Chapter 4—My gynaecologist… and now my CEO.

Kimberly's POV

I got to the office the next day, trying so hard to get along with the day as I managed to put away everything about the previous day behind me.

Or at least, that's what I told myself in the elevator that morning, straightening my blazer, forcing my mind away from a certain white coat and a certain pair of eyes that had no business following me into a new week.

"Guess what?" My colleague and somehow 'gist' partner at work said to me, already having my attention, as I had my eyes focused on the computer I was working with right in front of me. "The new CEO is coming today."

"Not now, Ivy." I tried to shut her out because we shouldn't have that up for a discussion in the first place, not when I had three reports due before noon and a headache that had started sometime around 6 a.m.

"Come on, don't act like you're not even a little curious." She leaned closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing state secrets. "Word has it that he's young. And of course loaded. And single."

"That's three things too many for me to care about right now."

"You are a total babe. Just one smile from you and you will walk out as Mrs. CEO." I really don't know why it's so easy for her to forget that I am married, but I wouldn't say 'happily married,' so I wouldn't really blame her, though. "It's just easy for you. I mean, you are pretty and…"

"Ivy."

"I'm just saying! Some women would kill for a new, rich, single boss to fall into their lap on a random Tuesday."

"Well, some women aren't wearing a wedding ring," I said, holding up my hand for emphasis, though even as I said it, something about the words felt hollow, like I was defending a marriage that didn't particularly want ‘defending’ these days.

Ivy raised an eyebrow but let it go, thankfully, right as the administrator's voice came through the space. "Everyone! The new CEO is here! Please move downstairs now! Let's go!"

Without wasting a single second, every one of us found our way downstairs for the official welcoming of the CEO.

"This is so exciting," Ivy whispered beside me as we filed into position, practically bouncing on her heels. "Do you think he'll actually talk to us, or just wave and disappear like the last one?"

"I think you should focus on looking professional and not like you're about to propose to a man you haven't met yet."

She laughed, swatting my arm lightly, and for a second I almost forgot the weight sitting on my chest since the night before.

We were already positioned accordingly, and all eyes at the entrance, as the convoy of Maybachs and other luxury cars came into view. The host guards stood all around him as the CEO stepped out and approached, walking inside to meet us. At the sight of him, I couldn't believe my eyes. I froze in that minute.

He then removed the glasses from his eyes, and it was as if I had to confirm my instincts. "No way. Him?" I was as surprised and shocked as hell.

*****

Like, how exactly? Or was I reincarnating or something?

Beside me, Ivy nudged my arm, whispering, "Kimberly, you look like you just saw a ghost. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I managed to say, though my voice came out thinner than I intended. ‘Fine’ was the last thing I felt, standing there watching the same man who had examined me on a table less than 24 hours ago walk toward us in a tailored suit like he owned the very air in the building.

Because apparently, he did.

"Good morning, sir. You are welcome to the company." We all greeted in unison, as expected, my voice blending in with the rest even though every part of me wanted to shrink out of sight.

He only smiled softly, but in an official manner, his eyes sweeping over the crowd like he was taking inventory of every face in the room. "Thank you. I appreciate the warm reception." His gaze paused, just briefly, somewhere in my direction, and I told myself it was my imagination. It had to be.

"I look forward to working alongside every one of you," he added in a smooth and unbothered voice. "Let's make this a good year."

A polite ripple of applause went through the crowd. Ivy clapped enthusiastically beside me, still whispering under her breath, "He's even better looking up close. Kimberly, are you seeing this?"

I didn't trust myself to answer that.

Just then, he walked past us and went to the elevator.

All the while, I couldn't get my eyes off him, and somehow I could say the same for him. But he had this straight face, unreadable, giving nothing away, like whatever recognition had passed between us existed only in my head.

'This can't be real,' I said to myself, touching my palm, to be sure all of this was real. "I mean, I just hope this isn't a dream."

"Did you say something?" Ivy asked, glancing at me sideways.

"No. Nothing." I shook my head, trying to will my heartbeat back to something resembling normal.

"You've been acting strange since he walked in," she said, studying me a little too closely for comfort. "You sure you're okay?"

"I told you, I'm fine." I forced a smile, hoping it looked more convincing than it felt.

Just as I was still recollecting, trying to wrap all of this around my head, my manager walked up to me.

"Kimberly, the CEO wants to see you. In his office. Now."

The words hit me like a bucket of cold water.

Ivy's mouth actually fell open. "Wait, what? Why you?"

"I don't know," I said honestly, because I truly didn't, even though some small, terrified part of me had a guess.

"On his first day? Kimberly, that's not normal. CEOs don't just call random employees into their office on day one." Ivy's eyes were wide, equal parts scandalized and thrilled, like she'd already written the office gossip in her head before I'd even taken a step.

"I'm sure it's nothing," I said, though my legs didn't feel entirely convinced as I turned to head toward the elevator.

I could see the shock expressed on my colleagues' faces, and I fully understood what they must be thinking. I mean, it was his first day at work, and he wanted to see me particularly, at his office. I wouldn't know how exactly to feel at the moment, or even think with regards to going to meet someone who saw my body just the previous day, as a gynaecologist, and now my CEO.