Chapter 19
Alice Mendes
Oliver invited me to dinner at his place!! I still can't believe it, and of course I couldn't say no—after all, it's exactly what I want.
I get home, shower, and head to the kitchen to make dinner for Cata and me. As I've mentioned, we always take turns cooking. I prepare a medium-rare steak with vegetables and pour some red wine to go with it. Our evenings are always wonderful. I love my friend and I'm grateful to have her with me.
After dinner, she washes the dishes and puts everything away in the cabinets. We're the same that way—we both hate mess, so we make sure everything's organized before bed.
“Want to watch a movie, Cata?” I ask.“Comedy or romance?” She knows me well.“Let's do both.” I laugh softly.
In the living room, we put on a romantic comedy, but halfway through I decide to call it a night. I'm exhausted. We've been trying to get all the company work organized so we can travel without leaving loose ends, since we'll be gone for quite a while.
I straighten my bed, lie down, and soon Oliver invades my thoughts. We made plans to have dinner at his place... am I doing the right thing? I ask myself. After all, he's my boss. But if he invited me, who am I to say no? I fall asleep with this whirlwind of thoughts.
The next morning, I follow my routine: breakfast with Cata, then we head to the hotel. Another busy workday awaits us, but deep down I have only one hope: that Oliver doesn't cancel dinner.
I get to my floor, turn on my desktop, grab the tablet to organize messages, and suddenly he appears in the hallway. Today he looks stunning in a black pinstripe three-piece suit—my favorite look on him.
He stops in front of me and asks:“Miss Alice, did you lose something?”
Only then do I realize I can't take my eyes off him. I try to play it off, but Oliver notices and asks:“Does the suit look good on me?”
Damn! How does he know I was checking him out? Could it be that besides being gorgeous, an excellent CEO, and an impeccable man, he also reads minds? No, Alice... only you would think something like that.
“Good morning, sir. I apologize. Yes, that style of suit looks great on you. I'll get your coffee and bring it to your office right away—excuse me!”
I practically run out, but not before catching his little smile.“Okay, Alice, I'll be waiting in my office.”
I return to my desk, grab everything I need, and head over.
I knock lightly on the door and he immediately lets me in.
I settle into the chair across from him and start going through the schedule—which is light today.
Finally, a day spent entirely at the office.
Then he says:“Since things are quiet today, Alice, I want you to work on something with me. I have some projects and I need your help.”
“Of course, sir. But may I ask what it's about?”
“You'll find out soon enough. First, check your emails. If there's nothing urgent, grab your tablet and come back to my office.”
“Okay, sir. I'll be right back.”
At my desk, I check my emails—nothing that can't wait. I call Cata and let her know that if anyone needs me, I'll be in the president's office.
Back at Oliver's door, I knock and enter. He's standing at the window, looking out. I stand there, frozen, watching him. God, he's handsome. How did that fiancée manage to cheat on him?
Suddenly, he turns and our eyes meet. We're locked in each other's gaze for seconds that feel like hours. The phone ringing breaks the moment. Oliver glances at the screen, rejects the call, and turns back to me:
“Let's get started, Alice. I have a lot to show you.”
He approaches the desk, turns the computer toward me, and starts talking. I try to focus on his words, but all I can take in is the way his strong fingers glide across the screen, his firm voice filling the room, and that subtle, intoxicating cologne enveloping me.
“Alice, are you listening to me?” His question snaps me out of my daydream.
I swallow hard.“Yes, sir. I'm paying attention.”
He smirks, as if he knows exactly what's going through my head. Then he leans in closer, resting his hands on the desk, so close I can feel the heat radiating from his body.
“Good, because from now on... you're going to be working much closer to me.”
His gaze locks onto mine—intense, provocative. And in that instant, I realize: this dinner won't be just a simple dinner.