I Need to Forget The CEO!!

Chapter 12 - Confessions Over Coffee

Whispers rippled around the room after I made my way back to my desk. Enzo already made himself comfortable in his office, focused intently on a phone-call, jotting down plenty notes. I took my eyes off of him, desperately needing a second to analyze everything that's happened between us.

I'm so confused by Enzo's behavior towards me. One second, he's my cold-hearted boss, the next, he's warm and kind. Yet, there's also a devilish, risky side of him that left me thrilled. Just earlier, in the meeting room, it felt like we were doing something we weren't supposed to. It's exhilarating. I was worried the whole time someone would knock on the door or even try to open it, exposing the close distance between us.

But, I'm still not sure if his flirtation is genuine. I've heard rumors, but I haven't seen any of them confirmed. I don't even know any of the previous assistants or things about them, or why the job was so mysterious to start with. It's gnawing at me. I need to stay focused. I have a mystery to solve.

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A couple hours passed, and it's still hard to pay attention to just my work today. I'm sure I've heard several coworkers of mine gossip about Enzo and my time in the meeting room. I wish I could stand up and claim innocence, but that wouldn't be true. I heard whispers about "a private connection" between us, followed by cold glances and whispers. Each time I made eye contact with someone on the administration floor, it felt like they were throwing a thousand knives at me. It's best for me if I stay out of it. Even if all they're saying is true, defending myself will make matters worse. People will gossip if they want to gossip. 

Finally, after hours effort in trying to drain out the noise in my work, I heard a gentle knock on my desk. Turning away from my work, I saw Margaret, with a cup of coffee. 

"Hey Lyric!" she smiled widely, instantly carrying the weights off my shoulders. "Do you want to go get lunch together?"

Hesitating only for a second, I replied, "Sure, why not!" I was very grateful to receive a distraction.

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"And get this, he said he ate it!!" Margaret chuckled, with her eyes squinting from laughter, and coughed from not properly chewing her sandwich before she spoke.

"Unbelievable..." While the giggles died down, I thought it would be a good time to open up properly. "Hey Margaret, can I talk to you about something?"

She locked eyes with me, furrowed her brows a bit, then provided a warm gaze, saying, "Of course, honey. What's up?"

 It took me a moment to gather my words. I was trying to find the best way to tell her I drunkingly confessed and came onto my boss so now he's soberly coming onto me. 

"Lyric?" I guess I was thinking a bit too long about it, because Margaret grew concerned.

"Sorry, lost in a thought. Well," I took a deep breath before I made another confession. "Enzo asked me to get dinner with him after work on Monday. He said it was a mandatory work dinner, which I understood, well, at least I thought I understood..." Margaret's eyes grew curious. I'm sure she has no expectations for what she'll hear next. "Well..."

"Spit it out!!!" Her gossip mode was activated.

"I got really drunk. I mean really drunk. He took me to The Ale House-" she cut me off.

"The Ale House??!!" She shouted a little, startling the people around us. She mouthed an apology and lowered her voice. "The Ale House? Isn't that place like a billion dollars to go to?"

I nodded my head and continued, "Yes. That's besides the point... I was basically saying I got drunk off of expensive wine."

"Don't say you couldn't pay for it!!" She smirked a little.

"That's not it either..." I gulped, preparing to make my big confession. "I got really drunk, Margaret. So drunk I didn't know right from wrong... um..." Margaret leaned in, her eyes wide with anticipation. "I kind of... shoved myself onto him. I sat on his lap and confessed that I liked him. But then he grabbed my waist and said I was entering some kind of relationship with him, and I just don't know what that means! Then today, in the meeting room, he came on to me—whispering in my ear, telling me it was dangerous. I'm just so confused. I've heard so many rumors about him and his previous assistants and their relationships, and—"

"Honey," Margaret interrupted gently, reaching across the table to hold my hand. "It sounds like he likes you too. You're both adults. It's 2024—date who you want to. And," she added, squeezing my hand slightly, "people spread rumors for two reasons: one, they don't know the truth; two, they're jealous. It's just human nature." 

I sighed, "What if he doesn't like me? I mean, he is quite literally one of the richest people in the world right now. He has fame... a reputation, and he's so handsome. He could get anything he wants, anyone he wants, so why would he even bother to waste his time with me?" as I spoke my thoughts out loud, I felt my heart constrict a little. It's sad that all of that could be my reality. 

Margaret let go of my hand, shaking her head in disapproval. "Lyric, respectfully, shut up." I let out a small laugh, surprised by her bluntness yet again. "It's not everyday you get selected to come work at a prestigious company directly under the CEO. That's just not a thing. You were chosen because you're special."

He said he chose me because of my smile...

"You're more than just a regular old assistant. I know you haven't been here long, but you uncovered more about Bryan than anyone at this company has in the past 10 years. That's not just a regular assistant thing." Margaret crossed her arms, with sincerity shining in her eyes. 

"I guess you're right." I shrugged, wanting to believe her, but still having lingering insecurities. 

"I am right. You're special." She smiled at me. "Now, who wants to get back to work and kiss some ass"

"Don't you mean kick some ass?" I laughed.

"Nope! I got scolded earlier!" Margaret gathered her things and we both made way back upstairs.