Pregnant with the CEO's secret Heir

Chapter 3

An intern speaks

My fingers are around my sketchbook.

I held it firm.

For a moment, I thought I had misheard him.

Miss Claire, he repeated, his voice firm.

Everyone stared at me.

Would you mind answering that instead?

I was nervous at first, but I later gathered courage to speak.

The room was silent, everyone was waiting for me to speak.

Thoughts filled my mind.

I looked at Melissa, her face had changed.

She was so angry at that moment, she was not the one answering the question but she was nervous and upset.

I don't know why.

I wanted to speak.

My mind told me to keep quiet.

Melissa was my senior.

Embarrassing her in front of the CEO wouldn't end well for me.

But it wasn't embarrassment. He asked for my opinion. I muttered to myself

I don't want her to get angry.

I was just nervous.

I pray this ends well, I muttered.

But

The CEO had asked me a question.

And I must answer

Ignoring him wasn't an option either.

I took a slow breath.

Lily looked at me

In the reception, the area was opened up because the original design made the background feel too cramped, sir, I said carefully.

The room remained silent.

Everyone kept on looking at me.

Taking their silence as encouragement, I continued.

When guests enter a hotel or a place, the first thing they notice is the design, the environment and how it captures their views and it will shape their impression. And also, an open reception brings and creates a welcoming atmosphere which allows people to move naturally without feeling crowded and heated, it brings out closure and enhanced space in all corners.

The CEO remained expressionless.

I looked at him and continued

He just stared at me.

I couldn't tell whether he agreed or not.

The seating area was also changed, and it was moved closer to the windows in the east because I wanted it to improve more lighting and maximize natural daylight throughout the day, I added. It not only brightens the space but also provides people who are waiting with a beautiful view instead of having them face a place where there is no light. I stopped speaking.

There was silence everywhere; no one spoke.

My heart slammed against my chest.

Had I said something wrong?

The CEO looked at the sketch once again.

His fingers rested on the page, he skipped through the pages again.

Finally, he nodded.

A good answer.

Wow amazing, he said.

The breath I held escaped through my lips.

Melissa wanted to speak. I don't know what she wanted to say but she was angry.

Then he looked at Melissa.

Was that your reasoning as well?

Melissa blinked.

Yes, sir.

For the first time since he'd entered the design department, the CEO's expression changed.

It wasn't anger.

It wasn't disillusioned.

There was doubt.

You hesitated, he said.

Melissa forced a smile.

I was just nervous, sir

As he kept on skipping through pages.

He saw another design and asked Melissa.

What color would you use for the painting?

Melissa was thinking she couldn't speak.

“I”

“I”

She stuttered

Sweat rolled down her face.

She glanced at the sketch as though hoping the answer would magically appear on the paper.

She doesn't know what to say

I was thinking.

I think..

Ehm…..

Her voice trailed off.

The entire office was staring at her.

The CEO didn't rush her.

He simply waited.

He waited for about a minute,, but her eyes were fixed on the painting without saying a word.

Melissa lowered her eyes.

I can't remember anything at the moment, Sir. She said

The office workers stared at her.

Everyone was curious to hear Melissa answer.

No one dared to say a word.

The CEO closed the sketchbook and looked at Melissa.

Are you sure you are the one who designed this?

Those words he said made Melissa more nervous.

Melissa bit her lower lip.

Yes sir.

Then he turned toward me again.

"Miss Claire."

Yes, sir?

What material would you have used?

I answered immediately.

I would use a white color because it brings out beauty without expressing the design much.

He lifted his eyebrows slightly.

Why?

"I used white because it's durable, it has low maintenance, it adds to the color brightness and maintains the design.”

For the first time

He looked at me and smiled.

Everyone in the room noticed.

Even the manager was surprised.

"Impressive."

Just one word.

Everyone echoed it also.

Impressive.

The CEO had praised an intern.

Melissa's face changed.

Around the office, people started whispering.

Did you hear that?

He complimented Claire.

I have never seen him do that before.

"She's only been here three weeks.”

I started sweating

I wished everyone would stop staring at me.

The attention and the looks made me uncomfortable.

The CEO handed the sketchbook back to me.

You have potential.

Thank you

The simple sentence left me speechless.

Before I could finish the statement, he turned to the department manager.

Bring me Miss Claire's employment records.

Immediately.

The manager looked stunned.

Sir?

My office.

Yes, Mr. Hill.

I had a strange feeling in my stomach

My employment records?

Why?

For what?

Had I done something wrong?

Was he planning to transfer me?

Am I being promoted?

I thought

Or

Was I about to lose the job I'd fought so hard to keep?

The CEO adjusted his suit and started walking toward the elevator.

Just before he reached the elevator, he stopped.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"Miss Claire."

Yes sir

My heart skipped.

Be in my office at two o'clock.

He walked away.

The elevator closed behind him.

For seconds

No one moved.

Then everyone in the design department started talking.

Did the CEO just call Claire?

She's finished.

No, didn't you see his face? Maybe he liked her answer.

Liked it? Have you forgotten that he never calls interns to his office unless something serious has happened?

Oh yes, that's true.

The voices came from every direction,

People were just talking about all that happened, their voices became louder,

I remained silent beside my desk, unable to process what had just happened.

Two o'clock.

The words echoed in my head.

Be in my office at two o'clock.

I kept my sketchbook on my desk

Was I being fired?

Or had I talked a lot by speaking during the meeting?

Maybe Mr. Ethan Hill thought an intern had no right to challenge senior designers, no matter how reasonable my suggestions had sounded.

I had fought too hard for this internship.

This job wasn't just another line on my résumé.I can't lose this job.

It was my chance to escape the life waiting for me at home.

Failure wasn't an option. I muttered to myself

"Claire.”

Melissa called me.

I slowly looked up.

She stood a few feet away, her perfectly polished smile failing to hide the jealousy in her eyes.

You certainly know how to attract attention.

A few designers chuckled awkwardly.

"I... I wasn't trying to," I replied quietly.

No? She said, folding her arms. "Then let's hope the CEO sees it the same way."

She turned and walked off before I could answer.

The whispers followed me everywhere.

Some looked at me with pity.

Others with curiosity.

I was sitting on my chair, but I couldn't concentrate.

Every few minutes, my eyes drifted toward the elevator.

The office felt so exciting this morning, and now everything has changed around me.

I was checking the time,

The clock on the wall ticked, and I checked my phone also.

Each second carried me closer to two o'clock.

Closer to whatever awaited me behind the CEO's doors.

Would he commend me?

Or would he fire me before it had truly begun?

I swallowed hard,

Across the room, I noticed the CEO's executive assistant stepping out of the elevator.

He walked directly toward my desk without hesitation.

The entire department was silent once.

again.

He stopped in front of me.

"Miss Claire," he said professionally. "Mr. Hill has changed his mind."

I was nervous

"He wants to see you."

He glanced toward the private executive elevator before meeting my eyes again.

"Now.”