I Need to Forget The CEO!!

Chapter 10 - A Night to Forget.

Oh wow. This place is beautiful. Plush velvet chairs, white tablecloths, a central chandelier, and a water fountain... marbled tiles, gold accents, dark wood, and stunning scenery... I thought places like this only existed in the movies. I really hope I can find something affordable on the menu. I'm so in awe that I can't help but feel out of place. Enzo was greeted immediately by the hostess by name and told to wait a moment. He doesn't even seem bothered.

The soft clinking of fine china and wine glasses echoes in the nearly empty restaurant. It feels like anything I say or do could be heard and recognized. I'm unsure if I even really belong in a place like this. The most expensive event I've attended was my cousin's wedding, but it honestly doesn't even come close to this.

My nervousness must have been visible because Enzo turned to me with concern. "Are you alright?"

I shook my thoughts away and replied, "Y-yes, just a little stunned. I've never been anywhere like this. Do you happen to have a menu I could look at while we wait?"

He smiled at me warmly, almost instantly washing my worries away. "I've already paid and ordered everything, don't worry. They're just preparing the room for us."

"Mr. Maddox and Mrs. Maddox, this way," the young hostess said.

"Oh, it's Beau—" she didn't hear me, but I'm sure Enzo heard her. How embarrassing. It's a work dinner!

I was finally situated in my seat, which was extremely comfortable and lavish. The dim lighting felt intimate, but it was all so overwhelming at the same time. The meal laid out in front of me seemed exquisite—almost too grand.

When the hostess called me Mrs. Maddox, my heart skipped a beat. Did she not know, or did Mr. Maddox make the reservation as if I were his partner? I'm so confused by him. One second, he's so sweet to me, and the next, I hear so many rumors about his playboy habits. He hasn't shown me any red flags, though.

Enzo admitting he paid ahead of time relieved me greatly. I was dreading how much this was going to cost me. But he didn't only schedule the meal; he rented out an entire room for us. I can't help but mistake this for something more.

"Lyric?" Enzo looked at me as if he'd been calling for me for a while. "Something on your mind?"

His voice is so smooth and confident. I want to relax and enjoy the moment, but I have so many worries. Was this supposed to be a date or just a professional obligation? I can't tell!

"It's very beautiful here. I feel out of place," I spoke.

Gosh, why did I just say that?

He let out a soft laugh and motioned for me to take a bite of the steak in front of me. "Just enjoy your meal, Miss Lyric."

My stomach felt like it was rolling around in knots. I'm so nervous right now. "So, what did you want to talk about with me?"

Enzo cut off a piece of his steak and took a sip of the wine that was provided.

"I want to get to know you, you know," he said, taking a bite and finishing chewing before continuing. "Because we will be working closely together. I brought you here as a welcome gift."

The food really is delicious...

"I'm just wondering," I took a sip of the wine—delicious, "why was I hired? Why did you have me submit so many personal questions during my first few days?"

Enzo leaned closer, holding my empty glass with one hand and pouring more into it with the other. "There were 462 applicants. Out of all of them, you were the only one who didn't have any work experience. I mean, none. Not even a job during high school. I was curious about you, about what your parents did." He put the bottle down after filling my glass, and I took another sip. He leaned back in his chair, making fierce eye contact. "Your parents sent you to Yale. They live in Europe. They also own a well-off company that should guarantee you never have to work a day in your life after an arranged marriage. So it got me wondering why you would apply."

"You hired me because you were curious about me?" I was almost stunned by his reasoning, but at this point, I'm used to his surprises.

"No," he leaned forward and took another bite of his food. "I hired you because you're beautiful. I like your smile."

"W-what?" I felt my cheeks go red. Butterflies were rushing around my stomach, causing my whole body to feel flushed. His admission was surprising and unexpected, but I still don't want to think this could be anything more. I remember the rumors—he's flirtatious. "I didn't realize it left that much of an impact."

His lips began to form a smirk, and the warm smile faded. "It's good to have that kind of charm in the office. Though it's not just because of that. I read into your achievements during college. You won the Creative Business award all four years. Impressive."

My body tensed when it felt like less of a flirt and more of a compliment. The warmth in his words was recognizable, but of course, he didn't mean it any more than that. Someone doesn't just hire you for that. I forced a smile. "Oh, well, thank you."

I will admit I feel a little disappointed that I let myself get carried away. But still, I'm unsure about everything. I wish this could be a date and not just a get-together.

As the evening progressed, I found myself sipping, or even gulping, the wine Enzo had gotten for us. I know it's irresponsible, but I trust nothing could go wrong. I'm a fairly good drinker.

Enzo and I were talking about our life experiences and gossiping about employees in the workplace. Apparently, Victor and Carol used to be in a serious relationship together, which is so unbelievable to me, but almost too unbelievable to be a lie. Of course, Carol dumped the grump. Enzo shared small anecdotes with me here and there, and my laughter came more easily.

I rested my hand on my chin and gazed at him for a minute. "You know, Enzo," I smiled as I sipped another, "you're really confusing."

"Is that so?" He raised his eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"One second," I sat up straight, wobbling a little bit. "One second you are my cold-hearted boss, the next, you're charming and sweet... and so handsome."

Wait, what the hell? Am I fucking drunk? THAT fucking drunk?!

"I think you have quite the talent for making someone feel special..." I stood up, which I knew I would regret, and made my way over to the side of the table where Enzo was seated. I sat down on his lap. His eyebrows raised, but he instinctively wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You're drunk, Lyric." There was a firmness in his tone that sent a little trickle down my spine. He chuckled but didn't seem to mind my antics.

"I think I like you, Mr. Maddox." I'm being so stupid right now...

His eyes widened a little bit. "Is that right? You might regret this tomorrow, you know." His voice seemed more intense with all the alcohol in my system.

"Maybe," I replied, leaning closer. I stopped and stared at Enzo, with brief consciousness. He's holding me right now. His hands are around my waist. I'm close... close enough to kiss him. "Right now, I don't care. I like the risk." I tilted my hair, letting it fall away from my shoulders, revealing more skin.

He pulled me a little bit closer, and a gasp escaped my lips as I felt the heat radiating between us. Enzo carefully lifted his arm to adjust my necklace, causing my heart to skip a beat. He lingered there for a moment before returning his hand to my waist, holding me tighter than before. "You have no idea what kind of danger you're inviting yourself into, Lyric."

My heart paused—which gave my cheeks a chance to catch up and turn a bright pink. He looked at me with lust in his eyes, leaving me more nervous than ever before. "M-maybe I like the danger."

He leaned in, whispering into my ear, which sent a wave of warmth through my body. "I'm not the kind of man who plays by the rules. Are you sure you want to enter this type of relationship with me?"

"Y-yes." I replied. 

Enzo released his grip, giving me the opportunity to get up from his lap. "I think we're going to have to have a talk about boundaries tomorrow, Miss Lyric."

Im. so. losing. my. job.