ONE NIGHT WITH THE CEO

Chapter 7: The Stranger From Last Night

Hailey's Pov:

I opened my eyes expecting to see just myself on the bed but I looked up and saw a man.

A man? It took me roughly thirty seconds before everything that happened last night started replaying in my head.

I finally got it and knew I had to leave immediately to avoid any more awkward conversations.

With my head banging, I quietly stood up, grabbed my clothes that had been scattered around the room and hurriedly put them on.

I stared at him before dashing out and he was sleeping peacefully, like there was nothing to worry about, there wasn't actually.

In the cab on my way home, I thought about what I had just done and I assured myself it was just one time and I would most probably not see him again.

Then I turned on my phone and I had so many missed calls and texts from Belly. I was so caught in the moment that I forgot to update her about leaving the club and that was on me.

Just as I tried replying to her messages, she called again.

"Oh you finally picked up. Are you okay? I was so worried about you."

"I'm fine Belly, I should have told you I was leaving, sorry."

"Yeah you definitely should've."

"When did you leave the club and where did you go? Who did you leave with too?"

"Take it easy love, one question at a time."

"I'll come see you."

"When?"

"When i'm settled."

"Can you pick the kids though?"

"No, you pick them later."

"Okay, sorry for not texting again."

"Just hurry."

I was excited to tell Belly everything and certainly, she was as excited to hear it too. I got home to a quiet house, I still needed to rest so I freshened up, took some medication to reduce the headache and slept a bit.

Belly's call woke me up. I had barely slept for two hours.

"Arghhh what is it Belly?!" I was fighting sleep.

"You were asleep? You said you were coming over, I've been waiting."

"Yes, but I still need to rest."

I remembered about the interview I had on Monday right there on the call and the sleep vanished quickly.

"I still have the interview to prepare for so maybe you'll come over?"

"Okay, on my way."

"You didn't even think about it. Don't you have work to do or something?"

"Not when something like this happened."

"Girl, bye."

I ended the call and sat upright. I looked up the company again and for some reason, I felt nervous.

I hadn't been called upon for an interview in so long because I quit so it felt unfamiliar.

I thought about my kids and how badly I needed this job to sustain us. I hadn't seen them since yesterday too, I realized how much I missed them but I needed to focus on this interview preparation, at least before Belly comes and I get distracted.

Cole's POV:

She was gone when I got up, no phone number, no goodbyes, just gone.

I looked at the side of the bed she was and tried to picture how she looked last night. Her hair, her outfit, her voice and her expressions when she spoke, everything, just adorable. It was dark last night but I couldn't take my eyes off her.

I picked up my phone and it was noon. Honestly if I were her, I'd have left too but in my defense, I had a long day.

I placed a call to Marcus, he was the one who dragged me to the club last night so he deserved to know what went down.

"Bro, it's noon." He shouted.

"Oh like I didn't already check."

"I was searching for you all over the club, I just had to leave."

"You wanted me to have fun and I did."

"Who was she?"

"What can I say? The thought of her alone makes me excited."

"Um, this is someone you literally just met and in a club too."

"Yes, and that's exactly what surprises me."

"Did you see her?"

"Not really."

"You should have, you'd understand me better."

"Whatever, get your ass over here, there's work to prepare for."

"Work? It's the weekend."

"We have that casual meeting by 3pm, remember?" I had totally forgotten about it.

"Oh yeah yeah I remember."

"We both know that's a lie."

We laughed over it and I dropped the call to get ready and I headed straight to the meeting to avoid wasting anymore time.

I caught myself thinking about her so much and I couldn't concentrate.

"Hmm hmm." That was Marcus, clearing his throat while giving me a serious look, I took it as a sign to focus and just get through the meeting.

Marcus and I settled for lunch after the meeting and he seized the opportunity to express his irritation.

"You can't be absentminded in crucial meetings like this, it's not like you."

"Apologies, I'm just a bit swamped right now."

"Swamped? I know you Cole, you're rarely ever swamped enough to mess up a business meeting."

"Is it her?"

"Her?" I acted oblivious.

"Don't do that, you know exactly who I mean."

"Okay okay you got me" I lifted my hands in the air slightly above my chest like I was guilty of something.

"You know you could just see her again if you like her this much."

"That's the challenge now, I didn't get her number."

"Oh that's the end, just forget about it."

"Nahh...no way I'm giving up this easily."

"Have it your way then, just don't bring this attitude to meetings, we don't need it."

Hailey's POV:

"Spill everything and extensively too." Belly was here and that meant a halt to my interview preparation.

"His name is Cole, you obviously saw him so there wouldn't be a need for description."

"Did you find him attractive?"

"Of course I did, why do you think I left with him?"

"This makes me so happy, you don't even know." She rolled on the bed.

"I haven't said half of what happened and you're so jolly."

"My bad, go on please."

"Okay, so... we kiss--"

"Awwww" She screamed with so much excitement.

"Girlll can you let me speak." I groaned.

"What happened next?"

"What do you think." I could feel a smile creep in my face, more like a blush.

"Not you blushing oh my days...."

"I'm glad you had a good time."

"Me too, but-"

"Nuh uh no buts, you had fun, that's all that matters."

"I felt like myself again last night and I have you to thank for that."

"The least I can do is make you feel better, I got you."

"Have you heard from Grace?"

"No, I feel like such a bad mother, which mother doesn't check on her children."

"Give yourself grace, Hailey. You have a life outside being a mum."

Belly and I headed to Grace's and got food on our way back because there was absolutely no way I was cooking.

Last night was totally great but it's never happening again.

Now I had just little time to prepare for this interview, that was my focus.