Chapter Eleven

Ellie sat at her desk going through a travel magazine wishing she had enough money to take Miesa around the world. It wasn’t that Cesar didn’t pay her enough – he did and he was in fact more than generous but she had bills to pay and she couldn’t afford to be broke at this time. Not when she’d promised Miesa a big cake for her birthday and her favorite cartoon character gown.

Miesa would throw a fit if she didn’t get that gown..and her temper tantrums were the worst. It was one she didn't want to experience. Not ever.

The elevator doors pinged and opened and Cesar stepped out looking drop dead gorgeous in his navy blue suit. His hair was gelled back and he was clean shaven. He looked gorgeous in any outfit but today… there was something about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

“Good morning sir.” Ellie greeted, cheerfully.

“In my office right now.” He ordered and went to his office.

Ellie stared after him, shocked by his attitude. Never in the three years she’d been working for him had he brushed off her greeting. He was almost always in a bad mood but he'd never taken out his frustration on her and she hoped that it wasn't because of Saturday. She'd told him she loved him… as a friend but she was willing to take it all back if he so wished.

“Probably woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Her inner goddess said.

“Is there really a wrong side?You either sleep on the left or right.” Her subconscious stated drily.

Ellie rose and went to get him coffee from the pantry then took it to his office. She knocked twice and his gruff voice ordered her to enter which she did.

“Here’s your coffee sir.” She placed the cup in front of him.

Cesar stared at the coffee and then her face without saying anything. His expression was indecipherable and she wondered what he was thinking. She'd never been able to know what he might be thinking just by looking at his face. He was like a fortress.

“Anything else sir?”. She inquired.

“Sit.” He gestured to the chair in front of the desk.

Ellie pulled out a chair and sat down wondering what was going on with him. He was acting very strange.

Cesar leaned forward in his chair and laced his fingers together on the glass table. He stared intently at her face making her uncomfortable.

Ellie squirmed in her seat and looked down at her lap. She couldn’t get a read on him and he was scaring her.

“What?”. She finally had the courage to snap. "Do I have something on my face?".

“Do you have something to tell me? Anything at all?”. He questioned, ignoring her question.

“Like what?”. She stared at him in confusion.

Cesar shrugged. “Anything that isn’t work related.” He said airily.

“I don’t have anything I want to tell you.” She said.

“Don’t you?”. He raised an eyebrow.

Ellie frowned. "Did he know something she didn’t?." She wondered.

Ellie looked back at him hoping to get some answers in his eyes but they were expressionless.

“I really don’t know what you’re on about this morning sir. I have nothing to tell you.” She insisted.

“Okay." He readily agreed. "What’s the itinerary for today?”.

“Um.. you have a shareholders meeting at 9 and your flight to Mexico at 12.” She opened her planner.

“Okay.”

“Are you okay?”. She had to ask. She couldn't help herself. He didn't even comment on her outfit this morning and he never failed to do that. Bad mood or not.

“I’m fine." He frowned. "Why do you ask?”.

Ellie shrugged one shoulder. “It was so unlike you not to respond to my greeting.”

“I’m sorry." He apologized. She thought he wasn't really sorry but she didn't bother calling him out on it. He'd tell her whatever was bothering him when he wanted to.

“Apology accepted.” She smiled.

Cesar smiled back but it didn’t reach his eyes which she noticed but didn’t comment on and she turned to leave but suddenly remembered something important and turned back to look at him.

"Cesar?".

"Yes?". He looked up at her. "Before I forget, can you order for a dozen roses to be sent to Antoinette Montalvo's house?".

"And you think she'll accept it?".

"Wouldn't you?". He asked. "If you were Annie."

"No." She shook her head. "You hurt me. I think I'll only be satisfied if I have your head hanging on my wall."

Cesar threw his head back and laughed. "See that's why you're my best girl." He said. "But killing me would hurt you, seeing as I'm the only one in the world." He shot her a roguish grin.

"And the flirt is back." Ellie rolled her eyes. "I'll find someone else."

"Hmm. Keep telling yourself that." He murmured. "What did you want to tell me?".

"Mimi's birthday is coming up soon. Will you be able to attend?". She asked. "She specifically told me to grovel at your feet until you say yes."

Cesar's lips curled up in a half smile which was very calculating. "That's a great idea." He rumbled. "I can definitely picture you on your knees in front of me with my c*ck in your mouth." His grin widened.

"You'd like that, don't you?". She gave him the stink eye.

"Very much. It'd be a dream come true." He said.

"Then you'd dream for a long time boss." She informed him.

"I always get what I want." He said.

"Don't count your Cesars before they hatch sweetheart." She told him. "You might be disappointed by the outcome. I think you'll grow old before I'll grovel at your feet Islan." Ellie clicked her tongue. "You coming?".

"Yeah. Just put it on my schedule." He went back to what he was doing.

"Thanks." Ellie smiled and walked out. She was glad she'd been able to get him out of his mood but there was a niggling feeling at the back of her mind which was still trying to process the strangeness of his attitude. She came up short.

“Strange.” Her inner goddess commented looking thoughtful.

“I hope he finds out your secret soon.” Her subconscious said.