Changing the CEO

No Change

Luke loves me or he thinks he does.

Next Day

Daniel is patiently waiting for me. He is siting on a table near the window of the cafe around my home. His right hand is taping slowly on the table.
I sigh. I need to man up.
I walk to him. "Hi."
He jumps a bit and turns around. "Hey."
He signals me to sit.
"I ordered you a tea," he says.
I look at the table and there is a cup of green tea. "Thank you."
"I am not going to cut around the corners. What the hell happened last night?" Daniel asks.
His blue eyes are so blue today. It must be because his light navy blue shirt. Why did I think I could fool him?
"Luke was clearly drunk. How would I know why he was there?"
Daniel frowns. "He told me he loves you. Why?"
What? He told Daniel too?!
I can't think of anything.
"He told me you have been with him," Daniel continues. "Does he mean sex? Did you cheat on me?"
Darn it. Now I regret telling him to meet me in this place.
"Rosalie?"
I look at his eyes again. "No." I am afraid to fail Luke and I am afraid for Daniel. He doesn't deserve this but what do I do? I know he won't get violent with me but I think his words will hurt me more.
Wait-why? Do I really care a lot for him?
I feel Daniel's hand on mine. I shake my head. "I have seen him but it is just work related. He did express interest in me before but we are so different. He might have told you all of that to piss you off."
"Okay fine. Let's say that's the truth. Why was he shaking you violently?"
I take my hand back and hug myself. Luke got so angry when I told him I didn't want sex.
"I told him I like you more. He isn't a good man, so he got angry and alcohol makes people violent," I try to answer as honest and best as possible.
"Luke has always had a drinking problem. I never thought he will get like that though," he looks out the window. "He didn't hurt you right?"
"No. You came in time I guess."
I know Luke wouldn't do anything I don't want. However, that doesn't mean he won't insult me when he thinks he has the right to.
"My uncle might be talking to him right now," Daniel says, "he really got upset. My uncle seems to like you."
I nod. "Yeah. I met him once remember?"
He nods. "He really wants you to be okay."
"Thanks. I know that."
"Do you really like me? Can you see yourself with me in the long run?"
"Um, well, I like you,"
Daniel chuckles. "Yeah I guess."
I look down at my hands. "Is this our breakup?"
"I don't know,"
"Will I get fired then?"
"No, I don't mix pleasure with business. You haven't given me a reason to fire you,"
I look at him. "Really?"
He nods. "I'm going to talk to Luke."
"Why?"
"I want to know why he says he loves you. I want to make clear I am still with you. You told me you aren't interested in him so I will make Luke understand that."
I sip on the tea but when I swallow it, it hurts. I am lying. I don't like it.
"Okay. Thanks."
We sit in silence and finish our drinks. Daniel walks me to my place. "See you at work."
"Okay sir,"
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me towards him. His hand touches my cheek and he kisses me. His lips taste like coffee. "I know you can't hurt me Rosalie but I am afraid you will."
No. I don't. I will never hurt him. "I like you; you will never be hurt by me Daniel," I say.
"Prove it," he whispers. His hand is stroking my cheek softly. I bite my lower lip. I am getting nervous. I don't know what to do.
He kisses me again. He slowly takes me more into his arms. He is so tall and muscular. I am tip-toing to reach his lips correctly.
"Let be show you how much I want you Rosalie,"
I jump as my phone rings. "Sorry it might be my mom." It is Nathan.
"Yes mom?"
"Mom? It is Nathan. Where are you?"
"At my place. Daniel is leaving in a bit mom,"
"Oh well Luke is in my place and is a mess. You need to come over,"
"Okay mom. I say hi for you. Yeah, I'll go pick up your package tomorrow," I say.
"Okay sweetie, love you," Nathan's voice goes to a high pitch. I hang up.
"So I guess that my cue to leave?"
I nod. "Sorry. I'll see you tomorrow?"
He nods. "Bye."
I go inside and quickly feed my cat. I change into jeans and a white t-shirt.

Luke's Point of View

I messed up completely. I am fucked up.
"Here," Nathan offers me a soda.
"No. A beer will be nice," I say.
"Seriously Luke? You are fucking up because of alcohol. You really want Rose to see you drinking?"
I stand. "What the hell? Is she coming?"
He nods. "I called her in the bathroom. You need to talk to her and apologize. You were going to hurt her, you told me."
I shake my head no. "I wasn't."
"You don't know that Luke,"
The door bell rings. "It is Rose," I hear her voice over the alarm system speaker.
"Sit," Nathan growls. He is pissed at me. He might be a womanizer but he doesn't treat his girls wrong. He is a jerk when he is sex deprived only.
The door opens and I see her walking to me. She is in casual clothes.
"I'll give you guys privacy. I'm going to be in my room," Nathan says. He leaves.
"Rose," I say. She sits next to me. "What did you say to your dad and Daniel?" she asks.
I sigh. "My dad already grounded me okay? I don't need you to be shitting on me too."
"I am not. I told Daniel you said you loved me just to pissed him off. So did you tell them that too?"
"I told my dad I just didn't know what the hell I was doing. I was near by your place and just lost it. I haven't told or talked to Daniel yet."
"Well, he might be looking for you," she says.
I look at her. Her eyeglasses don't cover her tears. She is so upset. "You're messed up Luke but why can't I just step away?"
My heart aches. I touch her hand. "I'm sorry if I messed up. I didn't mean to hurt you,"
"What if you did? Would you have hurt me because I didn't want to have sex?"
I really don't know. This plan is ruined anyhow. Why keep her? Why do I keep her from being happy?
I said I love her. Do I?
"Luke? Please answer me," she says.
"What?"
"Do you really love me?"
Shit. Don't ask that. I look everywhere but her. I don't know. I don't know what I want right now.
I guess a beer will be a good thing right now. Other than that, everything can disappear.
"You answered my question," she says.
I stand. "Then?"
She stands too. "I want out."
"Out?"
"I won't be your sex toy anymore or your helper. I'm out,"
"No! You said you-"
She raises her hand to stop me from talking. "I guess I'm just like my mom. I brake my promises. Sorry." She quickly walks away.