The CEO's Pretend Lover

The alarm kept ringing through the slightly dark room, trying to fulfill its purpose for what it was set, but the human that laid on the bed didn't budge. Fortunately, it was set multiple times so it kept ringing until the body fussed about and reached an arm out to switch it off. "Damn, can't I have a little bit more sleep?" The female murmured to herself before her eyes widened in horror when she glanced at the time. Yelling and hopping off the bed, she ran to the bathroom cursing herself for staying out late with her friends on a workday and drinking so much. Her friends hadn't seen her in a long time because of the work trip she had embarked on with her boss, and they forced her to hang out and she couldn't refuse. After three shots, she couldn't leave. "f**k, boss is going to get rid of me." She brushed her teeth in a hurry while she was in the shower just to save time. Despite her lateness, she focused on putting on her makeup and contacts before grabbing the files on the table and dashing out the door. Her boss's home wasn't that far away, it was just a 15-minute cab ride as she looked at her watch, heaving a sigh of relief that she was going to make it on time. Unfortunately, her cab driver collided with another vehicle and spent 10 minutes trying to negotiate with the affected party. She finally made it to her boss's apartment complex and she spent the elevator ride sorting out the kind of apology she was going to give her boss. She's been working as a personal assistant for two years and has a good relationship with her boss, but there are behaviors the CEO of Romano and Romano Corp could and couldn't accept. The elevator finally opened and her boss was standing in the middle of the large room, glaring hard at her. The apology that was meant to roll off her tongue got stuck in her throat and she looked down at her toes. "You're 5 minutes late Elizabeth." Jéan crossed her arms and stared at the woman who was meant to be here earlier so they'd go through the schedule of the day and arrange any possible meetings. Elizabeth wasn't entirely late for work, if we looked at it another way. She only had to be here an hour early so that she could fill her boss in with the daily activities. Jéan liked having knowledge of how her day was planned, she liked things being in order. "I'm sorry, I was out drinking with my friends and I slept late." Jéan stared at the woman and noticed that some of her buttons were mismatched. She rolled her eyes and pointed towards her chest to notify her of the mishap and turned around to sit on the couch. "Fix your buttons and quickly make me some food." Elizabeth smiled and walked to the big kitchen, fully satisfied that her boss wasn't angry at her and focused on making some bacon and eggs. The kitchen was a little bit messy and Elizabeth got the idea that Jean had tried to make something earlier. "You didn't make some for yourself?" Jéan questioned the young woman when she pushed a plate towards her. She must not have had breakfast if she was in a hurry. "I'll get something later. Should we proceed with your schedule while you eat?" Jéan didn't say anything but nodded her head so Elizabeth could proceed. "You have a meeting with LUKMO Enterprise's secretary at 9am. The CEO is sending his secretary instead to go over some clauses in the contract". Elizabeth opened her journal and gave her a breakdown of her meetings and appointments. "Oh, and your father wants to see you today after your meetings. It must be important so I brought it forward to 2pm. Is that okay?" "Whatever." Jéan was done with her plate and stood up to grab her blazer with Elizabeth hot on her heels. This has been their daily routine for the past two years. Elizabeth had to show up for duty by 7am, make breakfast or coffee for Jéan since she couldn't cook, and ride with her to work. Every two days, she'd call a housekeeper and ensure she was being watched so things wouldn't go missing or break. "And Elizabeth?" "Yes?" "Terminate the contract with Miss Williams for me, and find another housekeeper." ----------------------------- "If it's settled, we can proceed with signing the contract then." Jéan leaned back in her seat and pushed the paper towards the male, whom the CEO of the company she was dealing with, represented. The lawyer placed the contract in his case and stood up to shake hands. "The revisions will be made and a copy sent back to you." "I'd prefer it if you'd send it through Ms. Elizabeth. It was nice doing business with you." When the representative left the office, Jéan buzzed Elizabeth to come into the office. She remembered she hadn't eaten yet and wanted her to get something for herself before they both left for an appointment. If Elizabeth faints, who'd be held responsible if not her? "Have you eaten?" She threw at Elizabeth when she entered the room. "I was about to." "Let's grab lunch together." Jéan stood up and gestured for Elizabeth to lead the way. Jean and Elizabeth usually had little talks just to keep their relationship light. They weren't close like your regular best friends, but it was enough for an employer-employee relationship. They would eat together in the office or later dine before Elizabeth retired back home for the night. "I'm afraid we'll have to do that after you speak with your father. He's here to see you." Elizabeth bowed. Jéan was confused there. Her father wasn't to be there for another two hours. "He said it was urgent," Elizabeth added, after noticing the look on her boss' face. After working under her for a while, she can somewhat read her expressions. If Jéan didn't like something, her brows would come together. If she liked something or accomplished something, she'd have a smirk trying to break out on her face. Jéan adjusted her clothes and walked out to meet her father in the private room reserved for important guests. "Jéan, my child. I hear you've finalized the deal with Bonds And Co." Her father, Leonardo Romano, smiled as she walked into the room. Leonardo didn't look his age for someone over 50, his hair was still jet-black and he walked with agility. Jéan almost rolled her eyes, "How did you manage to get that information when the representative just left my office?" "Oh! The CEO called me and said he looked forward to more business deals. I knew I made the right choice picking you as my successor, bambino." "You're still the chairman, I could report back to you instead of you coming all the way here." Leonardo chuckled, "Ah, I wanted to see my favorite child. Is that a crime?" Smiling because her father loved doing this almost every day, she gestured for him to sit and requested his favorite chamomile tea. "The main reason why I'm here, Jéan, is to talk about an acquisition." Her father sipped his tea and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Jéan wondered what sort of acquisition her father needed again. Romano and Romano Corp were already successful in most areas, being one of the top companies and they had lots of deals and partnerships. Her father really worked from scratch to make this happen. "I don't understand, Father." "Why don't you like chamomile tea? You're really missing out." "Father," she groaned, "Of what use is this acquisition to us?" Sensing his daughter's concerns, he's not surprised that she's careful about dealings. She's always been cautious because in the business world, little things can fvck up deals and ruin her hard work. "Indeed, we have our branches in different sectors, but not in the hotel business. I plan to do that. Imagine our foreign partners flying in and having to stay with us instead of booking other hotels." Jéan could see what her father was driving at and she nodded her head. "So what is your plan, pa?" "Heard of Miller's Rest? They have a hotel chain but recently, they're facing issues due to bankruptcy." Jéan wondered how Leonardo got that information, but he was someone who had ears and eyes everywhere, having been in business for a long time. "I hope you understand what I want you to do, Jéan, I trust you'll do it." He finished his tea and stood up. "I'm off to play golf with your brother. I hope you will join us for dinner later." "I don't think so, I have to fly to Berlin for the monthly evaluation." She saw her father out the door and walked back to her office. It was already late, so she decided to skip lunch and tell Elizabeth to schedule the next meeting. Surprise was on her face when she saw takeout on the center table in the office with a note from her assistant, "I went for lunch already and grabbed your food." Indeed, there had been others before Elizabeth, but she was different, both in personality and how she handled matters professionally. Elizabeth walked in, "I've made reservations for the hotel you'll be staying in when you arrive in Berlin and yes, I reserved it under a different name." Jéan looked up from where she sat. "What about you? Since you're not coming with me this time, what are you doing this weekend?" "My parents have called me with important news so I'll be out of town for a day or two." "Don't forget you still have to respond to me at any time," Jéan notified her, and she nodded, well aware that it was her duty. "I don't care what you do, but don't do anything that would affect your professionalism." Elizabeth knew she was talking about this morning's incident and she smiled a little. Jéan could act like she didn't care but she did. She was thankful for that.