26

Irene

'Feel free to look around, I'll just send something quickly from my office.'

4

I nodded, and Leo rushed down a hallway, disappearing into a door while I tried to keep my jaw from meeting the ground. When he had said he lived in an apartment, I wasn't expecting a huge two story penthouse in one of the highest buildings in the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But then again, for a person who was worth millions, living in a place like this did make sense. And I really shouldn't have been surprised since his parents literally liv

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• The CEO and me   Ep 25

  Irene. The next morning, my mood plummeted to the ground. It was as if life had decided that I wasn't worthy of being happy for an extended period of time. I woke up early to make breakfast for Jim since he had school. When he didn't wake up by the time he had to, I knocked on his door. When he didn't open the door, I walked straight in. The curtains were drawn, basking his small room in different shades of gray. I drew back the curtains then turned to his sleeping form on the bed. His comforter was pulled all the way up, covering his head. "Jim, you're gonna be late. Wake up."

• The CEO and me   Ep27

  Irene. The next morning, my mood plummeted to the ground. It was as if life had decided that I wasn't worthy of being happy for an extended period of time. I woke up early to make breakfast for Jim since he had school. When he didn't wake up by the time he had to, I knocked on his door. When he didn't open the door, I walked straight in. The curtains were drawn, basking his small room in different shades of gray. I drew back the curtains then turned to his sleeping form on the bed. His comforter was pulled all the way up, covering his head. "Jim, you're gonna be late. W

• The CEO and me   Ep28

  Irene'Feel free to look around, I'll just send something quickly from my office.'4I nodded, and Leo rushed down a hallway, disappearing into a door while I tried to keep my jaw from meeting the ground. When he had said he lived in an apartment, I wasn't expecting a huge two story penthouse in one of the highest buildings in the city.But then again, for a person who was worth millions, living in a place like this did make sense. And I really shouldn't have been surprised since his parents literally live in a mansion.So, taking his invitation, I let my eyes slowly take in everything, from the ridiculously high ceilings, the polished marble f

• The CEO and me   Ep29

  LeoThe private jet landed after an agonizing eight hours flight. The weather in London was colder than back home. The gray sky greeted us from the moment we landed."What's the schedule, Brandon?" I asked my assistant as we walked inside a special section of the airport."A meeting with the board here in London at two thirty. Then a tour in the new resort at five o'clock. You're free after that for the rest of the day until the Foxwell's anniversary event at eight PM.""Good," I said nodding in thanks to the man who opened the car door and stepped inside, "let's go grab lunch first.""I made a reservation for three in the hotel's restaurant," Brandon said, tapping on his tablet as he sat down in

• The CEO and me   Ep30

  LeoIrene cried for what seemed like an eternity. Her cries slowly subsided and her sobs quieted down until only hiccups and low gasps escaped her lips.1I pulled away and looked down at her. What I saw made me wish she would go back to crying her emotions out.Fear, guilt and self-blame filled her eyes. They turned hollow, empty.I framed her face with my hands, brushing away the tears. I knew whatever I said wouldn't matter. At least not now."I'll call the doctor, okay? She needs to look at you."She nodded, then winced when I helped her lay back. I raised the head of the bed, then pushed the nurse call button.A nurse ca

• The CEO and me   Ep31

  Leo"She's still in a sensitive state, so I'm going to ask you to keep your questions to the bare minimum" Dr. Miller said, fixing the two detectives with a hard look.Jayden was inside with Irene while I spoke with the doctor and the detectives outside her door. Jayden's friend, detective Jordan Garcia, nodded in understanding. His dark brown eyes shifted to me in plain curiosity. He seemed like a reasonable person.I had to keep my arms crossed to keep myself from punching the other detective, though. I didn't like him, and I knew to trust my instincts. In his mid twenties, with blond hair slicked back and haughty gray eyes, detective Wilson seemed cocky, especially after the way he turned up his nose at the doctor's order.

• The CEO and me   Ep32

  Leo"Hand over your camera," the bodyguard said, while holding the stranger's arm.The man, who I assumed now was a reporter, looked like a deer caught in headlights. I had just noticed the bag he was holding in his hand, a lens was peeking out of a gap in the side of the bag, pointed right at us.I pushed a confused Irene out as the reporter stuttered excuses while trying to pull his arm out of the bodyguard's grasp. I looked at the bodyguard."I'll take care of it," the bodyguard nodded, "you can go ahead.""Alright, thank you.""Wait," the senseless reporter called, attracting unwanted attention from the nurses and other patients lingering in the hallways, "Mr. Brownings

• The CEO and me   E33

  Irene.The funeral went by in a haze of tears and choked back sobs.In the few days after getting discharged from the hospital, Sophia had helped me make the necessary arrangements for the funeral.Jim was buried in my old town, in the same cemetery as my parents. The Brownings and the Allens were all there, along with the only relative I had left; my aunt and her husband.15I thought I saw Nathaniel and Vincent Braxton, too, but I was too exhausted and overwhelmed to question why they were there.4The only thing that kept me grounded when Jim was lowered to the ground was Leo's hand clutched in mine. I was sure h

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• The CEO and me   E44

  Fine, fine!" he rubbed his face, "whatever you want, just... don't do it." "Don't get involved in my life, and I will not get involved in yours." **** **** After Matt was dealt with, I felt much lighter. The next day was a Saturday. I woke up first, like usual. On most days, Irene slept in. She had admitted to me that for years, she could rarely afford to sleep in the mornings with the kind of work that she did. Now that she could work on her own time, she took full advantage of it. Thoughsleeping inwas a relative term. She would never stay in bed past eight thirty. I would make breakfast, and we'd have it together before joining our family in the tennis club. 2

• The CEO and me   E43

  I see." I stepped closer until I could whisper in his ear, "I don't give a fuck about your excuses, Matt. We both know what's really happening here. But I'm not dealing with you tonight."I pushed past him towards Irene. I would deal with Matt properly, and by the time I was done with him, he would come begging for mercy.1Irene smiled and rose when I reached her. The interpreter looked more than relieved to be spared signing the two women's words. What kind of crap had they been spouting?The two women looked at me with wide eyes. They scrambled to their feet."Oh, Leo! I didn't know you were coming?" one of them said, her name was Elizabeth or Isabella or something like that.I gave her a look and wrapped Irene in a short hug. She might look calm and unaffected, but I knew her enough to read the anger in her face and body. She wa

• The CEO and me   E42

  Leo"So, what do you think?" Lydia asked me as soon as I picked up my phone."About what?" I replied, motioning for Brandon to take the documents I just signed. He nodded and left the office, closing the door behind him. I turned my chair to look through the ground to ceiling glass behind my desk. The city below was busy.4"Ugh! I sent you a video of the venue five minutes ago!" Lydia said.I closed my eyes. "Lydia. You know neither Irene nor I care about the venue. We just want to get married.""You are going to be the death of me! I can't wait for Irene to come back!" she screamed and hung up.I sighed and checked the message she'd sent me. It was a video of yet another wedding venue. This one was outdoors, in what looked like a lush garden. Irene would like it.Except that, unlike

• The CEO and me   E41

  Nathaniel held on for about a year, respecting Irene's mother's wishes to leave them alone. But then he started looking for them again. It was about the time his company faced difficulties. So Eve made him the offer to pull his company off the ground if he would drop all efforts of looking for his daughter. Nathaniel did. And that was why I would never get along with him. He had chosen his company over his child. I didn't care about his excuses. Nothing in the world would keep me from my child. 3 The man hadn't even had the guts to tell Irene the whole truth back when she asked why he didn't look for her. Nathaniel was a selfish bastard. 1 Sure, he was now present in Irene's life, trying to be a father to a daughter who'd been through more than he could imagine. I didn't care

• The CEO and me   E40

  LeoWe were having dinner in mom's house. Everyone was in attendance. The Allens, Julianna, her husband Ethan, and the twins, Nathaniel and Vincent.The living room was buzzing with activity. Irene was sitting with the twins on a couch, engrossed in what seemed like a senseless conversation with the two toddlers. She was so good with them, it was no wonder Julianna worshipped the ground Irene walked on. Well, pretty much everyone did, really, not just Julianna.1Jayden, Grayson and I were standing by the french doors of the living room leading out to the garden. The weather was nice enough to keep them open."So, I heard Megan stopped by the exhibit," Jayden said. I made a face. Irene must have t

• The CEO and me   Ep 39

  IreneIt was only minutes later that Nathaniel Braxton called Leo.'It's Nathaniel,' Leo signed, after checking his phone. I fisted my necklace. 'He'll probably want to see you.'I didn't know whether I wanted to see him now or not. But I had decided I would get my life together, and the first step in doing that would be to face my past.I took a deep breath and nodded, "yes, I'll meet him."Leo hesitated for a moment. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back and took the call. I looked away, not wanting to read his lips. I really didn't want to meet Nathaniel right now. There were so many questions that onlyhecould answer, and asking those questions meant digging de

• The CEO and me   E38

  I had lunch with Julianna, then headed to the library. The coffee shop was only a ten minute walk from the center, so I walked there. It gave me time to think. What did I want to do with my life?The answer came immediately. I loved painting. If I could paint for the rest of my life, I would be the happiest person alive. But I also knew that it wasn't easy to make your name known enough in the art industry in order to make a living out of it. I did want to try, however.Which meant that I had to find a job to support myself, while at the same time working on getting my paintings out there.A job? Most well paying jobs require a college degree. With Julianna's payment for the mural and what Sophia paid me for the painting she commissioned, my bank account was no longer suffering.3When I reached the library, I went online, did some research, then some calc

• The CEO and me   E37

  She grinned and propped her chin on her hand, "you're not going to tell me it's too dangerous."I rolled my eyes with a smile, 'now you're just being mean.'She laughed. The waiter arrived with menus and left. Irene wrinkled her nose at her menu."I have no idea what half these dishes are," she said. There was humor in her eyes. I relaxed.'What are you in the mood for?' I signed.She pondered over it for a moment, "I'm craving seafood."I scanned the menu, then signed, 'trust me?'She pretended to think about it with a deep sigh, "Maybe. But youarea good cook, so I'll just have to take my chances.""Alright, smarty pants," I said with a smile. Her sense of humor had gotten more... unrestricted recently. But only with me, and I loved it.Food arrived.

• The CEO and me   E36

  Leo's eyes landed on Mrs. Braxton, he stopped beside me. I was now surrounded by three giant, over protective and angry men. I felt sorry for the hotel staff.8Two guards took a few steps back and stood behind the young employee. The poor guy spoke with a bobbing throat to Jayden, while Mrs. Braxton stood her ground. Her stubborn chin raised, but her features had gone from contemptuous to cordial when Leo and Jayden joined us.The only time I had seen Leo this mad was at Lydia's birthday party, when he punched that man, Matt. And just when I thought things had gotten blown way out of proportions, life proved me wrong. Nathaniel Braxton and his son, Vincent, walked up to us with matching frowns.Of course! Join the party! This is the most dramatic bathroom trip ever...I should've just held it in!47I fumbled with the lotus at my n