The CEO and Fate✔️

Chapter 25

I was exhausted. Mentally and physically. Everyone told you it got easier, but I don't think Zane Charlemagne had ever heard of that philosophy. To him, if it was getting easier than I wasn't pushing myself hard enough.

I didn't blame him for asking a lot of me though. And I never made an excuse why I couldn't. I had missed almost three days from flying back and forth between Michigan to handle the crisis. And now, a week later, my hands were peppered with paper cuts and there were indentions in my fingers from writing so many notes, but I wasn't going to stop. It was Wednesday night. I had two more days left in my internship. I wanted to make everything count. Even if that meant working as late as him and Ember.

Zane saw it as my need to make up for lost time. I wasn't about to tell him I was really only throwing myself back in my work so I wouldn't have to face the fact that I hadn't talked to Blake since I got back and most likely never would again. Working morning to night assured that I would never be checking my phone for the text or call that wouldn't come.

However. Skylar and Jake had finally talking me into coming home tonight. More specifically, over to their penthouse to join them for movie night. Though I knew immediately by their reluctance that my own date would not be present.

Oh, what a lonely movie night this would be. 

Skylar embraced me when she opened the door. "I've missed you," she whispered.

I hugged her back, tightly. "Yeah," I said, "me too."

She ushered me into the penthouse.

I gave a little wave to Jake, who was draped lazily across the couch. He sprung to his feet when he saw me.

"Alexa," he exclaimed, "you actually came."

"I answered your texts, did I not?"

He pulled me into a hug as well. "Sure," he said, "for the first time in almost a week and a half."

"Oops?" I tried.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Not a nice way to thank someone who lent you their plane."

"It wasn't on purpose," I tried to assure him. "And I'm grateful. Seriously."

"You're here," he breathed. "And that's all that matters. For a while, Skylar and I were worried you had been lured to Michigan and Blake was killed trying to save you."

I knew it was a joke, but that didn't make it any easier to hear.

"Yeah," I said uneasily. "That definitely didn't happen."

Skylar grabbed myself arm, sensing my discomfort. "It's okay. We're all okay. Because you're back in one piece," she smiled. "And now, we can all watch a movie."

I allowed her to guide me to the couch, where she sat me down and covered me with blankets and pillows until only my head was showing.

"What movie are we watching?" I asked.

"You'll love it," she giggled. "It's a horror movie."

My stomach churned. "Because that's appetizing right now?"

Skylar was confused. "You told me once you loved horror."