The Alpha boss and the PA

Alissa POV “Alissa” “Yes”, I say dreamily as I stare deep into his beautiful caramel-colored eyes and try to hide my excitement. This is it! He is going to propose to me! I mean we have been together for a year now, so that would be the thing to do, right? And he made a point of inviting me to a special dinner where it was just the two of us. He hired off a whole section of the restaurant so we could have privacy and there were candles and everything. Will I say yes? Ugh, who am I kidding, of course I will say yes. He is rich, handsome and I am very much in love with him. I mean, okay… I haven’t met any of his friends and family yet, but I am sure he is just waiting to announce us to the world when he has put that ring on my finger. Speaking of ring… I glance down at his hands. Hmmm he doesn’t have a box in them. I wonder where it is…? “Alissa, are you listening?” he says.  “This is important, I need you to listen”. Oops… I was so wrapped up in my thoughts about him proposing that I almost missed the whole proposal. That would be embarrassing… I refocus my attention from his ringbox-less hands to his gorgeous face and his warm eyes. “I am listening”, I assure him with a warm smile. “We had fun this last year and I really did enjoy every last bit of it, but …” Wait… but? No there should not be a ‘but’ in that sentence, should there? “I mean,  you and I it’s really not… You know….” What on earth is happening? This isn’t how a proposal is supposed to sound… This is all wrong! I don’t like where this is going at all. I feel a small frown creeping upon my face. “I am the CEO and you are just a PA and all that. I couldn’t take you home to my parents. You understand, right? I really did enjoy myself this past year, but I think it’s best to end it now.” End it now… Wait… When did this turn from a proposal into a breakup? My poor brain is trying it’s best to absorb everything he is saying, but it just won’t land. I stare at him in confusion. “I mean, you didn’t really think this was serious, right?” he asks with a laugh. I really did though. And why wouldn’t I? He never gave me any indication that it wasn’t, did he? I might be a little naïve sometimes, I’ll admit that, but I couldn’t have possibly imagined a yearlong serious commitment, could I? “But…”, I try. After that amazing reply my brain just shuts down and no more words follow. That doesn’t seem to faze him at all. “I knew you would understand”, he says, nodding. “You are not the type to make a scene. One of the reasons I chose you.” He is either completely misreading the room on purpose or he is the most oblivious person ever. Because I don’t even mildly understand. I thought he was going to propose to me for crying out loud. And he ‘chose’ me for my ability not to make a scene? Now that’s just wrong. Something tells me he has said more things that are quite offensive, but my brain still hasn’t caught up. I blink at him like a deer in headlights. I think my mouth might be slightly hanging open at this point, but I seem to have lost control and can’t seem to be able close it. “And then there is the work situation of course,” he continues, still nodding to himself. Oh God… work. I hadn’t even begun to think about that. I mean, I don’t work as HIS personal assistant, but as the PA of his right-hand man. As such I do see him at work quite a lot. How am I supposed to deal with that? For a brief moment I picture myself in the office desperately clinging to his legs crying for him to take me back. “I think it’s also best if you find another job. Wouldn’t want things to get weird in the office, would we?” WHAT?? Am I losing my boyfriend AND job tonight? This cannot be happening. How is this happening? I quickly glance around to see if there are people around that will jump out at any moment yelling ‘gotcha!’. You know, like those hidden camera shows. I could be in one of those, couldn’t I? That would make more sense than this actually happening. Though it wouldn’t be very funny… I don’t see anyone jumping out at me though. Does that mean this is for real? “But…” I try again. “Yes, that’s for the best for both of us, isn’t it, “ he continues, ignoring my attempt to speak. “And for the company of course. Can’t have any scandals. Big merger coming up. Well I don’t have to tell you that,” he says with a laugh. “The future of the company is at stake with that merger and I can’t have a little fling interrupt that. I’m sure you understand. Needn’t taint my reputation. Or yours for that matter. I mean, it’s not like you would want to get a reputation of sleeping with the boss, would you? People might get the idea that you are trying to sleep your way up. You don’t want that. I don’t want that for you,” he says with what I think is supposed to be a sympathetic smile. “So please hand in your notice Monday. No need to make a fuss now, is there?” “I…” “Well that’s settled then! Glad we could wrap this up without any tears and drama. I’ll pay the bill and then I’ll call you a cab, “ he says while getting up out of his seat. While I stare at his retreating back I can’t help but wonder where on earth this all went so very wrong so very fast.