Chapter fifteen

Irene.

We were going to pick up Jim from his friend's place before dinner. Then we planned to go to our favourite pizza place, like we did every Friday ever since I could remember.

These last couple of years had been tough, though. The company in which my dad had been working for over fifteen years had gone bankrupt. Right now, he was doing odd jobs.

He took to alcohol after losing his post. Being drunk half the time didn't help in looking for a proper job. My mom used to be a stay at home wife and mother, and she wasn't used to working. But after despairing of dad's state, she took on a part time job. It didn't help. These days, we were always tight on budget.

They had tried to keep it from me and Jim, but I knew. It wa

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• The CEO and me   Chapter nineteen

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• The CEO and me   Chapter twenty

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• The CEO and me   E44

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• 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

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• The CEO and me   E41

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• The CEO and me   E38

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• 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