THE CODEPENDENT CEO: UNEXPECTED LIES

CHAPTER THREE: ONE RULE- DON'T LIE TO ME

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Peterson Alison had never been inside an office this cold.

Cole Logistics head office in GRA, Port Harcourt, was all glass and AC that was too cold for her cheap blouse. She was shivering inside her second-hand white shirt she bought in Diobu market for 2k. Her shoes were pinching. She had polished them last night until her fingers were black.

Hales Carlos was sitting behind his desk. Two empty coffee cups. A plate of rice and stew - untouched since morning. Cold, with oil congealed on top.

He works 18 hours, Daniel had whispered yesterday at HR. He forgets to eat. He forgets to go home. His wife Victoria left because of that.

"Peterson Alison," Hales said, looking at her face, not her CV. His eyes were red. He didn't sleep. "You said yes to 180k yesterday. Triple salary. Car. Apartment in Peter Odili Road. You moved out of Diobu last night?"

"Yes, sir. Mama Peters helped me pack. We carried mattress by keke," she said. Her new apartment was bigger than her mother's whole house in Diobu. One bedroom, tiles, water heater, kitchen with gas cooker. Too good to be true, but she was inside it now. She slept on the floor last night because she didn't have bed yet, but it was HER floor in Peter Odili Road.

Hales stood. He is tall. 32, but his eyes look 40. Tired. Fine boy, but stress is eating him. White shirt with sleeves folded, wristwatch that costs more than her rent.

"I have one rule, Peterson," he said, close enough that she could smell his coffee breath and expensive perfume. He leaned on desk. "Don't lie to me. Ever. My ex-wife Victoria says I am the liar. She says I lied when I said I would change. She is wrong. I just hate when people lie to me. Can you do that? Can you not lie to me?"

His phone rang. Screen: VICTORIA. He pressed silent immediately. Ex-wife who calls him a liar. Still calling.

"Yes, sir. I don't lie," Peterson said. That was lie number one. She lied to Mama Peters this morning that she likes the new job already. She doesn't know if she likes it. She is scared.

"Good," Hales smiled small. That smile made his tired face look younger. "Because Amara lied. My last PA. 24 years old. Fine girl like you. She said she was sick last month. She was not sick. She was interviewing in Lagos at Dangote office. Then she quit without notice in the middle of board meeting. Governor was angry. Governor is Chairman. 55 years old. Father figure to me. He shouted at me."

Governor - the Chairman. 55 years old. Father figure to Hales. Owns 60% of Cole Logistics. If he is angry, Hales loses everything.

"First task," Hales pointed to cold rice on his desk. "Make sure I eat that before 4pm. I forget. Amara used to put alarm. I still forget."

Peterson stared. CEO of 40 trucks needs PA to remind him to eat rice?

"Yes, sir."

"Second, if Amara calls office line, don't pick. I don't want to hear her voice. Third, my car key - you drive me today. My driver is sick. My Lexus is downstairs. You can drive?"

Peterson's hands shook. Drive CEO? She only has license for 1 year. She drives small Corolla. Not Lexus Jeep.

"I... I can try, sir."

"Good. You try. I like people who try," he said.

She went to her desk outside - bigger than her mother's bedroom. New laptop, new office phone, name plate: PETERSON ALISON - PA TO CEO. She touched it. Real.

Daniel from HR passed with file. He whispered: "You are now his food reminder, his driver, his 2 AM alarm. Welcome to the job. Amara lasted 4 months. Let's see how long you last."

Peterson's stomach sank. 4 months only?

Her new office phone buzzed. New number given by HR yesterday. No name saved.

Text: _You just took a job that will eat you. Ask Amara why she ran. She also got apartment and car. - A_

Who has this number? She got it yesterday from HR. Only HR, Hales, Daniel have it.

Inside, Hales watched her through glass office. Saw her scared face looking at phone. He frowned. Who is texting her on Day 2? Is it Amara?

He picked his phone and texted Chloe, owner of C. Fashion, Peterson's best friend. Chloe is 26, owns boutique in GRA, knows everything.

_Chloe, someone texted Peterson on office line. Check if Amara has her number? I don't want her scared like Amara was. She is new._

Chloe replied fast: _Hales, it's Day 2. You are already monitoring her texts? This is why Amara ran. You are codependent. Leave Peterson alone. Let her breathe._

Codependent. That word again.

Hales put phone down. Looked at cold rice. He hasn't eaten since yesterday night. He can't eat alone. He only eats when someone sits with him.

"Peterson?" he called through intercom.

"Yes, sir?"

"Come eat with me. I don't like eating alone. Bring your own food too, if you have."

She was supposed to be PA, not lunch partner. Job description said "manage schedule, files, emails." Not "eat with CEO so he won't starve."

But she couldn't say no. That's why he hired her. He needs someone who can't say no.

She entered with her small flask of garri she brought from Diobu. He laughed first time.

"You brought garri to GRA office?"

"Yes, sir. I didn't have money for lunch yet. Salary has not entered," she said honest.

Hales pushed his rice to her. "Eat mine. I will eat garri. Let's share. My mother used to make garri for me in village before Governor brought me to PH."

They sat on his office floor, eating. CEO and PA, sharing rice and garri, on cold floor of glass office in GRA.

Outside, Daniel saw them and took picture secretly. Sent to Chloe: _Your friend is now eating on floor with Hales. Same way Amara started._

Chloe replied: _My friend needs rent money. Let her eat floor today, she will own company tomorrow._

At first, it feels like being chosen. To eat with a CEO who forgets to eat unless you are there. To be the only one who can make him eat.

Later, it will feel like being caged. Because if you don't come, he won't eat. And if he doesn't eat, it's your fault.

Peterson didn't know that yet. She was just happy she finally ate lunch without worrying about Mama's rent.

Her phone buzzed again under table. Same unknown number:

_He shared his food? He did same with Amara on Day 2. Ask her where she is now._

Peterson dropped spoon. Hales looked up.

"Who is texting you?"

"No one, sir. Network," she lied again. Lie number two. One rule: Don't lie to me. She already broke it twice before lunch on Day 2.

Hales stared at her. He knew she lied. But he didn't say anything. He just pushed more rice to her.

"Eat more. You are too thin. I need you strong. I need you."

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