Chapter 36
The CEO's Pet
Elena
The next day at work felt different from the moment I set foot in the company, the stares from the other employees felt different.
They saw me back then, but I felt like they were really seeing me now. I'd been given a new office, on Damien's orders.
Till now I couldn't believe he'd made me his personal assistant for the Houston project.
Easy now, Elena, I warned myself. I had to stay alert at all times, working in such close proximity with Damien was never going to be an easy thing.
All this was because he still believed I'd lost my memory, one wrong move and everything would be gone.
I unpacked my bag, taking out the unfinished revised proposal I'd worked on all night. Damien hadn't selected who the new members of the team would be so for now I was doing all the work.
I'd painstakingly gone through every single text, every single figure in the proposal looking for any loopholes. I assumed Damien would make me present the revised part to the board again.
I would be ready.
I was working when there was a knock at the door, my heart skipped a beat when I saw who'd walked in.
"Connor?" I blinked, surprised to see him. I hadn't seen Conor for days, I'd checked his desk space a couple of times but I'd seen no sign of him. It was totally unexpected that he would seek me out.
"Elena," he said curtly, stepping inside. "Settling in nicely, I see," Connor glanced around the office.
His tone sent a chill down my spine.
"I didn't expect to see you here," I said cautiously, rising to meet his gaze.
"Why would you?" Connor asked, his voice held a thin edge that bordered on bitterness. "You've been busy I must say."
What was he talking about? I wondered. "What do you mean?" I asked, frowning in confusion.
"Oh spare me!" Connor's expression turned ugly "You're the reason Damien kicked me off the project, and now?" Connor sneered. "Now you've got what you wanted haven't you?"
A lump formed in my throat and for a moment I couldn't speak. "I'd just heard Connor, I—" I tried to explain but Conor cut me off.
"So you're saying you didn't know huh?" Connor's expression was ugly as he spoke. "You also didn't know about Olivia getting sacked huh?"
I fell silent, unable to say a word. I'd been present when Damien had outrightly sent Olivia packing.
"I thought so," Connor's tone was mocking as he stared at me. "You're nothing but a corporate thief."
"I didn't ask for this Connor," I whispered, willing him to believe me. "I—"
"I don't want to hear another word out of your lying mouth," Connor spat, his tone filled with venom.
"You wouldn't have to bother now, you're Damien's girl now aren't you?"
You…" I stuttered, searching for a response but it was his next statement that left me reeling.
"So tell me, Elena," Connor leaned in, his eyes filled with mockery. "The sudden promotion, the special treatment, I wonder if you worked for it, or…" Connor trailed off but the suggestion in his words was unmistakable.
How dare he? I felt the blood drain out of my face as I stared at him, I could feel a ball of rage rapidly churning within me. What did Connor take me for? A girl who'd slept her way to the top? The mere thought sent a wave of disgust into my system.
Before I could respond, Damien's voice crackled over the intercom.
"Elena, my office. Now."
His words were like the spell that broke the stalemate between me and Connor.
"Hahaha," Connor chuckled darkly. "Go on then," he said, stepping aside. "You wouldn't want to keep our CEO waiting," he said in a solemn voice but I could see the amusement flickering in his eyes.
I pushed past him, my head held high despite the storm raging inside me.
Damien was busy at his desk when I walked in, his desk was strewn with paperwork.
"You're late," Damien snapped, his eyes met mine before he steered them back to the documents in his hands.
I swallowed, trying to press down the still raging flames of anger in my mind. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Have a seat," Damien finally sat up.
I nodded, taking my seat. I wondered what his summons was about. I hadn't finished adjusting the proposal so it couldn't be about that.
My mind strayed for a second back to Connor's words and my hands clenched but I exhaled, consciously relaxing them.
Damien's eyes flicked to me, his brows furrowing slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, too quickly. Damien raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but he didn't push further. He picked up a file and pushed it across the desk towards me.
I silently opened it and began going through it.
"Your new task," Damien explained, seeing the confusion on my face. "One of our investors, Mike Lipton, he wasn't in town to attend the presentation. So you'll be going to see him."
I listened while my eyes scanned through the document.
"He's an important piece in all of this Elena," Damien stared at me. "Make sure you convince him."
"Yes," I nodded, lifting my chin. "I'll handle it."
"Good," Damien's tense expression relaxed by a degree. "I'm putting a lot of trust in you, don't make me regret it."
The air felt charged as Damien met my gaze, his eyes sucking me in. He suddenly smiled, breaking the spell.
"I won't let you down," I said firmly, meeting his gaze.
"Then get to work," he said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.
As I left his office, Connor's words replayed in my mind, mixing with Damien's.
Is that what everyone thought of me? That I was Damien's little plaything? The thought made me feel uncomfortable.
The only way to prove them wrong was by proving my capability, only then would the rumors and noise die down.
I couldn't afford to fail. This was my chance to prove everyone wrong.
I walked back to my office, my mind already picking ways I'd tackle the upcoming meeting.
Mike Lipton, next.