The Forgotten Love of the Cruel CEO

THE DAY WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN

I look at the imposing building in front of me, feeling my nerves on edge. I carefully read the name of the company and smile as I recognize it. It is relatively new, but the growth it had in the market was undoubtedly monumental. Positioning itself as the number one department store chain in the entire country, with over a hundred branches spread throughout the United States. At least in Tennessee there are two available and even, I have purchased from them.

I don't know who the CEO of this is, or the executives, but they are undoubtedly geniuses, because from what little I could hear from my ex-boss, this man came to stay.

And now, he will be the one to pay my bills from today onwards.

I'm already out of money, everything I received I spent on a small apartment that Caroline helped me to get. When I called her that same day I received that call to inform her that I would be returning to New York, she screamed, got excited, and offered me her help.

Her spontaneity was greatly missed in these five years. Although she begged me many times to let her visit me, I refused. First, because I was in such a bad physical and emotional state to receive her, and second, because I didn't want them to find me. I know nothing about them, their family, or even himself. For five years, I disappeared from the public eye, from social media, and even changed my phone number. Just like my appearance.

I decided to rebuild my life and that meant leaving behind everything that brought me closer to him. Including my Caroline. Although sporadic calls were made, I didn't completely push her away, it's just that I took a step back for my own mental health and she respected and understood that very well.

I told her that the reason I returned to the city is because my mother is marrying Kevin, which also made her happy, but I didn't say anything about this job, about this interview. In her mind, I came back to not be alone in Tennessee and honestly, I prefer her to keep thinking that until I have signed my job contract.

I promised to see each other after leaving here, so tonight will be our first girls' night out after not seeing each other for five years. Tonight, I will tell her about this job and how excited I am to have a good salary that can support both me and her godson without any problems. She baptized him during a video call, and even sprinkled water on the doll with Chris's photo, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Here we go, Babi..." I murmur, giving myself encouragement. "Let's go for that interview."

I enter the imposing building, feeling my heartbeat go a little out of control. I am somewhat surprised to see how elegant the reception area is, how pristine and shiny the floor I am stepping on with my high heels is, and how well-lit everything is. There are elegantly dressed men and women entering and leaving, I walk straight to reception and when I introduce myself to the friendly woman, she hands me a visitor's badge indicating the floor where the human resources office is located, and where Miss Miranda is waiting for me.

Excited, with a big smile on my face, I enter the elevator and press the number she indicated. Both doors close in front of me, immediately I turn around to look at myself in the mirror behind me, straightening my hair, making sure my makeup is intact.

I'm no longer blonde, since I arrived in Tennessee and overcame the depression, I stopped being blonde. Now my hair is dark, I've let it grow a bit longer, causing my skin to look paler and the color of my eyes more striking. My features look hardened and painting my lips with a crimson red and thin eyeliner on my eyelids makes me look imposing and even intimidating. Although I'm the one intimidated.

I may not show it, but my legs are trembling like jelly at this moment.

The elevator stops, the doors open and I step out, holding my bag tightly, walking towards the human resources office.

"Hello, sorry to bother you, but could you tell me where the human resources office is?"

I ask a tall brunette with abundant hair. She smiles at me and points out which office it is, I thank her with a big smile and walk straight to it.

Two knocks on the door and I hear the voice that spoke to me on the phone a few days ago.

"Good morning..." is the first thing I say as I enter and close the door behind me. "I am..."

"Barbara Collins," she finishes my words with a big smile, standing up from her seat. She offers me her hand to shake and I don't hesitate to do so. "I've been expecting you."

"I hope I'm not late."

She makes a hand gesture as she lets go of my hand. She asks me to take a seat and make myself comfortable. I thought she would be older, but I was wrong. The manager is at least my age or a little older.

"You arrived just in time, Miss Collins."

"I'm nervous," I comment honestly.

"You shouldn't be, the position is yours. This meeting is just formal, but look, I already have your contract ready to be signed."

I don't know if I'm hallucinating or if everything is happening too fast. Aaron's cousin seems desperate for me to sign and start working already. Of course, I signed the contract after taking a glance at it and even asked for a copy for Kevin to review. The last thing I want is to be a slave to a demanding CEO.

Aaron was a sweetheart to me, but that was because of his feelings for me. I can't expect to be treated with respect and good benefits here as well. For that reason, I prefer to have a copy to read it with more determination alongside a professional.

I listen attentively to Miss Coleman telling me about my days off, which will be subject to the contract. Basically, if my boss doesn't need me on weekends, they will be my days off, but if he does need me, then I'll have to work. That doesn't bother me, because with Aaron, I even went on weekend trips for conferences, so I can tolerate it. My starting time is at seven in the morning, which means I must be in the office before the boss with everything already ready for him; coffee, files, tidy desk, and a list with my notebook to read his daily agenda.

The same as I did in Tennessee.

My quitting time will be at eight in the evening, but even so, I must keep my mobile phone and laptop always at hand in case my boss decides to call me to ask me something important. I must travel with him if he asks me to, attend meetings, conferences, events, and even galas if my presence is necessary and required.

Nothing out of the ordinary, everything that an executive personal assistant must do.

I am aware of everything, I don't ask questions, and not even any doubts cross my mind. I have the experience for this and she knows it, that's why she's smiling.

"Alright, Ms. Collins, let's go. I will take you to the executive office to show you your office and introduce you to the boss, are you ready?"

"More than ready," I respond excitedly.

Both of us stand up and with good spirits, we leave the office straight to the elevator.

I now feel more confident, calmer, and more confident. I will do something I'm good at, something I already have experience in, and I hope to earn even more.

"I will tell you one last thing to keep in mind," she tells me, putting all formality aside. "Let's just say the boss is difficult to deal with, but he's not a bad boss. I know my cousin Aaron was a sweetheart of a boss with you, but here with this boss, it will be the opposite, Barbara."

And that's how all my confidence goes down the drain.

"Is he really demanding?"

Very much so.

"That's why you were anxious for me to sign, right? That's why you called me and gave me the job over a phone call."

She gives me a forced smile and nods with a bit of embarrassment. I shake my head, smiling and pushing the bad memories out of my head, trying to be as professional as I can.

"I know very well that bosses like Aaron are one in a million, don't worry. I'm not angry, on the contrary, thank you for letting me know, Miranda."

She sighs in relief.

There's nothing I can do now. I've already signed my contract and I am fully aware that not all magnates, bosses, entrepreneurs, CEOs, or whatever they call themselves, will be like my ex-boss Aaron Miller. For that reason, I'm not bothered by what she did, besides, the pay is too good and that surely has to do with the fact that the man is difficult, but I think I can handle it.

I've been through worse in my life in such a short time, so a demanding boss is not something that should shake me, let alone make me falter.

Both doors open, allowing me to see this presidential floor. The color red dominates above black and white. The floor shines, the receptionist sitting behind the sophisticated desk smiles and welcomes us. Miranda introduces us, informs her that I will be the new personal assistant of the boss, and the brunette's gaze doesn't go unnoticed by me.

"Yes, it seems I'm the next victim," I comment with a low laugh.

They both laugh at my joke, but what they don't know is that it's not really a joke at all.

"Welcome to Olympus, Barbara Collins."

Miranda rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Apparently, the comment made by her colleague didn't amuse her or she simply prefers to downplay it. She asks me to follow her, and that's what I do.

We arrive in front of two doors in dark red with the CEO indicator in gold that stands out, and next to it, the last name.

I furrow my brow as I read it, swallow hard, and maintain my smile. It has to be a mere coincidence. His last name is a very common last name in the city, so it must not be him exactly. Although, he could indeed be the CEO of all this.

"No, no, no."

"Barbara? Are you okay?"

"Yes..." I reply quickly. "Sorry, I had a mix-up."

"Are you sure? You look pale...

I smile at her and brush off the bad memories from my mind. I take a breath and ask her to knock on the door, not to worry, that it's just nerves at the moment of meeting the great boss.

She nods not very convinced but still knocks on the door twice.

"Come in."

A mature, deep, firm, and intimidating voice causes an electric shock to hit me from the back of my neck, running down my spine to the soles of my feet.

She asks me to enter first, and I do, trying to maintain my smile, but it immediately fades when I see him.

My pulse races, I feel like everything is happening in slow motion. He is standing, looking at some documents with great interest, completely ignoring our presence. Miranda gets his attention professionally, and when he lifts his head and fixes his dark gaze on me, I feel the air being sucked out of the room.

Behind an imposing desk is a tall man, with black hair, muscular, with his coat hanging behind his seat and the sleeves of his shirt rolled up.

She arches her eyebrow, looking at me in detail. I know Miranda is greeting him, but for some reason, his voice sounds distant. She introduces me as her new assistant, informing him that from this moment on, I will start working in the company, precisely by her side.

I am petrified, the words won't come out and I feel like the soul I managed to regain in me wants to leave my body and leave me alone once again.

"Is she mute?" he asks annoyed. "Can't she introduce herself on her own, Miranda?"

"I...my name is..." I stammer, trapped in panic.

He stops looking at me as if my presence bothers him and I immediately fall silent. He continues reviewing the documents in his hands, leaving me paralyzed without knowing what to do or say. I feel like I'm in a loop, or worse, I feel like I'm falling into a bottomless pit. My body trembles, my heartbeats are erratic, and every wound that cost me so much to heal feels like it's reopening in my heart.

"It's him...the CEO of the company is Cedric Reed, my husband, who apparently never managed to remember me."

"Go," he orders sharply without looking at me. "I don't have time for this. When you stop acting like a scared deer and start acting like a professional, come back here, introduce yourself, and start your work, that's what you were hired for. Not to stay silent, motionless, and, to top it off, mute. Leave my office and come back tomorrow, Miss Barbara."

"Barbara?" I inquire in a faint voice.

He stops reading the documents, raises his dark gaze, and fixes it on me once again.

"Isn't that your name?" he doesn't answer, I nod without being able to speak. "Then I have nothing to apologize for. Go, and come back tomorrow. I won't repeat it."

"I'm not Barbara. I am your Babi, Cedric!"