Imprisoned in the CEO's Heart

Argon

It has been two weeks since Alea started working at PT ZW, a company in the property sector. PT ZW is relatively new, having been established only about two years ago, yet it has quickly risen to the top. Alea joined this company through a three-stage selection process and was finally accepted in the planning department. She has been working on the third floor of this company for a week, and it turns out that the competition among employees is very tight.

Currently, Alea is busy with property development data in her cubicle. Next to Alea is a beautiful woman named Ines, who is Alea's new friend and very friendly towards her.

"Alea, let's have lunch!" invited Ines.

"Just at the canteen, Nes, because I have to go home for a bit after this!" said Alea.

"Are you serious about going back? We only have a one-hour break, Alea. You know how Mrs. Marta can talk your ear off, and she might give you a hard time!" explained Ines, as she was well aware of how talkative Mrs. Marta could be.

"I'll be quick, Nes," said Alea.

"In that case, let's have lunch together another time. So you have a bit more time to go home, Alea, because I heard there's an inspection from the central office today, and they say our CEO is coming, and he's really handsome, Alea," said Ines, smiling as she imagined the handsome CEO.

"I don't like handsome guys, Nes, it would be heartbreaking because many people like them," said Alea.

"Hehehe... just a bit of eye candy, Alea, since I heard our CEO is already married, but if he's a widower, I'm ready to be his new favorite!" said Ines, making Alea chuckle.

"Hehehe... whatever makes you happy, Nes," said Alea. She looked at the watch on her wrist, and it was already twelve noon. "I'm going home for a bit, Nes, hopefully, I'll be back at the office on time later!" said Alea, smiling.

Alea quickly walked towards the elevator. She entered the elevator and immediately pressed the button for the ground floor. Two men in the elevator smiled at Alea. Alea had fair skin and a strikingly attractive face. Especially when Alea smiled, she looked very beautiful and sweet with her smile. Her dimples were one of Alea Jade's most charming features.

The elevator opened, and Alea immediately exited and headed towards the exit. A pair of sharp eyes watched Alea with a neutral expression, and he stopped his steps, then turned his head to make sure that what he saw was really Alea. The man smiled cynically, piquing his secretary's curiosity about what was on his mind.

Meanwhile, Alea is on a motorcycle taxi heading to Argon's school. A few minutes later, Alea arrives in front of Argon's school and immediately puts on a mask to avoid being recognized by anyone who might know her. Alea fears that her extended family might discover Argon's existence. Argon could be taken away by her parents or even her husband's family. Alea couldn't bear the thought of living far from Argon.

Alea enters the school, and Argon looks at his mother with a cold gaze. Alea is puzzled by her son's cold demeanor. "Why are you looking at Mama like that, Ga?" Alea asks. Argon remains silent, causing Alea to sigh. "What's wrong, dear? Tell Mama!" Alea urges.

A woman about Alea's age approaches them. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Are you Argon's mother?" asks the woman, who is one of Argon's teachers.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm Argon's mother," Alea replies as she removes her mask and smiles warmly.

"Let's talk in the teacher's lounge; I really want to discuss Argon with you," she says.

"Alright, ma'am!" Alea replies. She takes Argon's hand and follows him into the teacher's lounge.

Actually, today is the first time Alea has come to pick up Argon because usually, it is Dea who picks him up. Dea also enrolled Argon in this school. Alea had Dea handle Argon's school matters because she feared being recognized. Alea realizes she won't be able to hide forever, especially since Argon's data clearly states his father's name, Zeno Williams.

"Please have a seat, ma'am!" she says.

Alea sits across from the teacher and lifts Argon onto her lap. "Thank you, ma'am," Alea says.

"My name is Ana, I'm Argon's homeroom teacher," she says. "Here's the thing, ma'am: Argon is a very intelligent child, and his abilities surpass those of other children here. He likes mathematics and also loves reading. I'm amazed that at the age of five, he can already read fluently and solve math problems with just one explanation. His handwriting is also neat, but," Ana says, looking at Alea with a sad expression.

"Why, ma'am?" Alea asks worriedly. Alea knows that Argon is very much like his father, who is indeed intelligent and smart.

"Your child doesn't want to play with other children, he is very independent and also a loner. He avoids his friends and seems apathetic, ma'am!" Ana explains.

"Why is Argon behaving like that?" Alea asks, looking at Argon, who is currently listening to his teacher's words.

"Argon rarely speaks as well, Ma'am. When Argon first came, I thought he might be mute because when I asked him to speak, he just stayed silent. But today, Argon got into a fight with a friend, and when I asked why, Argon chose not to answer," said Ana.

"Argon, Mama and Aunt never taught you to fight with others. Why are you being rude by staying silent when the teacher asks you a question?" asked Alea, holding back her frustration.

"Argon doesn't want to play with them because they'll definitely ask where his Papa is. Why Papa never drops off or picks up Argon. Only Aunt comes to school often!" said Argon, causing Alea to look at him sadly.

"Papa is busy, darling," said Alea.

"Papa never comes home anymore," said Argon. "Mama, stop lying to me!" said Argon, choosing to get down from Alea's lap and immediately walked out of the teacher's room, causing Alea to give a faint smile.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, my husband and I are separated. I haven't explained about his Papa to him," said Alea, making Ana look at her with sympathy.

"Yes, I understand, Ms. Alea," said Ana, concerned.

"Please look after Argon, Ma'am. Hmm... May I have your phone number, Ms. Ana?" asked Alea.

"Sure, Ma'am," said Ana, immediately giving her phone number.

"If anything comes up with Argon, please contact me directly, Ma'am!" requested Alea.

"Yes, Ma'am, I'm proud to be Argon's teacher, and I'll do my best to help him gain the confidence to play with his friends!" said Ana.

"I'll be going now, Ma'am!" said Alea with a friendly smile, and she immediately shook Ana's hand. She then walked out of Ana's room.

Alea sighed; being a single mother isn't easy, and she feels guilty for making this decision that has hurt her little son. Selfish? That's the word that describes what she's done all this time, which turned out to be the cause of her son's sadness. She only now realized how important Zeno's presence is for her child.

Alea sighed as she saw Argon choose to sit under a tree, watching the other kids playing while waiting for their parents to pick them up. Her son Argon wasn't interested in playing with the other kids because he felt different. Argon thought not having a Papa made him different from the other kids who had both parents.

Forgive Mama, my dear....