Claimed by the CEO

Chapter2

The week was so slow and it was becoming frustrating, but I am so relieved that it's Friday, Walking into the office with a huge smile on my face, I smiled and greeted anyone I passed.

Well I barely have a close friend in the office aside from my coffee partner from HR.

“Good morning Mr. Dimitri, it's a beautiful day out there don't you think so?” I greeted Nicolas and asked conversationally.

He looked at me and blinked thrice, I know how many times he blinked because I was looking directly at his face with a huge grin on mine.

“Bianca you're late” he said giving me a low look

“Actually, I'm not late considering I had to go to the mall on your behalf and pick out a gift for your girlfriend” I said sweetly, knowing that term would piss him off.

Rubbing his face he glowered at me, “how many times do I need to tell you that she's not my girlfriend, I don't do girlfriends, you ought to know better by now considering our past” he said with a twinkle on his eyes.

“ What do you mean by that Nicolas?” I asked, knowing fully well what he meant but I was already getting riled up.

“Well…” Nicolas said standing up and walking round the desk towards me, “did I in anyway say something that's not true? After our moments together all those years ago you should know better that I don't play the girlfriends card”

Gritting my teeth and clenching my hands, I try to calm my nerves and I try my possible best not to implode.

“Nicolas, I don't…”

“You would address me properly Miss Grimes and I believe next time you would think twice before calling any one my girlfriend” Nicolas said, cutting me off.

“I apologise Mr Dimitri” I said as I placed the gift I got for Jane on his table.

Reading out his plans for the day to him, I tried as much as possible to avoid looking directly at him, emotions were rolling within me and I was becoming frustrated from being in his presence.

This is a total turnaround from my mood this morning and I know Nicolas can see the change in my mood, he's one man that can read me like a jotter.

“That would be all Sir,” I said closing the calender.

“By the way, Jane would be coming in this afternoon, let the receptionist know so that she can be given direct access to my office when she arrive and I am not to be disturbed by that time, any report you have can wait till she leaves, am I understood?” He asked, looking me in the eyes, I immediately said “perfectly well sir” giving him a sad little smile. I walked out of his office going back to my office.

Slouching on the seat, I started thinking about how I can't continue working like this, picking up the telephone, I called the receptionist and passed across his message. He knows the effect he has on me and he chose to disarm me at every whim.

A clacking sound jolted me up and I looked up to Jane heading straight to Nicolas office.

Well, I think it's time I clocked out for the day, after all it's Friday and I deserve to get pampered and that, I'm going to get.

After leaving the office, I went straight to the spa, ensuring my skin is well taken care of

Hours later, while I was driving home, Richard called and I couldn't help myself from smiling.

“Bianca… how are you?” He asked

“Well, now that you called, I'm fine”

“It must have been a shitty day working with that boss of yours right?”

“Richy, you know I can't complain, he saved me and I'm grateful to him”

“Oh come off it, you've praised him enough to last for a lifetime” he said and I couldn't help laughing.

“I hope you've not forgotten about tomorrow? Do you need help with your makeup or any of those things women do that make them look gorgeous, it's not like you're not gorgeous already Bianca” he said.

“Stop patronizing me Richy, it won't get you anywhere” I said with a mild smile

“One can try his luck as much as possible” I could hear him smile over the phone.

“Thanks for the offer Richy, but I'll pass, I have it all figured out” I said

“No problem then, my driver would be at your side by 5pm, do you still live in green valley?” He asked.

“Yes I do, I'll be expecting your driver tomorrow, good night Richy” I said while ending the call.

On getting home, I soaked up in my bathtub with a glass of wine, grateful for all I've gathered over the years.

I could still remember how I had fed on mostly hamburgers and chips for weeks before one good day on a Friday like this. Nicolas asked me to dress up and we went out, my first time seeing Las Vegas aside from where I work and live.

He brought me to a nice restaurant and asked me to order what I would love to eat, considering he was still a struggling business man, I was skeptical about doing that. Until he said “one hot meal won't make me broke, and you've been surviving on take outs so I feel you deserve something nice”

I felt so overwhelmed and I had to order my cravings Mac and cheese.

“You eat like a child Bianca” he said, that was probably my first time hearing him address me by my name.

I looked up at him and noticed the overgrown beards on his face

“You look stressed” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“Well that's what this job does, trying to balance the construction firm and working in the field itself can be tedious” he said

“You partake in the construction itself? I thought you have people for that”

He smiled lazily at me “I do, but most times they work better when I'm there”

“Ohhh…”

We finished up our meal and left.

That was my first time feeling at ease with Nicolas.

The shrill of my phone made me realize I've been in the tub for a while, I stood up, tied my towel and picked up the phone, looking at the caller id, I groaned when I saw who was calling

“Mr Dimitri” I said wistfully.

“Why did you leave before the close of work Bianca?” He asked without any pleasantries whatsoever.

“Good evening to you too” I replied

“Don't be coy with me Bianca, I asked you a question”

“Well, with all due respect sir, over the week I have been working overtime and I feel I've earned the remaining hours of today” I said.

“And I also needed to take care of myself and plan towards tomorrow, by the way how was your date?” I asked.

“Plan? What's happening tomorrow?” He asked, ignoring my question about his date.

“How can you have forgotten?” I asked him.

“Tomorrow is Richard's welcome home party, you know Richard right? CEO of Davenport’ I asked, smiling smugly.

I know he can hear how I'm being all smug with him

“Ohhh…”

Oh? Really? Is that all he can say? I thought to myself.

“Can you not go to that party?” Nicolas asked.