Mr CEO - Daniel Ricciardo

Eight

Claudelle's POV

"I'm just going to check on Ollie and Robin." I say quickly, leaving the table as soon as Daniel arrived back.

Before they could even speak back, I had flown from the table, quickly locating the private smoking area, where I knew they'd both be.

I stepped onto the terrace, the cool night air hitting my face as the heavy scent of cigarette smoke filled the space.

Ollie and Robin were leaning against the railing, sharing a cigarette, lost in quiet conversation. The dim glow of their lit cigarettes briefly illuminated their faces as I approached them.

Ollie was the first to spot me. "There she is! Thought you'd ran off with pretty boy boss by now."

Robin chuckled whilst raising an eyebrow, taking a drag before speaking. "For sure. Everything okay, Claud?"

I wasted no time, blurting out, "Blake just told me that Daniel kind of... likes me. I don't want this to sound like I'm being a child, but what the fuck do I do?"

They both paused, exchanging knowing glances before Robin exhaled a cloud of smoke, her expression smug. "You're honestly surprised by this? Girl, you'd have to be blind to not notice this weird thing you two have going on together."

Ollie chuckled, shaking his head. "Claud, he's been looking at you like you're the only person in the room all night. Hell, you two fucking kissed the other week, and you think the man doesn't have any sort of romantic interest in you?"

I blinked, feeling a rush of embarrassment. "You think so? I mean, I thought I was just being paranoid."

Robin rolled her eyes. "Paranoid? Please. The man's practically undressing you with his eyes. He hasn't taken his eyes off you since he walked in."

Ollie nodded in agreement. "You can feel the tension from across the table. It's not just friendly, Claudelle. He's got those fuck me eyes going on..."

I felt my cheeks heat up as I leaned against the railing next to them. "I didn't think it was that obvious..."

Robin flicked her cigarette into the ashtray. "Trust me, it is. And honestly? You should do something about it. It's clear you both have feelings for each other, and the way he's been acting tonight? Yeah, he's into you, no doubt."

"I thought that you hated him?" I asked Robin as I screwed my face up. "You d—didn't even want him to come here tonight."

Robin shrugged, taking another drag of her cigarette before stubbing it out. "I don't hate him, but I don't particularly like him very much. He's my boss, and he's never been very nice either me. Saying that, after seeing how he's been acting around you? Well... let's just say I can see why you're into him. He's a nicer man outside of the office."

Ollie chuckled, clearly amused by the change in tone. "Yeah, she might've been against it at first, but even Rob can't deny the man's charm. And the way he looks at you, Claud? He's smitten."

I narrowed my eyes at her, still confused. "But you've been rolling your eyes at him all night."

Robin let out a small laugh. "Only because I thought he was going to make things awkward. But he's been pretty chill—and more importantly, he clearly values you. So, maybe I'm warming up to the idea of you two... I don't know, being a thing."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "This feels like a complete one eighty."

Ollie grinned. "We just didn't expect to be sitting here, watching this whole romance shit unfold in front of us. But hey, if Blake's giving you the green light and Daniel's into you, then maybe it's time to give it a shot."