Chapter 23
After a long drive, we finally arrived at the party venue.
I walked through the doors with Alex, immediately struck by the sophisticated, elegant décor.
The host greeted us with a warm smile and led us to our table, where some of Alex’s clients and friends were already seated—the group we’d be spending the evening with.
The atmosphere was vibrant, soft music playing in the background and the hum of conversations filling the air as we settled in for a night of networking and business.
I greeted everyone with a smile and settled into my chair, feeling at ease at the table.
Soon, the waiter came over with a glass of champagne, which I gladly accepted.
I love the sensation of those little bubbles rising through the glass and tickling my nose when I take a sip.
I smiled to myself, lost in that trivial thought, when one of the women at the table caught my attention, striking up a conversation and pulling me back to reality.
“Hello, what’s your name?” one of them asked, trying to be friendly.
“I’m Chloe, Alex’s personal assistant,” I replied with a polite smile.
“I’m Martha. This is Tabitha, and that’s Sophia. We’re the wives,” one of them said with a shy smile.
“Pleasure to meet you. Your husbands are our clients, so I already know them professionally. I hope to see you at future meetings.”
“We don’t usually get involved in their work—we just spend the money our husbands earn,” Martha said with a wry smile, and they all laughed. “That didn’t sound good, did it?” she added, still laughing.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. You’re beautiful women. I’m sure your husbands support and value you very much.”
“You’re beautiful too, and you look so young.”
“Not as young as I look. And I’ve already got a lot of responsibilities.”
“Who do you live with? Sorry for the question,” Sophia inquired with a gentle tone.
“No problem. I live with my sister. My mother passed away a few years ago, so it’s just the two of us now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for asking again.”
“I love my little sister—she’s everything to me. I’m very proud to take care of her.”
“I can imagine,” Sophia said with an understanding smile. “It’s always hard to lose someone so important, but the way you take care of your sister is admirable.”
We talked for quite a while longer until the buffet was announced and served.
I have to admit, I was starving, so Alex and I got up to help ourselves.
I took the opportunity to try a little of everything since I recognized most of the options.
Although my past had its challenges, my stepfather, despite his flaws, had given us a comfortable life and plenty of opportunities.
Now, I was making the most of this evening, savoring every bite and enjoying the company of Alex and the other guests.
Once I was satisfied, I kept chatting with my new friends for a while longer.
But soon Alex called me over to greet a potential new client, and as his assistant, I didn’t hesitate to join him.
I picked up my champagne glass, which the waiter had left on the table, and took Alex’s extended hand.
I stood up and slipped my arm through his, feeling secure and elegant at his side.
Together, we made our way across the room, stopping to greet some acquaintances I hadn’t seen yet that evening.
“Mr. Osmar, I’d like to introduce you to my assistant and right hand, Chloe.”
A gentleman in his sixties turned and looked me up and down with a gaze that made me feel as if I knew him from somewhere. Curious, I tried to remember where I might have seen him before, but my face remained expressionless as I studied his features.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Osmar,” I said, extending my hand to greet him.
“Hello, young lady,” he responded with an intrigued look. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“I had the same feeling. But I can’t remember where from. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all, no problem. We’ll have time to figure it out. After all, your company offers excellent investment services. I’ll likely become a client, but I want to learn a bit more first.”
Alex smiled, satisfied with Mr. Osmar’s interest.
“We’d be happy to have you in for a meeting,” Alex said, smiling. “If you’d like to leave a card, I’ll call to schedule at a time and place that works for you.”
“Of course.” He took a card from his pocket and handed it to Alex. “I’ll be expecting your call.”
“Absolutely. You’ll hear from me as soon as possible.”
At that moment, Abigail approached and wrapped her arm around Mr. Osmar’s, casting me a hostile look before turning her possessive gaze toward Alex.
The message was clear: I was invading forbidden territory.
The tension in the air spiked immediately.
Her presence put me on alert, making me curious about her relationship with Mr. Osmar.
“Hi, Alex, my love,” Abigail said, her voice sweet but her eyes betraying possessiveness. “I stopped by your company, but you didn’t return my call. I don’t think my message was passed along.” She stared at me with an unfriendly expression.
“Yes, Abigail. Chloe is an excellent employee and did pass along your message. However, I didn’t see anything we needed to discuss, which is why I didn’t call back.”
I couldn't help but smirk with satisfaction at Abigail's reaction—she shot me a withering look. That's when a young man approached, and our eyes met. A shock ran through my entire body, and I decided to get out of there before things got worse and I gave something away.
“Alex, I'm going to get some air,” I say quietly, low enough that only he can hear. “Mr. Osmar, it was a pleasure speaking with you. I'll be in touch next week. Excuse me.”
With a polite smile, I walked away from the group, feeling Abigail's gaze fixed on me. I didn't look back, knowing I needed to get away from that situation before it became more complicated.
I walk toward the open glass doors leading to the balcony.
I grip the champagne flute tightly, feeling the coolness of the drink and the smoothness of the glass.
It can't be possible—running into him here, of all places.
Once I'm outside, leaning against the doorframe, I hear a voice behind me.
At first, I don't recognize it, but when I turn around, I know exactly who it belongs to.
My heart starts beating faster, and I feel a mix of conflicting emotions.
“Well, well, look who I ran into again,” he says, approaching me. “So you're my brother-in-law's assistant,” he adds, his tone laced with veiled criticism.
“What do you want?” I ask directly, trying to stay calm.
“I just want you to finish what you started that day. After all, I paid a pretty high price.”
“What you did was wrong. Don't hold your breath, because there won't be a next time.”
“I just want what's rightfully mine. After all, you don't come cheap, do you?”
Just then, a voice interrupts our conversation.
“Mind telling me what's going on here?”
I'm completely paralyzed. Alex heard our conversation and must have gotten it all wrong.
His face is unreadable, his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched, as if he's barely containing his rage.
His posture is tense, and I can feel the hostility radiating off him.
I know I need to explain, but the words seem frozen in my throat.
The silence is heavy, and I feel caught between a rock and a hard place, with no idea how to get out of this unscathed.
“Ask your assistant. By the way, she's wonderful at what she does.” He gives me a sly smile, pats Alex on the shoulder twice, and leaves.
It's over. That's what I feel when I look directly into Alex's eyes. Everything was so perfect, and now it's all crumbled. I can't give up, and I won't. I need to explain what really happened.
“Let me explain, Alex,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “It's not what you think.”
But Alex doesn't give me the chance. He turns his back on me and walks away, and I follow.
We get in the car and head to his house.
When we arrive, I try to get close to him, but Alex pulls back, putting a barrier between us.
I feel a tightness in my chest, knowing I need to find a way to make him hear me out.
“I dance at a club—private dances,” I begin, trying to find the right words. “Before, I used to perform on stage, but after I got the job as your assistant, I stopped. But then the ill—”
“I don't want to hear anything else,” Alex interrupts, his voice firm and cold. “Get the hell out of here before I throw you out myself. I don't want to be rude to you, so please, leave!”
“Let me explain, Alex, please!” I beg, feeling the desperation growing inside me.
“There's no explanation, Chloe,” he says, his tone final. “I heard enough.”
Suddenly, he shouts, making me jump.
“Damn it!” he exclaims. “If I'd known you were that kind of woman, I never would have gotten involved with you.
You're no different from Abigail. I trusted you—shit, I believed that with this innocent face”—he grabs my chin forcefully—“you'd be different. But no, I got burned again, and by some girl.”
His words cut deep, and I realized I was losing not only my job, but also any chance of being with him.
He lets out a sarcastic laugh while I stand there frozen, staring at him. Yes, I should have told him, but now it's too late. He won't listen to me, at least not while he's like this. So I decide to leave. I turn away and start walking toward the door when I hear:
“Stop by HR on Monday. I don't want to see your disgusting face ever again.”
I flinch at the sound of a glass shattering against the wall and hold it together to keep from crying right there.
But the moment I leave his house, I break down in tears.
The pain of his words throbs in my chest. Never in my entire life have I heard anything so cruel, and it hurt deeply—especially coming from the man I love, the one I gave myself to body and soul.
Now, it's over. I know him well enough to know he won't want to hear me out. But if I ever get the chance to explain myself, I will. The hope that someday I can set things straight is all I have left in this moment of pain and despair.