Christmas With the CEO

The Mystery Woman

Chapter 7- The mystery woman

I snapped my head back around towards the front of the room, only to lock eyes with Francis who was looking directly at me sporting a smug face. I glanced around nervously at my co-workers who were also all staring at me with a certain distaste written across their faces. I guess it was no secret who Jack Hartley's "Mystery Woman" from last night was... My cheeks immediately began to flush pink as my temperature began to rise and my palms started to sweat profusely. Who was I kidding? Of course, this entire building had recognised me from the stupid paparazzi pictures. At least that explains the random girl in the elevator giving me evil glares. Maybe she was one of Jack's other side pieces. Eurgh, I was a side piece.

He made his way around the large table effortlessly, he was wearing a sharp-well tailored navy blue suit that sat tightly on his muscles. As the open window blew in an icy soft breeze, his rich masculine scent hit my airways like a tonne of bricks. Everything about this man was intoxicating. I gave myself an internal shake and remembered that he was in fact engaged. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but when my eyes made their way up to his well-chiselled face, I was greeted with a stone cold expression by him.

Well, that cleared that up... Of course he didn't feel the same as me last night, he had a beautiful fiancé and I was nothing more to him than some drunken i***t that kissed him in a bar. I'd be lying if I said my heart didn't sink a bit, despite all of this drama, there was a small part of me that hoped his desire for me was as strong as mine for him.

He began to speak to us all, but I couldn't listen or focus on his words. He was just a few feet away from me and all I could smell was his intoxicating aftershave, or was it just his natural scent? Wow, this guy really knew how to hit all 5 senses at once. He looked around at the others, but never made any eye contact with me. I kept my gaze focused on the floor as I began to think about what working here was going to be like from now on, avoiding him at all costs. I didn't want to put myself in an uncomfortable situation and if what Francis said was true he would be in the building often. God, the thought of having to check around corners just in case I ran into him was exhausting.

"Okay Mia, focus... This is your career were talking about here." I said to myself in my head, but it was no use- my eyes snapped up to meet his, which made my heart miss a beat.

"...And so there will be a few changes around here. Your jobs are safe for now, but I need to make sure everyone in this room is reaching their full potential. So, if you think you deserve a promotion or would like to go to a different department, email me and I'll put you under review. Which brings me to another bit of good news. There will be a new publication starting here in the new year. It's a political paper that will be online only, so no click-bait articles ect. Just good old-fashioned journalism. I'm also pleased to tell you all that I've hand selected the Editor-in-Chief of this new venture, and it's none other than your very own Miss Mia Marks."

The room went silent, and the glares were in full force. I was frozen like a statue, unable to move or say anything. He was promoting me? Not even to just the senior editor, but to the Editor-in-Chief?! Why?! What is happening?!

"If I could see you in my office after this meeting finished, Miss Marks." He said as his eyes bore into mine, he still showed no hint of affection in them. "Um, sure." I managed to say, still dumbfounded by his announcement.

After that, he left the room abruptly, and I stayed frozen in my seat staring down at the floor wide-eyed. "Well, I didn't know you had it in you Mia, Smart play. Now get back to work everyone, we have an issue to send out." Called Francis as she sassily left the meeting room. Did I seriously just get her approval? Oh god, what is happening? I'm now in the same league as slutty Francis?!

"Um, Mia... I hate to pull you from whatever trance you're in right now, but what the hell just happened here?" Asked Christian frantically, at least somebody else in here was as confused as I am.

I entered the elevator nervously, my shaking hand extended out and pressed the button that went to the very top floor. I was luckily alone, not many people went up to the top floor unless you were an editor-in-chief or, of course the owner of the entire building. I had personally never been up there, so I had no clue as to where I was going or what it would even look like up there. I focused on my breathing as the elevator jolted, I concentrated hard on the answers I so desperately seeking out. Why did he buy this place? Why did he promote me? Why did he look at me like I was nothing but a piece of s**t on the floor? Why didn't he tell me he had a fiance? My head was now spinning as my palms began to sweat. Before I could get a hold of myself, the elevator made a loud "Ding". My breath hitched slightly as the doors slid open, here we go.

I edged out of the safety of the elevator cautiously, I must look like a lost puppy right now as I began to look around the lobby for a sign post or something.

The lobby was not what I expected at all, it was bustling full of workmen who were stripping the hideously outdated wallpaper and ripping up the old green carpet that covered the place. My eyes fell onto a rather old looking wooden desk with an older lady sitting behind it. I couldn't help but notice she looked extremely flustered. Her grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun but there were strands already coming loose, they dangled down in front of her face as she typed furiously onto her computer. She reached up and took off her round glasses in a dramatic fashion, slamming them down onto the desk in front of her as she placed her aged hand on the bridge of her nose. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. I began to walk towards her, already feeling guilty for causing a disturbance.

When I reached the front of the desk, I coughed slightly before speaking, making my presence known to her. "Hi, excuse me. I'm so sorry to disturb you, you look absolutely snowed under! I'm looking for Mr Hartley's office."

She instantly removed her hand from her eyes and looked at me- she was clearly irritated by my interruption. "Do you have an appointment?" She snapped as she pursed her lips and narrowed her blue beedy eyes. "Um, he just told me to go to his office." I replied nervously. "Hmmm, well if you don't have an appointment I'm afraid I cant let you in." "Can't you just call his office and tell him I'm here? I'm sure he will..." "That's not how things are done around here, I'm afraid. Now Mr Hartley may think he can come in and start changing things, but I'll be damned if he thinks I will let some random hussy roam the prestigious hallways of this building."

Wow, way to make me feel more awful about myself! "I'm sorry, but I'm not a "Hussy". I work here. So if you could please let Mr Hartley know that I'm here, that would be great." I snapped back at her. I was shocked at the authority that came through my usually chilled voice. What was happening to me? I was kissing random strangers in bars and now yelling at old ladies!

Without saying another word, she picked up the phone and dialed the number 1, "Mr Hartley, I'm sorry to disturb you. I have a very rude lady here who is requesting to see you urgently. She does not have an appointment." She slammed down the phone and put on her best customer service face as she smiled and said, "Down the hall to the left, Miss Marks."

I didn't waste another moment. I spun around and started to walk in the direction she had said; hell I practically ran. My heart was pounding in my ears as I began to go over the questions in my head again, "Don't let him distract you again, focus. You are a strong professional woman who worked hard for this job. Do not let him cloud your judgment." I told myself in my head as I reached the large intimidating walnut door. I took a deep breath and knocked three times.