Mr. CEO // c.h //

Chapter Nine

"Stop pinching me!" I cried to Michael. We were currently at our usual Kit Kat break just both of us together, while Elle and Luke are in a meeting and Ashton is staying at home because of illness. I was really quiet this morning and Mikey maybe had thought that pinching me was a good way to make me talk and laugh. Fifty-fifty, actually. I'm talking, but I'm definitely not laughing. I was constently hitting his hand, trying to stop him... but nothing would stop this kid.

"Then tell me what is going on!" He cried out loud too. "I thought you trusted me!"

"I had just met you like... a month ago. Our friendship is not that bounded. Calm your horses!" I laughed. "And it is nothing. I'm just... tired." I said, half lying.

"That may be true, but that doesn't stop me to know if you're lying, which I can tell you are right now. I met you a month ago, but our friendship has grown so much faster than what I thought, don't you think too that we can really try bounding it right now?" He said with a noticeable serious tone.

I looked at him, hesitating for a few moments, but he has a point. Michael has turned a friend that I would never imagined, even if he was the head of my departement, true friends can't be denied, but yes kept forever. "I found my journal."

"And...?" He forced.

"It was mine and my ex's journal. It was like our little story and something so cheesy as The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks." That being said out loud really sounded cheesy.

A soft laugh can be heard. "That must be a big part of your lives. But why are you so quiet today? Is that current state of yours because of your journal?"

"Yes. Derek was really what I thought about a Perfect Love. We would always stay together no matter what, and it kind of reminds me of what I'm going through now..." I said almost whispering, but the reason why, I don't know. Maybe I didn't want him to know about that journal or I was just afraid that he would make fun of me and realize that I was talking about Calum. Boys can be cold hearts, you certainly know that.

"What are you going through now?" Once again, Mikey was trying to get more information than what I intended, but I can't be mad about it. At the end of the day, I'm probably just worring and stressing about something that shouldn't have come to my mind in the first place.

"I don't feel like talking about it now, Gordon. Maybe another day. A day that I can say that I'm finally over it." I admit.

"Okay, Athena." He starts. "Wait! That's not fair. Why can it just be you making fun of my name all the time?"

"I guess it is because you don't know my full name." I whispered and laughed.

"What did you just say?" He asks, his breath hitting my ear sending chills from the bottom of my back and returning to the 'Pinch Athena's Arm' Game again.

"I said that I don't care! And stop pinching me, or you will see my angry side, and you will not like that!" I warned.

"Okay, okay." He stops immediately. "I stop, but just because you're too damn pretty to be angry." He chuckles.

---

"Athena. May I talk to you for a second?" I heard someone saying. I didn't recognize this voice so I was really (or kind of) surprised to see who's person was. 

"Of course, Mr. Bristow." I said, while standing up and following him into his office.

I always love this place. It had a beautiful sight to London which I never grow tired of. It just seems so perfect that it doesn't surprise the local citizens why is it the Must See of many people around the world. Although it has hustle bustle, it is kind of peaceful to live in here or every part of England too.

"I hope I haven't done anything wrong, Mr. Bristow. And if I did, I'm so so-" His laughing made me stop and I felt really embarrassed.

"You did nothing, Athena. Stop worrying." He calmly replied. "I actually want to talk to you about an offer. I seem to not get any person to do this instead of you."

"I'm all at you commands." I answered, and my mind was going to fast to even know what was I saying. I'm curious, yeah, but I'm a little afraid too. Afraid of what was coming next.

"Calum is going on a business trip to California and I don't want him to go there alone. I want you to come with him."

"Wha- I'm sorry, sir. But I don't think I'll go. Not with him. I apologize but I-"

"No, no, no. I had already bought your tickets and I know that you, Miss Athena Miller, going with him is the best thing. I may confess that you're not my first choice, but all the other ladies would distract him and the business wouldn't, definitely, go well in America. I saw you have some sort of effect on him, and adding your effort on keeping this job and your hard job... impress me. I want you to go. There's no option to turn your back. It's just for a few days. You just have to make sure Calum does it right and keep an eye on him. I don't trust him now like I used to."

I stared at him. His face was serious and his voice was matching. I have "some sort of effect on him"? Well, when he said that I was almost bursting to laugh an will cry until my stomach hurts. But I saw in his eyes that I really had to make this. He bought our tickets and wants me to stay with Calum. He doesn't trust him an I don't trust him too. I never went to New York, I was really delighted to go, but I had to keep an eye on Calum and make sure we'll make success. I knew he was like this, his type said it all. And I could sense a 'serial trouble' boy.

"Alright, I'll do it. When are we going?"

"Tomorrow. I make sure someone comes and pick both of you up at your house and his house. When you arrive, it will be another car to pick you and it will go directly to your hotel. I payed it, I don't want you to pay for anything. Thank you, Athena. And you can call me Ricky, yeah? I don't want to sound so bossy." He genuinely smiled.

"Thank you, Ricky. May I return to my department?"

"Of course. Tomorrow at 6 a.m."

"Yes. Thank you again." I smiled back and made my way to my department.

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Hey. I'm sorry it took me ages to update.

I love you all and hope you enjoyed this chapter.

I'm 110 reads from my goal. We had 200 in two weeks... can we make it to 1000 in a week???!!! Only 110 reads, remember. Make sure to spread this story. I'm sorry if that is asking too much. I'll make sure to surprise you if we reach my goal.

Count on me by Bruno Mars because I felt like that was Ath and Michael's friendship song. :)

I love you all, again. :D x