All Chapters of Don't Love Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Magna Corp

I look in the full-length mirror one last time before leaving for work. The company I transferred to 3 months ago has a very strict dress policy, but with the very generous compensation, I didn't mind. My pencil skirt goes just past my knees and the matching blue suit jacket is perfectly fitted to my shape. My white shirt is perfectly ironed. I can't iron at all but this company has free dry cleaning.I sigh, one last time before leaving, knowing that the dress code I was originally excited about was now my nightmare.When I walked to work on my first day, I basked in the attention of men looking at me on the street and I felt so professional as my heels clicked with each step. I was hired to be the second assistant to the CEO of Magna Corp, Mr. Linch. The company paid for my relocation from Toronto to Chicago and processed my work Visa. The pay is amazing and for the first year they provided me with my apartment and covered the rent.The whole situation seemed like a dream, but I lea

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Mr. Conti

Mr. Linch lets go of my arm and takes a step back from me. He transforms into a jovial man so quickly, "Mr. Conti, you just walked into a little misunderstanding." He turns to me and says, "You are free to leave Alexa."I walk towards the door, hoping to get out of this office as quickly as possible, worried I might cry. Mr. Conti has a cold, neutral expression on his face that gives away nothing as I pass him. Tony is at the door waiting for me. He alternates between looking towards me with a kind expression and looking at Mr. Finch in absolute anger.Once I reach the door he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me through, closing the door behind us."I can't believe that bastard did that!" he rages. "I was gone for 5 minutes. He is shameless."He leads me towards my desk and sits me in my chair. He disappears for a moment and comes back with a black coffee for me. He also has a Coffee Crisp, my favorite chocolate bar. I smile at him and accept the offerings."Tony, how am I g

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Drinks and Gossip

Tony and I are sitting at a high top at a cocktail place in the financial district. I feel so chic with me in my dress and him in his suit. I never thought this would be my crowd and while, deep down, it really isn't, I can at least blend in.There was a Shirley Temple in a fancy cocktail glass waiting for me when I arrived. Tony knows I hate drinking alcohol and never pressures me to join him. He jokes that he likes having me around so that I can stop him when he does stupid stuff, but it's starting to feel like a full-time job. Tony is a horrible decision maker when drunk. He drunk dials exes, wants tattoos, pays for strangers' drinks, and tends to wander off if unsupervised.The second I sit down, he says, "OMG girl, you have stirred up a shit storm. I love it!""What is going on," I asked confused, "all I know is that I have a week off and a new address for where I'm going to be working. Am I in a different department?""Nope, by the end of the week you'll be out of Magna Corp and

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

First Day

A week later I enter my new office with renewed energy. It feels like 3 months ago when I started at Magna Corp, only better because I would be meeting with Tony at the end of the work day to debrief. (He quite literally entered it into our shared calendar as Debrief).At reception, I am handed a badge and told to proceed to the top floor. The reception at the top floor then directs me to a corner office. I'm starting to get curious about who I'll be working for. I assumed that Mr. Conti was saving me from Mr. Finch and they might not actually have an open position for me, especially for an executive.I enter an office with two desks with a similar set-up to my last workplace, only this place is bigger and more modern, which I prefer. There is a door at the opposite end to the room that I assume leads to our boss's office. The best part, though, is that we have our own little break room and private bathroom!"This is Jessica," the receptionist explains, "She is the first assistant and

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Prep Work

Jessica turns out to be a huge problem. Her only goal at work is to become Mrs. Conti, which means she expects me to do the work of two people. What's even worse is that, when Mr. Conti does a morning brief with her to go over his schedule she spends the whole time trying to flirt and writes nothing down. It's always a huge guessing game trying to figure out what we're supposed to be doing.I've been here about a month now and I've learned to read Jessica's moods. Today, she's smiling, so Mr. Conti has an event he needs to attend and he doesn't have a date. He never has a date. Somehow, every time, Jessica talks herself into thinking that Mr. Conti will ask her to accompany him. She spends all week with her head in the clouds, finding the perfect dress. She is sometimes able to get a ticket to the event and she'll come back on Monday talking all about how they connected at the event.Once she sits down, I walk over to her desk with a notepad ready to get as much information as I can s

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Interpreter Fumble

Normally, Jessica would go greet any of Mr. Conti's clients and bring them to his office, but today we arranged for the secretary by the elevators to escort them in, since she can speak some basic French. I can speak French as well, but no one here is aware of that and if I offered my services, I'm sure Jessica would have turned me down. She would never allow me to contribute in any way that might make me look better than her, and a second language would definitely do that. The French interpreter arrives with only two minutes to spare. Had I been the one booking the interpreter, I would have had him start at 9am. Sure, he would have just been sitting around for an hour, but if he was even one minute late it would look bad with the Losanges.Our office door is open so we can hear the ding of the elevator when they arrive on our floor. Mr. Conti stands with his usual controlled manner, as if this isn't a very important week and walks out to our outer office area to greet the guest. For

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Brunch with Annabelle

***Any conversation between Alexa and Annabelle is in French***I'm not sure what to say to Mrs. Losange because I don't want to offend her, but I have a day job, so I say, "I'm sure we can find an interpreter to help you throughout the week. I can't exactly take a week away from work right now. I don't have enough vacation days accrued.""You North Americans and your pathetic vacation days. What's the point of living if you only have 10 vacation days a year? Don't worry, I'll have my husband arrange it. You'll stay with me for the week and still get paid. My husband never says no when I put up a fuss."I let it go for now. I'm sure Mr. Losange and Mr. Conti can figure it out. I catch sight of Jessica sending me death stares and decide it's time to get out of here. "Should we go to your scheduled brunch, then to the MET?""Yes. After you," she says excitedly. Her energy is infectious and suddenly the idea of a day of exploring the sights sounds amazing.In the elevator, she turns to m

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Champagne

After the MET, Annabelle has me accompagny her to her shopping appointment. We're nearly the same size so when she gets tired of trying things on she has me try them on for her. I have to admit It's kind of fun and the quality of the clothing is nothing like I've ever experienced before. Of course, I check the tag and everything is in the thousand dollar range. I think I found one blouse for under one thousand, but still way to out of my budget.She insists that I join her for dinner claiming that her husband sometimes cancels for business meetings and she doesn't want to be alone if that happens.She says, "In Paris I can eat alone and enjoy a smoke and no one cares. Here, it feels like everyone is staring at me and judging me for enjoying my own company."I laugh and agree, "It is a little intimidating to do anything alone. When I first came to this city there were so many things I wanted to experience but it felt so lonely, especially when people are staring at you like you don't b

Last Updated : 2025-11-03

Call Him Cassio

The champagne arrives and we all toast to my promotion, which I think is surreal. All these powerful people celebrating what would be such a little win for themselves."I'm so glad that you were there to save the day. I would have been distracted all week, worrying about my wife spending all that time alone. I dragged her along on this trip and I would be in big trouble if she didn't enjoy it," he says."Mr. Losange, it's my pleasure. I love any chance I get to speak French and your wife has been so kind to me. It's nice to have someone to sightsee with," I respond."Please call me Antoine," he says. Then he turns to Mr. Conti and says, "Cassio, you really lucked out with this assistant, her French is great, almost like she grew up in France.""I stole her from a rival," is Mr. Conti's straight face reply."Ooo, I love it. So scandalous, it's not normally like you Americans. Always having to meet with HR and lawyers for hours before the slightest decision can be made," Antoine mocks.

Last Updated : 2025-11-03

The Chase

We eat a delicious dessert and I drink a black coffee. When the evening is over, Cassio picks up the check for everyone and we get up to leave. That's when Annabelle makes her move."Arrabella, where do you live? We can take you home," she offers innocently.In English Antoine says, "Yes, I wasn't thinking. Of course we could take you home. It's too late for you to be making your way home alone.""I'll be fine. I can hail a cab," I insist, not wanting to make a fuss. I live no where near their hotel."No, we insist," Annabelle says, then looks to Antoine and says, "Don't let her say no.""You heard my wife, we won't let you go home alone," Antoine says.Cassio is watching the interaction and you can tell he's losing patience when he says, "I'll take her home. She lives closer to me.""You know where she lives?" Annabelle says in broken English, stirring the pot. I'm surprised for a moment because I thought she couldn't speak a word."All employees in a company apartment are close to w

Last Updated : 2025-11-04

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP