CEO Secret Romance

Chapter 3

Do I look like I care? Are you the pope? And even if you were, do I look like one of your aides?” she was shrieking. “No one on the planet has ever spoken to me in such a way, be it at work or in my family. This lady was going to pay for her insults, if not today, certainly tomorrow.” I ground my teeth and said nothing else, storming out of the shop in a fit of rage, as I heard the shop owner’s voice calling me back with pleading tones.

ISABELLA’S POV

I arrived back home in the evening after my visit to the coffee shop, visibly annoyed. Even Chloe, who had initially planned on leaving from there to get some stuff at the grocery store, had to change her mind and accompany me home. She chastised me about my overreaction at the coffee shop while I maintained that it was necessary for me to respond and stand up for myself the way I did, especially since the man was a rude jackass.

“Some of these men with a few coins in their pocket like to think they’re the next best thing after pizza. It’s important to put them in their place sometimes,” I argued defiantly.

Upon entering our sitting room, we found Grandpa sitting shirtless and apprehensive on the sofa, his face visibly worried.

“Where did you go, honey?” he asked frailly, although his feeble-looking eyes had immediately lit up upon seeing me.

“One moment you’re there with me on the couch, then I close my eyes, and you’re gone. I was worried sick. You’re fine?”

“I’m fine, Grandpa.” I went closer to him to give him a quick hug. He seemed to pause after the hug and said with an air of concern, “You’re not fine,” immediately turning to Chloe.

“Tell me, did she get into a fight?”

Chloe and I responded simultaneously. Chloe had said, “No,” while I said, “Yes.” Then she flashed me a stare that said, “Have you gone nuts?” I ignored her; there was no need for lying. Grandpa could read me like a book; there was no point in masking what was already in open glare.

“Yes, Poppa,” I admitted.

“There was this strange guy at the coffee shop.”

“A guy?” Grandpa questioned.

“Yes,” I said.

“A wealthy, handsome-looking dude,” Chloe added, now going all out with the details.

“Did we really need to know that, Miss CNN?” I asked, raising my eyebrows sarcastically.

“If we must tell the truth, then it should be the whole truth,” Chloe maintained, looking like she was having fun.

“Bella, darling, please don’t make any trouble with these guys, will you? Some of them can get really crazy. I don’t want that for you. All they value is their wives, their kids, and family business.”

“But, Grandpa, the man got on my nerves, and I think he did it on purpose. I apologized for a mistake he made, yet all he could do was call me blind. So, I had decided to give him a piece of my mind. Moreover, I don’t think this particular dude was married; there was no ring on his finger,” I said defensively.

“Ring?” Chloe repeated, clearing her throat. “You were that quick to check? You sure you’re not falling for the so-called rude man.”

“Who is this, please?” I said, turning to Chloe. “You better start leaving for the grocery store.” She was laughing while I was looking at Grandpa, thinking he was about to take my side as usual. Not knowing that another bomb was coming.

“How handsome was he?” Grandpa asked with a knowing, troublesome smile. Chloe burst out laughing even harder, while I shook my head and said, “Even you, Poppa? I don’t believe you guys,” and immediately turned to leave for my room, stomping my foot on the stairs with each step to show I was furious.

“Bella, darling, calm down,” Grandpa called.

“Lover girl,” Chloe beckoned, but Grandpa chastised her light-heartedly. “Leave my baby girl alone.”

It was a clear morning when the D-day came, which was Monday we have all been waiting for. The Monday when I was finally set to resume work at Alexander Stone’s group of companies. The day had dawned with brilliant white radiance; the clouds were like giant, sparkly bulbs of wool. I was fully dressed, standing before my mirror.The day had dawned with a brilliant white radiance, the clouds were like giant sparkly bulbs burbs of wool floating up above. I was all set too. I stood before my standing mirror to check myself out. An all black knee-length skirt with a matching long sleeved blouse and low closed-toe heels.

“Go girl.” I cheered myself beneath my breath.

“ Isabella darling, breakfast is ready please hurry up, you’re going to be late…” Grandpa’s voice echoed in.

“Just a minute grandpa, will be right with you.” I echoed back.

After breakfast with grandpa he escorted me to the front gate while the Uber I had ordered awaited me.

“I’m so proud of you, you can't even imagine.” Grandpa said holding my hands. His voice was solemn, I could tell by the depth of his stare, that for him looking at me this morning dressed this beautifully heading to where I was headed alongside all I have achieved these past few years, I had become for him something more than just his granddaughter, I had become his breathing monument of unbroken hope, a reflection of not just all that he has lot, but also a testament to the fact that he survived, I had become his testimony of defiant survival.

He hugged me very tightly and gently planted a kiss on my forehead before he said “Go make papa proud.”

“I will poppa," I said softly, rubbing his back and Hugging him the second time.

“I will be back in no time.” I whispered.

He nodded and started to wave when I hopped into the blue sedan, and even when we had gone many meters further and was about to make a turn towards the next be

nd. I checked at the side mirror and still saw the proud stooped figure of grandpa still waving. I smiled.