The Submissive CEO

Chapter 1: Sapphire Eyes

Alex

August 2023

The alarm pierced the morning quiet, dragging me out of sleep. I squinted at the glowing numbers: 4:30 a.m. Right on time. I stretched, feeling the familiar ache in my muscles, and glanced out the window at the still-dark sky. *Another day.*

After making my bed with precise folds, I headed to the kitchen. I could almost make coffee in my sleep by now—the hum of the machine, the smell filling the air, the warmth spreading through my hands. It was my own ritual, grounding me before the day took hold.

By the time I stepped outside for my jog, the streets were still empty, hushed and cool. The park was just waking up, a few scattered streetlights casting faint halos on the path. I spotted Grandma Maria and Grandpa Marcial, the familiar couple I often saw during my runs.

"Good morning, handsome!" Grandma Maria greeted with a cheerful wave.

"Morning to you both," I replied, smiling as I passed them.

"Oh my, why do you still jog here?!" Grandpa Marcial grumbled, his usual scowl in place.

I bit back a chuckle. They bickered almost every day, yet there was a warmth in their words. Watching them always made me wonder—could I ever have something like that? Something enduring, steady?

Grandma Maria gave him a light slap on the arm, grinning. "You're just jealous. Alex, dear, when will you bring a wife to meet us?"

The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. Thankfully, Grandpa Marcial nudged her with a laugh. "Leave him be, honey. He's still young."

"Hmm, young or not, love doesn't wait," she replied, eyes twinkling. I managed a faint smile, a strange heaviness settling in my chest.

"Well, take care, Alex. We'll see you around," Grandpa Marcial said, giving me a brisk nod as I jogged ahead. Their voices faded behind me, but the question lingered, as it always did.

As I neared the condo, a voice called out beside me.

"Hi, Alex!" Bonnie matched my stride, her energy as bright and bold as her smile.

"Hello, Bonnie," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. My gaze stayed forward. I'd learned that looking too long in her direction meant catching glimpses I'd rather avoid—like the way her sports bra barely held in place as she jogged.

"You always wake up so early! Didn't I say we should jog together?" Her voice had that slightly breathy pitch that sounded like it was reaching for something beyond casual friendliness.

We reached the building lobby, where I nodded at the guard. Please, let someone else be in the elevator. The thought of standing alone with her was enough to make me shift uneasily on my feet.

But then, I felt her arm slip around mine, her chest pressed lightly against me. I froze, trying to think of an excuse, my pulse speeding up—not from attraction, but pure discomfort.

"Alex, why are you ignoring me?" she asked, pouting, her voice coaxing, insistent.

A throat cleared beside us, and I looked over to see a young woman holding a delivery bag, her face mostly hidden by a baseball cap. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you two getting in, or should I go ahead?"

The distraction was all I needed. I eased my arm out of Bonnie's, stepping into the elevator and leaving enough room between us for the delivery girl. She moved between us, the bags she carried forming a solid wall. Relief settled over me like a wave.

As we reached Bonnie's floor, she shot a pointed look past the delivery girl. "Bye, Alex. Call me, okay?" Then, with a dramatic glare in the delivery girl's direction, she muttered, "B*tch!" before stepping out.