Taming Mr. CEO

In six months of working as executive secretary, there are changes happening not just in my life but also, in my daughter’s life. I still remember how she asked me before about sending her to school and since we don’t have enough money to sustain her study, I was the one who act like her teacher during the night before going to the bed. But now, because of having my current job, I finally granted her wish and now studying in a private pre-school which gives her joy. We also afford to move into a new space, nearby my workplace and her school so it would not be too hassle for the two of us. I can also spoil her with different toys and have lots of time to bond with her as my schedule is friendly enough. My boss is nice enough too and far from being rude and strick billionaire.

There is one time that Helena bring Aisle into the office which gives me a mini heart attack as for thinking that my boss will be mad. But no, he didn’t get mad and didn’t even say anything bad about bringing my daughter. As a matter of fact, he get fond of my daughter and told me that Aisle reminds him of someone that hunt my curiosity. However, I didn’t bother to ask him.

“Alice?” I lifted my eyes from the monitor to my boss who’s standing in front of my table.

“Yes, Sir?”

“After you finish the reports, can you buy a mouthful cake for me?”

Even though I was curious about what he going to do with the cake, I still nodded. “Give me ten minutes more, Sir… I’ll buy right away.” He nodded while smiling at me before going back inside his office.

On the other, I finished the reports as soon as possible and went outside for his favor. I went to a mall and look for a cake shop. Finding one that might suit my boss’ taste wasn’t hard for I was used to finding some cakes for my Aisle. My daughter really loves sweets and one of them is cakes which literally giving me headaches sometimes. I reminded her often that too much consumption of sweets is not good but as a kid, especially on a toddler stage, it was hard for me to convince Aisle. Plus, her Mama Helena spoils her always. Giving all sweets she demands.

“Three thousand and four hundred, Ma’am.” I took four blue bills out of my pocket and give them to the cashier. After a few seconds, she gave me my exchange and I went back to the office.

When I came back, I knocked first on my boss’ office before it flew open with a woman behind the door leaf. The woman was in an elegant blue dress, with her hair tied into a french twist. Pearls as her accessories, from her earnings to her necklace. Her make-up was fair enough, not too thick but not too light.

“Good morning, Ma’am.” I greeted as I stepped inside. “Sir, I already bought the cake you asked for. I didn’t know the exact flavor you prefer so I picked the most common one but I assure you first that it was good.” I laid down the box of cakes on the table.

“Thank you, Alice.” I slipped for a smile and asked for my exit.

I went straight to Aisle’s school after work. I promised her that I will be the one to pick her up instead of her Mama Helena who’s also busy with her work.

“Mommy!” It was Aisle who’s already waiting for me outside her school. She’s with her other schoolmates, chit-chatting just like the usual kid. I can’t help but to smile in delight upon knowing that my daughter is slowly having her circle of friends unlike before that I and her Mama Helena she’s bonding with.

She ran towards my car. Yeah, my car which is one of the benefits given by my boss. I opened the door for her and she quickly hopped inside.

“How was your school, baby?” I asked, fixing her things on the backseat.

“My day is good, Mommy… we have an activity earlier and look.” She showed me her right arm with a red mark in the shape of a star on it. “I got a star, Mommy. The teacher said I nailed the activity that’s why I got this!” she proudly announced, her lips are stretching for her wide smile.

I caged her heart-shaped face on my palm and level my head on hers. “I’m so proud of you, baby,” I told, kissing the tip of tiny nose. “My baby’s star is calling for a celebration. Where do you want to go?” I asked afterward, turning on the car’s engine.

“I heard from one of my classmates that there are candy restaurant nearby that offers various candies, Mommy. Can we take a look?” she asked, blinking her eyes in her cute ways.

“Take a look only… you don’t want to eat?”

She giggled. “Of course, I would love to Mommy. Promise.” Raising her right hand on the level of her shoulder. “I won’t eat too many candies… just a few candies, maybe about four or five.”

I patted her head while shaking my head. “Fine but just five sweets, baby… nothing more.” I started the engine and drive to the place she’s talking to.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Several minutes of driving passed and we finally reach the candy restaurant. It wasn’t a literal candy restaurant. It was a restaurant with so many sweets inside making my daughter cheer in delight as she saw those candies, chocolate fountains even cupcakes in every corner of the room. She promised that she will only request not too many sweets but her actions as we reach the place says otherwise. In the end, I was the one who give up. In order to stop her, I bought her everything she pointed out but assured her that she will not eat all of those in one day.

“Give mommy a hug, baby,” I commanded her before kneeling in front of Aisle who’s still in her pajamas. She obeyed what I have said with her bonus kiss.

I showered her my kisses too before carrying her back to her seat. I turned to Helena who’s busy putting jam on Aisle’s bread. “Helena… take her to the dentist first, please. She’s eating too many sweets that’s why she’s now complaining about her toothache.”

Helena nodded at me. “Nothing to worry, Alice… you can go now to the office, you might be late,” she said, looking up at the clock hanging on the wall.

I pick up my shoulder bag as well as my folders of reports and the coat I’ll going to wear when I am already in the office. Before stepping outside, I faced my daughter who’s brows are slightly contorted because of pain.

“Mama Helena will take you to the dentist, baby. Don’t worry about the pain too much, the dentist will take away those cavities. I got to go, baby… behave while you are in the clinic.” She nodded silently.

I hastily hopped inside the parked car in front of the high-rise condominium where I got our current condo unit. When I glanced at my wrist, my watch says that I am already late. I bit on the bottom of my lips as I started to drive fast. Good thing that there was no heavy traffic ahead of me so after several minutes, I reached the building and parked my car in rush.

“Good morning, Ma’am.” I don’t even get the chance to greet back the security guard at the entrance as he greets me. I ran through the elevator and silently cursed when it closed as soon as I arrived.

“God! Looks like you need to take the stairs, Alice,” I mumbled, walking through the stairs.

I can’t be late now. My boss called me yesterday that I need to be in the office before he arrived but unfortunately, I think I will disappoint him this time. I woke up late earlier and has to prepare for our breakfast. And then Aisle complained about her toothaches which I can’t just set aside for she’s crying too much out of pain. I have to wait for Helena to come in before I leave Aisle but Helena’s house is far from our unit. So yeah, now… I am late and have to prepare my reasons for my boss to understand me.

I was rushing myself climbing the stairs and silently celebrated inside my mind when I reached my office’s floor. But the celebration inside me eventually ruined when I hit something -someone, I think- that caused my folders as well as my butt to kiss the hard floor.

Still wincing in pain, I stood up and picked up those folders I have in my hand earlier. When there were no remaining papers on the floor, I looked up at the person that I bumped in and was ready to apologize but the man quickly passed through me, bumping my shoulder. I twirled around and it was his broad back that welcomed me. Sudden anger because of the man’s rudeness, I was about to throw my words at him when one of my workmates came into the scene.

I was forced to leave the rude man behind and walked through my boss’s office as he already waiting for me, especially to the reports that had just flown away earlier. With my cold hand because of nervousness, I twisted the doorknob and came inside. There, I was welcomed by the strange face of a man, wearing a business suit while sitting peacefully on the leather couch.

He looked me up with a playful grin on his lips, showing his perfect set of white teeth. “Are you my Dad’s secretary?” he asked, eyeing me from head to toe.

I nodded, not slipping for a word which made him chuckle. He stood up, stretching his limbs in front of me. “I’m Lyndon, the youngest Ivanov. Care to tell your name, Miss Secretary?” His brow twitch.

I want to roll my eyes because it was pretty obvious that he’s hitting on me by just watching his sinful eyes, scanning me frankly. But since I am facing my boss son-which is based on him- I held my hand.

“Alice Del Angelo, Sir,” I said politely. He stared at my hand hanging in the air for a couple of seconds before he took it and shake hands with me. I cringed slightly when I felt how he squeezed my hand that made me pull out from our shake hands. But to my annoyance, he burst out laughing-clutching his stomach with his shoulders shaking.

He just stopped from laughing when the door flung open, giving Mr. Ivanov and a very familiar man beside him. To my shock upon seeing the man just beside my boss, I clutched on my chest… squeezing the part where my heart lies beneath. I instantly felt how my heart beat erratically as both of them started walking. My eyes settled on the man with shoulder-length hair, tied into a half bun. It seems like everything goes in slow motion as the memories of the past slowly flashback inside my mind.

“Alice? Are you with us?” I roamed my eyes carelessly as I heard my boss’ voice. My eyes then landed on him, sitting in front of me. And when I scanned myself, I got curious on how do I even managed to sit when I am too occupied with the man-sitting just beside him now.

“Dad, your secretary is too funny.” I tilted my head and found out that Lyndon is sitting beside me while checking me out with a grin on his lips.

“Alice… I asked you to be early because of this matter.”

I shyly bowed my head. “I’m sorry for being late, Sir William,” I apologized.

“It’s okay… anyway, met my sons. The one sitting beside you–”

“He already knows me, Dad,” Lyndon cut his dad’s words. “I introduced myself to her earlier, that’s why.” I secretly rolled my eyes before lifting the gaze that made me meet a pair of eyes.

I gulped, pinching myself secretly. When I felt the pain, I cussed inside. I am not dreaming… the heck!

“Well then, this is Logan… my oldest son. They are here now with us because starting today, you will work with them.” My eyes went wide.

“W–With them?” I startled.

“Yeah,” Mr. William smiled. “Lyndon will going to work as the head of finance while Logan, he will going to replace me for a while,” he announced that made me protest.

“What? No, Sir!”

Are the words that I want to shout in disagreement but remain as words inside my mind.

As I glanced at his oldest son once again, it feels like I wanted to run and be gone in his sight. What the hell is happening? For all person I will be going to meet in this company, why does it need to be him? This man… this man with a big part in my past.