3. A recipe for disaster

Alexa's POV

I sat down opposite him, stunned from his sudden change of mood. He didn't even wait for me to settle down properly on the chair opposite his before launching into a rundown of the business. It was all facts and figures, a fast-paced gush of information. He insisted that I had been so soft with my way of running the business, and that was why I failed.

"So, you see, your father was right. The company's bottom line has been slipping. It's clear you haven't been taking care of the right areas," he said, his voice a low growl.

My dad had been on my case about it for months. I knew the numbers were off, but I had been focused on building up into new markets, on creating a vision for the company's future.  My dad had always been worried about the bottom line, and now Don Antonio was singing the same tune.

"I know the numbers aren't where they should be, but we've been making progress. The new markets have huge potential. We just need to give it time," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. 

"Time is money, Alexa," he snapped, leaning forward, his gorgeous gray eyes narrowed. "We don't have time to wait. We need results, and we need them now."

"I understand, but you have to give me a chance to explain," I insisted. "I have a plan. I know how to turn things around. I just need the resources..." 

"Resources?" he scoffed. "What resources? You're already getting all the resources you need.  Look, I know you're trying to impress your father, but you're not ready for this kind of responsibility. I've seen how you've been managing the company, and it's not good. You're not cut out for this." 

I felt my temper rising. "That's not fair! I'm trying my best. I'm learning, and I'm not giving up. You just need to tell Dad to give me a chance!"

"But he had already given you a chance for all these years," he countered, his voice cold. "And I'm not sure you're even trying. You're not even taking this seriously."

"And I don't think I can take this anymore," I stood up and stormed out of the office, ignoring his call out for me to come back. 

The drive home was a blur. I just kept my eyes on the road, letting the anger and hurt bubble inside me. How could dad do this to me? Taking the CEO position away from me was the worst thing he could have done. He knew it was one of the few things that mattered most to me. 

As if him taking away the position from me, he brought my godfather to come mentor me. How will I cope with working with the man I'd secretly been in love with for years? It is practically a recipe for disaster.

I had always felt a spark between us. Our gazes would linger a little too long, our conversations would drift into intimate areas. But I never dared to act on those feelings. He was a powerful man, and my dad's best friend. What kind of daughter would I be if I dated my father's friend?

 

Now, I had to face him every day, forced to work side by side with the man who held my heart in his hands. How could I even pretend to be professional? How could I hide my feelings? The thought of it made me sick.

The worst part was, I had been suspecting that he felt the same way for months. I had seen the way he looked at me, the tenderness in his eyes, the way he held my hand a little longer than necessary. He never said anything, of course, but my gut told me it was there.

I only confirmed it today. What he said about having little dirty thoughts about me flashed in my mind. He had lost himself for a few moments, hence the confession. And him flipping out the very next second only means he was trying to hide his true feelings. 

I slumped onto the couch immediately I got home. I was too tired with everything that happened today, so I laid there, still thinking. 

"Alexa, are you okay?" My mom's voice startled me. I looked up, blinking away the tears that had clouded my eyes. 

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, just tired," I said. But I knew I was lying. I wasn't fine. I was shattered.

My mom knew I was lying about being okay too. She gave birth to me so she could see through me.

"You're not fine, Alexa. Don't try to lie to your own mother." She had a way of saying my name that always felt like a reprimand.

"I'm fine," I repeated, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice cracked.

"Spit it out, honey. What's going on?"

I finally confessed to her about getting fired as the CEO, but I didn't let her know that Elsie took over my position. That might trigger her anxiety attacks. 

"Your father fired you? But why?" She sounded more bewildered than angry. 

"He said my decisions was making the company lose millions," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks burn with shame. 

She sighed, the lines around her eyes deepening. "Alexa, you're a brilliant woman. You know how to run that company. You're the only one who can handle it."

"I know," I said, my voice tight. "But...it's not going to happen again. Not now that he has taken it away from me."

"Then resign," she said. "Walk away. Let them have it."

"I can't," I said. "You invested so much in that company, Mom. I can't let that woman dad married and her silly daughter have it. Plus let's not forget that we need the money. For your medications and therapy."

"Don't use them and me as an excuse, Alexa," she said, her voice hardening. "I know you want this company. You've always wanted to take it over from your father."

I watched her leave the living room in anger, knowing she was right. My biggest dream was to become the sole owner of the Bavarish. But my mom also knew that I had every right to fight for that ownership.