Changing the CEO

Luke

Next day

Rosalie's Point of View

I am waiting for Cheryl at Daniel's office. He isn't here yet.
"Okay, sorry about the wait, my boyfriend kept-" Cheryl stops and smiles, "here."
She gives me Daniel's tablet.
"You have a boyfriend now?" I ask as I turn on the tablet.
She blushes. "Yeah, he's a bit dorky but he's wonderful."
I look at her. "Is it Chris from the basement?"
She giggles. "How did you know?"
I chuckle. "It was kind of obvious."
We share a giggle.
Daniel comes in and says morning to both of us. "I'm glad you did join us Rosalie."
I nod.
"Cheryl can you step out?"
Cheryl says yes and leaves. Daniel goes across the desk and sits. He has a fitted gray suit. It makes his blue eyes stand out.
"If we can get somethings out in the clear," he says, "are you involved with Luke?"
I say no. "I helped him out so that's why he did this favor for me. We were never really a couple."
I kind of feel sad saying those words. We are really nothing.
"And what do you wish to accomplish with working for me?"
I sigh. "To be honest, money. I need an extra income to pay the bills."
Daniel chuckles. "True honesty. Okay, well do you have any questions for me?"
"No sir," I say.
"Call me Daniel."
I nod. "So is everything I need in this tablet?"
"Yes, make sure I did cancel the two meetings with the local newspaper. I need to get information verified before I get interviewed,"
"Sure Mr. Daniel. Then, call me if you need me."
He smiles. "Thanks."
I start to get nervous. He is so nice to me. It is kind of scary to know he is related to Luke or his dad."
***
The day finishes with me falling while at lunch and a bit of stress. I need to schedule an event for Daniel.
I grab my things and head out of my office.
Bump!
"Shit!" I yell. I hit myself against Daniel.
"Oh sorry, I was just gonna check if you were still here," he says.
"Just knock next time," I say.
We begin to walk to the elevator. The door opens and we step in. The doors are closing then I hear someone yell.
"Wait!" Luke comes in.
"What are you doing here?" Daniel asks.
Luke presses the button to the first floor. "Getting home idiot."
He steps to my left side. Great, I am the ham in this sandwich. Awkward.
"Don't talk to me like that," Daniel says.
"Did I hurt the CEO's feelings?"
Oh gosh no, they are acting like elementary kids! Come on elevator go faster!
"You are immature,"
"Okay!" I yell. "Both of you shut up. This is so weird."
Thankfully the door opens and I bolt out of there.
"Rose!" Luke yells.
"Rosalie!" Daniel yells.
I quickly get into a random car that is parked already.
"Sure, I can take you home," it is Nathan.
"Just go!"
He steps on the gas pedal.
"Okay, what happened?" he asks.
"Two little boys fighting over a company, it can be annoying," I say.
Nathan laughs. "Was Daniel fighting with Luke again?"
I nod.
"So, have you figured out what Daniel is going to do?"
I say no. "It will take more time."
My phone rings. It is Luke.
"Yeah?" I answer.
"Why did you just leave?" he asks annoyingly.
"I didn't want to get in between you two fighting. It is annoying to see and hear,"
"Well, he started it,"
"No he didn't," I say.
"Really Rose?"
"Look, Nathan is taking me home. We talk tomorrow afternoon." I hang up.
Nathan parks in front of my place. "So you really are fucking Luke?"
I roll my eyes and step out of the car. "Thanks."
"He can't commit Rose. I know I treated you bad. I admit it, but I also know that Luke is not good for you. You deserve way better."
I turn to see him. "He is your best friend. Why are you not having his back?"
"I do. I can kill for him. I also want to protect him so that's why I'm telling you this. You will grow tired without him realizing it and he won't take your rejection lightly. Remember Jessie?"
Is this true?
"Just don't hurt him and don't let him hurt you, remember the last part," Nathan says before he drives away.
I am standing on the sidewalk puzzled. Is Nathan really being truthful?
I get to my place and feed Louie. His orange fur is soft as I lightly pet his head while he eats. I begin to do some work for my PR job before going to bed. I text Luke: Nathan warned me about you. He says he is just taking care of you.

..
The next morning Luke replies my text.

He did want to have sex you remember? He is just being a little boy who didn't get picked to play basketball. Ignore him.

I reread the text but somehow it makes my worry worse. So I am just a trophy for Luke? And Nathan?

I put my hair into a ponytail before going to my PR job. I get there in less than 10 minutes. Traffic was fast.
Shayla comes in giggling to my work space. "How is my buddy doing?"
"Not gonna tell you anything Shayla."
"Really?"
I giggle. "Not here."
She smiles. "You look different. It is the good different."
I feel my cheeks getting warm. "I kind of do but I don't know."
She winks at me. "Alright. See you at lunch."

..

I tell Shayla about Luke and I. Not much detail though.
"Wow. So you are just friends with benefits?"
"I think. That is what has been bothering me, I asked him but he didn't really say much," I answer.
"Rose," she analyses my face. I feel naked. I feel like she knows a lot. "Make sure you won't get hurt at the end. Luke Newman has a reputation of being a playboy. He loves beautiful women who like to be a nice accessory."
"Who told you that? You don't know him," I say.
"This company has worked for him before, I was there when his engagement went south,"
What? He was engaged?!
Shayla bites her lip. "Did I mess up?"
I shake my head. "No. Tell me about this."
....
Daniel texted me I needed to go to him for an emergency. He lost his laptop.
I am now calling the company insurance to see what can be done. Chris is with us trying to recover everything Daniel had in his accounts in the laptop.
"Okay, as long as you continued go log into the company's account, there should be copies of every document," Chris explains. I hang up. "A new laptop will be here by tomorrow. They are trying to locate your old one by GPS."
Daniel sighs. "Thank you both. I don't know how I got so clumsy."
"Welcome Mr. Daniel," Chris nods. "I will go then."
I look at Daniel. "Can we talk about something?"
He nods. "How about over coffee or dinner?"
I shrug. "Sure."
We get to a Italian restaurant around the block.
"So what is your worry or question?" he asks. He begins to eat his lasagna.
"Do you know about Lizeth Madison?" I ask.
He stops midway chewing his food. He forcefully swallows and drinks a bit of water. "Who gave you that name?"
I look at my hands on the table. "Just tell me who she was."
"Luke's ultimate love who turned out was a total whore and destroyed him. She also tried to tell him I raped her which was a total lie. She just used him and wanted his family to suffer. She was Mr. Madison's daughter. Madison hated my uncle Leo so he used his daughter to take revenge on him."
I sigh. "So Luke was really in love with her?"
He nods. "He has always been an idiot but he didn't deserve to be played like that. Even I haven't done something so low towards him."
"Thank you for the info," I say. I stand. "I need to go."
"Whoa," Daniel gets my wrist. He stands too. "So I was just a gossip magazine?"
I sigh. "Sort of."
He lets me go. "I asked you if you were not involved with him and you lied. Why?"
"I am not, I didn't lie," I whisper.
"Then?"
"I just wanted to confirm the information that was given to me. I understand why Mr. Newman acts the way he does and why I couldn't stand him as my boss. He has issues to work on," I say.
"I believe you," he says.
I walk by him. I kiss his cheek. "You're a good cousin to him even if you might not like him."
"Really" he chuckles.
"You said it yourself. You couldn't ever done something awful like what Ms. Madison did," I say. He frowns. "I guess."
"See you Monday Mr. Daniel," I lightly smile at him.
I leave the restaurant.
Luke will never love anyone because of Lizeth at least not now. Nathan is right.