I Need to Forget The CEO!!

Chapter 14 - A Dangerous Proposition

"Excuse me?" All heads turned to the door where Enzo now stood, his expression angry. "What did you just say, Rebecca?"

The room was silent now, with everyone's eyes shifting between Enzo, Rebecca, and me. It felt like you could hear how loud my heart was beating.

Rebecca's confidence quickly washed off her face. She cleared her throat, adjusted her jacket, then locked eyes with Enzo. She was smiling, but something about it seemed so eerie. "Oh, nothing, Enzo. Just having fun with my new friend!"

I couldn't believe the nonsense she was spewing, and neither could anyone else. Clearly, Enzo wasn't buying it. "Fun?" His voice rumbled through the room, causing Rebecca's smile to fade once again.

"Come on, doesn't anyone know how to joke anymore?" She rolled her eyes, scoffed, and took a sip of her drink. Clearly, she was trying to divert attention from herself.

"Rebecca," I spoke, my confidence through the roof. "Just how immature can you be? That wasn't fun for me at all. You were just trying to humiliate me."

She glared at me for a moment—forgetting Enzo was watching our interaction—and snapped back, "I really don't care about how you feel. It was fun for me."

Now, everyone's eyes were on her. I'm sure people don't often get the chance to stand up to her. It kind of felt good to embarrass Rebecca, but I knew it was best to stop this now. I didn't want to stoop to her level.

"Enzo, it's fine." Everyone looked at me, confused by the first-name basis and by the fact that he listened.

Taking a few steps toward me, Enzo's eyes softened. He agreed, "Alright." I watched him stand directly beside me, bending slightly, nearly touching my cheek. My heart began to race, despite the moment. "Lyric, I only came because I needed to speak with you about something, and you weren't answering your phone."

I didn't expect him to be okay with openly expressing a growing level of intimacy with me. I mean, the whole office was watching him whisper to me right now. If I turned to face him, I was sure we'd be close enough to kiss.

I lifted my phone quickly, deflecting myself away from the embarrassing situation, and saw several missed calls and texts from Enzo. Some of them read, "Answer me, please. I'm worried and I need to talk to you." What could be so important for him to talk about? He even came all the way here. It couldn't be... our private relationship he wanted to discuss, right?

"O-okay." I answered, my cheeks very red.

Gosh, way to blow it. Stuttering totally meant "professional relationship only."

Enzo smiled at me, stepping away. I let out a heavy breath—not realizing I had been holding it—and quickly shuffled my things together. The room had already dialed down, bored with our interaction, but a select few kept their eyes on us. Enzo grabbed my jacket before I had the chance to, only adding to our suspicious behavior. He smiled, that same old devilish grin, and escorted me out to his car.

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I watched as the glowing city lights illuminated the streets and cars passing by. It was a quiet night—not many people or buses were around at this time. I sat in the passenger seat of Enzo's car, admiring the beautiful leather and chrome details that were sketched across the dashboard and the rest of the interior. The electronic system was even magnificent, similar to a Cadillac, but unique in its own way, surpassing any average luxury brand.

I peeked over at Enzo. His face was firm and focused on the road. His left hand was steady on the wheel, while his right was tightened around the shifter. His car hummed softly, almost sexily, and he was driving a bit faster than his usual habit. Still, I felt safe with him. I knew he wouldn't do anything to put me in harm's way, especially since he rescued me from embarrassment. Despite all of that, I couldn't help but feel anxious about what was to come.

"Lyric?" Enzo turned his head to me, noticing my staring. My cheeks reddened a little, which he also saw. "Are you okay? I know Rebecca can be... overwhelming."

"I'm fine. I appreciate you standing up for me." I thanked him, but I will admit, I was a bit jealous of his recognition of her. He usually doesn't call people by their first names.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner. I usually attend the dinners, but I was only notified after I saw an announcement on the forum later." Enzo pressed on his brakes lightly, bringing us to a stoplight.

"So..." The crimson that had calmed down in my cheeks just a second ago reappeared when I asked, "What did you want to talk about with me?"

Enzo let out a quick cough, startled, but in recovery, he said, "Ready for that right now?"

I watched him laugh softly, remaining focused on driving. It was nice sitting here with him. Even without talking, I could do this forever.

"M-maybe?" Reality hit, reminding me that we're not dating yet and that I should be nervous about what he was thinking. I lowered my head, feeling anxious about his boldness.

"Lyric," Enzo pulled up to a parking lot I didn't recognize, putting his car in park. "Why did you say you liked me when we had dinner the other night?"

My cheeks grew bright red from the fact that he held on to such an embarrassing moment. He eyed me, patiently waiting for me to regain my composure before I answered.

"Because..." I wasn't sure whether I should tell him the truth or not, but I guessed we had too many encounters together for it to be much of a risk. "I do like you..."

Enzo's eyes widened. I felt my heart sink a little. It seemed like he wasn't expecting that answer. His awkwardly long silence didn't help much either. "Really?" he asked.

His lack of enthusiasm didn't help me feel any better. I hoped I didn't just mess anything up between us. "Y-yes." I lowered my head, disappointed.

"Lyric," he turned his body a little more dramatically now, facing me the best he could in the car seat. "I think you're beautiful."

The flicker of hope I had left was reignited. His voice delivered that line so softly, really showing how genuine he was in saying it. His eyes glowed with passion, and his face was waiting patiently for my response.

"T-Thank you, I think you're handsome... Enzo." We locked eyes, enjoying our heartfelt moment.

"Be mine, Lyric." He grabbed my hand, startling me. "I know it's crazy and I know we just met and you're my employee, but I want you."

His words were suspended in midair, floating around in front of my eyes, ready for me to take them in. I felt my heart beating at a hundred miles per minute, desperately trying to slow down and catch its breath, but the situation had me too nervous. Did Enzo really mean what he was saying to me?

"It might be too risky... What if I make you look bad?" I pulled my hand away, my anxieties getting the best of me once again. Enzo's eyes saddened.

"I don't care about that. I'll fire anyone who gets in the way of us." I was a little shocked by what he said, but I had a feeling he might just be serious. "I want you to belong to me."

"I don't know..." It was all so tempting. Handsome, rich, famous... desired. He was everything I felt I could never be. "It might not be worth it for you..."

Enzo sighed for a quick second. He turned off his car, unlocked the doors, stepped around it, and swung open mine. "Get out, Lyric."

This decision could determine my future. I knew exactly what he was planning to do. I knew exactly why he was so demanding. My heart was racing. I felt my cheeks turn red and the passion in his eyes burn right through me. If I accepted, I knew exactly where this would take me. But, like I said before, I liked the thrill. I liked him.

And so, I stepped out of the vehicle.

Enzo grabbed me by my waist, placing his hand behind my head, and with one swift motion, pulled me into a kiss.

The risky game he warned me about had officially begun.