Sold to the CEO

Chapter 4-The First Conflict

Krystal's POV

I got to the building at 6:45 AM. It was still dark outside, and the lobby was very quiet. I had two heavy bags with me. One had Alex’s breakfast. I had to walk six blocks to find the specific organic berries he wanted. My feet already ached, but I didn't want to be late.

I went up to the penthouse and set his food on the desk. I made sure his coffee was hot and the napkins were straight. Just as I finished, the elevator opened. Alex walked in. He looked tired and grumpy. He didn't even say hello.

"You're here," he muttered as he walked past me.

"Good morning, sir. Your breakfast is ready," I said.

He looked at the bag of berries. "Are these the ones I asked for?"

"Yes. I went to the market you mentioned."

"Fine. Go finish the filing from yesterday. I have meetings all day, and I don't want to be disturbed."

I spent the next hour working at my desk. I could hear him on the phone in his office. He sounded angry, shouting at someone about a contract. I kept my head down and tried to stay quiet.

At 10:00 AM, a woman stepped off the elevator. She was very pretty and wore a dress that looked like it cost thousands of dollars. She didn't stop at my desk to ask who I was. She just walked straight toward Alex’s door.

"Wait," I said, standing up. "Mr. Valerius is busy. Do you have an appointment?"

The woman stopped and looked at me. She looked at my old, cheap suit and made a face like I smelled bad. "I don't need an appointment. I’m Bianca Sterling. My father and Alex’s father are friends."

She pushed the door open and walked in. "Alex! Why didn't you call me back last night?"

I followed her inside. "I’m sorry, Alex. I tried to stop her."

Alex looked up from his computer. He didn't look happy to see her, but he didn't tell her to leave either. "It’s okay, Krystal. Bianca, I’m in the middle of work."

"You're always working," Bianca said. she sat on his desk and looked at me again. "Who is this girl? Is she the new maid?"

"This is Krystal. My assistant," Alex said. He leaned back and watched us. I could tell he wanted to see if I would get mad. In college, I would have told a girl like Bianca exactly what I thought of her. But I wasn't that girl anymore.

"Well, Krystal," Bianca said. She waved her hand at me. "Go get me some sparkling water. Put it in a real glass with ice. Don't bring me a plastic bottle."

I felt my face get hot. I wanted to tell her to get it herself. But I thought about Lysander’s face. I thought about the rent I had to pay. If I lost this job, we would be on the street.

"Okay," I said quietly. "I’ll get that for you."

I went to the breakroom and got the water. My hands were shaking a little. I took a deep breath and went back into the office. I set the glass down next to her.

"Here is your water," I said.

Bianca took a sip and made a disgusted face. "It’s warm. And where is the lemon? Can't you do anything right?"

I didn't yell. I didn't even look annoyed. "I’m sorry. I’ll go get a lemon right now."

I could see Alex staring at me. He looked confused. He expected me to snap at her, but I just kept my face blank. I went and got the lemon, brought it back, and then stood by the door.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"No. Go away," Bianca said.

I went back to my desk. I could hear them talking inside. Bianca was talking about some fancy party and how Alex’s mother wanted them to get married soon. It hurt to hear it, but I just kept typing.

Thirty minutes later, Bianca left. She didn't even look at me. A second later, Alex called me through the intercom. "Krystal. Get in here."

I walked into his office. He was standing up, looking out the window. As soon as I closed the door, he turned around and walked toward me very fast. I backed up until I hit his desk. He put his hands on the desk on both sides of me so I couldn't move.

He was very close. I could smell his cologne and feel his breath on my face. He looked really mad.

"What was that?" he asked.

"What was what?"

"You let her talk to you like you were nothing. You just stood there. The Krystal I used to know would have told her to shut up. Why didn't you fight back?"

I looked at his tie because I couldn't look at his eyes. "That Krystal is gone, Alex."

"Where is she?" he whispered. He leaned even closer. His eyes went to my mouth and then back to my eyes. "Where is the girl I married? The one with the fire in her?"

I felt like I couldn't breathe. "Life dealt with her, Alex. And she died. The woman here now just needs a job."

He let out a frustrated sound and gripped the desk tighter. "I don't believe you. She's still in there. I can see it."

"You're wrong," I said.

He didn't move. He just stared at me. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. My heart was thumping against my ribs.

"Get out," he said suddenly. His voice was rough. "Go back to your desk before I do something stupid."

I didn't wait. I ran out of the office and sat down at my desk. I couldn't think straight. My whole body was trembling.

I realized then that Alex didn't just want to be mean to me. He wanted to find the old me. But I had to keep her hidden. If I let him get too close, he would find out about Lysander, and my life would be over.