Hating the CEO

Chapter 1: The Past comes calling

Lila's POV

Never in my life did I know that I would be standing right here at Vale Innovations HQ. The lobby was huge, people walked around, looking grim. I sat in the massive lobby area, waiting for my turn.

My eyes darted around, my grip tightened on my portfolio, my palms sweated a lot and my breath shaky. I hated every second of being in “Vale territory.”

I promised myself that I'd never step into anything belonging to the Vales again. That promise was broken today. I stepped foot in here because of my mother's bills and my family's debts.

Last night, I received a shocking email. I got invited to pitch at Vale Innovations. I never applied for it but it looked like someone submitted my portfolio on my behalf or it was selected from my website. I wanted to delete it at first, but seeing the money attached to the contract? Enough to pay my mother's medical bills.

Not just my mother's bills, but also my family's debts. My Father is still in prison and my freelance pay isn't enough. Bills are overdue. I desperately needed money. Getting a job here might actually be a gateway for me. I can't miss this opportunity.

I told myself, it's just a pitch. It was a large company with plenty of boards and directors. I won't even have to see him.

“Lila Hartley,” the receptionist called and I shot my head up. I stood up quickly.

“You’re next,” she said, “follow me”

My stomach drops.

I quietly followed right behind her. We walked to an elevator and got in.

There were people in the elevator, wearing suits, looking stiff and intimidating. I felt like an intruder.

It was awkwardly quiet. My heartbeat quickened, I was nervous. Pitching my designs in front of a board or HR sounded so nerve-racking.

We stepped out of the elevator and the reception lady guided me over to a door.

“Over here, you can go in,” she said with a polite smile.

I nodded then she left. I read the tag on the door, written, Conference room.

I heaved a huge sigh before nudging the door handle, the door slowly opened.

All eyes quickly turned to me. I stared at the floor and walked in. My heart raced. I closed the door and turned over.

Men and a few women in suits sat round a table, laptops, books, pens, on the table, eyes all staring at me. The board. Just then I saw him at the head of the table.

Xander Vale sitting behind the huge desk.

Older, jawline sharper, his cold grey eyes staring into mine. His expression is unreadable. His demeanor is powerful and confident. I froze for half a second.

“Pinky promise,” I remember us, crossing our fingers twelve years ago. We were just kids, best friends.

My grip tightened more on my portfolio.

“Xaden?” My voice came out as a whisper. I shouldn't be surprised to see the owner of a company in his own building, I mean it is expected but I wasn't prepared to see him.

I instantly regretted coming here.

He didn't look surprised or shocked to see me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before clearing my throat. I straightened myself and pushed away any hint of shock or nervousness on my face.

I hated that just his sight had an effect on me.

“I'm here to give a pitch on my designs” I said sternly.

Some of the board members nodded, some stayed silent.

“Go on,” a man who was seated on the table said.

I walked to the center of the room. I controlled myself, my emotions, my nerves.

“Good morning,” I began. They didn't respond or react.

Xaden remained in the same position, leaned back to his chair.

“Uhm, I am….” my voice shook, “My name is Lila Hartley” my voice steadier.

I opened my portfolio. I presented exactly how I planned and practiced this morning. Every word came out smoothly and intended.

As I spoke, I glanced at their reactions. A middle aged man wrote notes aggressively, a lady stared at my face too long, I had to avoid eye contact with her, a man whispering to another man.

Meanwhile, Xaden listened silently. Gave no reaction, no response, just sat there, with zero expression. It made me nervous.

I made sure to stay professional and composed despite the uncomfortable feeling I got in my stomach because of his gaze on me.

I could handle the multiple stares the board members gave me while I talked, but not his gaze. It gave me weird, uncomfortable feelings.

The memory hit me, twelve years ago. I was sixteen, sprawled on a blanket beside Xander. Stars glittered above. Our eyes glistened as we watched the constellations.

“You're stuck with me Hartley,” he told me as we cuddled in the blanket.

“Is that a promise?” Sixteen year old me asked.

“Yeah,” young Xaden replied.

“Thank you,” I ended my presentation and the whole room was silent.

Then a woman spoke, “Your design direction is bold, Miss Hartley. What inspired the visual theme, especially the color choices?”

I looked at her before answering.

“According to your customer behavior reports, modern, minimalist visuals are the source of your greatest engagement,” I explained and they all listened, “the color scheme I picked strikes a balance between your upscale image and a young, vibrant tone that draws in new customers without undermining your current client base.”

The lady nodded just before another female board member questioned, “If we choose your design, how do you plan to make the rebrand cohesive across the website, app, and physical spaces?”

“By creating a single design system with uniform layout guidelines, iconography, and typography. It guarantees that your clients see the same brand narrative across all platforms, including digital and physical stores” I answered confidently and they gave little nods.

“Okay,” the lady responded.

“You look young. No offense, but why should we trust you with a project this high-level? What big clients have you handled before?” this time a man asked.

I don't know why my eyes moved to Xaden but I quickly retracted my gaze. He didn't stop looking at me.

“Umm….My portfolio speaks for itself, even though I don't work for a large agency. I've overseen effective rebranding initiatives for smaller businesses that have produced quantifiable outcomes, such as increased customer trust, a clearer identity, and higher engagement. I make up for my lack of size with accuracy and originality. I got this seat because of my hard work.” I delivered and they quietly stared at me.

“Very good,” I heard someone mutter. I couldn't identify who it was.

Their eyes left me and began discussing with each other. But his eyes didn't leave me. I avoided his gaze.

“Okay, thank you, Miss Hartley,” a man in a blue suit said.

I sighed before nodding.

“That would be all for now,” Xaden spoke and everyone looked at him.

“Let’s um… resume the pitching tomorrow” his voice, deep and commanding.

Murmurs filled the room as everyone got up from their seats. I arranged my documents and closed my portfolio, ready to leave.

The board members all left the room slowly, one by one.

I quietly stood aside, waiting for the members to file out. When they all left, I walked over the door to leave.

“Miss Hartley, stay behind,” he said and I halted. I cursed in my head.

“What?” my heart skipped a beat.

“Over here,” he pointed over to the front of his desk. I sighed before walking over to the front of his desk, reluctantly.

His eyes watched me. I couldn't get a hint of what he thought, his face was unreadable. He didn't seem like the innocent little boy I once knew, anymore.

“You've improved.” He muttered.

I scoffed. I hated how that sounded like a praise.

“Don't talk to me like you know me,” my fingers clenched my portfolio tight.

He didn't answer. He looked at me with that same unreadable stare.

“What do you want?” the question snapped out of me.

“Let's have a talk,” he said quietly.

I felt my chest tighten with rage. I didn't come here for this.

“I have nothing to say to you” I spat out, trying to hide my nervousness.

He nodded slowly like in realization.

“Well, I have,” he countered, basically telling me to shut up and listen to him.

Without another word, he slides a folder across the desk over to me.

“What's this?” My eyes scanned the folder then gazed back at him.

“Your debts,” he started, “I own them all.”

I felt my portfolio almost slip from my hands but I caught them instantly. His eyes looked down at the portfolio then back at me.

“What?” I whispered.

He looked at me indifferently, leaned back to his chair and sighed.

“Lila…. I bought all your debts.”

The statement hit me like a slap. What does he mean by that?

“I saved your family from loan sharks ….. basically,” he added.

I couldn't explain the massive mix of emotions I was feeling. Anger, confusion, fear.

“W-what are you saying?” I stuttered.

“Marry me for a year, Lila. A fake engagement. In exchange, I’ll erase every debt you and your family owe.” He stated.

I was speechless, my chest tightened. “You can't be serious.”