The good thing about being the CEO, like I have learnt from Mr. Blackwood himself, was that I could choose to wander off the company whenever I pleased without expecting a repercussion, and I was putting that advantage into good use just a few minutes after learning of my new position.
I had quickly gone off for my check-up while expecting a call from Mr. Blackwood, it was almost noon when I walked out of the hospital and Mr. Blackwood was yet to call. The arrogance to just casually buy the company where I work and make me the CEO without even caring to inform me; how legal is that?
Shortly after, I dropped out of a cab in front of Blackwood Precious stones and Jewelries, the OG company; I stood there for a few seconds and reminisced on all the memories, I haven’t come around here since the day I threw my job in the sack and even though it was just a month ago, it does feel like a decade.
I walked into the company and surprisingly the security guards did not restrict me; in fact, they were excited to see me. Didn’t MB say that I would not be permitted to come back here? It seems like he didn’t have the courage to give the instructions after all.
With my handbag hanging on my right shoulder, I made my way to the CEO’s office. Just like the security at the front, the receptionist had given me a quick pass. She didn’t even bother to inform Mr. Blackwood that I was approaching.
As I got into the elevator, memories rushed through my head, I subconsciously touched the walls and remembered how he had my back pinned to them several times, a little chuckle escaped my lips- crazy times!
Arriving at the CEO’s block, I put up my angry face and headed for his office. The door was wide open and my heart skipped the moment our eyes met. He was sitting behind his desk, looking ravishing in his inner jacket as he had taken off his suit.
“Hey Love… Missed me?” he smiled at me as he pushed his shoulders back and relaxed on the chair.
I scoffed and stormed into the office, making sure to show that I was mad at him. “Why did you do it?” I blurted with a frown.
He squinted his eyes with curiosity etched on his face and then tilted his head a bit. “What did I do this time, Miss Owl?”
I swallowed hard and my heart fluttered the moment he called me that, it has been centuries since I last heard him call me that. Fuck, this man knew how to knock off my confidence with his intimidating aura.
“Don’t act so innocent. Why did you buy the firm where I work? And then without asking if I was interested, you appointed me as the CEO.” I confronted him, trying hard to stay in character. He needed to know that he shouldn’t just meddle in life however he pleases.
“Oh! You meant that? Well, I did it because I can.” He smiled.
I groaned with a clenched fist; his arrogance drives me insane. “I didn’t ask you to, I didn’t want you to, why did you have to?” I fired at him.
He stood up with a smile and pushed his chair aside. “What makes you think I did it for you? My company actually picked interest, you were the one who once advised me to diversify our sources of income, so I thought it was cool to buy that publishing house and get involved in the media. Who knows? It might come in handy someday.” He laughed as he tucked his hands into his pants and slowly approached me.
“You think this is funny?” I rolled my eyes at him.
“No, what I think would be funny is when your general manager finds out that you are now his boss. How did he react to it? I hope now he knows not to mess with you.” he said in a deep threatening voice that gave me the shivers.
“So that is why you did it? You wanted to get revenge for me? I didn’t even tell you that he was causing trouble.”
“You didn’t need to tell me, if anyone comes even an inch closer to you, they will have me to contend with.” He announced.
“And why is that?” I asked as I folded my hands. “I don’t need you doing any of that for me?”
“I do what I want, Miss Owl. You want to know why I did it, well it is because I love you.” he spilled.
“Stop it,” I said in a whisper.
“Why? Are you scared of my love?” he replied back in a soft tone as he walked to my back.
I was too anxious to have my back to him so I quickly turned around to face him. “You need to drop this idea, Max. We cannot work, you need to let me be.”
“I disagree.” He stated adamantly. “Do you want to tell me you really came all the way here to ask me why I bought the company and made you CEO or were you just missing me?”
I opened my mouth to clap back but I found no words, I just sighed after not being able to find a response. Was he right? Did I really come here because I missed him? That is crazy, right?
He began to come closer and I paced backwards, my eyes stuck on him as he preyed on me like a wild wolf, those predator eyes calculating my movement. Once again he found a way to have me stuck between a table and himself; remind me of the old days.
He came closer to me and stared at my neck, my heart began to race. He raised his hand and I looked away in fear, he chuckled before pushing a strand of my hair behind my ears.
“Why are you torturing me like this? Why can't you just let me be? You have to let me go, Max.” I said almost in a whisper, with my heart thumping in my chest.
He smiled and turned my head to face him. “Because I don’t want to, and I know deep down, you don’t want me to, either.”
Before I could see it coming, he snaked his left arm around my tiny waist and pulled me to his body; my handbag dropped to the floor and my heart fluttered. With his other hand, he raised my jaws and stared at my lips.
I watched his eyes move from lips up to my eyes and down to my lips again, then he brought his face closer. I knew he was going for a kiss but I couldn’t stop him, at that moment it felt like time itself had paused and it was just the two of us.
His lips gently crashed into mine and my eyes shut at first contact. He kissed me and I squeezed my hands nervously, the moment his lips met mine, all rational thoughts left my head and I felt my knees go weak, unable to hold on the weight of my body.
As he pulled his lips away from mine, I shivered from the cold breeze against my lips and slowly opened my eyes. unable to say a word, I stood there like a statue, staring at his eyes, those eyes looked like they were burning straight into my soul.
“You really want me to stop chasing you, Ann? Then look into my eyes and tell me that you felt nothing when I kissed you. Tell me that you feel nothing for me and then I promise, you will never hear from me again.”
My heart paced up the moment I heard those words, knowing that he was a man of his words, I was assured that if I said the words, I could finally be rid of him, but when I opened my mouth to speak, no words came forth.
“I… I… I…” I was left stuttering between deep breaths; just one kiss from this man and his piercing eyes was enough to leave me paralyzed in the tongue.
Seconds later, I gave up trying to speak with locked eyesight and pushed him away from me, then I quickly turned my back to him and took a few steps away to catch my breath.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I muttered, with my back to him.
I didn’t want to look into those eyes again, they tormented me.
“It doesn’t seem like it to me,” I heard him utter as he came closer to me. Even with my back turned to him, I could still feel his towering height behind me.
I felt his arm wrap around my waist from behind as he pulled me closer, I felt his belt above my waist and the bulge in his pants pressing against my ass. My heart skipped! Next he gently rubbed his palm against my belly and I froze.
My baby! He was touching my baby? Does he know? What if he finds out?
I panicked and my heart raced; this man would give me a BP for fuck sake!
I felt his breath against my neck and I knew what to expect next. His lips came in contact with my neck and a soft moan escaped my lips, my head unconsciously bending to the other side for easy access to my neck.
I hated how much control he had over my body. He pinched the strands of my hair on my neck and moved them to the other side and then he planted kisses all over my neckline, down to my exposed shoulder and slowly towards my cleavage.
I gently grasped his pants by his thighs and let out a moan, my eyes closing on their own. “Please stop…” I begged in a whisper, unable to find the courage to break free from him.
His hands moved up from my tummy and slowly up to my breasts, he gently lifted it in the gown and I felt this relief flow throw me; I didn't realize how heavy my boobs were getting until now.
And then he suddenly let go and stepped back, I turned around to face him with a frown on my face. I don’t know why it made me mad when he stopped; didn’t I just want him to stop?
“You see, deny it as much as you like, but you want me.” He smiled, arrogance plastered all over his face.
“You wish!” I spurted out angrily and picked up my bag. Why was he messing with my head like that?
“Maxwell, this has to stop. Look, whatever we did in the past was solely based on a contract we had, it was just for your pleasure in exchange for the job, but that is all in the past, our deal is over, I don’t care that you made me CEO…”
“Wow! Easy!” he said while demonstrating with his hands. “Did I tick a nerve? What is with the mood swings?” he smiled.
I took a deep breath and let it out; he was right, why was I suddenly getting mad? I know I had been pretending to be angry with him so far but now I was really upset.
“All I am saying is that you need to stop, you need to forget about me and move on with your life. Remember when we first met? I told you to promise me that you would not fall in love with me, that is because I knew I would never get into a relationship with you, Mr. Blackwood.”
“Ouch!” Mr. Blackwood made a face. “That hurts me! And didn’t you say to leave the past behind? Fine, you asked me not to fall for you but it was reverse psychology. In other words, you made me fall in love with you by not wanting me to fall in love with you.”
I crumpled my face when he said that. “Wait… What? So this is my fault? No, gaslighting is just unacceptable, don’t make this about me, Max.” I retorted. How does he even think of these things?
“But it is the truth.” He argued.
“No, it is not. I would not fall for your self-pity and blackmail; in fact, this conversation is over and I hope this is the last time we meet.”
“We both know you really don’t mean that.”
“Yes I do. This is not me being ungrateful, thanks for the promotion, now please stay away from me.” I begged. To think that this man had me moaning just a few minutes ago would leave me questioning my sanity.
“I fear it is a bit too late for that, my lady. Forget about that, what do you say, I come pick you up for lunch later today and we can talk this over a nice plate of…”
“No!!” I interrupted him. Was he even listening? “I Just said I don’t want to see you again.”
“But I own the company where you work, so you are bound to see me again, Miss Owl.”
Good Lord! He is so stubborn that he is going to drive me crazy.
“Then maybe I should just quit and find a new job.”
“Then I will just buy your new place of work and make you the CEO again.” He smirked.
“Ughhhh!!” I growled with a clenched fist. “Fuck you Maxwell Blackwood!” I spat without a second thought.
“Time and place?” he asked with a grin.
“I hate you!” I blurted and dashed towards the exit.
“No you don’t! So we are still having that lunch, right?” he screamed behind me and I was filled with even more rage. This man is impossible!
“Goodbye Love, see you soon!” his fading voice came from the office as I walked into the hallway and I cussed hard.
I didn’t even care to check on Megan, I just stormed off.
TBC!