CHAPTER FIVESelene
I was still reeling from the shock of the bomb dropped on me moments ago. Charles Stones, the CEO I had unknowingly shared a one-night stand with, was the same man who now presided over my work life. It was a bizarre twist of fate, one that made my stomach churn with both apprehension and confusion. As I made my way to my desk, my mind raced back to the night we had spent together. In the dim lighting of the hotel room, his features had been obscured. The shadows and his position had left me with an impression of him that was far from complete.
Now, in the stark fluorescent light of the office, I could see him in full clarity. His piercing grey eyes, which had appeared darker and more inscrutable that night, were strikingly sharp. I couldn't help but notice the sculpted curve of his lips, which, despite their coldness now, had felt so different against mine. The recollection of his firm, muscular frame beneath my hands made it all the more difficult to reconcile the man I had known in the throes of passion with the austere figure before me. The contrast was jarring.
As I sat on a seat in the conference room, lost in these thoughts, I was abruptly pulled back to reality by a clearing of the throat. I looked up to see Charles staring directly at me, his expression as unreadable as ever. He seemed to be waiting for something, and I suddenly realized that I might have missed something crucial in the meeting. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I quickly refocused on the present.
Charles's gaze remained fixed on me, devoid of any hint of recognition. He turned to the person leading the orientation, his voice cutting through the air with a sharp edge. "Do you know how to do your job?" he demanded, his tone dripping with disdain. "Or should I question why you've hired someone who is clearly dimwitted?" His words stung like a slap, and I could feel the tension in the room rise as everyone around us shifted uncomfortably.
The orientation continued, but I found it difficult to concentrate. My mind kept drifting back to the night with Charles, and it was clear I needed to get a handle on the situation quickly. The day ahead promised to be challenging, and I had to be at my best. As part of the orientation, I was assigned to my first official task. Charles seemed determined to make it as difficult as possible, scrutinizing my every move with a critical eye. He challenged my every decision, testing my abilities and patience to their limits.
At every opportunity she could seize, Becca, was more than eager to add salt to the injury. Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of pity and malice as she watched me struggle. "Welcome to the real world," she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear. "If you think this job is going to be easy, you've got another thing coming. You think you can just waltz in here and dominate my territory?" She said scoffing. Her words only heightened my anxiety, and I couldn't help but feel that her role in making my adjustment more difficult was deliberate.
During the brief moments I had to myself, I picked up my phone and dialed Maya. I needed to share my predicament with someone who understood. "Maya," I began, my voice trembling slightly, "you won't believe this. The guy I spent the night with is my boss. Charles Stones. I can't reconcile the man I knew in that hotel room with the demanding CEO who's been making my life miserable."
Maya's response was a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Are you kidding me? That's some serious drama. How are you dealing with it?" she asked, her concern evident despite the humor in her tone.
"I'm trying to keep it together," I replied, "but it's hard. He's been making me run errands and fetch his coffee every morning. I feel like I'm stuck in a constant state of humiliation."
For the next two days, my mornings started with a trip to the coffee shop to get Charles's preferred blend. It became an unspoken ritual, and I dreaded it. Each morning, I had to ensure that his coffee was perfect, or risk his ire. The routine was a stark reminder of the power imbalance in our relationship, and it made me feel increasingly isolated.
To add to my discomfort, my desk was positioned in a way that placed me directly in the line of sight of Charles's office. The glass walls of his office could be darkened or illuminated at his whim. Whenever he chose to lower the shades, it felt like a moment of respite. But when the blinds were up, I was acutely aware of his gaze, even if it was an illusion. I could almost sense his eyes on me, scrutinizing my every move, waiting to catch my flaws.
The days passed in a blur of tension and effort. I struggled to balance the demands of my job with the lingering discomfort of my past encounter with Charles. The experience was a constant reminder of how complex and unpredictable life could be. My interactions with him were formal, and any attempt at personal connection seemed to be brushed aside with clinical efficiency.
Despite the turmoil, I focused on my work, determined not to let my personal life interfere with my professional responsibilities. Each task was a challenge, each day a test of my resolve. I was learning to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining professionalism and dealing with the emotional baggage of my past. I knew Becca's animosity might come from a place of entitlement. I think she feels entitled to the title of being the CEO's secretary and doesn't want to lose that title. What I can't wrap my head around is the fact that Charles animosity seems to come from somewhere deeper within him.
As the week progressed, I continued to find ways to manage my tasks and handle the demands of my role. Charles's presence loomed large over my work life, but I was determined not to let it deter me from proving my worth. The challenges were numerous, but I faced them head-on, driven by the knowledge that my success in this role was crucial for my future.
In the end, it was not just about surviving the demands of my job but about finding a way to thrive in an environment that seemed determined to keep me on edge. My interactions with Charles remained formal, and the divide between our past and present was a constant reminder of how complicated life could be. Yet, I pressed on, fueled by the hope that, despite the obstacles, I could find a way to succeed and make a name for myself in this new chapter of my life.