CHAPTER FOUR:The CEO
442 Words
Anna’s POV
I barely sleep.
Every time I close my eyes, I see red.
The dress. The sheets. Madison’s smile.
By morning, my eyes are swollen, but I still go to work.
Because staying home would mean thinking.
And thinking hurts.
The office feels different when I walk in.
Buzzing. Whispering.
“Have you heard?”
“He’s already here.”
“They say he fired an entire department at his last company.”
I keep my head down and head toward my desk.
New CEO.
Right.
I forgot that today was his first day.
Perfect timing.
HR calls me before I can even sit down.
“Anna, there’s been a reassignment.”
My stomach tightens.
“Reassignment?”
“You’ll now be assisting the CEO directly.”
I blink.
“Me?”
“Yes. You’re organised. Reliable. He requested someone competent.”
Requested?
How would he know me?
My heart beats faster for reasons I don’t understand.
I smooth my blouse — loose, safe, hiding.
Then I take the elevator to the executive floor.
Each level feels heavier.
When the doors open, everything is quieter up here.
More expensive. More controlled.
I knock.
“Come in.”
That voice.
Low. Calm. Unmistakable.
I freeze.
Slowly, I open the door.
And there he is.
The man from the black car.
Perfect suit. Cold expression. Seated behind the largest desk I’ve ever seen.
He looks up at me.
No surprise. No recognition.
Like we have never met.
“…You,” I whisper before I can stop myself.
His brow lifts slightly.
“Is there a problem, Miss—”
He pauses.
I straighten immediately.
“Santos. Anna Santos, sir.”
Professional. Controlled. Like last night never happened.
He nods once.
“Miss Santos.”
That’s it.
No mention of the rain. No mention of me collapsing in his car. No mention of hijacking.
Just CEO.
He gestures to the chair in front of him.
“Sit.”
I obey.
Because he makes it sound less like a request and more like gravity.
He slides a folder toward me.
“You’ll handle my schedule. Meetings, communications, travel coordination. I don’t tolerate inefficiency.”
His tone is calm.
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
But absolute.
“Yes, sir.”
He studies me for a second too long.
Then says coolly:
“Try not to enter my office the way you entered my car.”
My breath catches.
So he does remember.
Heat rushes to my face.
“I won’t,” I whisper.
A small flicker — almost amusement — crosses his eyes.
Then it’s gone.
“Good.”
And just like that, my life shifts again.
- Writer
