Hating the CEO

Chapter 5: Presentable

Lila's POV

The eyes open the moment my alarm goes off. I stared at the white ceiling, a golden chandelier dangling above.

My heart skipped a beat. Where was I? I sit up straight quickly and look around. Panic surged, until reality settled.

Xaden Vale’s penthouse.

A huge rush of relief filled my body when I realized where I was.

For a moment, I forgot. I was used to waking up to cracked ceilings and a turning fan. I sighed tiredly. I was back to reality. The room still felt caged.

I closed my eyes briefly.

My attention moved to my phone that laid on the stool by my bedside. The screen lit up.

I grabbed it and looked at it. Schedule notification: 5:30 am, Vale Protocol, Day one.

It was then that I looked at the window, it was still very early. I usually wake up by 8 am. Now, here I was waking up three hours earlier.

I turned off the alarm. Every minute was accounted for. This will be a very long year.

I stepped out of my bed and walked to the bathroom.

By the time the clock crept seven, I was already dressed. had showered, put on my oversized polo and cargo shorts. I dried my hair with the fancy-looking hair dryer on the dress up table.

My phone dinged with a notification when I was done with my hair.

7:00 am, Stylist appointment.

I scoffed.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, startling me. “Geez, come in!”

The door crept open and Vienna stepped in with the same tablet from yesterday in her hands.

“Good morning, Miss Hartley,” she greeted. I stood up on my feet and gave her a little smile.

“Good morning, Vienna,” I greeted.

“How was your night?” she asked and my brows sprung up.

“Great. It was great.”

I would be lying if I said it was bad because the bed was a little too comfortable than I expected. I slept comfortably with an air conditioner for the first time.

“Good. The stylist has arrived.” Vienna said.

Exactly on time.

“Okay,” I murmured.

“Should he come in then?” She asked.

“He?” My brows furrowed.

“Come in then, Angelo” Vienna said, glancing at the door. She ignored my question.

I looked at the slightly opened door, and a tall man stepped in. He had long hair, was uniquely dressed, and was chewing gum.

I sighed tiredly. What have I gotten into?

I stood in the closet while Angelo picked out clothes I was gonna wear. I really didn't get why I needed a stylist to pick out clothes that were in my room for me. I could just do them myself.

We spent over 25 minutes picking the clothes I was gonna wear. Trials and errors until I got into an ivory pantsuit that fit like it had been waiting for me. Clean lines. Sharp edges. Nude silky camisole underneath the structured blazers I wore. With black pointed-toe heels, mid-height.

“Thank you,” I said when we were done.

“It's no problem,” Angelo muttered as he jotted something down in his notebook.

I stepped out of the closet and saw two ladies seated in the room.

“What?” I whispered.

“The hair dresser and makeup artist has arrived, Miss Hartley” Vienna informed by the side.

After an hour of makeup, styling and hair dressing, I was done.

I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was tied into a sleek low bun. I couldn't recognize my own reflection. This wasn't me, at all. My makeup is simple yet elegant.

“Hold on,” Angelo said, walking over to me. I looked at him. He stretched his hands over to my neck, touching the necklace I had round my neck.

“We gotta take this out,” he pointed.

“What? No.” My hands flew up instantly, my fingers closing around the pendant.

It was my mom's necklace and I always had it on.

Angelo glanced at Vienna then looked back at me.

“Umm, we have to. Here, this is better,” he held up a silver necklace, a glistening one.

“I am not taking this off,” I snapped, holding on to the pendant of the necklace like it was gonna be snatched from me any second now.

Angelo looked back at Vienna.

“It's fine. Let her keep it,” Vienna said and Angelo stepped away.

I sighed. Relief came in. Vienna wasn't cruel. She was just loyal.

My legs shifted awkwardly. I was still adjusting to the heels. I argued to wear flats but of course Angelo didn't let me.

I stepped out of the room and walked to the dining room with Vienna by my side. It was time for breakfast. I sat down for breakfast.

The food was warm and delicious. Well plated. Clearly planned. Xaden was absent.

After I was done eating, I sat on the couch in the living area. I was told we were gonna do a little prepping. So I waited.

Vienna stepped in later and walked over to me. I watched her carefully. She sat on a couch across from me.

“Okay shall we start?” She smiled.

“I'm sorry, what exactly are we doing?” I asked.

“Media briefing,” her eyes on her tablet. I pressed my lips into a thin line.

My eyes darted around, using my time to see the paintings on the wall of the living area that I hadn't noticed until now.

“Firstly, how you and Mr Vale met,” Vienna spoke and my attention diverted back to her.

“How?” I asked.

“You met professionally.” She stood up, tablet in her hand.

“For the media, you did not grow up together.”

I was quiet. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Three years ago, you met at a Boston-based private innovation forum. You worked as a freelancer for a mid-sized design company. During a pitch session, Mr. Vale observed your work.” She scrolled through her tablet.

“He requested your portfolio afterward. You stayed in contact. The relationship developed gradually.” She kept on.

“If someone asks why there aren't any early photos, it's because you value privacy. If someone were to ask why you moved so quickly, you are both decisive individuals.” She looks up at me.

“You do not mention school. You do not mention family history.

You do not mention the past years.”

Her tone wasn't cruel but final.

I nodded as she moved on to the next segment. Vienna scrolled once, her eyes on the screen.

“The proposal happened six months ago, after a charity event in Geneva,” she said.

I scoffed at the perfectly planned lie.

“It was private. No audience. No spectacle.” She then paused.

“Mr. Vale proposed after dinner. He had already spoken to you about marriage beforehand.” She stated, scrolling again, “you accepted immediately.”

“If asked why there are no photographs,, it is because you wanted the moment for yourselves.” she read, “The ring was chosen together. You prefer understated elegance. You don’t believe in public declarations.”

“You were engaged before moving in together. The penthouse was not a surprise.” she finished.

I sighed. The proposal had no emotion, no why, no history, no feeling. Just logic, just sequence, just control. Yet…it sounded beautiful. That was the danger.

“If anyone asks how you felt, you say, secure.” Vienna added.

“Consistency matters more than sincerity,” she tapped the tablet once, “please memorize it.”

“That's all,” she said.

I waited for another rule, another warning, but none came.

“Any questions?” She asked. I shook my head almost immediately.

“Okay, your car has arrived. Mr Vale will be waiting outside for you for your next schedule.” She said and I got up from the couch.

The elevator ride down was quiet. Cool and reverberating, the doors to the private garage opened. The engine of a black car was already running as it waited.

Without delay, the driver got out and let me in through the back door. The door closed with a gentle, last thud as I slid inside.

The other door then opened.

Xaden entered next to me. No salutation. No glance, at first. He had already put on his day's attire, which included a dark suit, a clean shirt, and no tie. Effortless. Under control.

Smoothly, the car pulled out. He didn't look at me until then. His gaze skimmed over my appearance once. Fast. Evaluating. He remarked, "You're on time."

Not you look nice. Not good morning.

"Congratulations," I said bluntly. "You did a good job training me."

A corner of his mouth lifted, barely.

"Were you briefed by Vienna?"

"Yes."

"And?"

Outside the tinted window, I turned to face forward and watched the city awaken.

I said, "I'll remember the story."

He seemed to be satisfied with that.

"Excellent," Xaden answered.

"Then it will be simple today." The vehicle accelerated and blended into the traffic. My fingernails gently dug into my palm as I folded my hands in my lap. Simple for him.

The car slows to a halt.

“We've arrived,” the driver's voice came from the front seat.

Just like that, my pulse raced. Heart pumping faster. I tightened my grip on my pantsuit. The tinted window was already gleaming with bursts of white. Flashes already appear.

Paparazzi.

Xaden shifts beside me. Finally turning his full attention to me.

“Listen,” he says quietly, his tone sharp but not unkind. “Once you step there, there should be no hesitation. You walk forward and don't look around. Don't explain yourself. Just walk, smile when prompted and let me lead.”

I swallowed. “And if I forget anything?”

“You won't.” He replied. Then after a pause, “stay close.”

The car finally stops.

Xaden steps out first. Then the noise hits, everyone yelling his name, shots firing rapidly. He straightens his jacket like this was just another morning for him then walks over to my door. He opens the door.

Cold air rushes in, including reality.

I blinked, stepping out of the car. Xaden closed the door then the car drove off. I stared at the multiple paparazzi, taking rapid shots at me. I couldn't even grasp a hint of a question they asked because they all spoke at the same time.

I felt my pulse race. My leg was not moving.

I hesitate.

Just for a second.

Xaden notices.

Before I could talk myself into moving, he placed his hand right on my lower back.

The contact is light, barely there.

But my body remembers him before my mind can stop it.

A sharp, electric awareness rushes through my spine. Twelve years collapsing into a simple contact. The beach. The laughter. The boy who once leaned too close and didn't apologize for it.

I froze.

“Lila,” he murmured so low that only I could hear, “Eyes forward.”

His hand stays where it is, unmistakenly possessive.

I breathe in and then move my legs.

The flashes exploded on us. They all followed as we walked.

Cameras. Smiles. A perfect image captured in real time.

Xaden's hand guided me forward, reminding me where I was meant to be.

And just like that, we weren't alone.