevator, returning to Mr. Harrington’s office to get the feedback for my proposal earlier.

“Miss. Hayes,” I met Sebastine at the door, locking his office.

“Tomorrow, visitors will be coming over for a meeting, be here earlier than you normally would,” he said, as soon as he saw me.

“Uhm…Sir…” I stammered, “you were supposed to approve my resignation,” I softly protested, “I don't report to work tomorrow,” I added.

“On whose instruction?” Sebastine fired at me. I immediately went mute.

“I asked you to come back for a response and now you have it,” he said,

“Your resignation has been declined,” he said.

He walked slowly to me, intimidating me with the aura his perfume fragrance strongly sent out.

“I am not about to go through the tedious process of trying to replace a staff member, just because you do not know how to draw a line between pleasure and work,” he said in a firm voice, directly into my ears.

There was an overwhelming silence for a few seconds, before Sebastine interrupted.

“Be here tomorrow, earlier than you normally would,” he emphasized.

‘My life couldn't get any worse,’ I thought, but boy, was I terribly mistaken.

******

I had been living the same depressing cycle for days now. Serving Sebastine’s coffee and doing all his paperwork, since my resignation got declined.

I was struggling to be alive, sharing the same air with Sebastine. I had fallen deep in love with him and this wasn't even just about the night we shared, it was everything he was made of.

Sebastine was the meanest person to me and I had no reason to like him, but I did, and that night only made it clearer to me. Now, I had to deal with him treating me like trash and it broke my heart.

What was more, Sebastine had no idea that he was the first man to explore my body. I was terribly ashamed to say it.

My life was already sad enough, I didn't have to make myself any more distasteful.

“Sir, the edited copy of…”

I walked into his office to a jaw dropping scene.