The CEO

Chapter 4: Break My Walls

The next day, Stephen came by Olivia’s house to pick her up for their dinner. When she opened the door, he saw her wearing a black tight dress that showed all her beautiful curves and the baby bump that was starting to show. Seeing her like this made him smile in his head and then he escorted her to the car.

When they arrived at the restaurant, their table was already ready. Perks of being the next CEO of a billion-dollar company.

“Would you like me to get you anything Mr. Malcolm?” the waiter asked

“I’d like a glass of wine and the lady here would like a--?” He spoke and looked at the woman seated in front of him.

“Water please.” She said and the waiter nodded his head writing down our orders and left.

There was a bit of an awkward moment between the two of them as no one spoke for a while.

“Stephen, we can’t do this. I can’t. I’m too damaged and have many dark secrets to be able to have anything with you or with any guy. My surrogacy right now is the only reason we’re going to be closer than usual but after I give birth, I would like to go back to who we were before… just co-workers.” Stephen sat there listening to all of Olivia’s points.

He nodded clenching his jaw then responded.

“I can relate to the damaged part and I completely understand your desire to go back to co-workers after you give birth. However, I want you to know that I will not be able to treat you the same way anymore. You are one of the very few people I let see my real self and I don’t think I can let you in any more than this because if I do, I will hurt you and damage myself even more.” These words did not come out easily, not from any of them but they both knew it was the right thing to do.

“I have one more condition,” Olivia added.

“I’m going to be this baby’s birth mother and this he or she happens to be your future nephew or niece and I would like to be a part of its life. The baby does not have to know about me and what I did but I am going to be close to him and I don’t want my occasional presence outside of work to change anything between us.” When she finished her statement, Stephen sighed and closed his eyes for a second, and nodded opening his eyes again.

 “I guess we put our limits then. I’ll be there for you throughout your pregnancy but nothing more. I’m sure Lea would love for you to be a part of the baby’s life and we can work with that because obviously, I want to be a part of its life too. As for everything else, we’re co-workers and will have to work together until I become CEO, after that we won’t meet as much except for meetings or so.” They both understood clearly.

This entire dinner, up to now, sounded like we were discussing business but it was very clear that Stephen wanted to build his cold wall between them and she built her defensive loveless wall too.

Ironic right? Two people have feelings for each other yet are more emotionally wrecked than the other leading them to build not one but two barriers so they keep their emotions hidden and stay away from each other.

There was no point in this dinner proceeding so they both agreed on going back home. After a short dinner and long night, both lied down on their beds and thought of the points they made during dinner, and unfortunately, they didn’t change their minds.

The world is such a beautiful yet unfair place.

It’s so beautiful it gave something as strong as love, yet it’s so unfair because it causes two people pain that’s bigger than each of them restraining them from being together.

‘Impossible’ they call it.

‘Damaged’ they call it.

-Olivia’s P.O.V-

Some time passed by and my belly started to grow a little more. It’s been two months and a half since my pregnancy and everything was really healthy. On the occasion of this happy miracle, Lea wanted us to have dinner over at her and her husband’s home and she told me that Stephen was going to be there since I told her about our minor fight and we hadn’t seen each other more than twice maybe this whole time, but I didn’t tell her about our kiss.

I didn’t want to go and tried to get my way out of it, but Lea wouldn't let me so eventually, I decided to go out of respect to her, her husband, and my boss who is the grandfather of this baby.

When I arrived at their house, I was greeted by one of their helpers and I was escorted inside where all the guests were.

I quickly scanned the room and I saw Stephen was another girl wrapped around his arm. I felt my heart drop but we both agreed on keeping our relationship more than professional.

“There she is.” Lea cheered and they all looked at me like I was some celebrity.

“Please, come in. Have a seat, you’re the only person that doesn’t get to do anything here and rest as much as she wants.” She laughed kindly helping me settle down on one of their white couches.

“Ms. Adams, it’s so nice to see you’re doing well.” Said, Mr. Malcolm

“Thank you, sir.” I nodded

“How is my grandchild doing?” he asked

“Everything is okay and the doctor says he or she is very healthy,” I replied politely.

He nodded.

I turned to see Stephen staring at me and the girl next to him seemed to notice that his attention wasn't on her so she started playing with his hair until he stopped her and stopped looking in my direction.

“Dinner’s served,” Lea called from the dining room.

We all sat down and Stephen and his new girl were seated in front of me. We tried not to make eye contact and simply looked around the table attempting to avoid each other.

 After dinner, we were all still seated at the table. We were enjoying our time and everything was going smoothly.

 “So, Dani, I presume…” said Mr. Malcolm while looking at the new girl Stephen chose for the week.

“It’s the first time my son brings a female friend with him to one of these gatherings. I’m used to hearing about his scandals instead.” He laughed at his own joke and they all smiled except me.

“Well, I guess I’m special.” She leaned on him and he didn’t move.

“Is it going anywhere serious?” Lea asked.

“Maybe. What do you say Stephy?”

Stephy? Really?

He looked at her with an ice-cold stare and opened his mouth.

 “Stephen, and no. It’s not that serious.”

Wow, the last thing you want to hear is that you’re wasting your time with a guy you thought you might have something with.

“Why is that son?” his father asked.

“I would like to attend my son’s wedding before I leave this world.” He continued.

Stephen didn’t say a word.

“Sorry, but who are you?” Dani asked looking at me

“I’m a manager at the company,” I answered her calmly.

“Are you single?” she asked again. 

What did that have anything to do with what I just told her? Plus, why does she care? I nodded and saw Stephen getting uncomfortable.

“Oh poor thing, single and pregnant.”

Everyone sitting on that table flinched uncomfortably at her comment.

I gave her a half-smile.

“She’s my surrogate,” Lea told her,

“Oh my god. Are you that desperate that you’re carrying someone else’s child?” she spoke once more.

Everyone gasped except for Stephen.

“Who do you think you are?” I managed to get these words out from between my teeth.

“Don’t speak to her like that.” Said the guy next to that b***h with cold blood.

How can he defend after what she just said?

-Third Person P.O.V-

Olivia was mad but she didn’t want to make a scene.

She stood up still looking at the man that surprised her at that moment and then diverted her eyes to the person next to him.

“For your information, a man doesn't make you anyone. And I buried my fiancé along with my unborn child four years ago. So, if there’s anyone single and desperate here…it’s you for being with a man like him knowing it’s not going anywhere.” The fire was coming out of Olivia’s mouth and with that she left the house.

Olivia was outside the house going to her car so she could go home when someone stopped her.

"Olivia." The man called her but she didn't stop

"Olivia stop." He raised his voice and grabbed her by the arm stopping her from going anywhere.

"What do you want?" she sounded angry but her tears were also about to fall.

"I'm sorry about Dani." He said and even though he wanted to hug her to comfort her, he couldn't. He didn't allow himself.

"I don't care about your stupid sorry. But I am not going to sit there and watch your lady of the week humiliate me because you're not man enough to be in a relationship." she hit his chest her tone getting angrier tears streaming down her face.

Stephen let her speak to him that way. Honestly, if it were any other person he would've shut them by now but since it's Olivia, he let her.

"You said you were damaged as well, it was mutual," he said calmly when actually, he wanted to pull her close and calm her.

"You had to kiss me, didn't you. You couldn't just be happy then leave the office. You had to dig up feelings I spent years covering up." she said at last and left.

Stephen watched her leave and as she drove further away, the more he felt sorrow.

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What will Dani do? Olivia has secrets too? Will they follow their feelings?

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

Stay safe.

XOXO