The CEO

Chapter 6: 24 Hours

I was back to my habits, I broke up with Dani or broke whatever we had and went back to sleeping with girls and getting drunk, and of course, Olivia and I were still not speaking with each other.

At the company, it was really formal and tonight we had a party where I officially become the new CEO.

My father and I were in the hall preparing for the night when he pulled me aside.

“Son, I finally get to see you thrive.” He said.

“I’m hoping everything you learned with Ms. Adams and the other managers will help you.” He said and at the sound of ‘Ms. Adams’ I flinched.

I looked at my father and I could see that he switched from my CEO father to my dad when I realized he noticed me become uncomfortable.

“Stephen, why are you single?” he asked.

“Dad you know why,” I replied.

“No Stephen. Why are you single.” He pointed at Olivia when she came into the hall to help as the other managers volunteered.

I turned back to him and frowned.

“You know?” I questioned.

He smiled.

“And you’re okay with it?” I continued with my questions.

“Son, Olivia is a manager here yes but look at what she’s done. Look at that bump on her belly. She did that for my daughter, why wouldn’t I want you to be with a girl like her?” He was right. Why wouldn’t anyone want to be with someone like her?

I turned again and stared at her and then shifted my gaze to her baby bump that was starting to become obvious. Thinking of the baby inside her belly made me remember her words at Lea’s dinner.

‘I buried my fiancé and my unborn child four years ago.’

I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was almost married and almost a mother.

Was that the reason why she moved from Detroit to Brooklyn?

If it weren’t for the man’s death. I would’ve never met her?

By the time I stopped my daydreaming, Olivia had noticed me and she was looking back before we both went our separate ways.

It was time for the party and all our guests were looking fancy and extravagant. Tonight, was the night I take over my father’s years of hard work and dedication, and even with all that pressure, I was still searching for one thing or one person to be exact.

Olivia came in wearing a beautiful navy-blue dress and looked absolutely stunning. For some reason, I had the courage to go speak to her and apologize to her but just as I was about to go my father calls me and informs me that he will be starting his speech.

“Tonight, we are gathered here to celebrate leadership. During my thirty years of working in this company, I made a lot of friends and lost many more. I signed papers that included partnerships and broke many more. However, today, all of this ends for me as I pass my chair to my son whom I hope would also share with his son thirty years from now. I would like to thank every single one of you not for being here only, but for being with me and contributing to this company’s success, and not leaving me during its downfall. Tonight, I present to you with great honor the new CEO of Malcolm Industries, my son, Stephen Malcolm. Thank you all for your constant support and I wish you well.” After my father ended his speech everyone clapped and I was signaled to give my speech next.

As I was ready to be given the spotlight, I scan the room and see a man standing next to Olivia with his hand around her waist.

Everyone’s eyes were on me including hers and mine wear only looking into emptiness.

“Good evening, everyone. I would like to thank you all for being with my father all those years and now it’s my turn to wish for a better future. My speech isn’t very long because I don’t believe in words and empty promises. I believe that I will show you all my love and dedication to this company through my work and my attempt to make this company better and greater than it already is. Thank you.” Everything I said, I said with a serious face. To be honest, my speech was five times longer but I didn’t want to be there anymore so I left.

I wanted to go home, however; I was too angry to go there instead I sat at a table with many drinks behind it.

It started getting late and I was drinking way too much but I didn’t care. Every time I closed my eyes, I would remember Olivia’s face when she found out how special a kiss was to me and that I kissed a girl who wasn’t that special. The same girl that mistreated her and embarrassed her.

I would remember her saying we’re impossible and that we will never be together because we’re too shattered from the inside to be able to build each other up.

I would remember her with that man by her side with his hand on her waist. That waist should’ve been mine. Those lips I kissed, those eyes she looked at me with, that heart I hurt, those tears I caused… it all should’ve been mine. Yet here I was drinking and drowning my sorrows away.

The next thing I knew I was at her doorstep waiting for her to open the door.

“Stephen? Are you drunk?” she held me and dragged me inside.

I was sitting on her couch and just as she was about to leave, I grabbed her hand and made her sit next to me.

I looked at her and put a strand behind her ear.

“Stephen, you’re drunk. Let me get you some coffee to sober you up a little bit.” She stood up again.

“No. No, I want to stay wasted. I want to be with you knowing that tomorrow I’ll forget all about it.” I pulled her down again.

“Olivia, I can’t let you into my life. After my mother died, I promised myself that I won’t love any girl because if I did, I was scared I would lose her like my mom. It makes no sense but I loved her so much it makes sense to me” My words came out forced and overenunciated.

“But tonight, I want to press pause. I want to forget about what I promised myself and do this because by tomorrow I would forget I even did any of it.” I continued.

-Olivia’s P.O.V-

Stephen was a complete mess and I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I knew what he was going to do after pressing ‘pause’ but I couldn’t. I couldn’t take advantage of him.

“Stephen, please. You’re drunk.” I sat a little further from him.

“Don’t worry. You’re not taking advantage of me. The whole point of this is me not remembering.”  He took my hand and pulled me closer.

“I will remember.” I didn’t want to.

“Well, then remember that I love you. Now you can’t hate me for saying this because I’m drunk.”

He loves me? Did he just say he loves me?

“Sit on my lap.” He tapped his lap.

“What?” I recoiled.

“Sit on my lap.” He repeated this time pulling me.

Both legs were on each side of his waist. He was looking at my still little bump and smiled.

“Can I touch it?” he asked like a child and I nodded.

“Hello, buddy. Just so you know, the girl that’s taking care of you right now is really special to me. So, you better not annoy her or hurt her the same way I did. You’re lucky you get to be this close to her, she’s amazing and I’m stupid.” I was so focused on his words I didn’t realize I had tears in my eyes and when he looked at me he laughed.

“Did I make you cry again? Am I that bad?” he held my cheek.

I did the same and started getting closer to him until our foreheads touched and we were both breathing heavily.

“You’re not taking advantage, Olivia. This is the only time I’m pausing my promise to my mother.”

His lips were on mine and I instantly gave in to him.

Both my hands were on his neck and his arms were wrapped around my neck. I craved his lips so I let him do whatever he desired with mine.

We were both dominating each other’s bodies that it intoxicated us both but we liked it. Our lips parted for a split second to breathe then continued to kiss. After what seemed an hour we stopped and pressed our foreheads against each other and then I placed my head on top of his and we both closed our eyes still hugging each other.

When I heard his tiny snores, I knew he fell asleep so I helped him lie down and covered him then went to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up and prepared some breakfast for me and my unexpected guest?

“Good morning.” He greeted with a raspy voice.

“Morning. Breakfast is ready.” I pushed his plate over the counter to eat it.

“Listen, thank you for yesterday. You didn’t have to.” He said while grabbing his plate.

“You were drunk. No matter what is happening between us… I wouldn’t just let a drunk man go home in the state you were.” I grinned.

We were both silently eating for a while.

“Nothing happened between us, right?” he asked like it was the only thing he cared about.

He really did forget everything.

“No. Nothing.” Even though I hesitated for a while, I respected his drunken choice and didn’t tell him.

After Stephen left, I was getting ready for work and when I arrived at the company, I got a call from Lea.

“Lea? What’s wrong.” She knew I had work, so she wouldn’t call me at this time unless it’s an emergency.

“Stephen.” She was crying and I felt my heart skip a beat at his name.

“H-He had an accident and he’s in the hospital and the doctors aren’t telling us anything.” Lea managed to say those words in between her cries.

He was with me less than three hours ago and everything was almost back to normal between us and now this?

“I’m coming don’t worry.” I hung up and basically ran to my car to go to the hospital.

When I arrived, Lea ran to me with her husband behind her and she hugged me tightly.

“Did the doctors say anything?” I asked

“They just told us that he has no broken bones however, he had a major concussion and might lose his memory.” She broke down in tears again.

Lose his memory? Not remember who we are or what we had?

The next hours were horrible. The entire family was there and I was sitting alone replaying all our moments together while I was crying by myself. He meant a lot to me and he was the only guy I let myself fall in love with after Tommy and now knowing he might not remember me ached my heart.

I fell in love with him. I don’t know how or when. I just did. I love him and his being in that room is killing me.

The next morning, we were all still there when the doctor came to us.

“Mr. Malcolm is awake from his coma. Unfortunately, we couldn’t know if his memory is saved so he might not recognize some of you. I’m sorry.” He informed us and left.

“Let’s go see him,” Lea suggested and we went in one by one.

When it was finally my turn, I was scared. What if he didn’t remember me or what if he did and didn’t want to do anything about us anymore?

“He remembered us because he loved us and he loves you too.” Lea tried to reassure me but I was still nervous. But still, I walked in hoping for the best

When I went in, he looked at me and smiled. Does he know me?

“Hello.” He said.

“How are you?” I asked with the hopes that he still knows me.

“Been better.” He responded and I could hear he was tired.

“Stephen, I need to know. Do you know me?” I asked uncertainly.

He waited for a while.

“I’m sorry.” He shook his head.

“No.” he continued.

My heart completely broke. He didn’t know me which meant he doesn’t know he loved me and now I can’t say I love him either.  

I started tearing up and leaned my head on the door.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He said. Stephen was never sweet to people he didn’t know especially girls so his caring self now hurt me more because now I know the old Stephen is gone.

“It’s okay. I’m pregnant so my hormones are ten times worse.” I smiled and shook my head.

It took me 24 hours to understand and accept the fact that I love him and it will take me another 24 to accept that he doesn’t anymore.  

Or maybe forever...

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What will happen between Olivia and Stephen now? Will Stephen chose another woman? Will Olivia fight for him?

Continue reading to find out. Don’t forget to like the story for more.

Stay Safe

XOXO