Loved as someone else

Chapter 4 New CEO

Jacqueline’s POV

Five years later.

“Did you hear? We’re getting a new CEO.”

The voice drifted beside me as I walked into the office, heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.

I didn’t react.

It had been the same conversation for the past week.

The new CEO.

“Yeah, I heard the company was sold to some businessman from California,” another added, stepping closer. She fanned her face dramatically, her expression turning dreamy. “They say he’s insanely rich… and ridiculously handsome.”

Of course, I wanted to toll my eyes.

I placed my bag on my desk, pushing my chair in with a quiet sigh.

The arrival of the new CEO had caused more excitement than it should have.

This wasn’t supposed to be good news.

A few months ago, the former owner had taken a massive loan... no one knew exactly why. Whatever he used it for had failed, and the company took a hard hit because of it.

Within weeks, everything collapsed.

We were told the company would shut down. People had already started searching for new jobs.

It had been a disaster.

Then, out of nowhere, someone stepped in.

A mysterious buyer. His background wasn't revealed. Nobody knew who he was or why he wanted the company.

He just bought the company and decided to keep it running.

If it had stopped there, it would be enough to celebrate, but there was a condition.

The new CEO wasn’t keeping everyone.

He was coming to evaluate the staff personally. Anyone he didn’t find useful… would be let go.

Just like that.

Thousands of employees would be evaluated by one man, in one or two weeks.

It sounded ridiculous.

Either he planned to skim through things and miss a lot… or he was the type who could read people in seconds.

Whatever the case...

This wasn’t something to giggle about.

I shook my head slightly and walked past the group, but even as I stepped into the next office, the whispers followed.

“I heard he was married once… but now he’s divorced. And there was a fiancée involved..."

That was enough.

“You all should stop repeating things you’re not even sure about,” I said, my voice cutting through their conversation.

They turned toward me instantly.

“You’re supposed to be focusing on your work,” I continued calmly. “Unless you’re ready to lose your job the moment he walks in.”

Silence followed.

Some looked annoyed. Others looked thoughtful. A few simply didn’t care.

It was almost funny.

Judgment day was approaching, and people were more interested in how attractive the judge was.

Normally, I was the subject of discuss in the office. They all gossiped about my personal life, but for the past few weeks all they everyone could talk about was the new CEO.

Not like I was complaining about not being talked about, no. It was a blessing.

I just didn't like the idea of being evaluated by someone who probably didn't know how the company worked.

“I don’t even know if he’s capable of running this company,” I muttered under my breath, turning away.

“He should be,” someone replied quickly.

I glanced back.

Melanie.

She grinned. “If he’s as hot as they say, I’m sure he’s capable of something.”

I gave her a flat look. “Melanie.”

“Alright, alright.” She rolled her eyes and fell into step beside me as we headed back to our department.

Behind us, the whispers started again.

I let out a quiet sigh.

Some things never changed.

...

As we walked, I spoke without thinking.

“I heard he’ll address everyone… but only after he finishes going around the company. Probably by Friday.”

Melanie’s eyes lit up instantly. “I heard that too! But I don’t get it... does he think we won’t recognize him? The moment he shows up, everyone’s going to pretend to be busy.”

She huffed. “Only idiots would just stand there staring at his face.”

I raised a brow. “Have you seen him before?”

She paused.

“…No,” she admitted slowly. Then she smirked. “But I’ll recognize him. Just look for the most handsome man in the building.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Melanie…”

She laughed and nudged my shoulder lightly. “Relax, Jacquie. I’m joking.”

I didn’t respond, but a faint smile tugged at my lips despite myself.

By the time we reached our department, I headed straight to my desk.

The rest of the day passed without incident.

But the tension? It lingered.

Everyone knew the CEO had started his rounds. He moved through departments quietly, without announcing himself.

Like a shadow, he was walking, silently observing.

Over the next few days, the gossip slowly died down.

Not because people lost interest... But because no one knew anything.

No one had seen him.

Or if they had… they weren’t talking.

Some departments suddenly became stricter. More organized and alert.

It was obvious something had changed.

But no one said a word.

Only a few hushed comments floated around.

'He’s ruthless.'

'He doesn’t tolerate mistakes.'

Though some still insisted that he was handsome... But they were more scared than infatuated by him now.

Which was good.

I leaned back slightly, exhaling as I pulled my hands away from the keyboard.

“I’m going to the restroom,” I said quietly.

Melanie looked up immediately. “Now?”

“Yes, now.”

“They said he might come here any minute!” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

She had been saying that for days now, but the man had never been to this department, and maybe it would be one of the few he would miss.

This was a huge building, genre was no way he would visit every department.

“I won’t be long,” I said, standing and straightening my desk.

She gave me a look.

I gave her a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll be back before he gets here.”

That was if he was coming at all.

“Jacquie...Jacqueline!” she whispered harshly.

But I was already walking away towards the restroom.

...

The restroom was quiet when I entered.

I stepped into a cubicle, finished up, and came out just as the door opened again.

Three women walked in, their laughter filling the space.

I ignored them, heading to the sink.

“Oh… if it isn’t the single mother.”

I met her gaze through the mirror.

Kiera Shaw.

Of course.

She walked closer, pulling out her lipstick. “I heard she had the child out of wedlock,” she added casually, glancing at her friend, speaking about me like as though I wasn't standing right there.

The other women chuckled.

“I heard the man left her the moment she got pregnant.”

I turned off the tap, letting the silence stretch for a second.

Then I flicked the excess water from my hands... just enough for a few droplets to land on them.

Their laughter faded and I felt their glare.

I turned to face them fully.

“Maybe,” I said calmly, “if you focused half as much on your work as you do on my life, you’d have gotten to where I am.”

Silence.

Kiera’s expression tightened.

"You..." Before she could respond, I walked past them.

...

When I returned to the department, something felt… different.

It was quieter.. a bit too quiet. I

My brows furrowed slightly as I looked around.

Everyone was at their desks.

Working. Or pretending to.

No one was talking.

No one was even looking up.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

But I ignored it and continued toward my office.

Just a few more steps...

My foot suddenly caught on something.

“Ah...”

I stumbled forward.

Instinctively, I reached out, grabbing the nearest thing for support.

It felt like a wall at first before I realized that it was a firm chest...warm and solid.

Fuck.

I looked up. “I’m so sorry... Thank you...”

The words died instantly as I saw the face of the person who have saved me.

Everything around stilled.

It had been five years... Yet I recognized him immediately.

My fingers loosened immediately, pulling away as if I had touched fire.

I took a step back.

Then another.

The office remained silent, but I could sense all their gazes were on me, and him. It was as though they held their breath, waiting for what would happen.

Five years...

I hadn't seen him in five whole years.

My heart didn't race. No. I was no longer the teenage who was infatuated with me. Neither was I the meek wife who was pushed aside for his first love.

We were strangers.

I straighted slowly, forcing my expression into something neutral.

"I'm sorry." I muttered under my breath, then I turned away. I walked towards my desk without once looking back. I could feel his gaze on me as I walked, I clenched my hand into a fist.

There was no way I was letting him affect me again.

I was so concentrated on forcing myself not to react and acting natural, that I forgot to ask myself the most important question.

What the f**k was he doing here?!