Hating the CEO

Chapter 2: Leverage

Lila's POV

I stared blankly at him. I was utterly speechless, unable to breathe properly. He must be kidding. This must be a joke.

“I'm dead serious,” his cold eyes never left mine.

My blood boiled, my temper rose up.

“You can't just walk back into my life and dictate it.” I spat.

My hands trembled but I quickly controlled it. I can't break off my armor in his presence. I can't imagine myself giving into his stupid deal. After everything he and his family has done.

“Who are you to say that?” the question snapped out of me.

He remained calm, indifferent, and unreadable.

“Do you have any idea of what you're saying? Do you?” He gave no response, no reaction, no expression. It pissed me off.

“No,” I exhaled, “I would not be partaking in that stupid deal of yours”

“You are not gonna control me, Xaden. I would never let you. Aren't you sick and tired of manipulating people? You wanna blackmail me? You wanna ruin my life entirely? Is this some kinda power play?” I blurted.

“Your family destroyed mine. Why would I ever tie myself to you?”

He listened silently with a tightened jaw but didn't interrupt.

“Disgusting,” I spat.

His eyes scanned me, slowly, waiting for me to be quiet. When he saw that I spoke no more, he sighed.

“Lila, if I may remind you about your mother's overdue medical bills, your father's remaining legal fees, umm, what else? Loan sharks circling due to your father's debt, then your bank accounts getting frozen in two weeks if payments aren't made,” the words came out like a blow to my head.

“You wouldn’t be standing here if I hadn’t stepped in.” he dropped.

My chest tightened.

“You owe me. Every dollar.” His words were like bullets.

I stiffened. I felt so angry at myself, at him, at everything. My heart ached for my mother. I was terrified for her.

“Listen, a partnership deal requires CEOs to present “stable family credibility.” I need that partnership.” he explained.

“Therefore, I need a fiancée, fast, and you fit the role because, we have history, you're not a social climber, you won't leak secrets, the board would trust your image.” He went on.

I shook my head in disbelief. This was absurd. So ridiculous.

“It's a give and take,” he added.

He got up from his chair, making me flinch a bit. I stood there, with glaring eyes. He walked over to me slowly. He stopped right in front me, his height covering mine totally. My legs took a step back instinctively.

His eyes watched my face closely. It felt like he was reading my mind or staring into my soul. His closeness made my knee weak.

My heart raced. Seeing him this close made my stomach turn. Old memories rushed through my head, he was the boy I very much loved and cared for when we were kids.

I stared into his grey eyes. Those unreadable eyes. I felt emotional. So emotional but I held myself. I was never gonna let him see me breakdown.

He stepped closer and I felt my breath seize. I couldn't deny the effect he had on me and I disliked it.

His eyes observed my face, quietly, slowly. I inhaled deeply, trying to get some air.

"Xaden," I whispered.

“I'm not forcing you, Lila. I'm offering you a way out.” His voice was soft yet deadly.

I could smell his unavoidably intoxicating scent. A scent that I hated missing. His gaze locked on me. I had this unwanted attraction towards him but I refused to admit.

We stared at each other and for a second I saw his expression soften but they were gone in an instant.

I shook my head. I won't give in to his manipulation. He wants to play savior now?

"I'll find another way," I stated.

I wasn't exactly sure but he looked taken back or hurt.

"I won't be indebted to you." I walked away from him, storming toward the door.

He won't succeed in his blackmail. I wasn't falling for it.

"Your mother's next hospital installment is due in three days." I froze. My heart skipped a beat.

How does he know? I was shaken. He was right.

"I'll repeat myself," he muttered and I turned back to face him.

"A year of fake engagement, you move into my penthouse, attend my events, act the part of my fiancée, be my fiancée in public and for the media, no real marriage unless you want it, no intimacy unless you want it and in return, all your debts cleared, you get a guaranteed job, your mother's full medical care, and... a quiet reopening of your father's case" he walked closer to me with the folder in his hand.

Reopening? What?

I stood there. I was caught up in a dilemma. This could help me totally. He was right, he was giving me a way.

Words couldn't describe how much I was pissed off at him. I was so mad about my father's situation. If only his father didn't do what he did years ago, I wouldn't be in this tough situation by now.

Meanwhile, I can't deny how scared I was for my mother. If I don't pay her bills the next few days, she's dead. I can't afford that.

My fingers crawled to a fist. I had the urge to say yes but I couldn't get myself to do so. I'd look miserable and desperate and I didn't want that.

Seeing him again has brought back more pain to my life. He used to be there for me always, he was the one I would cry to whenever I was upset. He was everything I could ask for as a friend but he ruined it.

I was baffled when he seemed almost....hurt when I refused. No, it is all in my head. He wouldn't be hurt. Xaden is a manipulator. He is cunning.

"Think about it, Lila," he said quietly, "but decide soon."

"How soon?" I whispered with furrowed brows.

He took a step closer and locked eyes on me.

"Tonight."

My breath stops.