The CEO Is Obsessed With Me

THIRD PERSON POV

Luke woke up with a wet towel on his forehead and a bitter taste in his mouth.

Cracking his eyes open, his dreary gaze wandered about the room. He had passed out again. His head throbbed painfully, and he winced at the bright rays of sunlight spilling through the window blinds. This confused him because he was sure he’d never opened them.

He stayed in bed, too lazy to move, or rather, he couldn’t move at all. He felt something weigh him down, keeping him in place like an anchor in the sea.

Luke let his gaze fall, towards the subject of obstruction, and his eyes rounded, shocked to find Aurelia’s head resting on his lap. Her eyes were closed, her coppery hair coming alive in the bright sunlight.

He swallowed hard, watching her with a conflicted expression. Why was she still here? Why would she stay after he treated her so horribly?

These questions plagued his mind, and with them came an unsettling pang in his chest. Was this guilt? Shame or regret. Maybe it was all three, mixing in an excruciating punishment that reminded him of his I’ll deeds.

Luke reached out for her but stopped himself. His hands froze in mid-air as her full eyelashes fluttered, opening to reveal deep gray eyes that resembled ancient diamonds.

Aurelia woke, meeting his gaze. A small smile rested on his face, which confused him even more.

“You’re awake.” She said, her voice coming out in a hushed whisper. They stared at each other for a moment, saying nothing. Then suddenly Aurelia’s eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat as if she’d just remembered something.

“Oh my God!” She sprang up, pulling away from him with her hands high above her head. She held that pose as if to say she was surrendering, but honestly, she had just realized that she’d slept off on his lap. Aurelia immediately stood to her feet, letting out an awkward laugh as she began stretching her limbs.

Why? She had no idea, but it was the only thing she could think of at that moment.

Luke regarded her in silence, and Aurelia took his unwavering stare as an immediate threat. She immediately composed herself, standing at stiff attention as she cleared her throat.

“Uhm…” she began, her gaze zeroing in on her boots. She couldn’t look at him, not when her heart was in a frenzy, cheeks ablaze. “You suddenly passed out, and your butler told me you were sick so I…. I thought”

“Aurelia.” Luke cut her off, and she inhaled sharply, her teeth sinking into her lower lip to shut up.

A few minutes passed, but Luke didn’t say anything more. What could he say? It was the first time he was at a loss of words. He opened his mouth but his voice failed him, something that had never happened before. But then again, this was his first attempt at an apology.

He couldn’t deny that he was ashamed of how he treated her. Luke had never taken pleasure in forcing himself on a woman, and he was certain he never will. His head was in the wrong place, a dark place, robbing him of all reasoning. Still, it wasn’t an excuse for his behavior.

He had called her here on impulse. But it wasn’t to relieve himself of the stress that piled within him. Luke wished that was the only reason, but it wasn’t. Far from it even.

In plain words. He’d just wanted to see her. He missed her.

Luke cursed under his breath, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He just couldn’t find the right combination of words. He’d expected her to be furious, but this insufferable woman waited. Waited and stayed for him to come around.

Just the thought of it made his heart feel a little lighter. But then he remembered her terrified expression and cursed again. It was like a slap on his face.

Meanwhile, Aurelia was internationally panicking, wondering what could be going on in his head right now.

She was regretting her life choices, maybe if she’d left then This awkward encounter would have been discouraged. But she stayed because she couldn’t leave with her questions unanswered. That was what she made herself believe, that she stayed only for that reason and nothing more.

But now that she faced him, she couldn’t summon the courage to ask him for anything.

After what seemed to be like ages, Luke finally found his voice, though it was rough and unsteady. “Aurelia,” he said again, softer this time.

She looked up at him reluctantly, her eyes wide and filled with a mix of fear and nervousness. “Yes?”

“Did you receive the couch?” Luke fought the urge to facepalm as he’d said the exact opposite of what he intended.

Aurelia blinked once then twice, registering his words.

“Uhm…” she nodded stiffly, thinking back to the piece of furniture that was delivered to her home. “Yes, I did.”

Luke sighed, going for another try. “Did you like it?” He asked instead. What the hell was wrong with him?

“The couch was exactly the same as the old one so…I think I do,” Aurelia answered, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck as she focused her gaze on anywhere else but him.

“I see.”

Another excruciating moment of silence passed.

“I’m glad your wound is healing…” Aurelia pointed out, her gaze lingering on his torso. Yes, his hard chiseled torso was wrapped in a tight bandage. Swallowing hard, she forced her eyes away, smoothing the non-existent crease in her skirt.

Luke’s brows furrowed on hearing her statement. He knew she was indirectly asking him how he ended up the way he did, but it was out of the question. For her safety.

“I showed up to your house bloodied, and I know you were scared and confused. But I can’t give you a definite explanation, other than I needed your help.” He spoke up, his tone diplomatic as he combed his hands through his hair.

Aurelia nodded, although she wasn’t satisfied. “I understand.” No, she didn’t, but who was she to argue? It wasn’t like she expected him to bear his heart and secrets to him. She didn’t have the right and couldn’t demand it.

After all, as Veronica had insinuated; She was just one among the flock. Ah, her mood was immediately ruined once again. “Please get some rest, Mr. Graham, if that’ll be all…. I’d like to get going.” she’d gotten her answer, and he was okay, so there was no other reason for her to stay.

Aurelia turned to leave before he could detect the emotions that were evident on her face, but her heart leaped in her chest when he grabbed her wrist, causing her steps to screech to a stop.

Luke had moved without thinking, reaching out for her. “I’m…I’m sorry,” he forced out, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. “I’m sorry for how I treated you earlier.”

Aurelia spun, clearly taken aback by his apology. She wondered if it was really the CEO that sat before her, or someone else.

She’d never imagined he’d even heard of the words ‘I’m sorry’, let alone say it to her. If this was possible, then maybe pigs could fly as well.

Meanwhile, the pair were oblivious to the butler who stood frozen at the entrance of the room, a tray with a cup and some medicine in his hands. He quickly stepped back, his jaw scraping the floor as he did so.

He’d been working for Luke for five years. And never had he seen his boss stare so affectionately at a woman. Simon couldn’t help but smile and chuckle to himself as he silently made his way back to his post, careful not to interrupt their special moment.

“What?” Aurelia blurted out, disbelief crossing over her features.

Luke sighed heavily, feeling the weight of her uneasiness and his inadequacy to properly express his emotions. The only indication was his grip on her wrist tightening reassuringly. “And thank you….” he continued his voice barely above a whisper. “For saving my life.”

There was a long pause as Aurelia processed his words. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the regret etched into his features. It softened her heart, just a little.

Just a little for a blooming warmth to creep to her cheeks, coloring them scarlet.

“And as a token of my thanks,” Luke’s lips curved into a suggestive smile, one that caused her heart to skip a thousand beats if it were possible. But that was what it felt like.

“Tell me what you want and I’ll get it, anything at all. If it’s within my power, it’ll be done.”

Aurelia thought she’d won the lottery and at that moment. Only one thing came to mind.

“I want…. my old job back.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.