Chapter ten

Irene.

The day finished on a good note, so I slept better than usual. I was well rested as I went about my regular morning at work.

When I got to my lunch spot on the rooftop, the blue eyed man was already there. His eyes flickered away when he saw me. He tried to put off the cigarette he held between his fingers.

I looked at the cigarette that was now crushed against the hard surface of the roof. He scratched the back of his neck, the tips of his ears a bit pink. It was kind of cute. I would have smiled if it wasn't for my huge dislike for cigarettes.

It wasn't my business whether he smoked or not. It really wasn't. But...I sighed as I sat facing him, 'You smoke?' I wrote.

He looked at the words

Locked Chapter

Continue to read this book on the APP

Comments (1)

lvillaruel2003

double chapter again I have to pay coin to read the same chapter I hate this

VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Related chapters

• The CEO and me   Chapter eleven

  This is a blessing. For once I will not run all around the place chasing them," she said. As if the twins heard her, they squirmed in my lap then slid down. Even before I could reach for their hands, they grabbed mine and pulled me behind them to a display counter that showcased all sorts of colorful dessert, pies and sandwiches.They put their tiny hands on the glass. Their large green eyes scanned the sweets.They wanted something. A feeling of frustration bubbled up in my chest. I wanted to talk to them, ask them if they wanted anything. Before I could wonder what to do, the twins both pointed to tiny chocolate cheesecakes with cream and strawberry on top.They looked back at me, their mouths moving in child talk that, to them, was perfectly understandable.A worker was already waiting for us. I pointed to the same cake the twins did and held up two fingers.

  Last Updated : 2021-07-06

• The CEO and me   Chapter twelve

  Exactly," mom said, "but Lydia wouldn't lie. If she said they liked her, then they did like her. I think her name was Irene."Irene.6"The greek goddess of peace. How convenient", I said, making my mom smile. We chatted for a while as lunch cooked. Then we served ourselves on the island.2My mom's cooking was to die for. She had never had someone else cook for us when she was around."So tell me, Leo." my mom said as she cut a slice of the roasted beef, "is there something interesting going on? you know, someone you want to introduce...", she trailed off."Mom", I groaned. I knew this discussion was coming sooner or later when she invited me to lunch."What?" she protested, "oh, come on. There's no one? no one at all?"

  Last Updated : 2021-07-06

• The CEO and me   Chapter thirteen

  "Since when do you know sign language?" Lydia asked, looking between Irene and I and fighting back a smile."She taught me some signs." I replied, serving myself."She taught you?" Jayden asked, surprised, "when?""Lunch break", I replied."So that's where you rush to everyday." he shot back with a grin that matched my sister's.5I ignored them and cut into my teak.2"So what does she do?" mom asked looking between Grayson and Irene.Grayson signed then waited as Irene signed back, "she works as a cleaning staff". He said looking at my mom. Irene followed his gaze, watching mom's reaction.Mom smiled nodding in understanding, "must be a tiring job", she said to Irene who shrugged with a small smil

  Last Updated : 2021-07-06

• The CEO and me   Chapter fourteen

  Leo.Leaving my parents to themselves in the study, I went back to the living room. I stopped at the entrance, caught by the sight of a sleeping Irene.Like the study, only the fireplace was lit. Her unblemished skin looked golden under the flames' glow.Slumped on an armchair with Eli, deep asleep on her chest with his head on her shoulder, was Irene. Her arms held him tightly, and her unblemished skin looked almost golden under the dancing glow of the flames.The others spoke in hushed whispers around them. Lydia broke from her conversation with Jackson and Elizabeth."I think it's time to get her home", she whispered when she reached me."Mhm." I said, my eyes not

  Last Updated : 2021-07-06

• The CEO and me   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

  Last Updated : 2021-07-06

• The CEO and me   Chapter sixteen

  IreneThe lights were on in Jim's room. I knocked on his door. No one answered. He probably had his headphones blaring music into his poor ears. He didn't know the gift he was abusing.1I tried the doorknob. It was locked. With a deep sigh, I stepped into my room and closed the door behind me. The bed waited for me as usual, neat and small and bumpy, but my own.The first thing I did after taking a shower was check the envelope Julianna had given me. I almost choked.I stared blankly at the wad of cash, then pulled it out and counted it. I did the math in my head. This was worth two weekends. There were four weekends in a month, at least.This was definitely more than I e

  Last Updated : 2021-07-06

• The CEO and me   Chapter seventeen

  Leo."Stop!"My hands froze on her waist. I blinked down at her, holding my breath.She just... spoke.I had managed to stop myself from reacting when she laughed out loud, knowing that she was probably self conscious about it. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I had seen her laugh, but it was the first time I had everheardher laugh.Squirming and giggling while she tried to dodge my hands, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.But when she spoke, I couldn't control my reaction. Her voice was a little raspy, most likely from lack of use. But it was soft and silvery under the hoarseness. I wanted to hear more of it.Her eyes met m

  Last Updated : 2021-07-07

• The CEO and me   Chapter eighteen

  Leo.Irene and I left. Grayson stayed back with Lydia in her shop. I drove Irene back to her apartment. My mind was still trying to make sense of Vincent's reaction. I liked Vincent. He had a good head on his shoulders, was always more mature than people his age. But I didn't like the way he stared at Irene. There was something off...Irene looked like she wanted to say, or rather write, something. She was restless during the entire ride. I guessed she wanted to bring up what happened that morning. But we reached her place without mention of it.'Thank you', Irene signed when I parked next to the apartment building."You're welcome", I replied then stepped out of the car the same time she did. I took the bags from the ba

  Last Updated : 2021-07-07

Latest chapter

• 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