The CEO'S Secret

Chapter 3

He’s impossible to work with.

He is only interested in making money. And more money.

He lacks emotions and discards women like toys.

The speculations Emma had heard about her boss swarmed around her head now. She wondered which was real or fake. While in his office, it seemed to her that he was trying too hard to make her believe every rumor she had heard about him. Yet for a moment there she caught a flicker of emotion across his face showing a naked pain and vulnerability that she almost wanted to reach out and calm him. However, it was gone as quickly that she wasn’t sure if she imagined it or not.

He was a very complex man, she was aware of that, but in very few cases had managed to shock her by displaying a little bit of humanness which unbalanced her. Like asking her to bring her ideas when she least expected them. She had been mentally practicing how to approach Stefano again and beg him to take just one look at her designs but he just saved her from that trouble.

That bit he said about women, did he believe that? If he did then she was truly sorry for him. Who hurt him this bad that made his lips curl up in revulsion whenever he talked about women? She wondered if he hated her too, he had all but declared that she wasn’t his type. A few minutes earlier while waiting for him to give the verdict on her designs, her confidence had evaporated under his scrutiny. She was so sure he would discard her ideas. Despite the A.C., she felt her armpits grow damp and her suit stick to her body. Remembering the biting remark he had made about her clothes yesterday, she’d put more effort into her dressing today.

However, the difference between them couldn’t be wider. While she got more of her clothes from the local store at special sales, he wore well-tailored designer suits that clung to his wide and powerful shoulders like a second skin. His scent which was the exotic Creed Aventus overpowered her and made her drowsy. His hair was swept back from his handsome face today and the golden sheen of his bronzed skin hinted at a foreign heritage, she was not sure which. She had never felt so out of place before and suddenly she realized how woefully ill-prepared she was to show him her ideas. So, it came as a little bit of shock to hear the word impressive from in.

Miracles do happen.

She mentally braced herself as she prepared to meet Stefano, she knew he wouldn’t let this go so easily. The French man stared at her warily as she approached him. He was having a conversation with Andre the accountant.

“Stefano, please can I see you for a moment?”

“And what do you want, Emma.” He dismissed André with a wave and turn to face her fully.

Now that he was looking so intently at her, Emma’s palms became wet.

“I want to show you my ideas for the upcoming fashi—“

“Non, Emma. “ He pronounced with heavily accented French. She noticed that whenever he got disturbed, he resorted to French.

“Je té l’ai deja dit, je n’ai pas le temps de regárder tes creations.”

“Stefano, I don’t understand a word of what you’re saying.”

“Emma, I already told you. I don’t have to look at your designs. I have my hands full as it is with the fashion show already. The last thing I want to do is play teacher with you.”

His words stung and she responded with eyes blazing.

“Maybe if you came down from your high horse for just a moment, you would see that my ideas are good. Even the CEO thinks so too.”

She thrusts the document complete with the CEO’s notes into his hands.

His eyes bulged after a minute seeing Alex’s lazy handwriting scrawled across the page expressing approval and instructing Stefano to begin work on it immediately.

Stefano stared at her in utter shock and disbelief then marched over to Alex’s office. She tried to make out what was being discussed but the door was soundproof. After five minutes, he came out looking subdued and crushed.

“There’ll be a meeting tomorrow morning at the conference hall to discuss the fashion show and share ideas, don’t be late.” He threw over his shoulder as he walked back to his spot in disbelief that he had just been upped by this American girl.

Emma almost did a victory dance but she caught herself just in time. She couldn’t believe her ears or eyes for that matter. She owed it all to him, her impassive aloof boss. She could already picture it in her mind’s eye. The models strutting confidently on the runway wearing her creations, she could barely contain her excitement. As usual, she couldn’t wait to share this good news with Maman.

The rest of the day flew by pretty fast and this time, Emma was among the first set of people to leave. Her colleagues were surprised to see her leave so early and a few of them shot her curious gazes. She was pretty sure that news of the CEO approving her ideas would have spread around the office already. She just hoped there would be no further brick wall to face during the meeting tomorrow.

Another niggling thought that refused to leave her head was Alex. He was mysterious and like a forbidden flame, she was drawn to him but did she want to be burnt?

What are the stakes of getting involved with a person like him?