Claimed by the CEO

Chapter 1 Walking into the office this morning, I felt a strong sense of déjà vu, but is there any need to have such feelings? I have been doing the same thing for years now. “What's on his schedule this morning?” I muttered to myself, going through his Calendar. I stood up, straightened my skirt and walked to his door, knocking even though it was open. “Mr. Dimitri, it's almost time for your meeting with the Davenport companies”, I called out to Nicolas. He slowly looked up, assessing my looks from head to toe. Well, like he always does. I'm used to it already, and I've decided never to allow it to affect me because, as the saying goes, ‘you can't eat your cake and have it.’ “Is that all or should I give you more time to fawn over me?” his thick velvety voice brought me out of my reverie. I shook my head and looked at him. “Sir…” I started intentionally drawling the words: “Your other plan for the day is your date with Miss Jane. "I sent her a bundle of flowers as you requested this morning, asking her out for a dinner date,” I said, looking him in the eyes. “Oh… okay then, that's all” he said, dismissing me and going back to what he was doing. “I would call your driver” I said as I walked out the door, shutting it behind me. I had to rest up on the door just to calm my jittery nerves. Yet, another morning with Nicolas, another day pretending that I'm not affected by him, but I can lie to myself all I want, and I can as well keep on denying it, but I know the truth. Picking up the phone, I speedily dialed Nicolas's driver, “Peter, please get the car ready, Mr Dimitri is going out, drive to the front of the building, he won't be coming to the parking lot”, I told him. A few minutes later, Nicolas walked out. “Let's go” he said, without sparing me a glance. Walking behind him and taking in his broad look is all I'm allowed to do. After all, he's my boss and whatever emotions that's here are not required. The drive to the Davenport group of companies was short. Trying to get the management to sign the contract that would allow our construction firm to be in charge of the construction of their headquarters is a bit of a hassle. But it's not an issue for Nicolas. Barely anything has been a hassle for him since the day we first met. I can remember walking into his office on the very first day of an interview. He had an enclosed office on Wilshire boulevard. “Can you type, take calls and are you eloquent?” Was his question for me? I was immediately befuddled before I answered. “Yes sir”, I answered, regaining my stance. “Then get started immediately” “Sir… urm there's a bit of a problem!” I said in a rush. “I really need somewhere to stay in the meantime, I have no one around” I said in haste. He paused and looked at me, possibly seeing me clearly for the first time. “Can you stay here? ""There's a bathroom and a sofa,” he asked. “Yes sir, thank you”, I said, relieved I had gotten a place and a job. “Bianca!...” The sound of my name brought me out of my thoughts. “We've arrived. "What are you thinking about?” Nicolas asked, perplexed. “Nothing sir, sorry sir” The meeting didn't take long. Nicolas doesn't always go to meetings such as this by himself, mostly because there are workers to handle such meetings, but the CEO of Davenport is around, and he needed to meet with the entire board. After the meeting, Richard approached me and casually hugged me. “It's been ages, Bianca” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “You don't age one bit”, he said. I smiled up at him. “Good to see you as well, Richy.” “How was the Bahamas? "Have you finally found the woman of your dreams?” I asked, teasing him as usual. “Do I need anyone when I have you here?” he said, smiling flirtatiously at me like he always does. “Bianca, do I have to wait for you for eternity?” Nicolas exclaimed. Smiling sheepishly at him, “I'm on my way, boss,” looking back at Richard, “You're still in town for a while, right?” I asked. “Of course I am, and we have a lot of catching up to do. "I will send my driver to pick you up on Saturday night and I won't take no for an answer,” he said, giving me one of those wicked grins. “I would love that, I really need to unwind,” waving at him, I hurried to where Nicolas was waiting. “I saw you talking with someone just now” I said, not looking him in the eyes. “Someone approached me to ask a question in regard to the meeting.” “A lady approached you. What questions could she possibly have?” “How's that any of your business, Bianca?” Nicolas said with a frustrated sigh. “Nicolas!” Richard called out, approaching us. “I will see you on Saturday, right? My welcome home party is on that day.” “I'll be busy,” Nicolas said stoically. “At night? Nahhh, you're going to have to stop whatever you are doing and have time for me. Bianca has agreed to be there, so I need you to be there.” I could feel his glare on me. I ignored him, looked away and made my way to where the driver parked the car. Looking back, I saw them talking and the serious look on Nicolas's face was scary, but I couldn't be moved. Gone are those days I shake at the slightest fright. Remembering my first official day working with him… “Miss Grimes! "Wake up” I was jolted awake by the sound of his loud baritone voice piercing through the silence of her room. Trying to recollect where I was took a while. When I remembered, I immediately sat up sputtering apologies hurrying to the bathroom. I quickly freshened up and joined him in the office where he immediately started barking orders and demanding I create a working schedule for the requirements for the month. Smiling and shaking off those memories, I watched as Nicolas made his way to the car and the driver drove off, taking us back to the office. Striding into the office, Lucia the receptionist immediately beamed upon seeing us. Well, I believe it's me, because no one smiles when they see Nicolas, he's that frightening. “Oh my dear Bi, you look so good this morning”, Lucia said outrightly ignoring Nicolas, while he made his way to the operational unit. I smiled fondly at Lucia, saying “you always say the same thing to me every morning.” “Well, that's because you look so good every morning,” she said, and we both burst out laughing. Lucia is another person that's not terrified of Nicolas, maybe because she's advanced in age, or maybe it's because she's a close friend to Nicolas' mum. “How are your grandkids? I hope the weekend wasn't too stressful for you.” “No my darling, not at all. I miss them already. They brightened up the hose over the weekend.” With a look of longing, I waved her goodbye, going back to the office to wait for Nicolas. As the day went by, I had to go in to remind Nicolas of his so-called date with his flavour of the month. Rolling my eyes and already dreading the conversation, I stood up and entered his office. “Mr. Dimitri, it's time for your date”, I said business-like. He looked at me, and we looked at each other for a while. Unexpectly, he asked me, “Are you really going to Richard's party tomorrow as his plus one?”