CHAPTER 11 ~ GOSSIP

ALEXANDRA’S POV

I turned around and walked away from the massive glass desk. I reached out, grabbed the cold metal handle, and pulled the heavy oak door open. I stepped out of the private executive office and walked directly past Margaret’s reception desk without saying a single word. I pressed the call button for the elevator, stepped inside the empty metal car, and rode back down to the forty-second floor.

My hands physically shook as I stepped out of the elevator and entered the loud data analytics department. I ignored the staring eyes of the other employees. I walked straight into the small supply closet located near the employee breakroom. I grabbed a medium-sized brown cardboard box from the top metal shelf. I unfolded the cardboard flaps and pushed the bottom edges together to construct the square box. I carried the empty container across the carpeted floor and placed it flat on the surface of my small corner desk.

I began packing my personal belongings immediately. I wanted to leave the intern floor before my severe imposter syndrome convinced me to reject the massive promotion. I placed my white ceramic coffee mug, my three spiral notebooks, and my plastic container of black ink pens into the bottom of the cardboard box. I reached up and pulled my thick black-framed glasses off my face. I wiped the clear lenses with my shirt sleeve, put my glasses back on my face, and pushed the plastic frames firmly up the bridge of my nose.

I heard the distinct squeaking sound of plastic wheels rolling across the carpet. Jessica pushed her office chair directly next to my cubicle and stared down at the brown cardboard box.

"Alexandra, why are you packing your desk items into a cardboard box?" Jessica asked loudly, her voice filled with intense curiosity. "Did Mr. Volkov fire you because you completely ruined the financial algorithm? I warned you to leave the senior data alone."

I grabbed my heavy black wool coat from the back of my rolling chair and folded the thick fabric over my left arm. I turned my body and looked directly at Jessica's face.

"No, Jessica," I replied softly, keeping my voice very calm and professional. "Mr. Volkov did not fire me, and I did not ruin the corporate algorithm."

Jessica narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "Then why are you leaving the data department in the middle of the Monday morning shift? Did you do something inappropriate inside his private office to keep your internship secure? The senior analysts are standing near the water cooler right now, and they are openly guessing that you traded physical favors to save your job."

A sharp pain of anxiety hit my stomach, but I refused to let her cruel words break my professional posture. I knew exactly how toxic the corporate office politics could become, and I refused to participate in the petty gossip. I knew I had earned my new position with my own intelligence.

"The senior analysts are currently unemployed," I stated clearly, picking up the heavy cardboard box with both of my hands. "Mr. Volkov fired them twenty minutes ago because they made a massive forty-million-dollar mathematical error. I am packing my belongings because Mr. Volkov explicitly promoted me to the executive acquisition team. I am the new Lead Financial Analyst, and I am moving my desk to the ninetieth floor permanently. Have a wonderful afternoon, Jessica."

I did not wait to hear her response. I turned around and walked confidently away from her cubicle. I carried the heavy brown box past the rows of silent, staring employees. I walked back to the executive elevator and rode the metal car directly up to the top floor.

I walked past Margaret’s reception desk again and pushed the heavy oak doors open. I stepped inside the massive corner office. I stopped moving immediately and stared at the empty space located exactly ten feet away from Maximilian's clear glass desk.

His executive staff had already delivered my new workspace. A beautiful, heavy oak desk sat perfectly parallel to his own desk. A large digital computer monitor, a mechanical keyboard, and a black desk telephone rested neatly on the smooth wooden surface. I walked across the dark gray carpet and set my cardboard box down on my new desk. I unpacked my notebooks and placed my white ceramic coffee mug next to the keyboard.

I looked down at the black leather office chair pushed underneath the wooden desk. The expensive chair was specifically designed for a heavy person. The seat was incredibly wide, and the thick bottom cushion offered maximum physical support to accommodate my wide hips and my heavy thighs. I realized instantly that Maximilian had specifically ordered a wide chair so I would never feel squeezed or uncomfortable while sitting in his office.

I pulled the wide leather chair backward and sat down. The thick cushion perfectly supported my heavy curves. I reached forward and pressed the power button on my new computer monitor.

The massive corner office remained completely quiet for the next three hours. Maximilian sat behind his glass desk and focused entirely on his corporate duties. We did not speak to each other. I opened the new acquisition files on my computer and began analyzing the complex revenue data.

However, the physical tension inside the quiet room felt incredibly thick and distracting. We sat in a forced, close-proximity environment. I heard the rapid, heavy clicking sound of his large fingers hitting his computer keyboard. I heard the deep, steady sound of his breathing. Every few minutes, I felt the intense weight of his gaze entirely focused on my body. I would look up from my computer screen and catch his gray eyes staring directly at my navy blue pencil skirt or my white silk blouse. He would hold our eye contact for several long seconds before slowly returning his attention to his own work.

My severe insecurities fought constantly with my growing physical attraction to him. I pushed my black-framed glasses up my nose repeatedly to release my nervous energy.

The digital clock on my computer monitor suddenly changed to one o'clock in the afternoon.

My completely empty stomach reacted to the time immediately. Because I only ate half of my breakfast in his penthouse, my stomach produced a very loud, vibrating growling noise that echoed clearly across the completely silent office. I gasped softly and quickly pressed my right hand flat against my stomach to muffle the embarrassing sound. A hot, dark red blush rapidly covered my cheeks and my neck.

Maximilian stopped typing on his keyboard immediately. He pulled his large hands away from his desk and sat back in his heavy leather chair. He looked across the ten feet of empty space, staring directly at my hands covering my soft stomach.

"Save the data spreadsheet on your computer screen right now, Alexandra, and push your chair away from your desk," Maximilian commanded in a deep, strict voice as he picked up his black office telephone. "I refuse to let you sit in my office and starve while you work for me. We are going to eat a massive hot lunch together right now, and you are going to eat every single bite."