Changing the CEO

His view

Long Chapter !
___

Luke's Point of View

Later that night:

I have a successful meeting with Mr. Saunders. He will write a feature article on the future of Gordon's Publications. It will be free press and hopefully it will help better my company.
Mr. Saunders leaves as soon as the check arrives. I ask for an extra glass of wine before I leave.
The waiter nods but hesitates. "Are you well sir? I don't mean to be rude, but you had more than 4 glasses,"
I sigh. "Is there a limit I can't pass?"
"No,"
"Then do your damn job!"
He doesn't say anything else and brings me the bottle to serve. My phone rings: JESSIE.
I answer before taking a sip of wine. It hits my throat smoothly with a bit of warmth.
"Oh baby! I loved the flowers," she exclaims.
"Good. I miss you,"
"Me too. I will be there tomorrow. My manager finally was able to give a mini vacation. I'm so tired!"
I chuckle. Jessie is a part-time model. "Well rest. We will see each other tomorrow."
"Okay, goodnight. This kitty cat will have very sweet dreams about you," her voice becomes low and soft.
"Goodnight." I hang up.
I look at the time and it is 30 to midnight. The restaurant will close now so I pay the bill and leave.
**
"No!" I yell. Rosalie frowns. "I tried my best. You only gave me-"
"Don't blame me. You had the respo-"
She cuts me off by smashing the laptop on my desk. "Seriously? It is not my fault she thinks you're an asshole Mr. Newman!"
She is walking away and I quickly stand and grab her arm. She yells and pushes me. "Don't touch me!"
Nathan comes in running with Cheryl behind. "What's going on?"
I stare at Rosalie. She is crying. Her nostrils are red and flaring. "You're fired."
She chuckles. "Ha! Well thank you sir. I am free of this hell hole. I may need the money, that's why I put up with your crap. But I have dignity and respect myself, I should have never said yes."
She walks out of the office with Nathan behind her.
Cheryl just stares at me. "It wasn't her fault. Mrs. Parlor isn't the most easy client, you knew that." She closes the door as she leaves too.
I open my drawer and take out the whiskey bottle I hid two weeks ago from Rosalie. It was the day she called me out on my drinking.
I don't care anymore. This day was shit. It proofed my father right. I hate myself. I hate this.
***
Two weeks earlier.

Rosalie is handling every thing well. She isn't the weak assistant I thought she would be. I'm impressed. She survived last  week.
"Okay Mr. Newman, I think you're right with the contract. I personally read it and I think Mrs. Parlor will totally sign with us."
I nod. "I hope. Did you make the notes?"
She nods. She fixes her pony tail and glasses. "The presentation looks good too. Do I need to make last minute changes?"
"No. It's good. Did you email Mr. Grayson about the meeting? I need to know if it went well."
"Yeah he called back saying that there shouldn't be a problem with getting the items. He said he will call you once he lands," she says.
I sigh. Everything is running smoothly. I even have 3 weeks with Jessie. A new record.
"Sir?"
I turn to Rosalie who is standing next to me. I stand. "Yes?"
"Um, how am I doing? Do you think I will be here for a while?"
I chuckle. "Yes Ms. Dixon."
She smiles. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For, despite of your great compliments towards me and my work, you are giving me a chance to work this out," she answers.
"I'm not evil,"
"I know." she lightly smiles and leaves to her office.
I grin. I'm a bit glad I took her in. She might really stay with me for a long time.
....
It is Wednesday and things have been crazy but successful. Rosalie and I are having lunch with Nathan. We are working on the finishing touches of my presentation for Mrs. Parlor. She is the creator of many popular and successful teen novels. I need her to sign with us. It will boost the company at a 110 percent with more clients and money input.
"So, I think that Rosalie should be at the meeting with us," Nathan says. I look at him and ask why.
"I mean, she does know what is going on and knows the presentation from beginning to end. In case you get forgetful, she can back you up," Nathan says. "It's like insurance."
I turn to Rosalie who is eating a banana split. Her right cheek is smeared with whip cream. "Ms. Dixon do you agree with Mr. Grayson?"
She shrugs. "I really don't mind. I can take Cheryl's place and assist with the food as well."
"Sweetie,you have cream on your cheek," Nathan chuckles. Rosalie quickly cleans herself. "Sorry, I don't know how to eat sometimes."
"So you're willing to do it?" I ask. She nods and turns to me. "Of course. I try my best sir."
I sigh. "Okay. Well let's go back to work."
Nathan rolls his eyes. "Why Luke? It is the end of the day already. Can we just go home?"
"You can if you want. I need to finish the paperwork Shane was missing," I say.
"I can stay if you want," Rosalie says. "Just let me go feed Louie and check his litter box."
Nathan laughs "you have a cat?"
She furrows her eyebrows. "Yes but what's so funny?"
Nathan shrugs. "Nothing."
"He thought of you as a cat person," I say.
"So I look like a crazy cat lady?"
"No," I say. But she does. I really need to buy her something appropriate for the meeting.
"Okay! I'm leaving. Goodnight Luke and Ms. Dixon," Nathan stands and walks out.
Rosalie looks at me. "We should go."
We go back to her place. The same cat I saw is laying on the sofa. He meows as I get closer to him. Rosalie is in the kitchen getting the food.
"He doesn't bite! He is kind," Rosalie yells from the kitchen.
I look at the cat. He looks old. "How long have you had him?" I ask.
I pet his forehead and he meows. "For 7 years!"
Wow. Rosalie returns and asks if she can change.
"To what?"
She chuckles. "Blue jeans? I know we will be there for a while. I rather be comfortable."
"Okay." she walks to her room. I look around and she doesn't have much photos or decorations. It is simple.
.....
"Is Mr. Penn's birthday mean anything to you?" Rosalie asks. She is fixing my calendar.
"Not really,but he is a family friend, send him a box of cigars and a bottle of tequila. He loves those things," I answer as I fix my desk.
"Done!" Rosalie stretches as she stands. I see her belly button. Her shirt rises. I chuckle. She turns to me. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Mr. Newman?" she asks. I lean against my desk and roll my sleeves up. "Yeah?"
She is standing in front of me. "You should go out with Ms. Jessie as soon as this is done. You look super stressed."
"I'm okay, focus on yourself. When was the last time you went shopping?"
She looks confused. "Um, why?"
I point to her shirt. "It is too small for you. I saw your belly when you stretched. You might be skinny but you need more coverage."
She puts her shirt down. "I just don't know how to really dress up. But am I that bad?"
"No."
I notice her cheeks blushing and her ears too. Wait, did I say she is pretty?
"Well, I will buy suits as soon as I get paid sir,"
"Rosalie, I didn't mean-"
She shakes her head. "It's okay. So we can go home?"
I nod. We get out things and I take her home. She is quiet like always. It is like if she gets nervous inside the car with me.
"Sir?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you didn't drink tonight," she whispers.
I park outside her place. Why does she keep bringing alcohol up? Rosalie turns to me. "Thanks for the ride." She opens the door and leaves.
Why does she sometimes talks to me that way? It is like if she knows me for a long time.
She just worries like my mom did. If she knew what is going on.
....

Two days later. Friday.

Jessie visits the office. Rosalie smiles at her. "Would you like a water miss?"
"Oh it's fine darling, can you just leave me with my boo for a while?" she winks.
Oh no. "Jessie, I'm busy." she smirks at me. "I know."
"Go reserve dinner for me and Jessie," I say to Rosalie. She nods and leaves.
Jessie stands and fixes her tight red dress and gets on my lap. She kisses me. "Oh baby, today is my last day here and you are working?"
"You know how busy it is right now."
She does a puppy look. "But-but you said that we will-"
I touch her arm. "When I'm finish. Monday I can take the day off."
She rolls her eyes and stands. "Fine."
"Don't get upset."
"I'm not," she gets her purse.
"Jessie please, don't act like a little girl," I stand.
"I'm not, but you should act like your age damn it! This is not what makes you happy, why go through all the shit?" she asks.
"You know-"
"I know! But I can't be with a man like you. I want to believe that you will change. I know this hasn't been for a long time, but I can't see myself with you anymore. If you say you like me the way you do, then just take me out for an ice cream cone right now."
My phone rings. "Sir, accountanting needs you to sign the reports and has questions for you," Cheryl says.
Jessie keeps looking at me.
"Is it necessary?" I ask.
"Yes. They also need you to review the budget cuts,"
"Let me ju-" Jessie raises her right hand. "Stop. You made your choice. Good luck." She walks out.  I run after her but she pushes me back. "Sorry. We are done," she is crying.
"Everything okay?" I turn to see Rosalie.
"No. Just do your job," I answer.
....
I drink the last drop of beer. I asked one of the janitors to buy me a pack. I get my things and walk out of the office. I see Rosalie writing something on Cheryl's desk.
"You're still here?" I ask. She jumps and looks at me. "Oh sir, I didn't know you were still here."
"You need a ride home?"
"No," she puts a notepad inside her bag. "Are you still taking Ms. Jessie out for dinner?"
I roll my eyes. "No." I begin to walk to the elevator. Rosalie follows behind. "Mr. Newman! Wait!" she gets inside the elevator. "Sorry for the question. I just thought maybe you convinced her."
"Whatever."
"Should I call to cancel?"
"No. How about you take someone out? The dinner should be added to my tab."
"Um, with my cat? I don't have a boyfriend sir."
Surprising.
"Okay, then, how about we go eat? I still need to know you better. I will have a business trip soon and I'm wondering if you have the capability to go," I say.
She giggles. "What?"
"Its not a date,"
The elevator stops and the door opens. I don't wait for her answer and go outside. My car is already parked and wait for her. I turn around and she is biting her lip. "You really are inviting me? Even as friends?"
I nod. "Co-workers. Not friends."
"Alright."
...
We are waiting for the food. Rosalie feels so out of place. Her 1990s secretary look doesn't help her blend in at all. She has a navy blue suit on with her hair in a bun and her typical glasses.
"So," I clear my throat. "Why are you alone in the city?"
"I've been living here for 7 years, I moved here to study from Michigan," she says.
"Oh, and so you're parents still live?"
"My mom only. I have an older brother,"
I nod. The food comes and we eat in awkward silence.

Rosalie's Point of View

I am having dinner with my CEO boss. It is not a date or friendly date. Just two co-workers eating awkwardly after work. I can clearly see he is sad about the breakup. He did really like her.
"Rosalie?" Mr. Newman asks. I shake my head and look up at him. "Yeah?"
"Am I bad?" he asks. His eyes are tired and he looks worried.
"No. Well, you do have a temper but nothing major. Why?" I answer.
"Nothing." he drinks a bit of wine and continues to eat.
We finish by 11 pm. He takes me home. I feel more uneasy. He is clearly not well.
He parks outside my place and opens my door. I get out and thank him for the meal.
"No problem. It wasn't as worse as I thought," he says. Again, what a good compliment insult he has for me. I nod and begin to walk in the building.
"Rosalie!" he yells. I turn. He stands next to me. "We are going tomorrow to shop for you. I want you to be presentable for Mrs. Parlor."
I roll my eyes. "Sir, please, no pretty clothes can make be pretty.  I have a nice black dress I am going to wear. Don't worry. I won't embarrass you."
He frowns. "I am not saying you are not pretty."
My heart skips a beat.
"Just meet me at the mall," he says.
I nod.