After taking a quick shower, I raced out of the washroom and grabbed my undergarments. I was too excited to sleep last night and found myself weirdly talking to the moon about how finally I was about to take charge of my life starting with my position instatement.
''Mrs. CEO, Mrs. CEO'' the thought of it alone made me giggle as what I had been preparing for all my life came alive yesterday. Not like I had a choice with my profession but at least all those years of training didn't go to waste.
I put on my office clothes and grabbed my heels from the chair I placed them on. Rushing to the mirror, I struggled to put them on and once the battle was over, I stood tall in the mirror staring at myself.
''Oh the necklace'' I mumbled and walked towards the jewelry box. Staring at my mom's ring safely placed at the corner of the box, I smiled sadly and ran my hands down the diamonds. My eyes then travelled to the ring on my finger and my smile faltered.
''What do I do, mom? I don't know if I truly like him or not....and he has Rachel....I'm just so lost mom. I could really use your help with all this'' I whispered and sighed audibly.
Even after receiving such a huge task from Anthony I could hardly think straight as I tried to detangle the tangled cords called my feelings.
I then decided to take Carl's advice to go with the flow. Spending hours contemplating on it wouldn't solve anything.
It'd be best if I just focused on what laid ahead of me. The Collaboration Project.
Chase wasn't someone I could trust but the fate of this project rested on how much I tolerate his crap. He was lying about the whole murder thing, he had to be lying.
There was no way that same man I almost kissed yesterday would be capable of hurting anyone, intentionally that is.
Closing the jewelry box, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room. In stretched tiredly as the chilly air from the windows hit my face. ''Today's going to be a great day'' I affirmed and began to make my way towards the stairs.
Walking down the staircase, I spotted Antho2ny downstairs heading towards the kitchen. My face beamed with joy all of a sudden and I raced to go join him, my heels making loud clanking sounds on the stairs.
His coffee was already brewed and on the counter was my cereal bowl, spoon, milk and of course the cereal itself. He had set everything up for me and he stood by the coffee machine pouring himself a cup of coffee.
The smell of lavender and cologne filled the kitchen and I couldn't help but label it as my new addiction.
''Good morning Anthony'' I chirped happily and took a seat behind the kitchen island. He turned to me and nodded, but that was when I noticed his dark eyebags had appeared once again. He looked terrible as though he didn't have a wink of sleep last night.
Was this Rachel's doing?
She had been away for a bit but then popped back in the house last night, shooting glares at me and trying desperately to flirt with Anthony. I really tried to forget her existence, I really did but the snob just had to pop in.
''Hello Melissa, hope you rested well'' He asked me and forced a smile on his exhausted face.
''I did but you clearly did not. What happened?'' I asked him as I poured cereal into the bowl.
''Just a harmless nightmare, nothing to worry about'' he muttered and I could tell he was lying.
''Oh is that so? I find it hard to believe that a nightmare could cause so much damage. You look like a zombie'' I told him with a forced laugh and it took a while before he realized that was my desperate attempt to make him smile.
''So....someone's excited'' He muttered and leaned on the cabinet. He swiveled his coffee and then without hesitating took a rather long sip
I smiled,nodded and touched the necklace that hung around my neck.
''Well all my life I have been waiting to prove myself to my father and the rest of the world as well. To all those who doubted that a woman can handle the affairs of ROSS PIN LMT''I began to tell him.
''When my brother, the original heir of the company died in that accident the patriarchy that ruled the business world looked down on my father for his decision of making me the next heir.'' I added the milk to the cereal in the bowl and mixed it.
''So my father had to make sure I was spotless, flawless....and yet they still refused to accept the company. At the verge of bankruptcy, I could barely hold on, that was when you came in.'' I added and smiled towards him.
''The company suddenly got back to its feet just because you are in charge now. All my years of hard work seemed to be nothing but just a waste......but its alright, I just pity myself for not running away and joining the circus or something, at least I would have been useful''
''Okay that's the last straw'' He chuckled and placed his empty cup on the counter.
I stared at him as though he had suddenly grown two heads.
He then walked towards me and took a seat right beside me.
'' Do you actually think the circus needs a brilliant CEO? Which act are you going to perform, scheduling meetings and signing million dollar deals? Come on, Melissa. A la mierda todos ellos, todos y cada uno de ellos!'' He uttered and all I could do was pay rapt attention to each word.
Even the ones I couldn't comprehend.
''But_"
" I do not want to hear another word. And fuck that thought of pining your company's success on me, you worked hard to keep your company standing. Give yourself some credit, Melissa. All I did was support, but the success is all on you. And those men who looked down on you, where are they now?'' He looked me straight in my eyes and I couldn't dare look away.
'' You're the fucking CEO of the biggest company in all of Sandburry. Where. Are. They. Now? Watching you rise, that's where. And its time for you to show them that you're just starting.'' He placed his hand on mine and smiled softly.
''I....thank you....thank you so much. Part of your speech got a bit cringy but I really appreciate it'' I murmured and he patted my head gently.
''Sure thing, kid'' He added and that snapped me out of whatever grateful feeling I was experiencing towards him.
''I'm only four years younger than you!" I snapped and he laughed then got up from his seat.
''That's still a whole lot''
''Its not that much, I'm a wife for crying out loud not some kid!'' I grunted and stuffed in a spoonful of cereal.
''My wife'' He suddenly said and I gave him a confused look, my mouth stuffed like a squirrel.
''You said 'a wife' but Bambi, you're my wife''
I stopped chewing all of a sudden and stared at him, not wanting to admit to myself how those few words were enough to make my heart flutter.
''Back to Bambi, huh?" I managed to ask and he supported his head with his palm and stared at me intensely.
''Am I still prohibited from calling you so, carino?''
''You can call me that if you want to so desperately'' I replied and quickly looked away from him to prevent him from seeing my cheeks redden, my ears stupidly gave it away though as I heard him softly give a throaty chuckle.
''You're pouting'' He whispered and I scoffed at him.
''The meeting with Mr. McBridge is tomorrow, right?" I tried desperately to change the topic. He nodded and rose from his seat, he checked the time on his watch and I knew that was my cue to speed up.
''I'm done!" I exclaimed and placed the bowl in the sink. He smiled and then gestured me out of the kitchen.
The ride to the office was silent but there was no awkwardness lingering in the air. I usually enjoyed our morning rides. We hardly discussed anything serious, just two regular people alone in a car, trying their best to forgo whatever confusing feeling they are developing for one another.
Nothing weird about that, right?
''Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez'' rang through the office upon our arrival.
Unlike the scowls and glares I usually receive, this time there were actual smiles and looks of joy. I finally felt welcomed within those walls and not like some leech or parasite.
Although the whole meeting with Chase did shake the everyone's foundation, its success only leveled my respect in their eyes.
''Watch your step'' I heard Anthony murmur as we stepped into the elevator and I whispered a word of appreciation back at him.
As the doors closed, I pursed my lips and stood erect, trying my best to ignore the fact he was so close to me and we were the only ones in there.
My bold action from that night played in my head once again and suddenly the temperature in the box began to rise abruptly. I was fine during breakfast and in the car, so why now?!
Okay well the talk we had and the whole CEO excitement must have taken over then, but now the nervous wreck I am was back and was not ready to leave anytime soon.
''Are you alright, Bambi?" He asked me and I felt a slight panic rise.
''Oh yeah fine, yeah absolutely fine! Undisturbed, perfectly okay in my usual calm aura!" I sheepishly rambled and he gave me a confused look.
Was his hair always that attractively black? Was his jawline always that sharp and appealing to stare at? And what the heck were these weird thoughts?! And were his shoes always that shiny?
Stuffing his hands in his pocket, a smirk played on his lips and he bent a bit to get a closer look at my face. As he inched closer I retreated till there was no more space behind me to retreat. His icy blue eyes stared right into mine and I felt like I'd freeze on the spot.
''Isn't it too early to have such thoughts, Bambi?" He asked me all of a sudden and my breath hitched.
''Which thoughts?! No thoughts at all! I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about! Would you look at that, red blinky lights, we're on our floor! I'll see you for lunch, bye!" I rambled and bolted out of the doors once they opened.
''Are you inviting me for lunch, Mrs. Ramirez?'' I heard him ask me and I froze on the spot after realizing what I just blurted.
I usually had lunch alone since Carl wasn't around but now he was back I didn't really need to worry about having no one to bore me with useless gossip and spew spit in my food whilst at it.
Yes, that's how annoying Carl is. But do I still love and care for that big baby? Absolutely.
He could qualify as a big brother, annoying enough not to share a Opeo cookie with but would I give him a kidney if needed? The answer is a yes without a hesitation.
I could feel his eyes on me as I hurriedly sped away and all I wanted to do was shrink and hide from his extreme stare.
''I'll take that as a yes,'' He said and I quickened my steps.
He was probably satisfied due to how I reacted. Darn feelings.
''Ugh'' I grunted as I twisted the key in the lock and opened the door.
Biting the insides of my mouth, I took a seat behind my desk and began to set up my working space. Kicking my heels off, I stretched out my toes and finally managed to calm myself down.
''So much for going with the damn flow, I'm overexaggerating again.'' I mumbled.
My eyes fell on the window and stared promisingly at the rising sun, resting my head on my hand, I smiled softly and took in some sort of motivation to go on with my day.
''You know what? I've spent all my life worried about crap and what good did that do? I'm going to allow myself to feel, and then grow.'' I whispered to myself the turned to my ring.
A knock erupted my thoughts and Carl walked in. He gave me a weird look as he noticed as I was smiling questionably at my ring.
''Okay, I'll go phone the asylum'' He exclaimed and I chuckled.
''Hello Carl'' I muttered as gestured for him to get closer.
''What was that? You scared me!"
''Right, right, right. So.....''
''Mmhmm?" He motioned me with his hands for me to go on and I supported my head with both hands.
''I thought it over and well... if possible, I would like to give my marriage a shot'' I announced softly and he looked taken aback for a second.
''Well, I get it that he's hot and all that but I thought you liked that other one. You know the one you wasted my coffee over'' He stared at me judgingly and pursed his lips into a thin line.
''Oh yeah Nicholas....thinking of it... we probably would have worked out if I didn't get tied into this marriage. But I can't deny that I kind of feel attracted to Anthony, you know? Despite that whole weird sexual attraction that was between us, I can't help but think of exploring it. So far I've seen different sides of him, and it always hasn't been great but things are starting to look up.''
''What about his mistress?"
''Honestly, I don't get why he's with her. Its kind of obvious that he's forcing himself to stay in that relationship and its taking a toil on him one way or another.'' I told Carl and he shrugged.
''Maybe he's falling out of love with her and falling in love with you? Or!....Maybe she knows something drastic about him so he's keeping her close? I mean we both know the business world isn't as clean as it looks, you've experienced the rough side of it first hand. What if something shady is going on under the covers?" He suggested and I took a deep thought at what he said.
My thoughts then traveled to what Chase said about the Ramirez family line and then everything Carl said seemed to make sense.
''Do you think I should confront him about the whole situation?" I asked Carl and he folded his arms, rubbing his non existent beard as though he was extremely lost in thought.
''Well let's start little by little so the truth doesn't blow up in your face, in case your papi is some serial killer or mafia lord'' He uttered and I gave him a what-the-fuck look.
''Then again, if you want to ask him about where he stands with you and Rachel I think that would be safe enough. But I encourage you to keep your option with Nicholas open. Who knows, Anthony might actually be bad news.'' He added and I groaned loudly then placed my head on the table in defeat,.
''I'm tired of all this'' I whispered audibly and he patted my head softly.
''That's why I choose not to date till I have my own life figured out, darling. Not like you had a choice but...you get me right?''
I nodded and went back to brooding.
''I'm just scared you know, all this....it's like he's hiding something and I'm scared it could be something I can't handle. What if he's a murderer? Taking away life......like how my mom and brother's life were taken away....''
''You stress too much. Look at that face, look at those cute eyes or whatever bullshit attracts you to him. I doubt such a man would kill willingly but yeah, don't judge people by their covers. Just be careful, but don't be afraid to get that di_"
''Would you look at the time?! Time to start working!" I interrupted and rose up from my seat to kick him out. Our morning gossip session was over and it was high time I started work.
*
''So how did you find this place again?" Anthony asked me and I chuckled and took a sip of the glass of water. Placing it back on the table, I gave him a smile and then waved at the owner of the burger shop I had discovered some weeks back.
Anthony smiled impressively and stared at the huge meat burger on his plate. ''I honestly don't think I'll be able to finish this'' He muttered with a laugh and I sucked on my chocolate milkshake with the straw.
''Wanna bet on that? First to finish gets to decide on the a location this evening'' I smirked poked my hamburger that looked as huge as his.
''Why this evening? We could go right after eating'' He smiled mischievously and I chuckled.
''Running away from work? Someone's being a bad boy''
'' I do not think it's considered running away if you own the damn place'' With a smirk he placed his black card on the table and gave me a coy look.
'' Whoever wins, gets to choose the location and..... is in charge of the money.''
''You sure you want to raise the stakes that high, Mr. Ramirez?"
''Oh I am perfectly sure, querida''
*
''You're an animal!" He exclaimed as soon as we got into the car and I mistakenly let out a burp I tried so hard to contain.
There was a moment of silence right before laughter erupted and I couldn't help but wipe a tear from my eyes.
''I'll give you some credit, you almost won. Almost and that alone is impressive.'' I said with a smug look and rested my head, my tummy hurting but my thoughts on the victory I had just attained.
''Ha-ha, yeah mock me while you can. So, where do we go next?" He aske and my face lit up.
''I know just the place. Step on it, perdedor!'' I exclaimed.
''Of all the Spanish words to learn.....''
Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing great. Thank you all for being so patient. Updates will be a bit more frequent. Thank you for reading, have a nice day.